DETAILED ACTION
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
The present application is being examined under the pre-AIA first to invent provisions.
Continued Examination Under 37 CFR 1.114
A request for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, including the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e), was filed in this application after final rejection. Since this application is eligible for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114. Applicant's submission filed on 03/31/2026 has been entered.
Response to Amendment
The amendment filed 03/02/2026 has been entered. Claims 1-3, 5-6, 21-23, 25-29, and 31 are currently pending. Claims 4, 7-20, 24, and 30 are canceled. Claims 1, 21, and 26 have been amended.
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments, see 6-17, filed 03/02/2026, with respect to the pending claims have been fully considered and are persuasive in view of Applicant’s amendments. Applicant amended each independent claim. Claim 1 has been amended to state, “molding a single monolithic main stem, the single monolithic main stem having a proximal end, a distal end, and a continuous internal channel extending between a first opening adjacent to the proximal end and a second opening adjacent to the distal end …placing the proximal end of the main stem through a center of the retaining ring and a spring; and placing the button cap on the main stem; and securing the button cap to the main stem by the proximal end…”. Claim 21 has been amended to state, “molding a single monolithic main stem to include a plurality of grooves disposed circumferentially about the main stem, the single monolithic main stem having a proximal end, a distal end, and a continuous internal channel extending between a first opening adjacent to the proximal end and a second opening adjacent to the distal end … placing a resilient member in the retaining ring onto which the boot is over-molded and placing the [[one]] proximal end of the main stem through a center of the retaining ring and the resilient member; and placing the button cap on the [[one]] proximal end of the main stem…”. Claim 26 has been amended to state, “molding a single monolithic main stem to include a plurality of grooves disposed circumferentially about the main stem, the single monolithic main stem having a proximal end, a distal end, and a continuous internal channel extending between a first opening adjacent to the proximal end and a second opening adjacent to the distal end…”.
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 1-3, 5-6, 21-23, 25-29, and 31 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 1 recites the limitation "the main stem" in lines 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, and 13. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim. It is suggested to amend the limitation in each line listed above to state, “the single monolithic main stem” or amend the limitation in line 2 claim 1, to state, “molding a wherein the main stem is a single monolithic main stem, the Claims 2-3 and 5-6 are also rejected because of their dependency on the rejected base claim 1. Appropriate correction is required.
Claim 2 recites the limitation "the main stem" in line 1. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim. Appropriate correction is required.
Claim 3 recites the limitation "the main stem" in line 2 twice. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim. Appropriate correction is required.
Claim 21 recites the limitation "the main stem" in lines 4, 8, 13, 15, 16, and 19. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim. It is suggested to amend the limitation in each line listed above to state, “the single monolithic main stem” or amend the limitation starting in line 3 to state, “molding a wherein the main stem is a single monolithic main stem, the Claims 22-23 and 25 are also rejected because of their dependency on the rejected base claim 21. Appropriate correction is required.
Claim 22 recites the limitation "the main stem" in line 1. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim. Appropriate correction is required.
Claim 23 recites the limitation "the main stem" in line 2 twice. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim. Appropriate correction is required.
Claim 26 recites the limitation "the main stem" in lines 4, 9, 10, 12, 14, 15, and 18. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim. It is suggested to amend the limitation in each line listed above to state, “the single monolithic main stem” or amend the limitation starting in line 3 to state, “molding a wherein the main stem is a single monolithic main stem, the Claims 27-29 and 31are also rejected because of their dependency on the rejected base claim 26. Appropriate correction is required.
Claim 28 recites the limitation "the main stem" in line 1. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim. Appropriate correction is required.
Claim 29 recites the limitation "the main stem" in line 2 twice. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim. Appropriate correction is required.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-3, 5-6, 21-23, 25-29, and 31 are objected to as being dependent upon a rejected base claim, but would be allowable if rewritten to overcome the cited claim rejections above.
