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 .
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and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114.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 August 17, 2026 has been entered.
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments filed August 17, 2026 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive. Amendments to the current set of claims have changed the scope of the claimed invention, resulting in a modification of the previous prior art rejection using newly found secondary references Wood et al., (“Wood”, US 2004/0079700), and Hirayama et al., (“Hirayama”, US 6,461,512).
On page 7 of the Remarks section, as indicated by the page number at the bottom of each page, Applicant discusses the previous interview held July 22, 2026, in which Applicant and Examiner discussed various ways to amend the claims to overcome the previous prior art rejection.
On pages 7-10, Applicant discusses the previous 102 anticipatory prior art rejection using Itou et al., JPS5584586A, (“Itou”, “Machine Translation of JPS5584586A”, 30 total pages, published 1980). Applicant argues that Itou does not disclose the newly added limitation to independent Claims 31 & 45, “wherein the control arrangement is configured to control the cooling arrangement to reduce the temperature of the RO-membrane at a temperature rate that is less than 5° C/min, based on the measured property, to achieve the desired temperature of the RO-membrane”. The Examiner notes that Itou does not disclose this feature but notes that new secondary references Wood and Hirayama disclose this feature in combination with Itou instead, as further demonstrated in the prior art rejection section below. Thus, the Examiner finds this argument moot.
On pages 8-10, Applicant discusses the previous 103 prior art rejections using additional secondary references for various dependent claims. Applicant argues that these references do not disclose the newly added claim feature discussed above. The Examiner notes that newly found secondary reference Wood and Hirayama disclose this feature in combination with Itou instead, so these remarks are considered moot.
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.
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) 31, 33, 34, 38, 45-48 & 51 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Itou et al., JPS5584586A, (“Itou”, “Machine Translation of JPS5584586A”, 30 total pages, published 1980), in view of Wood et al., (“Wood”, US 2004/0079700), and in further view of Hirayama et al., (“Hirayama”, US 6,461,512).
Regarding Claims 31, 33, 34 & 38, Itou discloses a water purification apparatus, (See Abstract), comprising: a reverse osmosis ("RO")-device comprising a RO-membrane, (See page 4), wherein the RO- device is configured to receive inlet water to be purified from an inlet path, (Line 2 leading all the way to Line 7 to RO device 10, See Figure 2, See pages 6-7), and produce permeate water into a permeate path, (Line 15, See Figure 2, See page 7), and reject water into a reject path, (Line 11, See Figure 2, See page 7); a recirculation path arranged to recirculate the reject water from the reject path to the inlet water, (Further downstream portion of Line 11 leading to Cooler 12 to Line 8, See Figure 2, See page 7); a cooling arrangement comprising a cooling device, wherein the cooling arrangement is configured to cool recirculating reject water in the recirculation path with the cooling device, (Cooler 12 on Line 11, See Figure 2, See page 7); a sensor configured to measure a property indicative of a temperature of the RO-membrane, (TIA sensor just upstream of RO 10, See Figure 2, See page 9-11; “the temperature indicator/alarm meter TIA” on page 9 and “where the temperature and pressure are measured by the….indicator/alarm meter PIA” on page 10), and a control arrangement configured to control the cooling arrangement to cool the recirculating reject water in the recirculation path in order to cool the RO-membrane, (See pages 18-19, “each operation is automatically controlled”), based on a measured property, in order to achieve a desired temperature of the RO-membrane, (See page 14, “when the temperature or pressure of the water supplied to the reverse osmosis treatment unit reaches the indicated value, the temperature indicator alarm meter TtA…turns on the pressure indicator alarm meter PIA”), wherein the control arrangement is configured to control the cooling arrangement based on the measured property, (See page 14, “when the temperature or pressure of the water supplied to the reverse osmosis treatment unit reaches the indicated value, the temperature indicator alarm meter TtA…turns on the pressure indicator alarm meter PIA”).
Itou does not disclose wherein the control arrangement is configured to control the cooling arrangement to reduce the temperature of the RO-membrane at a temperature rate that is less than 5° C/min to achieve the desired temperature of the RO-membrane.
