DETAILED ACTION
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 .
Claim Status:
Claims 1 and 14-38 are pending.
Claims 1, 14-28 and 37-38 are amended.
Claims 29-36 are withdrawn from consideration.
Claims 1, 14-28 and 37-38 are examined as follow:
Drawings
The drawings are objected to under 37 CFR 1.83(a). The drawings must show every feature of the invention specified in the claims. Therefore:
In claim 26, the limitation “…wherein the at least one cooling channel passes horizontally on the top edge of the panel and the at least one cooling channel that passes horizontally on the bottom edge of the panel include curves that constitute the entrance and exit of each cooling channel…”.
must be shown or the feature(s) canceled from the claim(s). No new matter should be entered.
Corrected drawing sheets in compliance with 37 CFR 1.121(d) are required in reply to the Office action to avoid abandonment of the application. Any amended replacement drawing sheet should include all of the figures appearing on the immediate prior version of the sheet, even if only one figure is being amended. The figure or figure number of an amended drawing should not be labeled as “amended.” If a drawing figure is to be canceled, the appropriate figure must be removed from the replacement sheet, and where necessary, the remaining figures must be renumbered and appropriate changes made to the brief description of the several views of the drawings for consistency. Additional replacement sheets may be necessary to show the renumbering of the remaining figures. Each drawing sheet submitted after the filing date of an application must be labeled in the top margin as either “Replacement Sheet” or “New Sheet” pursuant to 37 CFR 1.121(d). If the changes are not accepted by the examiner, the applicant will be notified and informed of any required corrective action in the next Office action. The objection to the drawings will not be held in abeyance.
Claim Objections
Claims 19 and 23-24 objected to because of the following informalities:
Claims 19 and 23-24 are still reciting the term “pipe/pipes” in the claim body, instead of the amended to replace by “tube/tubes”. The terms “pipe/pipes” should be all replaced with “tube/tubes”.
Claim 24, the term “its” in “…its respective pipe end…” in line 5, should change to “a”.
Appropriate correction is required.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
The following is a quotation of the first paragraph of 35 U.S.C. 112(a):
(a) IN GENERAL.—The specification shall contain a written description of the invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and use the same, and shall set forth the best mode contemplated by the inventor or joint inventor of carrying out the invention.
The following is a quotation of the first paragraph of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112:
The specification shall contain a written description of the invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and use the same, and shall set forth the best mode contemplated by the inventor of carrying out his invention.
Claim 26 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(a) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), first paragraph, as failing to comply with the written description requirement. The claim(s) contains subject matter which was not described in the specification in such a way as to reasonably convey to one skilled in the relevant art that the inventor or a joint inventor, or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the inventor(s), at the time the application was filed, had possession of the claimed invention.
In claim 26, the limitation “…wherein the at least one cooling channel passes horizontally on the top edge of the panel and the at least one cooling channel that passes horizontally on the bottom edge of the panel include curves that constitute the entrance and exit of each cooling channel…” is not described in the specification, nor the drawing in a way to reasonably convey to the application had possession of the claimed invention. There is no disclosure in the specification or the drawing that the curves are also passes horizontally on the top or bottom edges, because such curves are also entrance and exit and they are included in the limitation of horizontally, then the only way of such exit or entrance can happen is when the entrance or exist of the curves are also horizontally passes the top or bottom edge. But there is no such discloses in the specification or in the drawing, instead the drawing Fig. 7 of the current application show the exact opposite, the exist and entrance is vertically passes, when the horizontal mean the parallel to the panel.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
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 the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action:
A person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claims 1, 16-18, 23-24 and 26 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)1 as being anticipated by CN105744805A (previously cited) herein set forth CN4805A.