The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter:
The prior art fails to teach, among other features, a method for manufacturing a disposable air/water valve comprising: molding a single monolithic main stem, the single monolithic main stem having a proximal end, a distal end, and a continuous internal channel extending between a first opening adjacent to the proximal end and a second opening adjacent to the distal end; placing the main stem in a first mold, wherein a plurality of seals are over-molded onto the main stem; molding a retaining ring; molding a button cap; placing the proximal end of the main stem through a center of the retaining ring and a spring; and placing the button cap on the main stem; and securing the button cap to the main stem by the proximal end, wherein one of the plurality of seals has at least two outer diameters comprising a first diameter and a second diameter adjacent to the first diameter, and the first diameter is larger than the second diameter, wherein the at least two outer diameters do not contact the main stem, and the one of the plurality of seals is adjacent to the distal end.
The prior art also fails to teach, among other features, a method for manufacturing a disposable air/water valve, the method comprising: molding a single monolithic main stem to include a plurality of grooves disposed circumferentially about the main stem, the single monolithic main stem having a proximal end, a distal end, and a continuous internal channel extending between a first opening adjacent to the proximal end and a second opening adjacent to the distal end; placing the main stem in a first mold, wherein a plurality of seals are over-molded onto the main stem to be disposed in the plurality of grooves; molding a retaining ring; molding a button cap; placing the retaining ring in a second mold, wherein a boot is over-molded onto the retaining ring; placing a resilient member in the retaining ring onto which the boot is over-molded and placing the proximal end of the main stem through a center of the retaining ring and the resilient member; and placing the button cap on the proximal end of the main stem; and securing the button cap to the main stem, wherein one of the plurality of seals has at least two outer diameters comprising a first diameter and a second diameter adjacent to the first diameter, and the first diameter is larger than the second diameter, wherein the at least two outer diameters do not contact the main stem, and the one of the plurality of seals is adjacent to the distal end.
Furthermore, the prior art fails to teach, among other features, a method for manufacturing a disposable air/water valve, the method comprising: molding a single monolithic main stem to include a plurality of grooves disposed circumferentially about the main stem, the single monolithic main stem having a proximal end, a distal end, and a continuous internal channel extending between a first opening adjacent to the proximal end and a second opening adjacent to the distal end; placing the main stem in a first mold, wherein a plurality of seals are over-molded onto the main stem to be disposed in the plurality of grooves; molding a retaining ring; molding a button cap; placing a resilient member in the retaining ring and placing the proximal end of the main stem through a center of the retaining ring and the resilient member; and placing the button cap on the proximal end of the main stem; and securing the button cap to the main stem, wherein one of the plurality of seals has at least two outer diameters comprising a first diameter and a second diameter adjacent to the first diameter, and the first diameter is larger than the second diameter, wherein the at least two outer diameters do not contact the main stem, and the one of the plurality of seals is adjacent to the distal end.
Kitano et al. (US5840016) in view of Heimberger (US6908429) in view of Juha Salmela (US6322051) teach a similar device and method, in obvious combination, to the above, except for the method for manufacturing a disposable air/water valve comprising: molding the single monolithic main stem having a plurality of grooves, a proximal end, a distal end, and a continuous internal channel extending between a first opening adjacent to the proximal end and a second opening adjacent to the distal end; placing the main stem in a first mold, placing the proximal end of the main stem through a center of the retaining ring and a spring; and placing the button cap on the main stem; and securing the button cap to the main stem by the proximal end, wherein one of the plurality of seals has at least two outer diameters comprising a first diameter and a second diameter adjacent to the first diameter, and the first diameter is larger than the second diameter, wherein the at least two outer diameters do not contact the main stem, and the one of the plurality of seals is adjacent to the distal end. Also, Examiner found Applicant’s interpretation of the cited prior art above persuasive their arguments dated 03/02/2026.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to MEGAN E MONAHAN whose telephone number is (571)272-7330. The examiner can normally be reached Monday - Friday, 8am - 5pm.
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/MEGAN ELIZABETH MONAHAN/Examiner, Art Unit 3795
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