Wood discloses wherein the control arrangement is configured to control the cooling arrangement to reduce the temperature of the RO-membrane at a certain temperature rate to achieve the desired temperature of the RO-membrane, (See paragraph [0019], Wood).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to have modified the water purification apparatus of Itou by incorporating wherein the control arrangement is configured to control the cooling arrangement to reduce the temperature of the RO-membrane at a certain temperature rate to achieve the desired temperature of the RO-membrane as in Wood because “repeated heating and cooling may damage an RO membrane and/or its associated components as systems are heated and cooled” so “the rate of temperature…decrease may be controlled to minimize this damage to the membrane and its associated components”, (See paragraph [0019], Wood).
Modified Itou does not disclose that the certain temperature rate is less than 5° C/min.
Hirayama discloses a water purification apparatus that applies a certain temperature rate that is less than 5° C/min, (See column 3, lines 54-60, Hirayama; overlaps and thus anticipates over the range of 0.1 to 5° C/min).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to have modified the water purification apparatus of modified Itou by incorporating that the certain temperature rate is less than 5° C/min as in Hirayama because “the water fed…is unpreferable to be changed from hot to cool or from cool to hot suddenly, since it heats or cools…membranes to expand or contract so rapidly to cause deterioration thereof” so selecting this temperature rate “is preferable”, (See column 3, lines 54-60, Hirayama), to “prevent deterioration”, (See column 2, lines 45-49, Hirayama).
Additional Disclosures Included:
Claim 33: The water purification apparatus according to claim 31, wherein the control arrangement is configured to control the cooling arrangement to reduce the temperature of the RO-membrane with a certain temperature rate, based on the measured property, in order to achieve the desired temperature of the RO-membrane, (See pages 14 & 16-17, Itou).
Claim 34: The water purification apparatus according to claim 31, wherein the cooling arrangement comprises a cooling path configured to direct water to the cooling device to be used as a cooling liquid by the cooling device, (Water in Line 11 directed to Cooler 12 and cooled down to cool the tank 6, See Figure 2, See page 3, Itou).
Claim 38: The water purification apparatus according to claim 31, wherein the control arrangement is configured to, during the cooling of the RO-membrane: prevent fresh inlet water to reach the RO-device using an inlet valve; prevent the permeate water from being passed from the apparatus using a permeate valve; and prevent the reject water from being passed to drain, using a drain valve, (V7 is closed, permeate directed to Tank 6, Reject is directed to Tank 6, inlet water from Tank 1 to Tank 6 is stopped, cooler 12 is still used, See Figure 2, See pages 13-14, Itou).
Regarding Claims 45-48 & 51, Itou discloses a method for cooling a reverse osmosis ("RO")-membrane in a water purification apparatus comprising a RO-device comprising the RO-membrane, See Abstract and See page 4), the method comprising: receiving inlet water to be purified at the RO-device from an inlet path, (Line 2 leading all the way to Line 7 to RO device 10, See Figure 2, See pages 6-7); producing permeate water into a permeate path, (Line 15, See Figure 2, See page 7), and reject water into a reject path, (Line 11, See Figure 2, See page 7); recirculating the reject water from the reject path to the inlet water via a recirculation path, (Further downstream portion of Line 11 leading to Cooler 12 to Line 8, See Figure 2, See page 7); measuring a property indicative of a temperature of the RO-membrane, (TIA sensor just upstream of RO 10, See Figure 2, See page 9-11; “the temperature indicator/alarm meter TIA” on page 9 and “where the temperature and pressure are measured by the….indicator/alarm meter PIA” on page 10), and controlling a cooling arrangement comprising a cooling device to cool the reject water in the recirculation path with the cooling device, in order to cool the RO-membrane (Cooler 12 on Line 11, See Figure 2, See page 7; and See pages 18-19, “each operation is automatically controlled”), based on a measured property in order to achieve a desired temperature of the RO-membrane, (See page 14, “when the temperature or pressure of the water supplied to the reverse osmosis treatment unit reaches the indicated value, the temperature indicator alarm meter TtA…turns on the pressure indicator alarm meter PIA”), wherein the control arrangement is configured to control the cooling arrangement based on the measured property, (See page 14, “when the temperature or pressure of the water supplied to the reverse osmosis treatment unit reaches the indicated value, the temperature indicator alarm meter TtA…turns on the pressure indicator alarm meter PIA”).
