DETAILED ACTION
This action is in response to the amendment dated 2/6/2026. Claims 1, 16 and 18 are currently amended. Claim 2, 10, and 11 have been canceled. No claims have been newly added. Presently, claims 1, 3-9, and 12-21 are pending.
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments filed 2/6/2026 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive.
Applicant argues the rejections of claims 1, 3-9, 12-15, 18, 19 and 21 under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Sinkler (US 3,536,295) in view of Sandling (US 4,410,003) and in view of O’Connor (US 3,128,987) and the rejections of claims 1, 3-9, 12-15 and 18-21 under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Sandling (US 4,410,003) in view of Sinker (US 3,536,295) and in view of O’Connor (US 3,128,987) and the rejections of claims 16 and 17 under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Sinkler in view of Sandling in view of O’Connor and in view of Bowers (US 6,382,591) on pages 10-13 of the remarks dated 2/6/2026.
Applicant argues that the cited art does not disclose or suggest the newly added features relating to the slots are disposed in the support frame and “extending from an external hub surface of the generally tubular hub to an internal hub surface of the generally tubular hub partially about peripheries of a pair of opposed hub apertures of the generally tubular hub” and that “the pair opposed sleeve apertures are aligned with the pair of opposed hub apertures and substantially surround respective rims of the generally tubular hub extending about peripheries of the respective hub apertures”.
However, it is considered that the Sandling reference addresses the newly added features to the claims.
The Sandling reference discloses sleeve apertures (it is considered that the portions of the sleeve/line 18 that surrounds the flange 42 of the cage/frame 38 constitutes opposed sleeve apertures) are aligned with hub apertures (it is considered that the opening within the flange 42 constitutes a hub aperture; see “hub apertures” in the annotated figure 5 below).
Further, it is considered that the sleeve apertures substantially surround the rims (flanges 42 define rims). In other words, the sleeve apertures surround and are aligned with the hub apertures wherein the rims surround the hub apertures.
Therefore, it is considered that the Sandling reference addresses applicant’s concerns and claim language relating to the newly added the slots are disposed in the support frame and “extending from an external hub surface of the generally tubular hub to an internal hub surface of the generally tubular hub partially about peripheries of a pair of opposed hub apertures of the generally tubular hub” and that “the pair opposed sleeve apertures are aligned with the pair of opposed hub apertures and substantially surround respective rims of the generally tubular hub extending about peripheries of the respective hub apertures” features.
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Since amended grounds of rejection were necessitated by applicant’s amendment, the instant Office action is made final.
Information Disclosure Statement
The information disclosure statement filed 5/5/2026 is acknowledged and has been considered by the examiner.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b):
(b) CONCLUSION.—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph:
The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention.
Claims 3-7 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor (or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention.
Claim 3 recites the limitation “an internal hub surface” in line 2. Claim 3 depends from claim 1. Claim 1 recites the limitation “an internal hub surface” in line 28. Does the recitation of “an internal hub surface” in claim 3 refer to the same structural element as the recitation of “an internal hub surface” in claim 1? Does the recitation of “an internal hub surface” in claim 3 refer to a different structural element than the recitation of “an internal hub surface” in claim 1? It appears that the recitation of “an internal hub surface” of claim 3 refers to the same structural element as the recitation of “an internal hub surface” of claim 1 and that the recitation of “an internal hub surface” of claim 3 should be “the internal hub surface”.
Claim 5 recites the limitation “a pair of opposed hub apertures” in line 2. Claim 5 depends indirectly from claim 1. Claim 1 recites the limitation “a pair of opposed hub apertures” in line 29. Does the recitation of “a pair of opposed hub apertures” in claim 5 refer to the same structural element as the recitation of “a pair of opposed hub apertures” in claim 1? Does the recitation of “a pair of opposed hub apertures” in claim 5 refer to a different structural element than the recitation of “a pair of opposed hub apertures” in claim 1? It appears that the recitation of “a pair of opposed hub apertures” of claim 5 refers to the same structural element as the recitation of “a pair of opposed hub apertures” of claim 1 and that the recitation of “a pair of opposed hub apertures” of claim 5 should be “the pair of opposed hub apertures”.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action:
A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made.
The factual inquiries for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35 U.S.C. 103 are summarized as follows:
1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art.
2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue.
3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art.
4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or non-obviousness.
This application currently names joint inventors. In considering patentability of the claims the examiner presumes that the subject matter of the various claims was commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the claimed invention(s) absent any evidence to the contrary. Applicant is advised of the obligation under 37 CFR 1.56 to point out the inventor and effective filing dates of each claim that was not commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the later invention in order for the examiner to consider the applicability of 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(C) for any potential 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) prior art against the later invention.
Claim(s) 1, 3-9, 12-15, 18, 19 and 21 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Sinkler (US 3536295) in view of Sandling (US 4410003) and in view of O’Connor (US 3128987).
Claim(s) 3-7 will be treated as best understood in view of the rejections under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) above.
Regarding claim 1, the Sinkler reference discloses a valve comprising:
a housing (16) including a cylindrical internal chamber (32; the body bore is substantially cylindrical; see col. 3, lines 15-16); and
a valve assembly (see figure 1) having
a valve body (16),
a sleeve (liner 18) having
a cylindrical external sleeve surface (it is considered that the external surface of the liner 18 has a cylindrical shape as depicted in figure 1, figure 2 and figure 10), and
an internal sleeve surface (it is considered that the internal surface of the liner 18 that faces the valve plug body 20) defining an interior cavity (the plug 20 is received within the internal cavity; see figure 1); and
a plug (valve plug) positioned within the interior cavity (see figure 1) and including:
a plug shaft (46) extending along a central axis (it is considered that the central axis extends along a vertical axis that extends along from the central portion of the stem 46, 38 and to the base of the plug 20 in the orientation depicted in figure 2), and
a plug body (20) disposed below the plug shaft (see figure 1), the plug body having:
an internal plug surface (considered the surface of the passage 22) defining a plug flow passage (22), the plug flow passage (22) extending transversely relative to the central axis (see figure 2), and
an external plug surface (considered the external surface of the plug body 20) configured to sealingly engage the internal sleeve surface (see figure 1),
wherein the internal sleeve surface tapers radially outwardly relative to the central axis (see figure 1);
wherein the sleeve (liner 18) is positioned within the cylindrical internal chamber (32) of the housing (16) and fixed against movement relative thereto (the liner 18 is stationary within the base of the hollow body 16; see col. 2, lines 44-48);
wherein the sleeve includes a pair of opposed sleeve apertures (28, 30).
Firstly, the Sinkler reference does not disclose wherein the valve assembly includes a cartridge including a generally tubular hub wherein the sleeve encapsulates at least a portion of the hub,
wherein the sleeve includes an outer sleeve portion and an inner portion at least partially spaced apart from the outer sleeve portion by at least one channel, and a support frame of the generally tubular hub is captured between the inner sleeve portion and the outer sleeve portion, and
wherein the support frame is secured within the at least one channel via at least one support rib received within the at least one channel and [the outer sleeve portion and the inner sleeve portion] are coupled to each other by connecting portions of [the outer sleeve portion and the inner sleeve portion] occupying one or more curved slots disposed in the support frame.