Regarding claim 1, CN4805A discloses a cooled panel (refer to fig.3) for blast furnaces and other industrial furnaces, comprising: a body (#1, fig.3) cooled through cooling channels (refer to “cooling channels” annotated in fig.3), at least one set of couplings (refer to #5 and #6 in fig.3) for connecting with a water system feed and return (refer to the 2 #9 in fig. 3), a plurality of cooling channels (refer to “cooling channels” annotated in fig.3) built-in the body (#1, fig.3) and a plurality of tubes (#4 and “pipes” annotated in fig.3 which is between #3 and #5) connecting the cooling channels (refer to “cooling channels” annotated in fig.3) to each set of couplings (refer to #5 and #6 in fig.3) of the at least one set of couplings (refer to #5 and #6 in fig.3); wherein the at least one set of couplings (refer to #5 and #6 in fig.3) has a panel's side (#5, fig.3); and wherein the panel's side of each coupling (refer to #5 and #6 in fig.3) of the at least one set of couplings (refer to #5 and #6 in fig.3) branches into the plurality of tubes (#4 and “pipes” annotated in fig.3 which is between #3 and #5) before getting in the panel body (#1, fig.3).
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Regarding claim 16, CN4805A discloses substantially all features set forth in claim 1, CN4805A further discloses characterized by the fact that each set of couplings (refer to #5 and #6 in fig.3) has two cooling channels (refer to the multiple tube in #1 in fig.1-3) built-in in the body (#1, fig.1-3).
Regarding claim 17, CN4805A discloses substantially all features set forth in claim 1, CN4805A further discloses wherein the at least one set of couplings (refer to #5 and #6 in fig.3) has three or more cooling channels (refer to the multiple tube in #1 in fig.1-3) built-in the body (#1, fig.1-3).
Regarding claim 18, CN4805A discloses substantially all features set forth in claim 1, CN4805A further discloses wherein a respective set of the plurality of tubes (#4, fig.1-3), connects with a respective set of the plurality of cooling channels (#1, fig.1-3), and, wherein each respective set of the plurality of tubes (#4, fig.1-3) converges into a single coupling (#9, fig.1-3) of the at least one set of couplings when leaving the panel body (#1 and #3, fig.1 and 2), and, wherein each respective set of the plurality of tubes (#4, fig.1-3) is contained in a single protected sleeve (#7 fig.2), fixed to the panel (#1 and #3, fig.1 and 2).
Regarding claim 23, CN4805A discloses substantially all features set forth in claim 1, CN4805A further discloses wherein each pipe (#4 and “pipes” annotated in fig.3 which is between #3 and #5) of the plurality of tubes (#4 and “pipes” annotated in fig.3 which is between #3 and #5) has a cross-section (referring to fig.2, showing the cross-section), and wherein the convergence of the inlet or outlet flows of water (refer to the two of the #9 in fig.1 and 3) from internal cooling channels (refer to “cooling channels” annotated in fig.3) come together to converge (#8, fig.2, refer to NPL machine translation attach May 19th 2025 cited: “…the connection mode of the flow passage is water chamber baffle 7 divides the chamber 2 into several smaller water chamber 8…”) in a respective one of the couplings (refer to #5 and #6 in fig.3) of the at least one set of couplings (refer to #5 and #6 in fig.3), by making the plurality of tubes (#4 and “pipes” annotated in fig.3 which is between #3 and #5), relative to a respective one of the couplings coupling (refer to #5 and #6 in fig.3), converge within a single conduct channel (refer to #8 in fig.2), in the panel's side (#5, fig.1-3) of the respective one of the couplings (refer to #5 and #6 in fig.3), and wherein the cross-section of all the plurality of tubes (#4 and “pipes” annotated in fig.3 which is between #3 and #5) that converge in the respective one of the couplings (refer to #5 and #6 in fig.3) direct their water flows to the respective one of the couplings (refer to #5 and #6 in fig.3).
Regarding claim 24, CN4805A discloses substantially all features set forth in claim 1, CN4805A further discloses wherein each of the tubes (#4 and “pipes” annotated in fig.3 which is between #3 and #5) has an end, and wherein each of the tubes (#4 and “pipes” annotated in fig.3 which is between #3 and #5) connects the cooling channels (refer to the multiple tube in #1 in fig.1-3) built-in the body (refer to #1’s body, fig.1-3) of the panel (#1, fig.1-3), to the at least one set of couplings (refer to #5 and #6 in fig.3), and wherein each of the tubes (#4 and “pipes” annotated in fig.3 which is between #3 and #5) has its respective pipe end (refer to the end of the tube #4 at #5 in fig.1-3) towards the coupling (refer to #5 and #6 in fig.3) directly visible and accessible throughout its section (Examiner note: the coupling #4 and #5 is outside the #3, therefore is visible and accessible), when the coupling (refer to #5 and #6 in fig.3) is disconnected.
