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 Objections
Claims 1, 3, 8,12, and 13 are objected to because of the following informalities:
Claim 1 recites “at least one cylinder element actuator control signal” in the second half of the claim, provided by the device control system. However, this limitation has already been introduced at lines 12-13. The second recitation should read “the at least one cylinder element actuator control signal” OR the first recitation should be deleted. It appears that “the cylinder element actuator being controllable by at least one cylinder element actuator control signal” can be deleted without affecting the scope of the claim.
Claim 1 recites “at least one motor control signal” in the second half of the claim, provided by the device control system. However, this limitation has already been introduced at line 16. The second recitation should read “the at least one motor control signal” OR the first recitation should be deleted. It appears that “the centrifugal brewing unit motor being controllable by at least one motor control signal” can be deleted without affecting the scope of the claim.
In claim 3, “the cylinder element control signal, the motor control signal, and the liquid supply assembly” should be corrected to -- the at least one cylinder element control signal, the at least one motor control signal, and the at least one liquid supply assembly--.
In claim 8, “amount volume” should be corrected to –volume--.
Claims 12 and 13 include three recitations of “a spout actuator control signal.” Clarity of the claims would be improved by amending claim 12 to read, in part “a first spout actuator control signal to cause the operation of the spout actuator to move the spout to the closed state at least prior to the operation of the liquid supply assembly and to select and execute a second spout actuator control signal to cause the operation of the spout actuator to move the spout to the dispensing state.” In a corresponding manner, claim 13 should be amended to recite, in part, “select and execute [[a]]the second spout actuator control signal”
Claim Interpretation
No limitations are interpreted under 112(f).
The device control system is described in the specification as selecting and executing signals or sequences of signals. One of ordinary skill in the art would interpret it as an electronic controller comprising at least a processor, data storage, and signal output.
In claim 6, it is clear that the “first predetermined volume of liquid” is provided by the liquid supply assembly and is not, itself a result of the motor control signal.
In claim 1, the “brewing unit” comprises the chamber and cylinder of claim 1. The grinder and following elements are separate. This defines the interior volume of the centrifugal brewing unit for claims 8 and 10.
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.
Claims 1-14 and 16 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.
Regarding claim 4, the phrase "in particular" renders the claim indefinite because it is unclear whether the limitations following the phrase are part of the claimed invention. See MPEP § 2173.05(d). The phrase may be deleted.
Claim 4 recites “the flushing.” There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim, rendering the claim indefinite. For the purpose of examination, the limitation has been interpreted as and may be corrected to –flushing-- or –the cleaning--.
Claim 8 recites “the predetermined amount volume” There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim, rendering the claim indefinite. This can best be corrected by amending the limitation to read --the predetermined volume—AND by amending claim 8 to depend from a claim that recites “a predetermined volume. Claim 6 is preferred, as this is consistent with the specification at the bottom half of p.20.
Claim 9 recites “the operation of the centrifugal brewing unit motor.” There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim, rendering the claim indefinite. This rejection can be overcome by amending claim 9 to depend from claim 3.
Regarding claim 11, the phrase "in particular" renders the claim indefinite because it is unclear whether the limitations following the phrase are part of the claimed invention. See MPEP § 2173.05(d). The phrase may be deleted.
Claim 11 recites “the predetermined volume of liquid.” There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim, rendering the claim indefinite. For the purpose of examination, the limitation has been interpreted as and may be corrected to –the second predetermined volume of liquid--.
Claim 11 recites five instances of “the roof.” There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim, rendering the claim indefinite. For the purpose of examination, all five instances have been interpreted as and may be corrected to –the rotational roof— as supported by Fig 3, element 144.
Claim 12 recites “the ejecting of the volume of liquid.” There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim, rendering the claim indefinite. This rejection can be overcome by amending claim 12 to depend from claim 5.
Claim 13 recites “the at least part of the ejected volume of liquid.” There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim, rendering the claim indefinite. For the purpose of examination, the limitation has been interpreted as and may be corrected to –at least part of the ejected volume of liquid--.