However, the Sandling reference teaches a valve assembly having:
(a) a cartridge (it is considered that the cage 38 constitutes the cartridge; see figures 4-7) configured to be removably coupled to a valve body (35) and including a generally tubular hub (it is considered that the cage 38 defines a generally tubular hub; see figure 6 and figure 7); and
(b) a sleeve (90; see reference numeral 90 in figure 4 and figure 5 for the sleeve 90) encapsulating at least a portion of the generally tubular hub (see at least figure 5 for the sleeve 90 encapsulating the cage 38; see col. 5, lines 22-36) and having an internal sleeve surface (it is considered that the surface of the sleeve 90 that faces radially inward toward the plug 18 constitutes the internal sleeve surface) defining an interior cavity (the plug 18 is received within the interior cavity) wherein the sleeve is molded to the hub (see col. 5, lines 22-36);
wherein the sleeve includes an outer sleeve portion (see “outer sleeve portion” in the annotated figure 4 below) and an inner sleeve portion (see “inner sleeve portion” in the annotated figure 4 below) at least partially spaced apart from the outer sleeve portion by at least one channel (see the “channel” in the annotated figure 4 below; it is considered that the cage 38 is received within the channel), and a support frame (it is considered that the cage 38 defines a support frame) of the generally tubular hub is captured between the inner sleeve portion and the outer sleeve portion, and
wherein the support frame is secured within the at least one channel via at least one support rib (it is considered that the portion of support frame of the cage 38 that surrounds the holes 92 constitute a support rib) received within the at least one channel and the outer sleeve portion and the inner sleeve portion are coupled to each other by connecting portions (it is considered that the portions of the sleeve that connects the inner sleeve portion with the outer sleeve portion and is received within the opening 43 constitutes the connecting portions of the outer sleeve portion and the inner sleeve portion) of the outer sleeve portion and the inner sleeve portion occupying one or more curved slots (it is considered that opening the opening 43 and the slots 92 constitute one or more curved slots disposed in the support frame; the slots 92 provide a keying for liner 90 to the cage/frame 38; see col. 5, lines 26-33; further, it is considered that the sleeve is received within the opening 43 which is considered to form a curved slot; see col. 4, lines 54-56) and extending from an external hub surface (see the “external hub surface” in the annotated figure 5 below) of the generally tubular hub (cage 38) to an internal hub surface (see the “internal hub surface” in the annotated figure 5 below) of the generally tubular hub (cage 38) partially about peripheries of a pair of opposed hub apertures (42; see “hub apertures” in the annotated figure 5 below; see also figure 4 for the slots 92 being disposed about the peripheries of the opening) of the generally tubular hub;
wherein a pair of opposed sleeve apertures (it is considered that the portions of the sleeve/line 18 that surrounds the flange 42 of the cage/frame 38 constitutes opposed sleeve apertures) are aligned with the pair of opposed hub apertures (see at least figure 5) and substantially surround respective rims (flange 42; it is considered that the sleeve/liner 18 surrounds / encompasses the outer surfaces of the flanges 42 in the circumferential direction) of the generally tubular hub extending about the peripheries of the respective hub;
wherein the hub within the sleeve provides substantially rigid reinforcing means to contain the cold flow tendency of the sleeve material (plastic), holes and windows to provide for locking of the sleeve material therein and relief areas to permit thermal expansion of the contained sleeve material, the metal portions of the cage (hub) around and defining the holes and windows ensuring the provision of high pressure sealing areas on the sleeve in use of the valve assembly (col. 2, lines 3-14).
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Therefore, it would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to provide the sleeve of the Sinkler reference with a generally tubular hub within the sleeve wherein the sleeve includes an outer sleeve portion and an inner sleeve portion at least partially spaced apart from the outer sleeve portion by at least one channel and a support frame of the generally tubular hub is captured between the inner sleeve portion and the outer sleeve portion, and wherein the support frame is secured within the at least one channel via at least one support rib received within the at least one channel and the outer sleeve portion and the inner sleeve portion are coupled to each other by connecting portions of the outer sleeve portion and the inner sleeve portion occupying one or more curved slots disposed in the support frame and extending from an external hub surface to an internal hub surface about peripheries of a pair of opposed hub apertures of the generally tubular hub and wherein a pair of opposed sleeve apertures are aligned with the pair of opposed hub apertures and substantially surround respective rims of the generally tubular hub extending about the peripheries of the respective hub apertures as taught by the Sandling reference in order to provide substantially rigid reinforcing means to contain the cold flow tendency of the sleeve material, holes and windows to provide for locking of the sleeve material therein and relief areas to permit thermal expansion of the contained sleeve material, the metal portions of the hub around and defining the holes and windows ensuring the provision of high pressure sealing areas on the sleeve in use of the valve assembly.
Secondly, the Sinkler reference of the combination of the Sinkler reference and the Sandling reference does not disclose wherein a pair of opposed recess are defined in an external sleeve surface of the outer sleeve portion between the pair of opposed sleeve apertures, and a protrusion extends outwardly from a center of each of the pair of opposed recesses to frictionally engage a central internal housing surface of the housing.
However, the O’Connor reference teaches a valve (11) having a housing (12) including an internal chamber (22); and
a valve assembly comprising:
a sleeve (10) having:
an external sleeve surface (see “external sleeve surface” in the annotated figure 2 below), and
an internal sleeve surface (see “internal sleeve surface” in the annotated figure 2 below) defining an interior cavity (the plug 15 is received within the interior cavity); and
a plug (15) positioned within the interior cavity;
wherein a pair of opposed recesses (see “first recess” and “second recess” in the annotated figure 2 below) are defined in [the] external sleeve surface of the outer sleeve portion between a pair of opposed sleeve apertures (13a, 14a), and a protrusion (see “protrusion” in the annotated figure 2 below) extends outwardly from a center of each of the pair of opposed recesses (it is considered that the “protrusion” extends from between the “first recess” and the “second recess” as depicted in the annotated figure 2 below) to frictionally engage a central internal housing surface (considered the surface 23) of the housing (12);
in order to achieve tight sealing and protection against cold-flow and blow out (see col. 1, lines 55-69).
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Therefore, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the sleeve of the Sinkler reference of the combination of the Sinkler reference and the Sandling reference to have a pair of opposed recess are defined in an external sleeve surface of the outer sleeve portion between the pair of opposed sleeve apertures, and a protrusion extends outwardly from a center of each of the pair of opposed recesses to frictionally engage a central internal housing surface of the housing as taught by the O’Connor reference in order to achieve tight sealing and protection against cold-flow and blow out.
In regards to claim 3, the Sandling reference of the combination of the Sinkler reference, the Sandling reference and the O’Connor reference discloses wherein the generally tubular hub includes an internal hub surface (Sandling: see the annotated figure 7 above for the “internal hub surface”), wherein the internal sleeve surface overlies the internal hub surface (Sandling: see figure 4 for the sleeve 90 having the internal sleeve surface that overlies the internal hub surface).
In regards to claim 4, the Sandling reference of the combination of the Sinkler reference, the Sandling reference and the O’Connor reference discloses wherein the generally tubular hub includes an external hub surface (Sandling: see the annotated figure 7 above for the “external hub surface”), wherein the external sleeve surface (Sandling: it is considered that the surface of the sleeve 90 that faces away from the interior cavity constitutes the external sleeve surface) overlies the external hub surface (Sandling: see figure 4 for the sleeve 90 having the external sleeve surface that overlies the external hub surface).
In regards to claim 5, the combination of the Sinkler reference, the Sandling reference and the O’Connor reference discloses wherein the generally tubular hub includes a pair of opposed hub apertures (Sandling: see the annotated figure 7 above for the “hub aperture”(s)) extending between the internal and external hub surfaces, wherein the sleeve includes [the] pair of opposed sleeve apertures (Sinkler: 28, 30; Sandling: it is considered that the flanges 42 that surround the pair of apertures extend through the pair of opposed sleeve apertures as depicted in figure 5; O’Connor: 13a, 14a) aligned with the pair of opposed hub apertures (Sandling: see figure 5).