Regarding claim 26, CN4805A discloses substantially all features set forth in claim 1, CN4805A further discloses wherein the at least one set of couplings includes an inlet coupling and an outlet coupling, wherein the panel includes a top edge (refer to “horizontally on the top” annotated in fig.3) and a bottom edge, wherein at least one cooling channel (refer to the channels of #1 in fig.1-3) passes horizontally on the top edge (refer to “horizontally on the top” annotated in fig.3) of the panel (#1, fig.3 below) and at least one cooling channel (refer to the channels of #1 in fig.1-3) passes horizontally on the bottom edge (refer to “horizontally on the bottom” annotated in fig.3) of the panel (#1, fig.3 below), wherein the at least one cooling channel (refer to the channels of #1 in fig.1-3) passes horizontally on the top edge (refer to “horizontally on the top” annotated in fig.3) of the panel (#1, fig.1-3) and the at least one cooling channel (refer to the channels of #1 in fig.1-3) that passes horizontally on the bottom edge (refer to “horizontally on the bottom” annotated in fig.3) of the panel (#1, fig.1-3) include curves that constitute the entrance and exit of each cooling channel (refer to the channels of #1 in fig.1-3), wherein the at least one cooling channel (refer to the channels of #1 in fig.1-3) that passes horizontally on the top edge (refer to “horizontally on the top” annotated in fig.3) of the panel (#1, fig.1-3) remains parallel to the top edge (refer to “horizontally on the top” annotated in fig.3), and wherein the at least one cooling channel (refer to the channels of #1 in fig.1-3) that passes horizontally on the bottom edge (refer to “horizontally on the bottom” annotated in fig.3) of the panel (#1, fig.1-3) remains parallel to the bottom edge (refer to “horizontally on the bottom” annotated in fig.3), and wherein each respective cooling channel (refer to the channels of #1 in fig.1-3) passes without deviations or interruptions (refer to fig. 1-3 that there is no deviations or interruptions on #1) between the curves (refer to the curves of #4 in fig.1) that constitute the entrance and exit of the cooling channel (refer to the channels of #1 in fig.1-3) and wherein the channel (or channels) (refer to the channels of #1 in fig.1-3) that run(s) through the top edge (refer to “horizontally on the top” annotated in fig.3) and the channel (or channels) (refer to the channels of #1 in fig.1-3) that run(s) through the bottom edge (refer to “horizontally on the bottom” annotated in fig.3) originate in the same inlet coupling (#4 and #5, fig.1-3) of the set of coupling (#4 and #5, fig.1-3) and converge in the outlet coupling (#9, fig.1-3).
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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 nonobviousness.
Claim 15 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over CN105744805A (previously cited) herein set forth CN4805A.
Regarding claim 15, CN4805A discloses substantially all features set forth in claim 1, CN4805A does not specifically disclose the body (25) is cast, rolled, forged or extruded.
However, such “cast, roller, forged or extruded” limitation are all process of making, and current claim group is a device claim, process of making would hold very limitation patentability in a device claim, unless it structurally and materially distinct from the prior art because of the process, therefore, It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have produce the body with cast, rolled, forged or extruded, for that is well known within one of ordinary skill in the art as the matter of design choice or desired application, refer to In re Japikse, 181 F.2d 1019, 86 USPQ 70 (CCPA 1950) and In re Kuhle, 526 F.2d 553, 188 USPQ 7 (CCPA 1975). Since the applicant does not state what problem solve or benefit of such limitation, one of ordinary skill in the art would have expected applicant’s invention to perform equally well with CN4805A’s teaching.
Claims 14, 19-22 and 25 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over CN105744805A (previously cited) herein set forth CN4805A, in view of Schmeler (US7217123B2 previously cited) herein set forth as Schmeler.
