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 .
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and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114.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 June 11, 2026 has been entered.
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, the “a roller having a central axis and a hollow core along the central axis”; “a plurality of electrical heating elements integrated inside the hollow core, wherein each zone comprises one or more heating elements which do not overlap into other zones”; ”one or more electrical contacts” (claim 1); “a unique electrical interface to the control unit” (claim 3); “one or more active components, wherein the one or more active components comprise at least one of a fan, blower, pump, or compressor, wherein the one or more active components are interfaced to the control circuit, and wherein the one or more active components are configured to move at least one of a gas or liquid through the one or more air channels” (claims 8 and 18); “a unique electrical contact” (claim 12); “electrically interface the plurality of electrically heating elements and the at least one electrical contact” (claim 11); and “electrically interfacing the at least one temperature sensor and the at least one electrical contact” (claim 14) 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
Claim 16 is objected to because of the following informalities: the limitation “A roller comprising” recites in line 2 should be changed to “a roller comprising”. Appropriate correction is required.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b):
(b) CONCLUSION.—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph:
The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention.
Claims 1, 3 and 5-10 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.
In claim 1, the term ”one or more heating elements” recited in line 5 and “the heating elements“ recited in line 6 and 7 renders the claim indefinite because it is unclear whether they are the same plurality of electrical heating elements. Note: for the purpose of examination, it is presumed it is the same “one or more heating elements”. It is suggested to change to “one or more heating elements”.
In claim 11, the term ”one or more heating elements” recited in line 5 and “respective electrical heating elements“ recited in line 8 renders the claim indefinite because it is unclear whether they are the same one or more heating elements. Note: for the purpose of examination, it is presumed it is the same “one or more heating elements”. It is suggested to change to “one or more heating elements”
Claim 3 recites the limitation "the control circuit" in line 2-3. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 8 recites the limitation "the one or more air channels" in line 4-5. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
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.
Claim(s) 16 and 18 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Imaizumi et al. (EP 2559538) (previously cited).
Regarding claim 16, Imaizumi et al. discloses a system comprising: a roller (5a, Fig. 5) comprising: a roller body (Fig. 5) configured as a single inductive heating element (25, Fig. 5; Par. 40, “The induction heating coil 25 is provided inside of the rolling roll 5a”), wherein the roller body generates heat when subjected to an alternating magnetic field (Par. 40); one or more air channels (37, 39; Fig. 5; Par. 43-44) internal to the roller body; and a control circuit (31, Fig. 5) configured to control the heating of the roller body (Par. 55).
Regarding claim 18, Imaizumi et al. discloses one or more active components, wherein the one or more active components comprise at least one of a fan, blower, pump, or compressor, wherein the one or more active components are interfaced to the control circuit (31), and wherein the one or more active components are configured to move at least one of a gas or liquid through the one or more air channels (Par. 44, “In the example of Fig. 5, the cooling medium supply device 27 includes an air source 27a, a cooling medium source 27b, and a nozzle portion 27c. The air source 27a supplies pressurized air (gas) to the nozzle portion 27c. The cooling medium source 27b supplies the cooling medium which is liquid (preferably, water) to the nozzle portion 27c. The nozzle portion 27c sprays the supplied cooling medium using the supplied pressurized air to the cooling medium flow channel 37 side (to a communication passage 36 in the example of Fig. 5), and therefore, the mist-like cooling medium is supplied to the cooling medium flow channel 37. In the example of Fig. 5, the nozzle portion 27c supplies the mist-like cooling medium to the cooling medium flow channel 37 through the communication passage 36 which is formed inside of the extension portion 35”; Par. 46, “The pressurized air is supplied from the air source 27a to the nozzle portion 27c through an air supply tube 41, an air supply passage 43, and an air introduction passage 45”; and Par.55, “The control device 31 may perform the supply control of the cooling medium to the cooling medium flow channel 37 by the cooling medium supply device 27 by controlling an opening of flow controlling valves 57 and 59. The flow controlling valve 57 is provided on the cooling medium supply tube 49, and the flow controlling valve 59 is provided on the air supply tube 41”).
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(s) 1, 3, 5-6 and 11-12 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Rea et al. (US Pub. 2011/0063374) (new cited) in view of Eskey (US Pub. 2004/0228667).
Regarding claims 1 and 11, Rea et al. discloses a system comprising: a roller (118, Fig. 2) having a central axis and a hollow core (120) along the central axis, a plurality of electrical heating elements (122, Fig. 2) integrated inside the hollow core (Par. 32, “the core 120 may be hollow and include one or more heating elements 122 disposed therein for generating the required thermal energy in the roller”) (Fig. 2; Par. 31-32). Rea et al. does not discloses the roller being divided lengthwise into a series of zones, wherein each zone comprises one or more heating elements which do not overlap into other zones, wherein the plurality of electrical heating elements are configured to be individually adjustable during operation by an external control circuit that interfaces with the heating elements via one or more electrical contacts. Eskey discloses a roller (40, Fig. 1) being divided lengthwise into a series of zones (60, 70, 62, Fig. 1A), wherein each zone comprises the one or more electrical heating elements (44, 45, Fig. 1A) which do not overlap into other zones, wherein the one or more heating elements (44, 45) are configured to be individually adjustable during operation by an external control circuit (132) that interfaces with the plurality of the one or more heating elements (44, 45) via one or more electrical contacts (Fig. 1A, wiring contacts terminals 57, 58, 59) (Fig. 1-1A and 8; Abstract; Par.22-23 and 30). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to utilize in Rea et al., the roller being divided lengthwise into a series of zones, wherein each zone comprises one or more heating elements which do not overlap into other zones, wherein the plurality of electrical heating elements are configured to be individually adjustable during operation by an external control circuit that interfaces with the heating elements via one or more electrical contacts, as taught by Eskey, for the purpose of permitting variable controllable heat application to a medium.