In regards to claim 6, the Sandling reference of the combination of the Sinkler reference, the Sandling reference and the O’Connor reference discloses wherein the generally tubular hub includes a pair of opposed internal rims (Sandling: see the annotated figure 7 above for the “internal rim”(s)) extending inwardly from internal hub surface about peripheries of respective hub apertures (Sandling: see figure 5 and figure 7).
In regards to claim 7, the Sandling reference of the combination of the Sinkler reference, the Sandling reference and the O’Connor reference discloses wherein the generally tubular hub includes a pair of opposed external rims (Sandling: see the annotated figure 7 above for the “external rim”(s)) extending outwardly from the external hub surface about peripheries of respective hub apertures (Sandling: see figure 5 and figure 7).
In regards to claim 8, the Sandling reference of the combination of the Sinkler reference, the Sandling reference and the O’Connor reference discloses wherein the sleeve encapsulates the support frame (Sandling: the material of the sleeve 90 is molded to the cage 38 through the holes 92; see col. 5, lines 26-33; see at least figure 5 for the sleeve 90 to encapsulate the support frame of the cage 38).
In regards to claim 9, the combination of the Sinkler reference, the Sandling reference and the O’Connor reference discloses wherein the internal sleeve surface is presented by the inner sleeve portion (Sandling: see figure 4).
In regards to claim 12, the Sandling reference of the combination of the Sinkler reference, the Sandling reference and the O’Connor reference discloses wherein the sleeve is molded onto at least the portion of the generally tubular hub (Sandling: see at least col. 5, lines 22-36).
“[E]ven though product-by-process claims are limited by and defined by the process, determination of patentability is based on the product itself. The patentability of a product does not depend on its method of production. If the product in the product-by-process claim is the same as or obvious from a product of the prior art, the claim is unpatentable even though the prior product was made by a different process.” In re Thorpe, 777 F.2d 695, 698, 227 USPQ 964, 966 (Fed. Cir. 1985), see MPEP 2113.
In regards to claim 13, the combination of the Sinkler reference, the Sandling reference and the O’Connor reference discloses wherein the sleeve is constructed of a polymeric material (Sinkler: sleeve 18 may be made from the material from the group consisting of polyethylene and derivatives thereof such as polytetrafluoroethylene, see col. 4, lines 45-52).
In regards to claim 14, the combination of the Sinkler reference, the Sandling reference and the O’Connor reference discloses wherein the sleeve is constructed of at least one of PTFE (Sinkler: col. 4, lines 45-52).
In regards to claim 15, the Sandling reference of the combination of the Sinkler reference, the Sandling reference and the O’Connor reference discloses wherein the cartridge is constructed of a metallic material (Sandling: the cage 38 is made of a metal; see col. 5, line 29).
In regards to claim 21, the Sinkler reference of the combination of the Sinkler reference, the Sandling reference and the O’Connor reference discloses wherein the external plug surface (Sinkler: considered the external surface of the plug body 20) tapers radially outwardly relative to the central axis in a downward direction continuously from a first position above the plug flow passage to a second position below the plug flow passage (Sinkler: see figure 1 for the external plug surface to be tapering radially outwardly relative to the central axis).
Regarding claim 18, the Sinkler reference discloses a valve comprising:
a housing (16) including a cylindrical internal chamber (32; the body bore is substantially cylindrical; see col. 3, lines 15-16); and
a valve assembly (see figure 1) having:
a valve body (it is considered that the housing 16 constitutes a valve body),
a sleeve (liner 18) having
a cylindrical external sleeve surface (it is considered that the external surface of the liner 18 has a cylindrical shape as depicted in figure 1, figure 2 and figure 10), and
an internal sleeve surface (it is considered that the internal surface of the liner 18 that faces the valve plug body 20) defining an interior cavity (the plug 20 is received within the internal cavity; see figure 1); and
a plug (valve plug) positioned within the interior cavity (see figure 1) and including:
a plug shaft (46) extending along a central axis, and
a plug body (20) disposed below the plug shaft (see figure 1), the plug body having:
an internal plug surface (considered the surface of the passage 22) defining a plug flow passage (22), the plug flow passage (22) extending transversely relative to the central axis (see figure 2), and
an external plug surface (considered the external surface of the plug body 20) configured to sealingly engage the internal sleeve surface (see figure 1),
wherein the internal sleeve surface tapers radially outwardly relative to the central axis (see figure 1);
wherein the sleeve is positioned within the cylindrical internal chamber of the housing and fixed against movement relative thereto (the liner 18 is stationary within the base of the hollow body 16; see col. 2, lines 44-48); and
wherein the sleeve includes a pair of opposed sleeve apertures (28, 30).
Firstly, the Sinkler reference does not disclose wherein the valve assembly includes a cartridge including a mounting portion and a generally tubular hub portion extending downwardly from the mounting portion wherein the sleeve at least partially encapsulating the hub portion,
wherein the sleeve includes an outer sleeve portion and an inner portion at least partially spaced apart from the outer sleeve portion by at least one channel, and a support frame of the generally tubular hub is captured between the inner sleeve portion and the outer sleeve portion, and
wherein the support frame is secured within the at least one channel via at least one support rib received within the at least one channel and the outer sleeve portion and the inner sleeve portion are coupled to each other by connecting portions of the outer sleeve portion and the inner sleeve portion occupying one or more curved slots disposed in the support frame and extending from an external hub surface of the generally tubular hub portion to an internal hub surface of the generally tubular hub portion partially about peripheries of a pair of opposed hub apertures of the generally tubular hub portion and
wherein the pair of opposed sleeve apertures are aligned with the pair of opposed hub apertures and substantially surround respective rims of the generally tubular hub portion extending about the peripheries of the respective hub apertures.