Regarding claim 14, CN4805A discloses substantially all features set forth in claim 1, CN4805A further discloses wherein the panel's side (refer to fig.1) side of the at least one set of couplings (#9, fig.1) branches into a plurality of tubes (refer to the #4 between #3 and #5) before getting in the panel (refer to fig.1), defining as a limit the line that limits the inside face (refer to the tip and/or edges of the #1 in fig.1-3) of the panel (refer to fig.1).
CN4805A does not specifically discloses wherein the blast furnaces and other industrial furnaces having a housing (7) with an inside face, and wherein before getting in the blast furnace or other industrial furnace (1) is defined by the defining as a limit the line that limits the inside face of the furnace housing (7).
In the field of cooling panel for furnace, Schmeler discloses the use of cooling panel (#14 and #15, fig.2) for furnace having a housing (#12, fig.2) with an inside face (refer to the face that facing #14 and #15 in fig.2) (refer to the title, and #12 as the housing of the furnace in fig.2).
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It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have utilize CN4805A’s cooling panel for Schmeler’s furnace, in order to increase the industrial utility and marketability of the CN4805’s cooling panel.
Regarding claim 19, CN4805A discloses substantially all features set forth in claim 1, CN4805A further discloses wherein a respective set of tubes (refer to the #4 between #3 and #5), connects with a respective set of the plurality of cooling channels (#1, fig.1 and 2) and, wherein each respective set of the plurality of tubes (refer to the #4 between #3 and #5) converges into a single coupling (#5 and #6 fig.1-3) of the at least one set of couplings (#5 and #6 fig.1-3) that connects to the water cooling system (refer to “water cooling” in the title); and that connects to the furnace cooling system (refer to “water cooling” in the title) and that the pipe inlet (refer to the connection on #5 in fig.2) in the coupling (#4 and #5, fig.1-3) is sealed by welding (refer to Page 2 line 16-18 cited: “…A water-based porous flat tube cold plate, porous flat tube material is used as a substrate, opening as outlet and water pipe joint is welded on the pipe wall of the porous flat pipe…”).
CN4805A does not explicitly disclose when leaving the body (25) of the panel (23), is contained in a single protection sleeve (26), fixed to the body (25) of the panel (23), and that the tubes (27), after leaving the sleeve (26), are connected sealed by welding into a single coupling (31) that connects to the furnace cooling system and that the pipe inlet in the coupling is sealed by welding.
In the field of cooling panel for furnace, Schmeler discloses when leaving the body (#12, fig.2) of the panel (#10, fig.2), is contained in a single protection sleeve (#48, fig.2), fixed to the body (#12, fig.2) of the panel (#10, fig.2), and that the tubes (#26 and #26’, fig.2), after leaving the sleeve (#48, fig.2).
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It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified CN4805A’s cooling panel with when leaving the body of the panel, is contained in a single protection sleeve, fixed to the body of the panel, and that the tubes, as taught by Schmeler, in order to provide protection to the tube or coupling outside the panel body, such that would reduce possible damage and improve operational lifespan of the cooling panel.
Regarding claim 20, CN4805A discloses substantially all features set forth in claim 1, CN4805A further discloses wherein a respective set of the plurality set of tubes (refer to the #4 between #3 and #5), connects with a respective set of cooling channels (#1, fig.1 and 2) that converge in a single coupling (#5 and #6 fig.1-3) that connects to the water cooling system (refer to “water cooling” in the title); and welding as the mean construct the cooling plate (refer to Page 2 line 16-18 cited: “…A water-based porous flat tube cold plate, porous flat tube material is used as a substrate, opening as outlet and water pipe joint is welded on the pipe wall of the porous flat pipe…”).
CN4805A does not explicitly disclose when leaving the body (25) of the panel (23), is contained in a single protection sleeve (26), fixed to the body (25) of the panel (23), and that the tubes (27), after leaving the sleeve (26), are connected sealed by welding into a single coupling (31) that connects to the furnace cooling system and that the pipe inlet in the coupling is sealed by welding.
In the field of cooling panel for furnace, Schmeler discloses when leaving the body (#12, fig.2) of the panel (#10, fig.2), is contained in a single protection sleeve (#48, fig.2), fixed to the body (#12, fig.2) of the panel (#10, fig.2), and that the tubes (#26 and #26’, fig.2), after leaving the sleeve (#48, fig.2).
