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and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114.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 26 June, 2026 has been entered.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
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.
Claims 1-3, 6-8, 13-14, and 16-17 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Hackert (2020/0329933) in view of NA (2021/0000315), Li (12,390,066), and Conrad (2021/0330156).
Regarding Claim 1, Hackert teaches a cleaner system (Ref. 1, Fig. 1), comprising:
a first station (Ref. 50, Fig. 1, [0049]) coupled with a first cleaner (Ref. 30, Fig. 1, [0040]), and including a housing (Ref. 50A, Fig. 1, [0063]) that defines a space therein (Fig. 2);
a second station (Ref. 40, Fig. 1, [0049]) disposed under the first station to be coupled with the first station ([0049]), a second cleaner (Ref. 20, Fig. 1, [0040]) being docked on the second station (Fig. 1); and
an external path (Fig. 1 annotated below) communicates with an interior of the housing (Fig. 1) and a dust bin of the second cleaner (Ref. 20C, Fig. 1, [0124]),wherein the first station further comprises:
an internal path (Ref 50F, Fig. 1) that is disposed in the housing (Fig. 1 shows the internal path within the housing (50A)) and communicates with a dust bin of the first cleaner (Ref. 30C, Fig. 1);
a dust collecting motor (Ref. 50J, Fig. 1, [0108]) that is disposed in the housing (50A, Fig. 1) and generates a suction force to suction dust from the dust bins of the first cleaner and the second cleaner ([0117]); and
an internal extension tube (Fig. 1 annotated below) disposed in the housing (Fig. 1), wherein the internal extension tube is formed such that a first end (Fig. 1 annotated below) thereof is connected to the external path (Fig. 1), and a second end (Fig. 1, annotated below) thereof is opened in a direction facing the dust collecting motor in the housing (Fig. 1 shows the second end is opened in a downward direction that faces the dust collection motor);
wherein, when a door (Ref. 10E, Fig. 1) is in an open state ([0108] describes an open state), dust is suctioned through a first suction path (See annotated Fig. 1 below) connected to the dust bin of the first cleaner and to the internal path ([0108-0109] describes selectively connecting the first cleaning device (30)), and when the door is in a closed state ([0108-0109] describes a closed state), the second end of the internal extension tube is opened toward the dust collecting motor (Fig. 1), and the internal path is blocked by the door so that the dust is suctioned through a second suction path (See annotated Fig. 1 below) connected to the dust bin of the second cleaner, the external path, and the internal path ([0108-0109], Fig. 1).
Hackert fails to explicitly teach when the door is in an open state, the second end of the internal extension tube is blocked by the door. Li teaches a cleaner system with a station with a housing and can be considered analogous art because it is within the same field of endeavor. Li teaches the concept of a door (Ref. 271&273, Fig. 8) that selectively closes one airflow path when in an open state (fig. 9). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date to modify the door of Hackert, to block the second end of the internal extension tube, as taught by Li, to ensure full suction power is being used to withdraw debris from the first cleaner and allow selective airflow from specific paths.
Hackert as modified fails to explicitly teach a door disposed on a coupler at which the first cleaner is coupled to the housing. Conrad teaches a cleaning system with a cleaner being docked on the station and can be considered analogous art because it is within the same field of endeavor. Conrad further teaches a door unit (Fig. 7A-C) with a door (Ref. 272b, Fig. 7A-C) disposed on a coupler (Ref. 2822, Fig. 7A) at which the first cleaner is coupled to the housing (Fig. 7A), and opened towards an interior of an upper portion of the housing (Fig. 7B) to cause an outside of the housing to communicate with the internal path (Fig. 7B, [0243]), door motor (Ref. 2762, fig. 7A, [0247]), a first door arm (Ref. 2802, Fig. 7A&7C, [0247]), and a second door arm (Ref. 272a, Fig. 7A, [0247]) and wherein the door (272b) is disposed to be parallel to a major axis of the housing when the door is closed (Fig. 7A shows the door is vertical in the closed position that is vertical to the major axis), and is disposed to face the dust collecting motor when the door is opened (Fig. 7B shows when the door is open it will open upward and will face downwards where the motor). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date to modify the housing, as taught by Hackert as modified, with the door unit, as taught by Conrad, to automatically allow for fluid connection between the vacuum and the station and to ensure debris is not dispersed into the air when no vacuum is attached ([0233-0234]).