However, the Sandling reference teaches a valve assembly having:
a cartridge (the cage 38 constitutes the cartridge; see figures 4-7) including:
a mounting portion (it is considered that the lateral flanges 54 of the cage 38 constitute a mounting portion) configured to be removably coupled to a valve body (10), and
a generally tubular hub portion (it is considered that the cage 38 defines a generally tubular hub; see figure 6 and figure 7) extending downwardly from the mounting portion (see figure 4 for the remainder of the cage 38 extending downward form the flanges 54); and
a sleeve (90; see reference numeral 90 in figure 4 and figure 5 for the sleeve 90) at least partially encapsulating the hub portion (see at least figure 5 for the sleeve 90 encapsulating the cage 38; see col. 5, lines 22-36) and having
an external sleeve surface (it is considered that the surface of the sleeve 90 that faces the body 10 constitutes the external sleeve surface), and
an internal sleeve surface (it is considered that the surface of the sleeve 90 that faces radially inward toward the plug 18 constitutes the internal sleeve surface) defining an interior cavity (the plug 18 is received within the interior cavity);
wherein the sleeve includes an outer sleeve portion (see “outer sleeve portion” in the annotated figure 4 above) and an inner sleeve portion (see “inner sleeve portion” in the annotated figure 4 above) at least partially spaced apart from the outer sleeve portion by at least one channel (see the “channel” in the annotated figure 4 above; it is considered that the cage 38 is received within the channel), and a support frame (it is considered that the cage 38 defines a support frame) of the generally tubular hub is captured between the inner sleeve portion and the outer sleeve portion, and
wherein the support frame is secured within the at least one channel via at least one support rib (it is considered that the portion of support frame of the cage 38 that surrounds the holes 92 constitute a support rib) received within the at least one channel and the outer sleeve portion and the inner sleeve portion are coupled to each other by connecting portions (it is considered that the portions of the sleeve that connects the inner sleeve portion with the outer sleeve portion and is received within the opening 43 and the slots 92 constitute the connecting portions of the outer sleeve portion and the inner sleeve portion) of the outer sleeve portion and the inner sleeve portion occupying one or more curved slots disposed in the support frame (it is considered that opening the opening 43 and the slots 92 constitute one or more curved slots disposed in the support frame in which the sleeve/liner 18 is received; the slots 92 provide a keying for liner 90 to the cage/frame 38; see col. 5, lines 26-33; further, it is considered that the sleeve is received within the opening 43 which is considered to form a curved slot; see col. 4, lines 54-56) and extending from an external hub surface (see the “external hub surface” in the annotated figure 5 above) of the generally tubular hub (cage 38) to an internal hub surface (see the “internal hub surface” in the annotated figure 5 above) of the generally tubular hub (cage 38) partially about peripheries of a pair of opposed hub apertures (42; see “hub apertures” in the annotated figure 5 above; see also figure 4 for the slots 92 being disposed about the peripheries of the opening) of the generally tubular hub; and
wherein a pair of opposed sleeve apertures (it is considered that the portions of the sleeve/line 18 that surrounds the flange 42 of the cage/frame 38 constitutes opposed sleeve apertures) are aligned with the pair of opposed hub apertures (see at least figure 5) and substantially surround respective rims (flange 42; it is considered that the sleeve/liner 18 surrounds / encompasses the outer surfaces of the flanges 42 in the circumferential direction) of the generally tubular hub extending about the peripheries of the respective hub;
wherein the generally tubular hub portion within the sleeve provides substantially rigid reinforcing means to contain the cold flow tendency of the sleeve material (plastic), holes and windows to provide for locking of the sleeve material therein and relief areas to permit thermal expansion of the contained sleeve material, the metal portions of the cage (hub) around and defining the holes and windows ensuring the provision of high pressure sealing areas on the sleeve in use of the valve assembly (col. 2, lines 3-14).
Therefore, it would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to provide the sleeve of the Sinkler reference with a generally tubular hub within the sleeve wherein the sleeve includes an outer sleeve portion and an inner sleeve portion at least partially spaced apart from the outer sleeve portion by at least one channel and a support frame of the generally tubular hub is captured between the inner sleeve portion and the outer sleeve portion, and wherein the support frame is secured within the at least one channel via at least one support rib received within the at least one channel wherein the outer sleeve portion and the inner sleeve portion are coupled to each other by connecting portions of the outer sleeve portion and the inner sleeve portion occupying one or more curved slots disposed in the support frame and extending from an external hub surface to an internal hub surface about peripheries of a pair of opposed hub apertures of the generally tubular hub and wherein a pair of opposed sleeve apertures are aligned with the pair of opposed hub apertures and substantially surround respective rims of the generally tubular hub extending about the peripheries of the respective hub apertures as taught by the Sandling reference in order to provide substantially rigid reinforcing means to contain the cold flow tendency of the sleeve material, holes and windows to provide for locking of the sleeve material therein and relief areas to permit thermal expansion of the contained sleeve material, the metal portions of the hub around and defining the holes and windows ensuring the provision of high pressure sealing areas on the sleeve in use of the valve assembly.
Secondly, the Sinkler reference of the combination of the Sinkler reference and the Sandling reference does not disclose wherein a pair of opposed recess are defined in an external sleeve surface of the outer sleeve portion between the pair of opposed sleeve apertures, and a protrusion extends outwardly from a center of each of the pair of opposed recesses to frictionally engage a central internal housing surface of the housing.
However, the O’Connor reference teaches a valve (11) having a housing (12) including an internal chamber (22); and
a valve assembly comprising:
a sleeve (10) having:
an external sleeve surface (see “external sleeve surface” in the annotated figure 2 below), and
an internal sleeve surface (see “internal sleeve surface” in the annotated figure 2 below) defining an interior cavity (the plug 15 is received within the interior cavity); and
a plug (15) positioned within the interior cavity;
wherein a pair of opposed recesses (see “first recess” and “second recess” in the annotated figure 2 below) are defined in [the] external sleeve surface of the outer sleeve portion between a pair of opposed sleeve apertures (13a, 14a), and a protrusion (see “protrusion” in the annotated figure 2 below) extends outwardly from a center of each of the pair of opposed recesses (it is considered that the “protrusion” extends from between the “first recess” and the “second recess” as depicted in the annotated figure 2 below) to frictionally engage a central internal housing surface (considered the surface 23) of the housing (12);
in order to achieve tight sealing and protection against cold-flow and blow out (see col. 1, lines 55-69).
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Therefore, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the sleeve of the Sinkler reference of the combination of the Sinkler reference and the Sandling reference to have a pair of opposed recess are defined in an external sleeve surface of the outer sleeve portion between the pair of opposed sleeve apertures, and a protrusion extends outwardly from a center of each of the pair of opposed recesses to frictionally engage a central internal housing surface of the housing as taught by the O’Connor reference in order to achieve tight sealing and protection against cold-flow and blow out.
In regards to claim 19, the Sandling reference of the combination of the Sinkler reference, the Sandling reference and the O’Connor reference discloses wherein the mounting portion and the generally tubular hub portion are integrally formed together as a unitary piece (Sandling: see figure 7 for cartridge to be integrally formed as a unitary piece).
Claim(s) 1, 3-9, 12-15, and 18-21 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Sandling (US 4410003) in view of Sinkler (US 3536295) in view of O’Connor (US 3128987).
Claim(s) 3-7 will be treated as best understood in view of the rejections under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) above.
Regarding claim 1, the Sandling reference discloses a valve comprising:
a housing (10) including an internal chamber (see figure 1); and
a valve assembly having:
a cartridge (considered the cage 38; see figures 4-7) configured to be removably coupled to a valve body (35) and including a generally tubular hub (it is considered that the cage 38 defines a generally tubular hub; see figure 6 and figure 7); and
a sleeve (90; see reference numeral 90 in figure 4 and figure 5 for the sleeve 90) encapsulating at least a portion of the hub (see at least figure 5 for the sleeve 90 encapsulating the cage 38; see col. 5, lines 22-36) and having:
an external sleeve surface (it is considered that the surface of the sleeve 90 that faces the body 10 constitutes the external sleeve surface), and
an internal sleeve surface (it is considered that the surface of the sleeve 90 that faces radially inward toward the plug 18 constitutes the internal sleeve surface) defining an interior cavity (the plug 18 is received within the interior cavity); and
a plug (valve plug) positioned within the interior cavity (see figure 4) and including:
a plug shaft (it is considered that the bolt 24 secures the upper element 90 to the plug shaft; see figure 4) extending along a central axis, and
a plug body (18) disposed below the plug shaft (see figure 4) disposed below the plug shaft (see figure 4), the plug body having:
an internal plug surface (it is considered that the surface of the passage 40 constitutes the internal plug surface) defining a plug flow passage (40), the plug flow passage extending transversely relative to the central axis (see figure 4), and
an external plug surface (it is considered that the surface of the plug body 18 that faces toward the sleeve 90 constitutes the external plug surface) configured to sealingly engage the internal sleeve surface (see figure 5);
wherein the sleeve is positioned within the internal chamber of the housing (see at least figure 1).
