DETAILED NOTICE
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, see page 6, filed April 14, 2025, with respect to the claim rejections under 35 U.S.C. §112 have been considered. The claim rejections under 35 U.S.C. §112 have been withdrawn.
Applicant’s arguments, see page 6, filed April 14, 2025, with respect to the claim rejections under 35 U.S.C. §102 & 35 U.S.C. §103 have been considered but are moot because the new grounds of rejection are necessitated by Applicant’s amendments, the instant Office action has been made final.
Response to Amendment
This office action is in response to the amendments and / or remarks filed on July 7th, 2025. Claim 4 is cancelled, claims 14-20 remain withdrawn. Claims 1-3, 5-13, and 21 remain pending and are currently being examined.
The text of those sections of Title 35, U.S. Code not included in this action can be found in a prior Office action.
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 1-3, 6, 8-9 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Chen (US 20180048949 A1).
Regarding Claim 1, Chen teaches a multifunctional base (10), comprising: a first cover (121), comprising a first connecting edge made of flexible material (wherein Chen teaches “The collapsible inflatable housing 10 is made of a translucent or transparent soft plastic material , such as Polyvinyl chloride ; PVC , Polyethylene ; PE , Thermoplastic polyurethanes ; TPU , Ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer ; EVA and so on.”) and extended along a periphery of the first cover (121), the first connecting edge (5 in Annotated Figure 3 below) is configured to sealingly (as seen in Figures 1-2) connect the multifunctional base (10) with an object (20); and a second cover (131), the second cover (131) is connected with first cover (121) to define a receiving space (the housing 10); a fixing plate (122), received in the receiving space (10); a control module (300b), received in the receiving space (10); and a power module (60), at least partially received in the receiving space (10) and electrically connected (40) with the control module (300a). (Figs. 1-9; [0019], [0020], [0023], [0033])
[AltContent: connector][AltContent: arrow]
PNG
media_image1.png
754
444
media_image1.png
Greyscale
[AltContent: connector][AltContent: arrow]
PNG
media_image2.png
28
26
media_image2.png
Greyscale
PNG
media_image3.png
29
23
media_image3.png
Greyscale
PNG
media_image4.png
25
163
media_image4.png
Greyscale
Regarding Claim 2, Chen further teaches wherein the second cover (120) comprises: a second connecting edge (6 in Annotated Figure 3 above), made of flexible material (wherein Chen teaches “The collapsible inflatable housing 10 is made of a translucent or transparent soft plastic material , such as Polyvinyl chloride ; PVC , Polyethylene ; PE , Thermoplastic polyurethanes ; TPU , Ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer ; EVA and so on.”) and extended along a periphery of the second cover (as seen in Figure 3), the first connecting edge (5 in Annotated Figure 3 above) is sealingly (as seen in Figures 1-2) connected with the second connecting edge (5 in Annotated Figure 3 above). (Figs. 1-4; [0019]-[0020], [0023])
Regarding Claim 3, Chen further teaches a fixing plate (122), received in the receiving space (wherein Chen teaches “the first end wall 12 includes a first inner layer 120 , a first outer layer 121 , and a speaker support plate 122 between the first inner layer 120 and first outer layer 121”); and a bottom shell (20), received in the receiving space and connected with the fixing plate (122) to define a cavity (the housing 10 defines a cavity). (Figs. 1-4; [0019]-[0020], [0024], [0033])
Regarding Claim 6, Chen further teaches wherein the power module (60) further comprises: a rechargeable battery (60), electrically connected (40) with the solar panel (70) and received in the cavity (10). (Figs. 2-4, 7; [0028]-[0029])
Regarding Claim 8, Chen further teaches a speaker (20), electrically connected (40) with the power module (60) and the control module (300b), the speaker (20) is arranged on the fixing plate (122) and attached with the first cover (121); or the first cover defines a through hole (1210), the speaker (20) is arranged on the fixing plate (122) and exposed from the through hole (1210). (Figs. 3-4, 7; [0020])
Regarding Claim 9, Chen further teaches wherein the multifunctional base (10) further comprises a light-emitting module (50), electrically connected with the power module (60) and the control module (300b), the light-emitting module (50) is received in the cavity (10), and the first cover (121) is at least partially transparent (wherein Chen teaches “The collapsible inflatable housing 10 is made of a translucent or transparent soft plastic material”); or the multifunctional base (10) further comprises a plurality of light-emitting modules (50), spaced apart from each other (as seen in Figure 4) and electrically connected (40) with the power module (60) and the control module (300b), the light-emitting modules (50) are arranged on a cover. (Figs. 3-4, 7; [0019], [0028], [0033])
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.