Itou does not disclose wherein the cooling arrangement is controlled to reduce the temperature of the RO- membrane by a temperature change rate that is less than 5° C/min to achieve a desired temperature of the RO-membrane.
Wood discloses wherein the cooling arrangement is controlled to reduce the temperature of the RO- membrane by a certain temperature change rate to achieve a desired temperature of the RO-membrane, (See paragraph [0019], Wood).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to have modified the water purification apparatus of Itou by incorporating wherein the control arrangement is configured to control the cooling arrangement to reduce the temperature of the RO-membrane at a certain temperature rate to achieve the desired temperature of the RO-membrane as in Wood because “repeated heating and cooling may damage an RO membrane and/or its associated components as systems are heated and cooled” so “the rate of temperature…decrease may be controlled to minimize this damage to the membrane and its associated components”, (See paragraph [0019], Wood).
Modified Itou does not disclose that the certain temperature change rate is less than 5° C/min.
Hirayama discloses a water purification apparatus that applies a certain temperature change rate that is less than 5° C/min, (See column 3, lines 54-60, Hirayama; overlaps and thus anticipates over the range of 0.1 to 5° C/min).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to have modified the water purification apparatus of modified Itou by incorporating that the certain temperature change rate is less than 5° C/min as in Hirayama because “the water fed…is unpreferable to be changed from hot to cool or from cool to hot suddenly, since it heats or cools…membranes to expand or contract so rapidly to cause deterioration thereof” so selecting this temperature rate “is preferable”, (See column 3, lines 54-60, Hirayama), to “prevent deterioration”, (See column 2, lines 45-49, Hirayama).
Additional Disclosures Included:
Claim 46: The method according to claim 45, comprising measuring a property indicative of a temperature of the RO-membrane, (TIA sensor just upstream of RO 10, See Figure 2, See page 10-11), and wherein the controlling comprises controlling cooling of the RO-membrane with the cooling arrangement based on the property, (See page 14, Itou).
Claim 47: The method according to claim 46, wherein the controlling comprises controlling the cooling arrangement to reduce the temperature of the RO-membrane by a certain temperature change rate, based on the measured property, in order to achieve a desired temperature of the RO-membrane, (See pages 14 & 16-17, Itou).
Claim 48: The method according to claim 45, wherein the controlling comprises directing water to the cooling device via a cooling path, the water used as a cooling liquid by the cooling device, (Water in Line 11 directed to Cooler 12 and cooled down to cool the tank 6, See Figure 2, See page 3, Itou).
Claim 51: The method according to claim 45, wherein the controlling comprises, during the cooling of the RO-membrane: preventing fresh inlet water to reach the RO-device using an inlet valve; preventing the permeate water from being passed from the apparatus using a permeate valve; and preventing the reject water from being passed to drain using a drain valve, (V7 is closed, permeate directed to Tank 6, Reject is directed to Tank 6, Valve V6 closed, and inlet water from Tank 1 to Tank 6 is stopped, cooler 12 is still used, See Figure 2, See pages 13-14, Itou).
Claim(s) 35, 36 & 49 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Itou et al., JPS5584586A, (“Itou”, “Machine Translation of JPS5584586A”, published 1980), in view of Wood et al., (“Wood”, US 2004/0079700), in further view of Hirayama et al., (“Hirayama”, US 6,461,512), and in further view of Henson et al., (“Henson”, US 2013/0126174).
Regarding Claim 35 & 36, modified Itou discloses the water purification apparatus according to claim 34, but does not disclose wherein the cooling path is configured to direct the inlet water from the inlet path to the cooling device to be used as a cooling liquid by the cooling device, wherein the cooling path is further configured to direct the inlet water used as the cooling liquid by the cooling device, and outputted from the cooling device, to a drain.