wherein the sleeve includes an outer sleeve portion (see “outer sleeve portion” in the annotated figure 4 below) and an inner sleeve portion (see “inner sleeve portion” in the annotated figure 4 below) at least partially spaced apart from the outer sleeve portion by at least one channel (see the “channel” in the annotated figure 4 below; it is considered that the cage 38 is received within the channel), and a support frame (it is considered that the cage 38 defines a support frame) of the generally tubular hub is captured between the inner sleeve portion and the outer sleeve portion, and
wherein the support frame is secured within the at least one channel via at least one support rib (it is considered that the portion of support frame of the cage 38 that surrounds the holes 92 constitute a support rib) received within the at least one channel and the outer sleeve portion and the inner sleeve portion are coupled to each other by connecting portions (it is considered that the portions of the sleeve that connects the inner sleeve portion with the outer sleeve portion and is received within the opening 43 constitutes the connecting portions of the outer sleeve portion and the inner sleeve portion) of the outer sleeve portion and the inner sleeve portion occupying one or more curved slots disposed in the support frame (it is considered that opening the opening 43 and the slots 92 constitute one or more curved slots disposed in the support frame; the slots 92 provide a keying for liner 90 to the cage/frame 38; see col. 5, lines 26-33; further, it is considered that the sleeve is received within the opening 43 which is considered to form a curved slot; see col. 4, lines 54-56) and extending from an external hub surface (see the “external hub surface” in the annotated figure 5 below) of the generally tubular hub (cage 38) to an internal hub surface (see the “internal hub surface” in the annotated figure 5 below) of the generally tubular hub (cage 38) partially about peripheries of a pair of opposed hub apertures (42; see “hub apertures” in the annotated figure 5 below; see also figure 4 for the slots 92 being disposed about the peripheries of the opening) of the generally tubular hub;
wherein a pair of opposed sleeve apertures (it is considered that the portions of the sleeve/line 18 that surrounds the flange 42 of the cage/frame 38 constitutes opposed sleeve apertures) are aligned with the pair of opposed hub apertures (see at least figure 5) and substantially surround respective rims (flange 42; it is considered that the sleeve/liner 18 surrounds / encompasses the outer surfaces of the flanges 42 in the circumferential direction) of the generally tubular hub extending about the peripheries of the respective hub.
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Firstly, the Sandling reference does not disclose wherein the internal chamber in the housing is a cylindrical internal chamber; the external sleeve surface is a cylindrical external sleeve,
wherein the internal sleeve surface tapers radially outwardly relative to the central axis; and
wherein the sleeve is positioned within the cylindrical internal chamber of the housing and fixed against movement thereto.
However, the Sinkler reference teaches a valve comprising:
a housing (16) including a cylindrical internal chamber (32; the body bore is substantially cylindrical; see col. 3, lines 15-16);
a valve assembly (see figure 1) having:
a valve body (16),
a sleeve (liner 18) having
a cylindrical external sleeve surface (it is considered that the external surface of the liner 18 has a cylindrical shape as depicted in figure 1, figure 2 and figure 10), and
an internal sleeve surface (it is considered that the internal surface of the liner 18 that faces the valve plug body 20) defining an interior cavity (the plug 20 is received within the internal cavity; see figure 1); and
a plug (valve plug) positioned within the interior cavity (see figure 1) and including:
a plug shaft (46) extending along a central axis, and
a plug body (20) disposed below the plug shaft (see figure 1), the plug body having:
an internal plug surface (considered the surface of the passage 22) defining a plug flow passage (22), the plug flow passage (22) extending transversely relative to the central axis (see figure 2), and
an external plug surface (considered the external surface of the plug body 20) configured to sealingly engage the internal sleeve surface (see figure 1),
wherein the internal sleeve surface tapers radially outwardly relative to the central axis (see figure 1) in order to draw the plug body into seating engagement with the tapered inner wall of the liner thereby eliminating any bonnet or cover secured upon the body of the valve (col. 3, lines 9-22),
wherein the external sleeve surface is a cylindrical external sleeve surface to provide the sleeve as a resilient tube (col. 2, lines 56-57), and
wherein the sleeve is fixed against movement relative thereto (the liner 18 is stationary within the base of the hollow body 16; see col. 2, lines 44-48).
The substitution of one known element (the internal chamber being a cylindrical internal chamber wherein the external sleeve surface is a cylindrical external sleeve surface and wherein the internal sleeve surface tapers radially outwardly relative to the central axis and wherein the sleeve is fixed against relative movement to the cylindrical chamber as shown in Sinkler) for another (the shape of the internal chamber and the shape of the external sleeve surface and the shape of the external plug surface and the shape of the internal sleeve surface as shown in Sandling) would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art since the substitution of the shape of the external sleeve surface to be cylindrical which interacts with a corresponding cylindrical surface of the internal cylindrical chamber and the shape of the external plug surface and the shape of the internal sleeve surface to be tapering radially outwardly relative to the central axis from the plug shaft wherein the sleeve is fixed against movement relative to the internal chamber as shown in the Sinkler reference would have yielded predictable results, namely, a resilient tube shape for the external surface of the sleeve and to draw the plug body into seating engagement with the tapered inner wall of the sleeve thereby eliminating any bonnet or cover secured upon the body of the valve assembly.
Secondly, the Sandling reference of the combination of the Sandling reference and the Sinkler reference does not disclose wherein a pair of opposed recess are defined in an external sleeve surface of the outer sleeve portion between the pair of opposed sleeve apertures, and a protrusion extends outwardly from a center of each of the pair of opposed recesses to frictionally engage a central internal housing surface of the housing.
However, the O’Connor reference teaches a valve (11) having a housing (12) including an internal chamber (22); and
a valve assembly comprising:
a sleeve (10) having:
an external sleeve surface (see “external sleeve surface” in the annotated figure 2 below), and
an internal sleeve surface (see “internal sleeve surface” in the annotated figure 2 below) defining an interior cavity (the plug 15 is received within the interior cavity); and
a plug (15) positioned within the interior cavity;
wherein a pair of opposed recesses (see “first recess” and “second recess” in the annotated figure 2 below) are defined in [the] external sleeve surface of the outer sleeve portion between a pair of opposed sleeve apertures (13a, 14a), and a protrusion (see “protrusion” in the annotated figure 2 below) extends outwardly from a center of each of the pair of opposed recesses (it is considered that the “protrusion” extends from between the “first recess” and the “second recess” as depicted in the annotated figure 2 below) to frictionally engage a central internal housing surface (considered the surface 23) of the housing (12);
in order to achieve tight sealing and protection against cold-flow and blow out (see col. 1, lines 55-69).
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Therefore, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the sleeve of the Sandling reference of the combination of the Sandling reference and the Sinkler reference to have a pair of opposed recess are defined in an external sleeve surface of the outer sleeve portion between the pair of opposed sleeve apertures, and a protrusion extends outwardly from a center of each of the pair of opposed recesses to frictionally engage a central internal housing surface of the housing as taught by the O’Connor reference in order to achieve tight sealing and protection against cold-flow and blow out.
In regards to claim 3, the Sandling reference of the combination of the Sandling reference, the Sinkler reference and the O’Connor reference discloses wherein the generally tubular hub includes an internal hub surface (Sandling: see the annotated figure 7 below for the “internal hub surface”), wherein the internal sleeve surface overlies the internal hub surface (Sandling: see figure 4 for the sleeve 90 having the internal sleeve surface that overlies the internal hub surface).