Claims 5 and 7 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Chen (US 20180048949 A1), in view of design choice.
Regarding Claim 5, Chen further teaches wherein the power module (60) comprises: a solar panel (70), the solar panel (70) is arranged on a fixing plate (30) and the first cover is at least transparent (wherein Chen teaches “The collapsible inflatable housing 10 is made of a translucent or transparent soft plastic material”); or the first cover defines a through hole, and the solar panel (70) is arranged on the fixing plate and exposed from the through hole. (Figs. 1-8; [0019], [0033])
Chen does not teach the solar panel being attached to the same fixing plate as the speaker.
It would have been prima facie obvious for a person having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to the inflatable housing for a speaker as taught by Chen, and by virtue of design choice provide for both the speaker and the solar panel to be provided on the same fixing plate .Wherein through use of a known technique to a known device ready for improvement to yield predictable results; through re-arrangement of parts, would be motivated to provide for the speaker and the solar panel to be provided on the same time of the inflatable housing, in order for the user project audio in the same direction of the solar panel. See MPEP 2144.04.
Regarding Claim 7, Chen further teaches wherein further comprising: an operation panel (304b), electrically connected with the power module (60) and the control module (300b), the operation panel (304b) is arranged on a fixing plate (30) and attached with the first cover (121 through the inflatable speaker 10); or a cover (131) defines through hole (1210), and the operation panel (304b) is arranged on a fixing plate (30) and exposed from the through hole (wherein the buttons are visible on Figure 2).
Chen does not teach the control module being attached to the same fixing plate as the speaker.
It would have been prima facie obvious for a person having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to the inflatable housing for a speaker as taught by Chen, and by virtue of design choice provide for both the speaker and the control module to be provided on the same fixing plate .Wherein through use of a known technique to a known device ready for improvement to yield predictable results; through re-arrangement of parts, would be motivated to provide for the speaker and the operation panel to be provided on the same time of the inflatable housing, in order for the user access the control module on the same face as the speaker. See MPEP 2144.04.
Claims 10-11 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Chen (US 20180048949 A1), in view of Hassman et al. (US 20120294550 A1).
Regarding Claim 10, Chen teaches all of the elements of the invention described in claim 1 above except; A bag, comprising: a multifunctional base as recited in claim 1; and a bag body, the multifunctional base is sealingly connected with the bag body.
Wherein Chen teaches a multifunctional base (12). (Figs. 1-4; [0019], [0020], [0023])
Hassman et al. further teaches a bag (20), with a bag body (22), and a base (50) sealingly connected (wherein Hassman et al. teaches “Insulated bag also has mounted thereto, preferably front 28, a speaker 50, although speaker 50 can be mounted to any of panels 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34 as desired by the manufacturer”) with the bag body (22). (Figs. 1-4A; [0019]-[0020], [0023])
It would have been prima facie obvious for a person having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to take the multifunctional base as taught by Chen, and provide for a bag for mounting the multifunctional base as taught by Hassman et al. Wherein through use of a known technique to a known device ready for improvement to yield predictable results; one would be motivated to provide for a bag for mounting a multifunctional base, in order for the user to benefit from the features of a multifunctional base when attached to a bag.
Regarding Claim 11, Chen, modified above, teaches all of the elements of the invention described in claim 10 above except; wherein the multifunctional base is sealingly connected with a top surface of the bag body; or the multifunctional base is sealingly connected with a front surface of the bag body.