Hackert as modified fails to explicitly teach an external path disposed outside the first station. Na teaches a cleaning system with a cleaner being docked on the station and can be considered analogous art because it is within the same field of endeavor. Na teaches an external path (Ref. 320, Fig. 15) disposed outside the first station (Fig. 15, [0117]), and communicating with an interior of the housing and a dust bin of the second cleaner (Fig. 4&15). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date to modify the path, as taught by Hackert, with the external path, as taught by Na, to achieve the predictable result of communicating the dust bin of the cleaner to the interior of the housing and to allow for easy cleaning of the passageway.
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Regarding claim 2, Hackert as modified teaches the limitations of claim 1, as described above, and given the teachings of the door unit into the housing, Conrad further teaches wherein the door (272b) is disposed to be parallel to a major axis of the housing when the door is closed (Fig. 7A shows the door is vertical in the closed position that is vertical to the major axis), and is disposed to face the dust collecting motor when the door is opened (Fig. 7B shows when the door is open it will open upward and will face downwards where the motor).
Regarding claim 3, Hackert as modified teaches the limitations of claim 1, as described above, and given the teachings of the door unit into the housing, Conrad further teaches wherein the first station further comprises:
a door motor (Ref. 2762, fig. 7A, [0247]) that provides power to open or close the door ([0273&0247]);
a first door arm (Ref. 2802, Fig. 7A&7C, [0247]) coupled at a first side of the first door arm (Ref. 280a1 , Fig. 7C, [0247] describes the door having a similar station to one shown in Fig. 7C) to the door motor (276, Fig. 7A, [0247]); and
a second door arm (Ref. 272a, Fig. 7A, [0247]) coupled at a first side of the second door arm (Fig. 7B-C, the side below where the first door arm is connected) to the first door arm (Fig. 7B), and coupled at a second sided of the second door arm (Fig. 7B-C, the opposite side from the first side)to the door (Fig. 7B).
Regarding claim 6, Hackert as modified teaches the limitations of claim 1, as described above, and Hackert further teaches a dust collecting part (Ref. 50G, Fig. 1) that is accommodated in the housing (50A, Fig. 1), disposed above the dust collecting motor (Fig. 1), and collects dust suctioned from the dust bin of the first cleaner and the dust bin of the second cleaner by the dust collecting motor ([0123]).
Regarding claim 7, Hackert as modified teaches the limitations of claim 6, as described above, and Hackert further teaches wherein the dust collecting part collects dust through the first suction path (See annotated Fig. 1 above) when the door is opened ([0108], Fig. 1), and collects dust through the second suction path (See annotated Fig. 1 above) when the door is closed ([0108] describes the valve to help direct airflow and when it is closed to suck debris from the second suction path).
Regarding claim 8, Hackert as modified teaches the limitations of claim 1, as described above, and Hackert further teaches wherein the second station is docked with the second cleaner in a same direction as a direction in which the first cleaner is coupled to the first station (Fig. 1 shows the first and second cleaners docked in a lateral direction).