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In regards to claim 4, the Sandling reference of the combination of the Sandling reference, the Sinkler reference and the O’Connor reference discloses wherein the generally tubular hub includes an external hub surface (Sandling: see the annotated figure 7 above for the “external hub surface”), wherein the cylindrical external sleeve surface (Sandling: it is considered that the surface of the sleeve 90 that faces away from the interior cavity constitutes the external sleeve surface) overlies the external hub surface (Sandling: see figure 4 for the sleeve 90 having the external sleeve surface that overlies the external hub surface).
In regards to claim 5, the combination of the Sandling reference, the Sinkler reference and the O’Connor reference discloses wherein the generally tubular hub includes a pair of opposed hub apertures (Sandling: see the annotated figure 7 above for the “hub aperture”(s)) extending between the internal and external hub surfaces, wherein the sleeve includes the pair of opposed sleeve apertures (Sinkler: 28, 30; Sandling: it is considered that the flanges 42 that surround the pair of apertures extend through the pair of opposed sleeve apertures as depicted in figure 5; O’Connor: 13a, 14a) aligned with the pair of opposed hub apertures (Sandling: see figure 5).
In regards to claim 6, the Sandling reference of the combination of the Sandling reference, the Sinkler reference and the O’Connor reference discloses wherein the generally tubular hub includes a pair of opposed internal rims (Sandling: see the annotated figure 7 above for the “internal rim”(s)) extending inwardly from internal hub surface about peripheries of respective hub apertures (Sandling: see figure 5 and figure 7).
In regards to claim 7, the Sandling reference of the combination of the Sandling reference, the Sinkler reference and the O’Connor reference discloses wherein the generally tubular hub includes a pair of opposed external rims (Sandling: see the annotated figure 7 above for the “external rim”(s)) extending outwardly from external hub surface about peripheries of respective hub apertures (Sandling: see figure 5 and figure 7).
In regards to claim 8, the Sandling reference of the combination of the Sandling reference, the Sinkler reference and the O’Connor reference discloses wherein the sleeve encapsulates the support frame (Sandling: the material of the sleeve 90 is molded to the cage 38 through the holes 92; see col. 5, lines 26-33; see at least figure 5 for the sleeve 90 to encapsulate the support frame of the cage 38).
In regards to claim 9, the combination of the Sandling reference, the Sinkler reference and the O’Connor reference discloses wherein the internal sleeve surface is presented by the inner sleeve portion (Sandling: see figure 4).
In regards to claim 12, the Sandling reference of the combination of the Sandling reference, the Sinkler reference and the O’Connor reference discloses wherein the sleeve is molded onto at least the portion of the generally tubular hub (Sandling: see at least col. 5, lines 22-36).
“[E]ven though product-by-process claims are limited by and defined by the process, determination of patentability is based on the product itself. The patentability of a product does not depend on its method of production. If the product in the product-by-process claim is the same as or obvious from a product of the prior art, the claim is unpatentable even though the prior product was made by a different process.” In re Thorpe, 777 F.2d 695, 698, 227 USPQ 964, 966 (Fed. Cir. 1985), see MPEP 2113.
In regards to claim 13, the combination of the Sandling reference, the Sinkler reference and the O’Connor reference discloses wherein the sleeve is constructed of a polymeric material (Sinkler: sleeve 18 may be made from the material from the group consisting of polyethylene and derivatives thereof such as polytetrafluoroethylene, see col. 4, lines 45-52).
In regards to claim 14, the combination of the Sandling reference, the Sinkler reference and the O’Connor reference discloses wherein the sleeve is constructed of at least one of PTFE (Sinkler: col. 4, lines 45-52).
In regards to claim 15, the Sandling reference of the combination of the Sandling reference, the Sinkler reference and the O’Connor reference discloses wherein the cartridge is constructed of a metallic material (Sandling: the cage 38 is made of a metal; see col. 5, line 29).
In regards to claim 21, the Sinkler reference of the combination of the Sandling reference, the Sinkler reference and the O’Connor reference discloses wherein the external plug surface (Sinkler: considered the external surface of the plug body 20) tapers radially outwardly relative to the central axis in a downward direction continuously from a first position above the plug flow passage to a second position below the plug flow passage (Sinkler: see figure 1 for the external plug surface to be tapering radially outwardly relative to the central axis).
Regarding claim 18, the Sandling reference discloses a valve comprising:
a housing (10) including an internal chamber (see figure 1); and
a valve assembly (see figures 4-7) having
a cartridge (the cage 38 constitutes the cartridge; see figures 4-7) including:
a mounting portion (it is considered that the lateral flanges 54 of the cage 38 constitute a mounting portion; alternatively, the cover 32 constitutes a mounting portion to mount the cage 38 within the valve body 10) configured to be removably coupled to a valve body (10), and
a generally tubular hub portion (it is considered that the cage 38 defines a generally tubular hub; see figure 6 and figure 7) extending downwardly from the mounting portion (see figure 4 for the remainder of the cage 38 extending downward form the flanges 54); and
a sleeve (90; see reference numeral 90 in figure 4 and figure 5 for the sleeve 90) at least partially encapsulating the generally tubular hub portion (see at least figure 5 for the sleeve 90 encapsulating the cage 38; see col. 5, lines 22-36) and having
an external sleeve surface (it is considered that the surface of the sleeve 90 that faces the body 10 constitutes the external sleeve surface), and
an internal sleeve surface (it is considered that the surface of the sleeve 90 that faces radially inward toward the plug 18 constitutes the internal sleeve surface) defining an interior cavity (the plug 18 is received within the interior cavity);
a plug (valve plug) positioned within the interior cavity and including:
a plug shaft (it is considered that the bolt 24 secures the upper element 90 to the plug shaft; see figure 4) extending along a central axis, and
a plug body (18) disposed below the plug shaft (see figure 4) disposed below the plug shaft (see figure 4), the plug body having:
an internal plug surface (it is considered that the surface of the passage 40 constitutes the internal plug surface) defining a plug flow passage (40), the plug flow passage extending transversely relative to the central axis (see figure 4), and
an external plug surface (it is considered that the surface of the plug body 18 that faces toward the sleeve 90 constitutes the external plug surface) configured to sealingly engage the internal sleeve surface (see figure 5);
wherein the sleeve is positioned within the internal chamber of the housing (see at least figure 1),
wherein the sleeve includes an outer sleeve portion (see “outer sleeve portion” in the annotated figure 4 above) and an inner sleeve portion (see “inner sleeve portion” in the annotated figure 4 above) at least partially spaced apart from the outer sleeve portion by at least one channel (see the “channel” in the annotated figure 4 above; it is considered that the cage 38 is received within the channel), and a support frame (it is considered that the cage 38 defines a support frame) of the generally tubular hub is captured between the inner sleeve portion and the outer sleeve portion, and
wherein the support frame is secured within the at least one channel via at least one support rib (it is considered that the portion of support frame of the cage 38 that surrounds the holes 92 constitute a support rib) received within the at least one channel and the outer sleeve portion and the inner sleeve portion are coupled to each other by connecting portions (it is considered that the portions of the sleeve that connects the inner sleeve portion with the outer sleeve portion and is received within the opening 43 and the slots 92 constitute the connecting portions of the outer sleeve portion and the inner sleeve portion) of the outer sleeve portion and the inner sleeve portion occupying one or more curved slots disposed in the support frame (it is considered that opening the opening 43 and the slots 92 constitute one or more curved slots disposed in the support frame in which the sleeve/liner 18 is received; the slots 92 provide a keying for liner 90 to the cage/frame 38; see col. 5, lines 26-33; further, it is considered that the sleeve is received within the opening 43 which is considered to form a curved slot; see col. 4, lines 54-56) and extending from an external hub surface (see the “external hub surface” in the annotated figure 5 above) of the generally tubular hub (cage 38) to an internal hub surface (see the “internal hub surface” in the annotated figure 5 above) of the generally tubular hub (cage 38) partially about peripheries of a pair of opposed hub apertures (42; see “hub apertures” in the annotated figure 5 above; see also figure 4 for the slots 92 being disposed about the peripheries of the opening) of the generally tubular hub; and
wherein a pair of opposed sleeve apertures (it is considered that the portions of the sleeve/line 18 that surrounds the flange 42 of the cage/frame 38 constitutes opposed sleeve apertures) are aligned with the pair of opposed hub apertures (see at least figure 5) and substantially surround respective rims (flange 42; it is considered that the sleeve/liner 18 surrounds / encompasses the outer surfaces of the flanges 42 in the circumferential direction) of the generally tubular hub extending about the peripheries of the respective hub.