Wherein Chen teaches a multifunctional base (13). (Figs. 1-4; [0019], [0020], [0023])
Hassman et al. further teaches wherein the a base (50) is sealingly connected with a top surface (24) of the bag body (22); or the multifunctional base (50) is sealingly connected with a front surface (28) of the bag body (22). (Wherein Hassman et al. teaches “Insulated bag also has mounted thereto, preferably front 28, a speaker 50, although speaker 50 can be mounted to any of panels 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34 as desired by the manufacturer”) (Figs. 1-4A; [0019]-[0020], [0023])
It would have been prima facie obvious for a person having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to take the multifunctional base as taught by Chen, modified above, and provide for mounting the multifunctional base on the front or top of a bag as taught by Hassman et al. Wherein through use of a known technique to a known device ready for improvement to yield predictable results; one would be motivated to provide for mounting a multifunctional base to the front or top of a bag, in order to provide the user with a convenient location to access the multifunctional base.
Claims 12-13, so far as they are definite, are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Chen (US 20180048949 A1), in view of Hassman et al. (US 20120294550 A1), and further in view of Han (US 20040200871 A1).
Regarding Claim 12, Chen, modified above, teaches all of the elements of the invention described in claim 10 above except; wherein further comprising: an insulating element, for thermal insulation, the insulating element defines a receiving groove, the multifunctional base is received in the receiving groove, and the first connecting edge is sealingly connected with a periphery of the receiving groove by the first connecting edge and exposed from the bag body.
Wherein Chen teaches a multifunctional base (13). (Figs. 1-4; [0019], [0020], [0023])
Hassman et al. further teaches an insulating element (26), for thermal insulation (wherein Hassman et al. teaches “Insulative layer 26 generally exhibits properties whereby the transfer of thermal energy is resisted”), the insulating element (26) defines a receiving groove (7 in Annotated Figure 3 below), the base (50) is received in the receiving groove (7 in Annotated Figure 3 below), and the first connecting edge is sealingly connected (wherein Hassman et al. teaches “Insulated bag also has mounted thereto, preferably front 28, a speaker 50, although speaker 50 can be mounted to any of panels 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34 as desired by the manufacturer”) with a periphery (as seen in Figure 4A) of the receiving groove (7 in Annotated Figure 3 below) and exposed (as seen in Figure 2 from the bag body 22). (Figs. 1-4A; [0019]-[0020], [0023])
It would have been prima facie obvious for a person having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to take the multifunctional base as taught by Chen, modified above, and provide for insulation for a bag as taught by Hassman et al. Wherein through use of a known technique to a known device ready for improvement to yield predictable results; one would be motivated to provide a bag with an insulating layer, in order for the user to keep beverages stored within the bag at a cool temperature on a hot day.
Chen, modified above, does not explicitly teach a first connecting edge connected to a periphery to a receiving groove.
Han further teaches a first connecting edge (62) connected with a periphery to a receiving groove (periphery of opening 17). (Figs. 1-5; [0015]-[0017])
It would have been prima facie obvious for a person having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to take the multifunctional base and bag as taught by Chen, modified above, and provide attaching the multifunctional base through a connecting edge attached to a periphery of a receiving groove as taught by Han. Wherein through use of a known technique to a known device ready for improvement to yield predictable results; one would be motivated to attach a multifunctional base to a periphery of a receiving groove, in order to fixedly attach the multifunctional base to a bag body.
PNG
media_image5.png
541
496
media_image5.png
Greyscale
[AltContent: connector][AltContent: arrow]
PNG
media_image6.png
37
180
media_image6.png
Greyscale
PNG
media_image7.png
28
29
media_image7.png
Greyscale
Regarding Claim 13, Chen, modified above, teaches all of the elements of the invention described in claim 12 above except; wherein the bag body comprises: a waterproof element, for preventing water from penetrating into the bag, the waterproof element is arranged adjacent to the insulating element , the waterproof element defines a through hole communicated with the receiving groove, the multifunctional base is exposed from the third through hole and sealingly connected with a periphery of the third through hole by the first connecting edge.