Regarding claim 13, Hackert teaches a cleaner system (Ref. 1, Fig. 1), comprising:
a first station (Ref. 50, Fig. 1, [0049]) coupled with a first cleaner (Ref. 30, Fig. 1, [0040]), and including a housing (Ref. 50A, Fig. 1, [0063]) that defines a space therein (Fig. 2), the first cleaner being a stick-type cleaner (Fig. 1 shows a stick-type vacuum);
a second station (Ref. 40, Fig. 1, [0049]) disposed under the first station and configured to be coupled with the first station ([0049]), a second cleaner (Ref. 20, Fig. 1, [0040]) being a robotic cleaner (fig. 1, shows a robotic vacuum) docked on the second station (Fig. 1); and
an external path (Fig. 1 annotated below) that is disposed outside of the housing of the first station and outside of the second station and communicates with an interior of the housing of the first station and a dust bin of the second cleaner, wherein the first station further comprises:
an internal path (Ref 50F, Fig. 1) that is disposed in the housing of the first station (Fig. 1 shows the internal path within the housing (50A)) and communicates with a dust bin of the first cleaner (Ref. 30C, Fig. 1);
a dust collecting motor (Ref. 50J, Fig. 1, [0108]) that is disposed in the housing of the first station (50A, Fig. 1) and generates a suction force to suction dust from the dust bins of the first cleaner and the second cleaner ([0117]);
an internal extension tube (Fig. 1 annotated below)disposed in the housing (Fig. 1), wherein the internal extension tube is formed such that a first end (Fig. 1 annotated below) thereof is connected to the external path, and a second end (Fig. 1 annotated below) thereof is opened in a direction facing the dust collecting motor in the housing (Fig. 1 shows the second end is opened in a downward direction that faces the dust collection motor), wherein the internal extension tube is disposed such that the second end thereof is disposed above a door (Ref. 10E, Fig. 1) when the door is opened (fig. 1); and
wherein, when a door (Ref. 10E, Fig. 1) is in an open state ([0108] describes an open state), dust is suctioned through a first suction path (See annotated fig. 1 below)connected to the dust bin of the first cleaner and to the internal path ([0108-0109] describes selectively connecting the first cleaning device (30)), and when the door is in a closed state ([0108-0109] describes a closed state), the second end of the internal extension tube is opened toward the dust collecting motor (Fig. 1), and the internal path is blocked by the door so that the dust is suctioned through a second suction path (See annotated Fig. 1 below) connected to the dust bin of the second cleaner, the external path, and the internal path ([0108-0109], Fig. 1).
Hackert fails to explicitly teach when the door is in an open state, the second end of the internal extension tube is blocked by the door. Li teaches a cleaner system with a station with a housing and can be considered analogous art because it is within the same field of endeavor. Li teaches a door (Ref. 271&273, Fig. 8) that selectively closes one airflow path when in an open state (fig. 9). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date to modify the door of Hackert, to block the second end of the internal extension tube, as taught by Li, to ensure full suction power is being used to withdraw debris from the first cleaner and allow selective airflow from specific paths.
Hackert as modified fails to explicitly teach an external path disposed outside the first station and outside of the second station. Na teaches a cleaning system with a cleaner being docked on the station and can be considered analogous art because it is within the same field of endeavor. Na teaches an external path (Ref. 320, Fig. 15) disposed outside the first station (Fig. 15, [0117]), and communicating with an interior of the housing and a dust bin of the second cleaner (Fig. 4&15). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date to modify the path, as taught by Hackert, with the external path, as taught by Na, to achieve the predictable result of communicating the dust bin of the cleaner to the interior of the housing and to allow for easy cleaning of the passageway.
Hackert as modified fails to explicitly teach a door disposed on a coupler at which the first cleaner is coupled to the housing. Conrad teaches a cleaning system with a cleaner being docked on the station and can be considered analogous art because it is within the same field of endeavor. Conrad further teaches a door unit (Fig. 7A-C) with a door (Ref. 272b, Fig. 7A-C) disposed on a coupler (Ref. 2822, Fig. 7A) at which the first cleaner is coupled to the housing (Fig. 7A), and opened towards an interior of an upper portion of the housing (Fig. 7B) to cause an outside of the housing to communicate with the internal path (Fig. 7B, [0243]), door motor (Ref. 2762, fig. 7A, [0247]), a first door arm (Ref. 2802, Fig. 7A&7C, [0247]), and a second door arm (Ref. 272a, Fig. 7A, [0247]) and wherein the door (272b) is disposed to be parallel to a major axis of the housing when the door is closed (Fig. 7A shows the door is vertical in the closed position that is vertical to the major axis), and is disposed to face the dust collecting motor when the door is opened (Fig. 7B shows when the door is open it will open upward and will face downwards where the motor). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date to modify the housing, as taught by Hackert as modified, with the door unit, as taught by Conrad, to automatically allow for fluid connection between the vacuum and the station and to ensure debris is not dispersed into the air when no vacuum is attached ([0233-0234]).