Henson discloses a water purification apparatus, (See Abstract, Henson), wherein the cooling path is configured to direct the inlet water from the inlet path to the cooling device to be used as a cooling liquid by the cooling device, (Fluid from Line 378 to RO tank 380 which is directed towards RO Membrane 400 which is considered inlet is also redirected to Cooling System via Line 379, See Figure 2B, represented by Cool 320 in Figure 2A or Figure 4, See paragraph [0046] & [0049] for line 378; See paragraphs [0044] & [0048] for cooling system), wherein the cooling path is further configured to direct the inlet water used as the cooling liquid by the cooling device, and outputted from the cooling device, to a drain, (Redirected inlet water from Line 379 is recirculated to Line 324 “FROM COOL” in Figure 2B and can be directed to drain at either Line 336 or 386, See Figure 2B, See paragraphs [0045], [0046], Henson).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to have modified the apparatus of modified Itou by incorporating wherein the cooling path is configured to direct the inlet water from the inlet path to the cooling device to be used as a cooling liquid by the cooling device, wherein the cooling path is further configured to direct the inlet water used as the cooling liquid by the cooling device, and outputted from the cooling device, to a drain as in Henson so it “resupplies water lost in” the cooling system, (See paragraph [0048], Henson), in “proportion to the amount of cooling that is provided”, (See paragraph [0058], Henson).
Additional Disclosures Included:
Claim 36: The water purification apparatus according to claim 35, comprising a waste path configured to pass the reject water from the reject path to the drain, (Valve V5 and Line 13 directs Retentate 11 away, See Figure 2, Itou; or Line 407 in Figure 2B, See paragraph [0046], Henson), and wherein the cooling path comprises a bypass path configured to bypass the cooling device and direct the inlet water into the waste path or the cooling path downstream of the cooling device in order to cool the reject water being passed to the drain, (Line 378 continues to RO Tank 382 without exclusively passing through Line 379, hence bypasses cooling system, See Figure 2B, See paragraph [0046], Henson).
Regarding Claim 49, modified Itou discloses the method according to claim 48, but does not disclose wherein the directing comprises directing the inlet water from the inlet path to the cooling device via the cooling path, the water to be used as a cooling liquid by the cooling device; and directing the inlet water used as the cooling liquid by the cooling device and outputted from the cooling device to a drain.
Henson discloses a water purification method, (See Abstract, Henson), wherein the directing comprises directing the inlet water from the inlet path to the cooling device via the cooling path, the water to be used as a cooling liquid by the cooling device, (Fluid from Line 378 to RO tank 380 which is directed towards RO Membrane 400 which is considered inlet is also redirected to Cooling System via Line 379, See Figure 2B, represented by Cool 320 in Figure 2A or Figure 4, See paragraph [0046] & [0049] for line 378; See paragraphs [0044] & [0048] for cooling system), and directing the inlet water used as the cooling liquid by the cooling device and outputted from the cooling device to a drain, (Redirected inlet water from Line 379 is recirculated to Line 324 “FROM COOL” in Figure 2B and can be directed to drain at either Line 336 or 386, See Figure 2B, See paragraphs [0045], [0046], Henson).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to have modified the method of modified Itou by incorporating wherein the directing comprises directing the inlet water from the inlet path to the cooling device via the cooling path, the water to be used as a cooling liquid by the cooling device; and directing the inlet water used as the cooling liquid by the cooling device and outputted from the cooling device to a drain as in Henson so it “resupplies water lost in” the cooling system, (See paragraph [0048], Henson), in “proportion to the amount of cooling that is provided”, (See paragraph [0058], Henson).
Claims 37 & 50 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Itou et al., JPS5584586A, (“Itou”, “Machine Translation of JPS5584586A”, 30 total pages, published 1980), in view of Wood et al., (“Wood”, US 2004/0079700), in further view of Hirayama et al., (“Hirayama”, US 6,461,512), in further view of Fabig, (US 2009/0134080).
Regarding Claim 37, modified Itou discloses the water purification apparatus according to claim 34, but does not disclose wherein the control arrangement is configured to control the water purification apparatus to perform heat disinfection of the RO-membrane by means of water heated by a heater, wherein the heat disinfection includes passing the water heated by the heater through the RO-membrane; and control the cooling arrangement to cool the reject water in the recirculation path (24) in order to cool the RO-membrane (2a) after the heat disinfection of the RO-membrane (2a) is completed.