Claim 14 recites “a brewing chamber.” Claim 14 depends from claim 1, which recites “a chamber element.” It is not clear how the “brewing chamber” relates to the “chamber element,” rendering the claim indefinite. For the purpose of examination, the limitation has been interpreted as and may be corrected to –an interior of the chamber element--.
Claim 14 recites “the cylinder element control signal, the motor control signal, and the liquid supply assembly control signal.” Claim 14 depends from claim 1, which recites “at least one of” each of these control signals. It is not clear which control signals are specified by claim 14.
A broad range or limitation together with a narrow range or limitation that falls within the broad range or limitation (in the same claim) may be considered indefinite if the resulting claim does not clearly set forth the metes and bounds of the patent protection desired. See MPEP § 2173.05(c). In the present instance, claim 16 recites the broad recitation “an amount of time”, and the claim also recites “in particular after 1- 15 minutes, more in particular after 5-10 minutes, even more in particular after 7 minutes” which is the narrower statement of the range/limitation. The claim(s) are considered indefinite because there is a question or doubt as to whether the feature introduced by such narrower language is (a) merely exemplary of the remainder of the claim, and therefore not required, or (b) a required feature of the claims.
Claim 16 recites “at least one of the cylinder element control signal, the motor control signal, and the liquid supply assembly control signal.” Claim 16 depends from claim 1, which recites “at least one of” each of these control signals, and so suffers from the same problem as claim 14. Claim 16 appears to require one or more elements from the list, but not “At least one” of every element from the list. It is not clear which control signals are specified by claim 16.
Claim 16 recites “the…spout actuator control.” There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim, rendering the claim indefinite. This element is recited in claim 12.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-14 and 16 would be allowable if rewritten or amended to overcome the rejection(s) under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), 2nd paragraph, set forth in this Office action.
The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter: Regarding claim 1, the nearest prior art is considered to be Varga (US 4,641,572).
Regarding claim 1, Varga discloses:
A centrifugal coffee brewing device, the centrifugal coffee brewing device comprising:
a centrifugal brewing unit constructed to brew coffee, the centrifugal brewing unit comprising:
a chamber element (centrifugal drum 19) comprising a bottom wall (cover 14), a rotational roof portion (21) and a stationary roof portion (3),
a cylinder element comprising a filter (drum 19 jacket with slits 19, col 2 lines 62-64),
a grinder (22, 24, 25) constructed to grind coffee beans (col 3 lines 1-9),
a centrifugal brewing unit motor (col 2 lines 40-43) configured to rotate at least the chamber element (col 3 lines 41-43) of the centrifugal brewing unit around a first axis, the centrifugal brewing unit motor being controllable by at least one motor control signal (col 5 lines 43-45 “In the case of automatic coffee machines, the described procedures could be controlled automatically by a control program.”),
a liquid supply assembly comprising a liquid inlet channel (30, col 3 lines 43-45) configured to supply liquid into the chamber element, wherein the liquid comprises water (water) and/or a cleaning agent, the liquid supply assembly being controllable by at least one liquid supply assembly control signal (col 3 lines 9-14, automatic operation of water: col 3 lines 64-66, controller: col 5 lines 43-45, contrast manually: col 5 lines 34-39),
a device control system (col 5 lines 43-45) configured for providing:
at least one motor control signal to the centrifugal brewing unit motor to control the centrifugal brewing unit motor to provide a specific rotational speed of at least the chamber element (col 4 lines 44-52), and a specific rotation direction of at least the chamber element (inherent), and
the at least one liquid supply assembly control signal to the liquid supply assembly to control the liquid supply assembly to provide at least a specific volume of liquid (col 4 lines 44-45 “rinsing water is let in through the pipe 30”),
wherein the device control system is configured to select and execute a predetermined sequence (col 3 lines 43-45) of
wherein the centrifugal brewing unit is substantially free of unbrewed ground coffee during the predetermined sequence (col 4 lines 22-28 ejection of grounds occurs immediately after brewing and thus before washing cycle).
Varga does not disclose any limitations concerning the cylinder element actuator, configured to move the cylinder element upwards and/or downwards, the cylinder element actuator being controllable by at least one cylinder element actuator control signal. A few references are relevant to the limitation, but none are sufficient to supply all of the missing limitations in an obvious combination with Varga.