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It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified CN4805A’s cooling panel with when leaving the body of the panel, is contained in a single protection sleeve, fixed to the body of the panel, and that the tubes, as taught by Schmeler, in order to provide protection to the tube or coupling outside the panel body, such that would reduce possible damage and improve operational lifespan of the cooling panel.
Regarding claim 21, CN4805A discloses substantially all features set forth in claim 1, CN4805A does not explicitly disclose including a space between the inside surface of the protection sleeve (26) and the outside surface of the tubes (27), wherein the passage between the panel's side of the coupling (28) and the space (36) between the inside surface of the protection sleeve (26) and the outside surface of the tubes (27) is sealed.
In the field of cooling panel for furnace, Schmeler discloses including a space between the inside surface of the protection sleeve (#52, fig.2) and the outside surface of the tubes (#26 and #26’ fig.2), wherein the passage (refer to the passage space of #52 in fig.2) between the panel's side (refer to #12 side facing the “coupling” annotated in fig.2) of the coupling (refer to “coupling” annotated in fig.2) and the space (#49 and #49’ in fig.2) between the inside surface (refer to the inside surface of #52) of the protection sleeve (#52, fig.2) and the outside surface of the tubes (#26 and #26’ fig.2) is sealed (refer to Col 6 line 56-58 cited: “…Each connection end 46, 46' is in this case connected in a sealed manner to the socket piece 48 by means of a compensator 50, 50'…”).
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It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified CN4805A’s cooling panel with the passage between the panel's side of the coupling and the space between the inside surface of the protection sleeve and the outside surface of the tubes is sealed, as taught by Schmeler, in order to provide protection to the tube or coupling outside the panel body, such that would reduce possible damage and improve operational lifespan of the cooling panel.
Regarding claim 22, CN4805A discloses substantially all features set forth in claim 17, CN4805A does not explicitly disclose wherein the protection sleeve has a circular or other section and is fixed to the body by being embedded during casting process, by welding or by mechanical union, such as thread or flange with screws, or a combination of such fastening methods.
In the field of cooling panel for furnace, Schmeler discloses wherein the protection sleeve (#52, fig.2) has other section (examiner note: unspecific shape which read on prior art) and is fixed to the body (#10, fig.2) by being embedded by thread (#50, fig.2) and flange (#48, fig.2).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified CN4805A’s cooling panel with the protection sleeve has other section and is fixed to the body by being embedded during casting process, by thread and flange, as taught by Schmeler, in order to provide protection to the tube or coupling outside the panel body, such that would reduce possible damage and improve operational lifespan of the cooling panel.
Regarding claim 25, CN4805A discloses substantially all features set forth in claim 1, CN4805A does not explicitly discloses wherein each of the plurality of cooling channels (24) has a water passage section, wherein each coupling (31) of the at least one set of couplings (31) has a water passage section, and wherein the area of the water passage section in each of the plurality of cooling channels built-in the panel body is less than half of the water passage section in the respective coupling.
In the field of cooling panel for furnace, Schmeler discloses wherein each of the plurality of cooling channels (#14, fig.3) has a water passage section (refer to the panel section where #14 is on in fig.3), wherein each coupling (refer to respective #32 in fig.3) of the at least one set of couplings (refer to respective #32 in fig.3) has a water passage section (refer to the panel section where #14 is on in fig.3), and wherein the area of the water passage section (refer to the panel section where #14 is on in fig.3) in each of the plurality of cooling channels (#14, fig.3) built-in the panel body (refer to the panel that #14 is on in fig.3) is less than half (refer to fig.3 , noted that the panel have 4 cooling channels, therefore, one of four cooling channels would have ¼ of the area of the water passage section) of the water passage section (refer to the panel section where #14 is on in fig.3) in the respective coupling (refer to respective #32 in fig.3).
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It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified CN4805A’s cooling panel with the area of the water passage section in each of the plurality of cooling channels built-in the panel body is less than half of the water passage section in the respective coupling, as taught by Schmeler, in order to ensure sufficient cooling on the cooling panel, since 4 cooling channels would provide more cooling than 3 or 2 or even 1 cooling channel.