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Regarding claim 14, Hackert as modified teaches the limitations of claim 13, as described above, and given the teachings of the door unit into the housing, Conrad further teaches wherein the first station further comprises:
a door motor (Ref. 2762, fig. 7A, [0247]) that provides power to open or close the door ([0273&0247]);
a first door arm (Ref. 2802, Fig. 7A&7C, [0247]) coupled at a first side of the first door arm (Ref. 280a1 , Fig. 7C, [0247] describes the door having a similar station to one shown in Fig. 7C) to the door motor (276, Fig. 7A, [0247]); and
a second door arm (Ref. 272a, Fig. 7A, [0247]) coupled at a first side of the second door arm (Fig. 7B-C, the side below where the first door arm is connected) to the first door arm (Fig. 7B), and coupled at a second side of the second door arm (Fig. 7B-C, the opposite side from the first side) to the door (Fig. 7B).
Regarding claim 16, Hackert as modified teaches the limitations of claim 13, as described above, and Hackert further teaches a dust collecting part (Ref. 50G, Fig. 1) that is accommodated in the housing (Fig. 1), disposed above the dust collecting motor (Fig. 1), and collects dust suctioned from the dust bin of the first cleaner and the dust bin of the second cleaner by the dust collecting motor ([0123]).
Regarding claim 17, Hackert as modified teaches the limitations of claim 16, as described above, and Hackert further teaches wherein the dust collecting part collects dust through the first suction path (See annotated Fig. 1 above) connected to the dust bin of the first cleaner (Fig. 1), the internal path (50F), and the dust collecting part when the door is opened ([0108]), and collects dust through the second suction path (See annotated Fig. 1 above) connected to the dust bin of the second cleaner (fig. 1), the external path, the internal path, and the dust collecting part when the door is closed ([0108] describes the valve to help direct airflow and when it is closed to suck debris from the second suction path).
Regarding claim 18, Hackert as modified teaches the limitations of claim 13, as described above, and Hackert further teaches wherein the second station is docked with the second cleaner in a same direction as a direction in which the first cleaner is coupled to the first station (Fig. 1 shows the first and second cleaners docked in a lateral direction).
Claims 9, 11-12, and 19-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Hackert in view of Na and Conrad as applied to claim 1 above, and further in view of Reed (6,076,226).
Regarding claim 9, Hackert as modified teaches the limitations of claim 1, as described above, and Hackert further teaches wherein the second station comprises:
a lower body (Ref. 40B, Fig. 1) on which the second cleaner climbs to be docked thereon ([0054]);
an upper body (Ref. 40D, Fig. 1) connected to the rear body (Fig. 1), coupled with the first station (Fig. 1), and disposed above an upper surface of the second cleaner to be spaced apart therefrom by a predetermined distance in a state where the second cleaner is docked (Fig. 1); and
a rear body (Ref. 40C, Fig. 1) connected with the lower body (Fig. 1), and the upper body, and disposed in a direction opposite to a side in which the second cleaner is docked (Fig. 1).