Wherein Chen teaches a multifunctional base (13). (Figs. 1-4; [0019], [0020], [0023])
Han further teaches wherein the bag body (10) comprises: a waterproof element (wherein Han teaches “It is preferable the knapsack 10 is made of a waterproof material, and the speakers 30, 40 have a water tight Structure, So that the present invention may be used without being affected by weather factors”), for preventing water from penetrating into the bag (10), the waterproof element (10) is arranged adjacent to the insulating element (26), the waterproof element defines a through hole (17) communicated with the receiving groove (17), the base (18) is exposed from the through hole (17) and sealingly connected with a periphery of the through hole by the first connecting edge (through fixing ring 62). (Figs. 1-5; [0015]-[0017])
It would have been prima facie obvious for a person having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to take the multifunctional base and bag as taught by Chen, modified above, and provide for a waterproofing element as taught by Han. Wherein through use of a known technique to a known device ready for improvement to yield predictable results; one would be motivated to provide for a waterproofing element in order to protect the components within multifunctional base and the contents stowed within the bag from exposure to water.
Claim 21 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Chen (US 20180048949 A1), in view of Bannister (US 20090159192 A1).
Regarding Claim 21, A multifunctional base (10), comprising: a first cover (121), made of flexible material and arranged with a first connecting edge (periphery of 121), wherein the first connecting edge (periphery of 121) is made of flexible material (wherein Chen teaches “The collapsible inflatable housing 10 is made of a translucent or transparent soft plastic material , such as Polyvinyl chloride ; PVC , Polyethylene ; PE , Thermoplastic polyurethanes ; TPU , Ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer ; EVA and so on.”), extends along a periphery of the first cover (121), and is configured to sealingly (as seen in Figures 1-2) connect the multifunctional base (10) with an object (11); and a second cover (131), made of flexible material or rigid material (wherein Chen teaches “The collapsible inflatable housing 10 is made of a translucent or transparent soft plastic material , such as Polyvinyl chloride ; PVC , Polyethylene ; PE , Thermoplastic polyurethanes ; TPU , Ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer ; EVA and so on.”), defining a receiving space (10) together with the first cover (121), and arranged with a second connecting edge (periphery of 131), wherein the second connecting edge (periphery of 131) is made of flexible material (wherein Chen teaches “The collapsible inflatable housing 10 is made of a translucent or transparent soft plastic material , such as Polyvinyl chloride ; PVC , Polyethylene ; PE , Thermoplastic polyurethanes ; TPU , Ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer ; EVA and so on.”, extends along a periphery of the second cover (131), and is sealingly (as seen in Figures 1-2) connected with the first connecting edge (121). (Figs. 1-9; [0019], [0020], [0023], [0033])
Chen remains silent regarding how the connecting edges are sealingly connected, or in a hot-melt manner.
Bannister further teaches sealing connecting edges (11) in a hot melt manner (wherein Bannister teaches “the inventor contemplates using a polypropylene base hot melt adhesive, preferably hot melt number 2903”). (Figs. ; [0074]-[0076])
It would have been prima facie obvious for a person having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to take the inflatable speaker as taught by Chen, and provide for sealing the first cover and second cover in a hot melt manner as taught by Bannister. Wherein through use of a known technique to a known device ready for improvement to yield predictable results; one would be motivated to provide for sealing the connecting edges of the first and second cover in a hot melt manner, in order to provide the multifunctional base with covers sealed at connecting edges that are impermeable to water.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to the applicant’s disclosure.
Salzinger (US 9080736 B1), teaches a portable solar-powered device with a speaker.
Baron (US 20100263603 A1), teaches a garment with a speaker and solar panel provided on the same side.
Entner (US 20080037813 A1), teaches a carrying case with an integrated speaker.
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 extension fee pursuant to 37 CFR E 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 date of this final action.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to JUSTIN R CAUDILL whose telephone number is (303)297-4349. The examiner can normally be reached on Monday-Friday 8:30-5:30 MT.
Examiner interviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video conferencing using a USPTO supplied web-based collaboration tool. To schedule an interview, applicant is encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR) at http://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, NATHAN JENNESS can be reached on (571) 270-5055. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
Information regarding the status of an application may be obtained from the Patent Application Information Retrieval (PAIR) system. Status information for published applications may be obtained from either Private PAIR or Public PAIR. Status information for unpublished applications is available through Private PAIR only. For more information about the PAIR system, see https://ppair-my.uspto.gov/pair/PrivatePair. Should you have questions on access to the Private PAIR system, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative or access to the automated information system, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000.
/JUSTIN CAUDILL/Examiner, Art Unit 3733
/NATHAN J JENNESS/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 3733 27 October 2025
Prosecution Insights