Fabig discloses a water purification apparatus, (See Abstract, Henson), , wherein the control arrangement is configured to control the apparatus to perform heat disinfection of the RO-membrane by means of water heated by a heater, wherein the heat disinfection includes passing the water heated by the heater through the RO-membrane, (Heating Device 56 for disinfection upstream of RO Membrane 66, See Figure 4 or 5, See paragraph [0070], Fabig); and control the cooling arrangement to cool the reject water in the recirculation path (24) in order to cool the RO-membrane (2a) after the heat disinfection of the RO-membrane (2a) is completed, (Control Valve 76 is opened, water can be run through the system with cool water including Line 70, See Figure 5, See paragraph [0070], Fabig).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to have modified the apparatus of modified Itou by incorporating wherein the control arrangement is configured to control the apparatus to perform heat disinfection of the RO-membrane by means of water heated by a heater, wherein the heat disinfection includes passing the water heated by the heater through the RO-membrane; and control the cooling arrangement to cool the reject water in the recirculation path (24) in order to cool the RO-membrane (2a) after the heat disinfection of the RO-membrane (2a) is completed as in Fabig in order to use “a combination of water recirculation and re-purification…and periodic full system heat disinfection to maintain the microbiological cleanliness of the system”, (See paragraph [0041], Fabig).
Regarding Claim 50, modified Itou discloses the method according to claim 45 but does not disclose comprising: performing heat disinfection of the RO-membrane by means of water heated by a heater, wherein the heat disinfection includes passing the water heated by the heater through the RO-membrane; and controlling the cooling arrangement to cool the reject water in the recirculation path in order to cool the RO-membrane after the heat disinfection of the RO-membrane is completed.
Fabig discloses a method, (See Abstract, Henson), comprising: performing heat disinfection of the RO-membrane by means of water heated by a heater, wherein the heat disinfection includes passing the heated water through the RO-membrane, (Heating Device 56 for disinfection upstream of RO Membrane 66, See Figure 4 or 5, See paragraph [0070], Fabig); and controlling the cooling arrangement to cool the recirculated reject water in the recirculation path in order to cool the RO-membrane after the heat disinfection of the RO-membrane is completed, (Control Valve 76 is opened, water can be run through the system with cool water including Line 70, See Figure 5, See paragraph [0070], Fabig).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to have modified the apparatus of modified Itou by incorporating comprising: performing heat disinfection of the RO-membrane by means of water heated by a heater, wherein the heat disinfection includes passing the water heated by the heater through the RO-membrane; and controlling the cooling arrangement to cool the reject water in the recirculation path in order to cool the RO-membrane after the heat disinfection of the RO-membrane is completed as in Fabig in order to use “a combination of water recirculation and re-purification…and periodic full system heat disinfection to maintain the microbiological cleanliness of the system”, (See paragraph [0041], Fabig).
Claim(s) 40 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Itou et al., JPS5584586A, (“Itou”, “Machine Translation of JPS5584586A”, 30 total pages, published 1980), in view of Wood et al., (“Wood”, US 2004/0079700), in further view of Hirayama et al., (“Hirayama”, US 6,461,512), in further view of Max, (US 2003/0150483).
Regarding Claim 40, modified Itou discloses the water purification apparatus according to claim 31, but does not disclose wherein the cooling device comprises a thermoelectric cooler.
Max discloses wherein the cooling device comprises a thermoelectric cooler, (See paragraph [0024]-[0026], Max).
It would have obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to have modified the apparatus of modified Itou by incorporating wherein the cooling device comprises a thermoelectric cooler as in Max because “thermoelectric elements are completely solid state and contain no mechanical parts or fluids or gases” such that “precision temperature control is possible”, (See paragraph [0026], Max).
Claim(s) 41 & 42 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Itou et al., JPS5584586A, (“Itou”, “Machine Translation of JPS5584586A”, 30 total pages, published 1980), in view of Wood et al., (“Wood”, US 2004/0079700), in further view of Hirayama et al., (“Hirayama”, US 6,461,512), in further view of Max, (US 2003/0150483), and in further view of Hoshina, JP2007125493A, (“Hoshina”, “Machine Translation of JP2007125493A”, 48, pages, published 2007).
Regarding Claims 41 & 42, modified Itou discloses the water purification apparatus according to claim 40, but does not disclose wherein the thermoelectric cooler is configured to transfer heat from the reject water in the recirculation path to the permeate water in the permeate path.