Hackert as modified fails to explicitly teach a side body connected to each of opposite side ends of the lower body and extending upwards from the lower body. Reed teaches a cleaning system with a cleaner being docked on the station and can be considered analogous art because it is within the same field of endeavor. Reed further teaches a cleaning station (Ref. C, Fig. 1) comprising a lower body (Ref. 36, Fig. 1), a side body (Ref. 34, Fig. 1) connected to each of opposite side ends of the lower body and extending upwards from the lower body (Fig. 1), an upper body (Ref. 35, Fig. 1), and a rear body (Ref. 32, Fig. 1). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date to modify the second station, as taught by Hackert, with a side body, as taught by Reed, to protect the vacuum cleaner when not in use from accidental dislodgement.
Regarding claim 11, Hackert as modified teaches the limitations of claim 9, as described above, and given the teachings of the external path, Na further teaches wherein the second station further comprises a path support part (Ref. 370, Fig. 15) that is connected to the rear body (Fig. 15 shows it connected to the rear end), extends upwards to be spaced apart therefrom by a predetermined distance (Fig. 15 shows the path support extending upward from an upper surface to extend to the dust collection portion), and accommodates a portion of the external path therein (320, Fig. 15). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date to modify the second station, as taught by Hackert as modified, with a path support part connected to the rear body and extending up from the upper surface, as taught by Na, to better protect the external path from outside tampering and accidental disconnection ([0117]).
Regarding claim 12, Hackert as modified teaches the limitations of claim 9, as described above, and Hackert teaches a second cleaner charging terminal (Ref. 40E, Fig. 2) electrically connected to the second cleaner (Ref. 20B, Fig. 2, [0058]) and supplying power to charge the second cleaner ([0058]) and a suction hole (Ref. 40F, Fig. 1) formed to correspond to a position where the dust bin of the second cleaner is disposed (Fig. 1), in a state where the second cleaner is docked (Fig. 1). Hackert as modified fails to explicitly teach wherein the lower body comprises a suction hole and second cleaner charging terminal. Na teaches a lower body (Fig. 1) comprising a suction hole (Ref. 140, Fig. 1) formed to correspond to a position where the dust bin of the second cleaner is disposed (Fig. 4), in a state where the second cleaner is docked (Fig. 4) and a second cleaner charging terminal (Ref. 123, Fig. 1) electrically connected to the second cleaner (Fig. 4, [0086]) and supplying power to charge the second cleaner ([0086]). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date to rearrange the a second cleaner charging terminal and suction hole, as taught by Hackert as modified, to be on the lower body, as taught by Na, since such a modification would not affect the operation of the device and to produce the predictable result of charging the second vacuum and removing debris from the second vacuum dust bin. Further such a modification would allow gravity to assist with removal of debris from the dust bin.
Regarding claim 19, Hackert as modified teaches the limitations of claim 13, as described above, and Hackert further teaches wherein the second station comprises:
a lower body (Ref. 40B, Fig. 1) on which the second cleaner climbs to be docked thereon ([0054]);
an upper body (Ref. 40D, Fig. 1) connected to the rear body (Fig. 1), coupled with the first station (Fig. 1), and disposed above an upper surface of the second cleaner to be spaced apart therefrom by a predetermined distance in a state where the second cleaner is docked (Fig. 1); and
a rear body (Ref. 40C, Fig. 1) connected with the lower body (Fig. 1), and the upper body, and disposed in a direction opposite to a side in which the second cleaner is docked (Fig. 1).
Hackert as modified fails to explicitly teach a side body connected to each of opposite side ends of the lower body and extending upwards from the lower body. Reed teaches a cleaning system with a cleaner being docked on the station and can be considered analogous art because it is within the same field of endeavor. Reed further teaches a cleaning station (Ref. C, Fig. 1) comprising a lower body (Ref. 36, Fig. 1), a side body (Ref. 34, Fig. 1) connected to each of opposite side ends of the lower body and extending upwards from the lower body (Fig. 1), an upper body (Ref. 35, Fig. 1), and a rear body (Ref. 32, Fig. 1). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date to modify the second station, as taught by Hackert, with a side body, as taught by Reed, to protect the vacuum cleaner when not in use from accidental dislodgement.
