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 .
Response to Amendment
The text of those sections of Title 35, U.S. Code not included in this action can be found in a prior Office action.
The response filed on April 22, 2026 is acknowledged.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
Claims 1, 2, 6-10 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 “a control device configured to cause the coolant to be supplied to the coolant retainer from the coolant feed pump at regular intervals” in lines 11-12. The intervals limited by the term “regular intervals” is indefinite. It is uncertain what intervals are defined/limited by the term “regular intervals.” The specification provides no guidance to determine the intervals defined by “regular intervals.”
Claim 1 recites the limitation “a control device configured to cause the coolant to be supplied to the coolant retainer from the coolant feed pump at regular intervals” in lines 11-12. The specification fails to recite structure to enable the control device to cause the coolant to be supplied to the coolant retainer from the coolant feed device intermittently at regular intervals. Presumably, not all control devices are capable of performing such function. The structure recited by the claim is not commensurate in scope with the function required by the claim.
Claim 6 recites the limitation “spraying a coolant which is water at regular intervals from a spray nozzle” in line 6. The intervals limited by the term “regular intervals” is indefinite. It is uncertain what intervals are defined/limited by the term “regular intervals.” The specification provides no guidance to determine the intervals defined by “regular intervals.”
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments filed April 22, 2026 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive.
Applicant argues that “at regular intervals” is defined as: at times that are equally separated. Applicant is arguing a limited interpretation of “regular intervals.” The term regular is defined as: normal. Dictionary.com. The interpretation of normal intervals requires a subjective determination. What may be considered normal by one of ordinary skill in the art may not be considered normal to another of ordinary skill in the art. Additionally, the specification does not support Applicant’s argument of such a narrow interpretation.
Regarding Applicant’s argument to the coolant feed pump, a coolant feed pump, in itself, is not capable supplying coolant at regular intervals. Otherwise, all coolant feed pumps would be capable of supplying coolant at regular intervals.
Conclusion
THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. 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 CHRISTOPHER S KIM whose telephone number is (571)272-4905. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 7:30-3:30.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Arthur O Hall can be reached on (571) 270-1814. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/CHRISTOPHER S KIM/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3752 CHRISTOPHER S. KIM
Examiner
Art Unit 3752
CK
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