Firstly, the Sandling reference does not disclose wherein the internal chamber in the housing is a cylindrical internal chamber; the external sleeve surface is a cylindrical external sleeve,
wherein the internal sleeve surface tapers radially outwardly relative to the central axis; and
wherein the sleeve is positioned within the cylindrical internal chamber of the housing and fixed against movement thereto.
However, the Sinkler reference teaches a valve comprising:
a housing (16) including a cylindrical internal chamber (32; the body bore is substantially cylindrical; see col. 3, lines 15-16);
a valve assembly (see figure 1) having:
a valve body (16),
a sleeve (liner 18) having
a cylindrical external sleeve surface (it is considered that the external surface of the liner 18 has a cylindrical shape as depicted in figure 1, figure 2 and figure 10), and
an internal sleeve surface (it is considered that the internal surface of the liner 18 that faces the valve plug body 20) defining an interior cavity (the plug 20 is received within the internal cavity; see figure 1); and
a plug (valve plug) positioned within the interior cavity (see figure 1) and including:
a plug shaft (46) extending along a central axis, and
a plug body (20) disposed below the plug shaft (see figure 1), the plug body having:
an internal plug surface (considered the surface of the passage 22) defining a plug flow passage (22), the plug flow passage (22) extending transversely relative to the central axis (see figure 2), and
an external plug surface (considered the external surface of the plug body 20) configured to sealingly engage the internal sleeve surface (see figure 1),
wherein the internal sleeve surface tapers radially outwardly relative to the central axis (see figure 1) in order to draw the plug body into seating engagement with the tapered inner wall of the liner thereby eliminating any bonnet or cover secured upon the body of the valve (col. 3, lines 9-22),
wherein the external sleeve surface is a cylindrical external sleeve surface to provide the sleeve as a resilient tube (col. 2, lines 56-57), and
wherein the sleeve is fixed against movement relative thereto (the liner 18 is stationary within the base of the hollow body 16; see col. 2, lines 44-48).
The substitution of one known element (the internal chamber being a cylindrical internal chamber wherein the external sleeve surface is a cylindrical external sleeve surface and wherein the internal sleeve surface tapers radially outwardly relative to the central axis and wherein the sleeve is fixed against relative movement to the cylindrical chamber as shown in Sinkler) for another (the shape of the internal chamber and the shape of the external sleeve surface and the shape of the external plug surface and the shape of the internal sleeve surface as shown in Sandling) would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art since the substitution of the shape of the external sleeve surface to be cylindrical which interacts with a corresponding cylindrical surface of the internal cylindrical chamber and the shape of the external plug surface and the shape of the internal sleeve surface to be tapering radially outwardly relative to the central axis from the plug shaft wherein the sleeve is fixed against movement relative to the internal chamber as shown in the Sinkler reference would have yielded predictable results, namely, a resilient tube shape for the external surface of the sleeve and to draw the plug body into seating engagement with the tapered inner wall of the sleeve thereby eliminating any bonnet or cover secured upon the body of the valve assembly.
Secondly, the Sandling reference of the combination of the Sandling reference and the Sinkler reference does not disclose wherein a pair of opposed recess are defined in an external sleeve surface of the outer sleeve portion between the pair of opposed sleeve apertures, and a protrusion extends outwardly from a center of each of the pair of opposed recesses to frictionally engage a central internal housing surface of the housing.
However, the O’Connor reference teaches a valve (11) having a housing (12) including an internal chamber (22); and
a valve assembly comprising:
a sleeve (10) having:
an external sleeve surface (see “external sleeve surface” in the annotated figure 2 below), and
an internal sleeve surface (see “internal sleeve surface” in the annotated figure 2 below) defining an interior cavity (the plug 15 is received within the interior cavity); and
a plug (15) positioned within the interior cavity;
wherein a pair of opposed recesses (see “first recess” and “second recess” in the annotated figure 2 below) are defined in [the] external sleeve surface of the outer sleeve portion between a pair of opposed sleeve apertures (13a, 14a), and a protrusion (see “protrusion” in the annotated figure 2 below) extends outwardly from a center of each of the pair of opposed recesses (it is considered that the “protrusion” extends from between the “first recess” and the “second recess” as depicted in the annotated figure 2 below) to frictionally engage a central internal housing surface (considered the surface 23) of the housing (12);
in order to achieve tight sealing and protection against cold-flow and blow out (see col. 1, lines 55-69).
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Therefore, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the sleeve of the Sandling reference of the combination of the Sandling reference and the Sinkler reference to have a pair of opposed recess are defined in an external sleeve surface of the outer sleeve portion between the pair of opposed sleeve apertures, and a protrusion extends outwardly from a center of each of the pair of opposed recesses to frictionally engage a central internal housing surface of the housing as taught by the O’Connor reference in order to achieve tight sealing and protection against cold-flow and blow out.
In regards to claim 19, the Sandling reference of the combination of the Sandling reference, the Sinkler reference and the O’Connor reference discloses wherein the mounting portion and the generally tubular hub portion are integrally formed together as a unitary piece (Sandling: see figure 7 for cartridge to be integrally formed as a unitary piece wherein the mounting portion 54 is integrally formed with the hub portion).
In regards to claim 20, the Sandling reference of the combination of the Sandling reference, the Sinkler reference and the O’Connor reference discloses wherein the mounting portion and the generally tubular hub portion are separately formed from each other as distinct pieces (in the alternative, the Sandling reference depicts the cover / mounting portion 32 is formed separately from the cage 38; see figure 4).
Claim(s) 16 and 17 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Sandling (US 4410003) in view of Sinkler (US 3536295) in view of O’Connor (US 3128987) in view of Bowers et al. (US 6382591).