Regarding claim 20, Hackert as modified teaches the limitations of claim 19, as described above, and Hackert teaches a second cleaner charging terminal (Ref. 40E, Fig. 2) electrically connected to the second cleaner (Ref. 20B, Fig. 2, [0058]) and supplying power to charge the second cleaner ([0058]) and a suction hole (Ref. 40F, Fig. 1) formed to correspond to a position where the dust bin of the second cleaner is disposed (Fig. 1), in a state where the second cleaner is docked (Fig. 1). Hackert as modified fails to explicitly teach wherein the lower body comprises a suction hole and second cleaner charging terminal. Na teaches a lower body (Fig. 1) comprising a suction hole (Ref. 140, Fig. 1) formed to correspond to a position where the dust bin of the second cleaner is disposed (Fig. 4), in a state where the second cleaner is docked (Fig. 4) and a second cleaner charging terminal (Ref. 123, Fig. 1) electrically connected to the second cleaner (Fig. 4, [0086]) and supplying power to charge the second cleaner ([0086]). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date to rearrange the a second cleaner charging terminal and suction hole, as taught by Hackert as modified, to be on the lower body, as taught by Na, since such a modification would not affect the operation of the device and to produce the predictable result of charging the second vacuum and removing debris from the second vacuum dust bin. Further such a modification would allow gravity to assist with removal of debris from the dust bin.
Claim 10 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Hackert in view of Na and Conrad as applied to claim 9 above, and further in view of Arakawa (2017/0164800).
Regarding Claim 10, Hackert as modified teaches the limitations of claim 9, as described above, and Hackert teaches the housing and the second station are detachably coupled with each other ([0048] describes the stations are modular and can be removed or changed). Hackert as modified fails to explicitly teach wherein the housing is provided with a plurality of housing fastening holes formed in a lower end thereof, wherein the upper body comprises on an upper surface thereof a plurality of upper body fastening holes disposed at positions corresponding to the plurality of housing fastening holes, respectively, and wherein the housing and the second station are detachably coupled with each other through the plurality of housing fastening holes and the plurality of upper body fastening holes using a fastening bolt. Arakawa teaches a cleaning system with a cleaner being docked on the station and can be considered analogous art because it is within the same field of endeavor. Arakawa further teaches an upper station housing (Ref. 1, Fig. 2) with a plurality of fastening members with holes (Ref. 34, Fig. 4) formed in a lower end (Ref. 8A, Fig. 2) thereof, wherein a lower station upper surface (Ref. 4, Fig. 2) comprises on an upper surface (Fig. 2-4) thereof a plurality of upper body fastening holes disposed at positions corresponding to the plurality of housing fastening holes (Fig. 4, [0075]), respectively, and wherein the housing and the second station are detachably coupled with each other through the plurality of housing fastening holes and the plurality of upper body fastening holes ([0075]) using a fastening bolt (Fig. 2-4 shows a bolt and [0058] describes a fastening bolt used as a fastening means). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date to modify the lower end and upper end, as taught by Heckert, with corresponding fastening holes with bolts, as taught by Arakawa, to securely attach the first and second station together and to achieve the predictable result of attaching two stations together and to provide more stability and be safer to use ([0075]).