Regarding claims 3 and 12, Eskey discloses the respective electrical heating elements of the plurality of electrical hearing elements (44, 45) are provided with a unique electrical interface to the control circuit (Fig. 7-9).
Regarding claim 5, Rea et al. discloses one or more temperature sensors (124, Fig. 2; Par. 33).
Regarding claim 6, Rea et al. discloses at least one of the one or more temperature sensors (124, Fig. 2) are external to the roller (118, Fig. 2).
Claim(s) 7-10 and 13-14 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Rea et al. (US Pub. 2011/0063374) (new cited) in view of Eskey (US Pub. 2004/0228667) and further view of Imaizumi et al. (EP 2559538).
Regarding claims 7 and 13, Rea/Eskey disclose substantially all features of the claimed invention as set forth above including rom Rea, at least one or more temperature sensors (124, Fig. 2) are external to the roller (118, Fig. 2) except at least one or more of the one or more temperature sensors are integrated internally in the roller. Imaizumi discloses one temperature sensor (29) is integrated internally in the roller (5a) (Fig. 5; Par. 50). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to utilize in Rea/Eskey, at least one or more of the one or more temperature sensors are integrated internally in the roller, as taught by Imaizumi, for the purpose of detecting the temperature of the roller.
Regarding claim 8, Imaizumi et al. discloses one or more active components, wherein the one or more active components comprise at least one of a fan, blower, pump, or compressor, wherein the one or more active components are interfaced to the control circuit (31), and wherein the one or more active components are configured to move at least one of a gas or liquid through the one or more air channels (Par. 44, “In the example of Fig. 5, the cooling medium supply device 27 includes an air source 27a, a cooling medium source 27b, and a nozzle portion 27c. The air source 27a supplies pressurized air (gas) to the nozzle portion 27c. The cooling medium source 27b supplies the cooling medium which is liquid (preferably, water) to the nozzle portion 27c. The nozzle portion 27c sprays the supplied cooling medium using the supplied pressurized air to the cooling medium flow channel 37 side (to a communication passage 36 in the example of Fig. 5), and therefore, the mist-like cooling medium is supplied to the cooling medium flow channel 37. In the example of Fig. 5, the nozzle portion 27c supplies the mist-like cooling medium to the cooling medium flow channel 37 through the communication passage 36 which is formed inside of the extension portion 35”; Par. 46, “The pressurized air is supplied from the air source 27a to the nozzle portion 27c through an air supply tube 41, an air supply passage 43, and an air introduction passage 45”; and Par.55, “The control device 31 may perform the supply control of the cooling medium to the cooling medium flow channel 37 by the cooling medium supply device 27 by controlling an opening of flow controlling valves 57 and 59. The flow controlling valve 57 is provided on the cooling medium supply tube 49, and the flow controlling valve 59 is provided on the air supply tube 41”).
Regarding claim 9, Eskey discloses the plurality of electrical heating elements (Fig. 1A, 44, 45) are resistive (Fig. 7, Par. 23).
Regarding claim 10, Imaizumi et al. discloses electrical heating element (25) is inductive (Par. 39, “an induction heating coil 25”).
Regarding claim 14, Imaizumi et al. discloses electrically interface the at least one temperature sensor (29) and the at least one electrical contact (Fig. 5).
Claim(s) 17 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Imaizumi et al. (EP 2559538) in view of Eskey (US Pub. 2004/0228667).
Regarding claim 17, Imaizumi et al. discloses substantially all features of the claimed invention as set forth above including the roller body is divided into a series of zones (Fig. 5; Par. 42, “the induction heating coil 25 may be disposed inside the rolling roll 5a as follows. The rolling roll 5a is divided in divided surfaces P of the end thereof. The induction heating coil 25 is disposed in the annular internal space S of the divided surfaces P. Thereafter, the divided surfaces P of the divided portions of the rolling roll are connected to each other by appropriate means”) except wherein each zone is configured to be heated independently of each of the other zones except wherein each zone is configured to be heated independently of each of the other zones. Eskey discloses wherein each zone (zone 50, 70, 62) is configured to be heated independently of each of the other zones (via control unit 132 configured to control the plurality of electrical heating elements 44, 45) (Fig. 1A; Abstract; Par. 22-23 and 30). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to utilize in Imaizumi et al., wherein each zone is configured to be heated independently of each of the other zones, as taught by Eskey, for the purpose of permitting variable controllable heat application to a medium.
Claim(s) 19 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Imaizumi et al. (EP 2559538) in view of Rea et al. (US Pub. 2011/0063374).
Regarding claim 19, Imaizumi et al. discloses at least one temperature sensor (29) (Fig. 5; Par. 39 and 50) except at least one temperature sensor are external to the roller body. Rea et al. discloses the temperature sensor (124) are external to the roller body (118) (Fig. 2; Par. 33). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to utilize in Imaizumi et al., at least one temperature sensor are external to the roller body, as taught by Rea et al., for the purpose of detecting/sensing the temperature of the roller.
Conclusion
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/HUNG D NGUYEN/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3761
HUNG D. NGUYEN
Primary Examiner
Art Unit 3761
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