Regarding claim 16, the Sandling reference discloses the structure wherein one of ordinary skill in the art would perform the method of fixedly securing a sleeve (90) to a cartridge having a support frame (cage 38) by the process of molding (col. 5, lines 22-36), the support frame including a pair of opposed apertures (see the “hub apertures” in the annotated figure 7 above) having respective inner peripheries (it is considered that the opening through the flanges / apertures 42 constitutes the inner peripheries) wherein only a portion (it is considered that the cage 38 is encapsulated by the sleeve 90 while the inner peripheries of the cage 38 are not encapsulated as depicted in figure 5) of the support frame excluding the inner peripheries is encapsulated by the sleeve (90);
wherein the sleeve (90) is molded onto the cartridge (see col. 5, lines 22-36); and
positioning the sleeve within an internal chamber of a housing (10);
wherein the sleeve includes an outer sleeve portion (see “outer sleeve portion” in the annotated figure 4 above) and an inner sleeve portion (see “inner sleeve portion” in the annotated figure 4 above) at least partially spaced apart from the outer sleeve portion by at least one channel (see the “channel” in the annotated figure 4 above; it is considered that the cage 38 is received within the channel), and a support frame (it is considered that the cage 38 defines a support frame) of the generally tubular hub is captured between the inner sleeve portion and the outer sleeve portion, and
wherein the support frame is secured within the at least one channel via at least one support rib (it is considered that the portion of support frame of the cage 38 that surrounds the holes 92 constitute a support rib) received within the at least one channel and the outer sleeve portion and the inner sleeve portion are coupled to each other by connecting portions (it is considered that the portions of the sleeve that connects the inner sleeve portion with the outer sleeve portion and is received within the opening 43 and the slots 92 constitute the connecting portions of the outer sleeve portion and the inner sleeve portion) of the outer sleeve portion and the inner sleeve portion occupying one or more curved slots disposed in the support frame (it is considered that opening the opening 43 and the slots 92 constitute one or more curved slots disposed in the support frame in which the sleeve/liner 18 is received; the slots 92 provide a keying for liner 90 to the cage/frame 38; see col. 5, lines 26-33; further, it is considered that the sleeve is received within the opening 43 which is considered to form a curved slot; see col. 4, lines 54-56) and extending from an external hub surface (see the “external hub surface” in the annotated figure 5 above) of the generally tubular hub (cage 38) to an internal hub surface (see the “internal hub surface” in the annotated figure 5 above) of the generally tubular hub (cage 38) partially about peripheries of a pair of opposed hub apertures (42; see “hub apertures” in the annotated figure 5 above; see also figure 4 for the slots 92 being disposed about the peripheries of the opening) of the generally tubular hub; and
wherein a pair of opposed sleeve apertures (it is considered that the portions of the sleeve/line 18 that surrounds the flange 42 of the cage/frame 38 constitutes opposed sleeve apertures) are aligned with the pair of opposed hub apertures (see at least figure 5) and substantially surround respective rims (flange 42; it is considered that the sleeve/liner 18 surrounds / encompasses the outer surfaces of the flanges 42 in the circumferential direction) of the generally tubular hub extending about the peripheries of the respective hub.
Firstly, the Sandling reference does not disclose wherein the sleeve has a cylindrical external surface and wherein the internal chamber of the housing is a cylindrical internal chamber such that the sleeve is fixed against movement relative thereto.
However, the Sinkler reference teaches a valve comprising a housing (16) including a cylindrical internal chamber (32; the body bore is substantially cylindrical; see col. 3, lines 15-16) that receives a sleeve (liner 18) having a cylindrical external surface (it is considered that the external surface of the liner 18 has a cylindrical shape as depicted in figure 1, figure 2 and figure 10) and wherein the sleeve is fixed against movement relative to the internal chamber (the liner 18 is stationary within the base of the hollow body 16; see col. 2, lines 44-48).
The substitution of one known element (the internal chamber of the housing being a cylindrical internal chamber wherein the external sleeve surface is a cylindrical external sleeve surface and wherein the sleeve is fixed against relative movement to the cylindrical chamber as shown in Sinkler) for another (the shape of the internal chamber of the housing and the shape of the external sleeve surface shown in Sandling) would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art since the substitution of the shape of the internal chamber and the shape of the external sleeve surface to both be cylindrical as shown in the Sinkler reference along with the sleeve being fixed against movement relative to the housing would have yielded predictable results, namely, a resilient tube shape for the external surface of the sleeve of the sleeve of the Sandling reference in order to permit the ease of installation of the sleeve within the valve body.
Secondly, the Sandling reference of the combination of the Sandling reference and the Sinkler reference does not disclose wherein a pair of opposed recess are defined in an external sleeve surface of the outer sleeve portion between the pair of opposed sleeve apertures, and a protrusion extends outwardly from a center of each of the pair of opposed recesses to frictionally engage a central internal housing surface of the housing.
However, the O’Connor reference teaches a valve (11) having a housing (12) including an internal chamber (22); and
a valve assembly comprising:
a sleeve (10) having:
an external sleeve surface (see “external sleeve surface” in the annotated figure 2 below), and
an internal sleeve surface (see “internal sleeve surface” in the annotated figure 2 below) defining an interior cavity (the plug 15 is received within the interior cavity); and
a plug (15) positioned within the interior cavity;
wherein a pair of opposed recesses (see “first recess” and “second recess” in the annotated figure 2 below) are defined in [the] external sleeve surface of the outer sleeve portion between a pair of opposed sleeve apertures (13a, 14a), and a protrusion (see “protrusion” in the annotated figure 2 below) extends outwardly from a center of each of the pair of opposed recesses (it is considered that the “protrusion” extends from between the “first recess” and the “second recess” as depicted in the annotated figure 2 below) to frictionally engage a central internal housing surface (considered the surface 23) of the housing (12);
in order to achieve tight sealing and protection against cold-flow and blow out (see col. 1, lines 55-69).
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Therefore, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the sleeve of the Sandling reference of the combination of the Sandling reference and the Sinkler reference to have a pair of opposed recess are defined in an external sleeve surface of the outer sleeve portion between the pair of opposed sleeve apertures, and a protrusion extends outwardly from a center of each of the pair of opposed recesses to frictionally engage a central internal housing surface of the housing as taught by the O’Connor reference in order to achieve tight sealing and protection against cold-flow and blow out.
Thirdly, the Sandling reference of the combination of the Sandling reference, the Sinkler reference and the O’Connor reference does not expressly disclose wherein the method comprises:
positioning the support frame between a mold cavity and a mold core;
directing molten material over the support frame;
cooling the molten material to thereby form the sleeve; and
removing the support frame with the sleeve from the mold cavity and the mold core.
However, the Bowers et al. reference teaches a method of fixedly securing a sleeve (50) to a cartridge having a support frame (52), the method comprising:
(a) positioning the support frame between a mold cavity and a mold core (see col. 8, lines 20-27);
(b) directing molten material over the support frame (see col. 8, lines 28-44);
(c) cooling the molten material to thereby form the sleeve (see col. 8, lines 45-55); and
(d) removing the support frame with the sleeve from the mold cavity and the mold core (see col. 8, line 56-64)
wherein the support frame within the sleeve provides the valve assembly with reducing turning torque while providing superior sealability and protection against seat blow-out (col. 2, lines 2-5) while the process of molding provides an inexpensive method of manufacture (col. 9, lines 49-51).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to perform the method steps of molding as taught by the Bowers et al. reference to manufacture the molded sleeve having the support frame of the Sandling reference of the combination of the Sandling reference, the Sinkler reference and the O’Connor reference in order to provide an inexpensive method of manufacture when molding the sleeve of the Sandling reference of the combination of the Sandling reference and the Sinkler reference to the support frame (Sandling: cage 38) since the Sandling reference of the combination of the Sandling reference, the Sinkler reference and the O’Connor reference already discloses that the sleeve is molded to the support frame (Sandling: cage 38) (Sandling: see col. 5, lines 22-36).
In regards to claim 17, the Bowers et al. reference of the combination of the Sandling reference, the Sinkler reference, the O’Connor reference and the Bowers et al. reference discloses wherein the molten material includes a fluoropolymer (Bowers et al.: see at least col. 9, lines 1-12).
Conclusion
Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a).
A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the mailing date of this final action.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Andrew J. Rost whose telephone number is (571) 272-2711. The examiner can normally be reached on Monday-Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm EST.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Craig Schneider can be reached at 571-272-3607 or Kenneth Rinehart can be reached at 571-272-4881. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/ANDREW J ROST/Examiner, Art Unit 3753
/CRAIG M SCHNEIDER/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 3753
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