Hoshina discloses wherein the thermoelectric cooler is configured to transfer heat from the reject water in the recirculation path to permeate water in the permeate path, (Both permeate and retentate directed into Buffer Tank with cooler, See Figure 2, See paragraph [0041], Hoshina).
It would have obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to have modified the apparatus of modified Itou by incorporating wherein the thermoelectric cooler is configured to transfer heat from the reject water in the recirculation path to the permeate water in the permeate path as in Hoshina so that “the permeate and concentrate water are constantly recirculated…when there is no customer demand and the equipment is in standby mode” that “also takes economic efficiency into consideration”, (See paragraph [0041] & [0042], Hoshina).
Additional Disclosures Included:
Claim 42: The water purification apparatus according to claim 41, wherein the water purification apparatus is configured to measure a property indicative of a temperature of the permeate water downstream a point of heat transfer to the permeate water, (Temperature measured in buffer tank when permeate is recirculated and joined, See Figure 2, See paragraph [0031] & [0032], Hoshina), wherein the control arrangement is configured to control the cooling arrangement based on the property, in order to achieve a predetermined temperature of the permeate water, (See pages 14 & 16-17, Itou).
Claim(s) 43 & 44 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Itou et al., JPS5584586A, (“Itou”, “Machine Translation of JPS5584586A”, 30 total pages, published 1980), in view of Wood et al., (“Wood”, US 2004/0079700), and in further view of Hirayama et al., (“Hirayama”, US 6,461,512), in further view of Max, (US 2003/0150483), in further view of Omura et al., (“Omura”, “Machine Translation of JPH0550053A”, 12 total pages, published 1993).
Regarding Claims 43 & 44, modified Itou discloses the water purification apparatus according to claim 40, but does not disclose wherein the thermoelectric cooler is configured to transfer heat from the recirculating reject water in the recirculation path to reject water being passed to drain.
Omura discloses wherein the thermoelectric cooler is configured to transfer heat from the recirculating reject water in the recirculation path to reject water being passed to drain, (Heat Exchanger 3 accepts recirculated concentrate that is passed to drain afterwards, See Figure 1, See paragraphs [0009] & [0010], Omura).
It would have obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to have modified the apparatus of modified Itou by incorporating wherein the thermoelectric cooler is configured to transfer heat from the recirculating reject water in the recirculation path to reject water being passed to drain as in Omura so that ‘by pre-cooling the raw water using the permeate and/or concentrate that has passed through the reverse osmosis device, cooling energy can be saved”, (See paragraph [0014], Omura).
Additional Disclosures Included:
Claim 44: The water purification apparatus according to claim 43, comprising a concentration sensor configured to measure a concentration of the permeate water, (CIA-2 (conductive dust indicator), See Figure 2, See pages 8-9 & 10, Itou), and a temperature sensor configured to measure a property indicative of the temperature of the reject water being passed to a drain downstream the thermoelectric cooler, (TIA and V6 and V5, downstream of reject stream being cooled with raw water, See Figure 1, See page 10, Itou), wherein the control arrangement is configured to control cooling of the recirculating reject water in the recirculation path based on the concentration of the permeate water and the property of the reject water being passed to the drain, (See pages 10-11, Itou).
Claim(s) 52 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Itou et al., JPS5584586A, (“Itou”, “Machine Translation of JPS5584586A”, published 1980), in view of Wood et al., (“Wood”, US 2004/0079700), in further view of Hirayama et al., (“Hirayama”, US 6,461,512), in further view of Sendelius et al., (“Sendelius”, US 2020/0129927).
Regarding Claim 52, modified Itou discloses the method according to claim 45, but does not disclose wherein the water purification apparatus includes a computer program comprising instructions configured to perform the method.
Sendelius discloses wherein the water purification apparatus includes a computer program comprising instructions configured to perform the method, (See paragraphs [0001], [0063], [0118], Sendelius).
It would have obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to have modified the apparatus of modified Itou by incorporating wherein the water purification apparatus includes a computer program comprising instructions configured to perform the method as in Sendelius because “it is of great importance that the microbial status of RO module…is excellent” so “in order to achieve this, the water purification apparatus…runs cleaning programs on a timely basis”, (See paragraph [0118], Sendelius).
Conclusion
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/JONATHAN M PEO/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1779
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