Leuschne (DE 3530045) discloses a centrifugal coffee make with a 2-part filter that is manually moved vertically to open to release coffee grounds. Leuschne discloses cleaning the coffee maker manually by disassembling it and does not disclose a computer or controller.
Lejeune (LU 83564) discloses a 2-part conical filter that moves axially by inertia to release coffee grounds.
US 2010/0266739 discloses a centrifugal coffee maker with a cylindrical filter 15. The top 11 and/or bottom 19, but not the cylindrical filter, can move vertically away from the cylindrical filter to release used coffee grounds removed from the filter by a scraper (¶21, ¶48-¶50). US 2010/0266739 does not disclose an actuator dedicated to raising and lowering the top and/or bottom (¶52 “single motor”)
PNG
media_image1.png
972
668
media_image1.png
Greyscale
Schindler (DE 4104182) discloses a centrifugal coffee maker wherein a bell 18, which forms part of the filter, rises due to inertia to allow cleaning and removal of grounds by rinse water.
PNG
media_image2.png
643
707
media_image2.png
Greyscale
Pertinent Prior Art
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
Regarding claim 1, Hattem (US 20180368608) discloses:
A centrifugal coffee brewing device, the centrifugal coffee brewing device comprising:
a centrifugal brewing unit constructed to brew coffee, the centrifugal brewing unit comprising:
a chamber element (14, ¶103) comprising a bottom wall (22 see Fig 3), a rotational roof portion (24, ¶125) and a stationary roof portion (housing part),
a cylinder element (18, ¶105) comprising a filter (26),
a supply tube (41, ¶109)
a centrifugal brewing unit motor (30, ¶110) configured to rotate at least the chamber element (14) of the centrifugal brewing unit around a first axis (¶153), the centrifugal brewing unit motor being controllable by at least one motor control signal (¶158),
a liquid supply assembly comprising a liquid inlet channel (41, ¶109) configured to supply liquid into the chamber element, wherein the liquid comprises water and/or a cleaning agent,
a device control system configured for providing:
at least one cylinder element actuator control signal to the cylinder element actuator to control the cylinder element actuator to provide an upwards and/or downwards movement of the cylinder element,
at least one motor control signal to the centrifugal brewing unit motor to control the centrifugal brewing unit motor to provide a specific rotational speed of at least the chamber element, and a specific rotation direction of at least the chamber element (¶72-¶74), and
the at least one liquid supply assembly control signal to
wherein the device control system is configured to select and execute a predetermined sequence
Louis (US 2,589,222) teaches a centrifugal coffee maker. When flush control valve 191 (Figs. 1, 4 and 13) is actuated, water which has been heated in coil 190 to 100° C and which is under the full pressure of the main water supply discharges through orifices 198 and nozzles 118 (top of Fig. 5) thereby flushing out receptacle 101 and centrifuge 123 respectively.
PNG
media_image3.png
554
427
media_image3.png
Greyscale
Avins (US 2017/0367526) teaches a coffee maker that can be cleaned (¶83) by initiating a program at the controller (¶75), heating water (¶76), releasing the water into the brew chamber (¶77), agitating the brew chamber (¶78), evacuating the brew chamber of fluid (¶79), and removing the liquid from the coffee chamber (¶80).
Lassota (US 5,943,944) teaches rinsing a coffee maker with hot water to clean and preheat it before brewing (col 12 lines 42-51).
Giorgella (WO 2012069986) discloses a centrifugal coffee maker that easily disassembles for cleaning.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to TOPAZ L. ELLIOTT whose telephone number is (571)270-5851. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Friday 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. ET.
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, Ibrahime Abraham can be reached at (571)270-5569. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
Information regarding the status of published or unpublished applications may be obtained from Patent Center. Unpublished application information in Patent Center is available to registered users. To file and manage patent submissions in Patent Center, visit: https://patentcenter.uspto.gov. Visit https://www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/patent-center for more information about Patent Center and https://www.uspto.gov/patents/docx for information about filing in DOCX format. For additional questions, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000.
/TOPAZ L. ELLIOTT/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3761