Regarding claim 37, CN4805A discloses substantially all features set forth in claim 18, CN4805A does not explicitly disclose wherein the protection sleeve has a circular or other section and is fixed to the body by being embedded during casting process, by one or more welding or by mechanical union, thread or flange, screws.
In the field of cooling panel for furnace, Schmeler discloses wherein the protection sleeve (#52, fig.2) has other section (examiner note: unspecific shape which read on prior art) and is fixed to the body (#10, fig.2) by being embedded by thread (#50, fig.2) and flange (#48, fig.2).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified CN4805A’s cooling panel with the protection sleeve has other section and is fixed to the body by being embedded during casting process, by thread and flange, as taught by Schmeler, in order to provide protection to the tube or coupling outside the panel body, such that would reduce possible damage and improve operational lifespan of the cooling panel.
Regarding claim 38, the modification of CN4805A and Schmeler discloses substantially all features set forth in claim 19, CN4805A does not explicitly disclose wherein the protection sleeve has a circular or other section and is fixed to the body by being embedded during casting process, by one or more welding or by mechanical union, thread or flange, screws.
In the field of cooling panel for furnace, Schmeler further discloses characterized by the fact that the protection sleeve (#52, fig.2) has other section (examiner note: unspecific shape which read on prior art) and is fixed to the body (#10, fig.2) by being embedded by thread (#50, fig.2) and flange (#48, fig.2).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified CN4805A’s cooling panel with the protection sleeve has other section and is fixed to the body by being embedded during casting process, by thread and flange, as taught by Schmeler, in order to provide protection to the tube or coupling outside the panel body, such that would reduce possible damage and improve operational lifespan of the cooling panel.
Claim 27 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over CN105744805A (previously cited) herein set forth as CN4805A, in view of KNYAZIK et al (US2017/0133244A1 previously cited) herein set forth as KNYAZIK.
Regarding claim 27, CN4805A discloses substantially all features set forth in claim 18, CN4805A further discloses wherein the panel (#1, fig.3) includes a top edge (refer to “horizontally on the top” annotated in fig.3) and a bottom edge (refer to “horizontally on the bottom” annotated in fig.3), wherein at least one cooling channel (refer to “channel” annotated in fig.3) passes horizontally (refer to the “horizontally on the top” annotated in fig.3) on the top edge (refer to “horizontally on the top” annotated in fig.3) of the panel (#1, fig.3) and at least one cooling channel (refer to “channel” annotated in fig.3) passes horizontally (refer to the “horizontally on the bottom” annotated in fig.3) on the bottom edge (refer to “horizontally on the bottom” annotated in fig.3) of the panel (#1, fig.3).
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CN4805A does not explicitly disclose wherein at least one of the channels (30) that passes on the top or bottom edges of the panel travels the panel clockwise while at least another of the channels travels the panel counterclockwise.
In the field of cooling panel for a processing chamber, KNYAZIK discloses that at least one of the channels (#300, fig.3) that passes on the top or bottom edges (refer to “horizontally on the top” or “bottom” annotated in fig.3) of the panel (#130, fig.3) travels the panel clockwise (refer to arrow #370 in fig.3) while at least another of these channels (#315, fig.3) travels the panel (#130, fig.3) counterclockwise (refer to arrow #366 in fig.3).
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It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified CN4805A’s cooling panel with that at least one of the channels (30) that passes on the top or bottom edges of the panel travels the panel clockwise while at least another of these channels travels the panel counterclockwise, as taught by KNYAZIK, in order to provide a better cooling distribution and better average temperature drop across the panel, such that would generate a more even cooling field and better result of cool through the effect area.
Response to Amendment
With respect to the Drawing Objection: the applicant’s amendment filed on August 19th 2025 that overcame the Drawing objection in the previous office action. However, the newly amended claim has raised another issue of Drawing Objection.
With respect to the Claim Objection: the applicant’s amendment/argument filed on August 19th 2025 that overcame the Claim Objection in the previous office action. However, the newly amended claim has raised another issue of Claim Objection.
With respect to the Rejection 112a: the applicant’s amendment/argument filed on August 19th 2025 that overcame the Rejection 112a in the previous office action. However, the newly amended claim has raised another issue of 112a rejection.
With respect to the Rejection 112b: the applicant’s amendment/argument filed on August 19th 2025 that overcame the Rejection 112b in the previous office action.
Response to Argument
Applicant's arguments filed August 19th 2025 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive as the following reasons:
The applicants argue: “…First, CN105744805 discloses a water chamber that distributes the water to the cooling channels, while the Applicant's invention, in contrast to CN105744805, connects the water supply system directly to the cooling channels, without the need of a chamber.
In terms of applicability, this is very important in the field of stave coolers, because the furnace wall has holes the size of the sleeves (26), leaving no space for a water chamber as in CN105744805. Therefore, the CN105744805 reference is directed to and discloses something different than what Applicant discloses and claims as the invention.
In addition to that distinguishing feature, in the Applicant's invention, the pipes or tubes connecting the cooling channels to the coupling have their end towards the coupling directly visible and accessible when the coupling is disconnected. This is very important because it allows each of the channels to be individually isolated with ease in case of a local failure, which enhances safety and reliability. In the case of CN105744805, this procedure is not possible, because the pipe joint (9) does not give access to each pipeline. The design of the Applicant's cooled panel (23) for blast furnaces and other industrial furnaces includes a unique and novel arrangement, that is configured to eliminate the water chamber. Applicant's claim 1, as recited in the amended claims listing, provides that:
... and a plurality of tubes pipes (27) connecting the cooling channels (24) to each set of couplings (31) of the at least one set of couplings (31);
wherein the at least one set of couplings (31) has a panel's side (28); and wherein the panel's side of each coupling (31) of the at least one set of couplings (31) breaches branches into [[a]] the plurality of tubes (27) before getting in the panel body (25).
Applicant's invention is not disclosed by the cited reference, and in addition the Applicant's cooled panel and couplings required an inventive step to create this new feature and eliminate the water chamber…”, Remark Page 8-10.
The examiner's response: The applicant's arguments above are not persuasive. It is noted that the features upon which applicant relies are not recited in the rejected claim. Although the claims are interpreted in light of the specification, limitation from the specification are not read into the claims. In this case, there is no negative limitation to prevent the interpretation of there is a water chamber, furthermore, it is well within the broadest reasonable interpretation that the water chamber as part of the pipes/tubes/couplings. Since the CN105744805A’s water camber is a coupling of two pieces and connected to the pipes/tubes.
The applicants argue: “…Second, regarding claim 14, the Office Action admits that CN 105744805A does not teach that the panel is part of a furnace. The Office Action rejection then considers that the teachings of the secondary reference, Schmeler, disclose the use of a cooling panel for a furnace. (Office Action, p. 16). However, there is still a failure to disclose or teach the Applicant's claimed invention. As pointed out above, CN 105744805A relates to a different type of colling, which is for electronic devices, and not a blast furnace.…”, Remark Page 14.
The examiner's response: The applicant's arguments above are not persuasive.
In response to applicant's arguments against the references individually, one cannot show nonobviousness by attacking references individually where the rejections are based on combinations of references. See In re Keller, 642 F.2d 413, 208 USPQ 871 (CCPA 1981); In re Merck & Co., 800 F.2d 1091, 231 USPQ 375 (Fed. Cir. 1986). In this case, the secondary Schmeler (US7217123B2) reference is only used to disclose using cooling panel in a furnace, all the other limitations already disclosed/suggested by the primary CN105744805A reference. Since both Schmeler (US7217123B2) and CN105744805A references are related as the same technical field of cooling panel, therefore it would have been obvious to combine their teaching.
Regarding to the rest of the arguments, the arguments are based on the argument above, therefore they are all mooted.
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 YEONG JUEN THONG whose telephone number is (571)272-6930. The examiner can normally be reached Monday - Friday.
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/YEONG JUEN THONG/Examiner, Art Unit 3761 December 11th 2025
/HELENA KOSANOVIC/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 3761