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments, filed 26 June, 2026, with respect to the rejection(s) of claim(s) 1 and 13 under 35 USC 103 have been fully considered and are persuasive. Therefore, the rejection has been withdrawn. However, upon further consideration, a new ground(s) of rejection is made in view of. Applicant has amended claim 1 and 13 thereby necessitating a new grounds of rejection and reinterpretation of the prior art. Examiner has applied Hackert in view of Na, Li, and Conrad. Hackert teaches a cleaner system (Ref. 1, Fig. 1) with a first station (Ref. 50, Fig. 1, [0049]), a second station (Ref. 40, Fig. 1, [0049]), an external path (Fig. 1 annotated above), a door (Ref. 10E, Fig. 1) and an internal path (Ref 50F, Fig. 1). Li is used to teach the concept of a door (Ref. 271&273, Fig. 8) that selectively closes one airflow path when in an open state (fig. 9). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date to modify the door of Hackert, to block the second end of the internal extension tube, as taught by Li, to ensure full suction power is being used to withdraw debris from the first cleaner and allow selective airflow from specific paths. Conrad teaches a door unit (Fig. 7A-C) with a door (Ref. 272b, Fig. 7A-C) disposed on a coupler (Ref. 2822, Fig. 7A) at which the first cleaner is coupled to the housing (Fig. 7A), and opened towards an interior of an upper portion of the housing (Fig. 7B) to cause an outside of the housing to communicate with the internal path (Fig. 7B, [0243]), door motor (Ref. 2762, fig. 7A, [0247]), a first door arm (Ref. 2802, Fig. 7A&7C, [0247]), and a second door arm (Ref. 272a, Fig. 7A, [0247]) and wherein the door (272b) is disposed to be parallel to a major axis of the housing when the door is closed (Fig. 7A shows the door is vertical in the closed position that is vertical to the major axis), and is disposed to face the dust collecting motor when the door is opened (Fig. 7B shows when the door is open it will open upward and will face downwards where the motor). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date to modify the housing, as taught by Hackert as modified, with the door unit, as taught by Conrad, to automatically allow for fluid connection between the vacuum and the station and to ensure debris is not dispersed into the air when no vacuum is attached ([0233-0234]). Na teaches an external path (Ref. 320, Fig. 15) disposed outside the first station (Fig. 15, [0117]), and communicating with an interior of the housing and a dust bin of the second cleaner (Fig. 4&15). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date to modify the path, as taught by Hackert, with the external path, as taught by Na, to achieve the predictable result of communicating the dust bin of the cleaner to the interior of the housing and to allow for easy cleaning of the passageway.
In response to applicant's argument that the examiner's conclusion of obviousness is based upon improper hindsight reasoning, it must be recognized that any judgment on obviousness is in a sense necessarily a reconstruction based upon hindsight reasoning. But so long as it takes into account only knowledge which was within the level of ordinary skill at the time the claimed invention was made, and does not include knowledge gleaned only from the applicant's disclosure, such a reconstruction is proper. See In re McLaughlin, 443 F.2d 1392, 170 USPQ 209 (CCPA 1971). In response to applicant's arguments against the references individually, one cannot show nonobviousness by attacking references individually where the rejections are based on combinations of references. See In re Keller, 642 F.2d 413, 208 USPQ 871 (CCPA 1981); In re Merck & Co., 800 F.2d 1091, 231 USPQ 375 (Fed. Cir. 1986).
In response to applicant's argument that the combination of the prior art references , the test for obviousness is not whether the features of a secondary reference may be bodily incorporated into the structure of the primary reference; nor is it that the claimed invention must be expressly suggested in any one or all of the references. Rather, the test is what the combined teachings of the references would have suggested to those of ordinary skill in the art. See In re Keller, 642 F.2d 413, 208 USPQ 871 (CCPA 1981). Li is used to merely teach that a door can selectively close one airpath or another. Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date to modify the door of Hackert, to block the second end of the internal extension tube, as taught by Li, to ensure full suction power is being used to withdraw debris from the first cleaner and allow selective airflow from specific paths. Conrad teaches the door unit disposed on a coupler. Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date to modify the housing, as taught by Hackert as modified, with the door unit, as taught by Conrad, to automatically allow for fluid connection between the vacuum and the station and to ensure debris is not dispersed into the air when no vacuum is attached ([0233-0234]). Finally, Na teaches an external path outside the first station. Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date to modify the path, as taught by Hackert, with the external path, as taught by Na, to achieve the predictable result of communicating the dust bin of the cleaner to the interior of the housing and to allow for easy cleaning of the passageway.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. Arakawa (2017/0164800), and Kuhe (2020/0154963) teaches cleaning system with a station and an internal path and can be considered analogous art because it is within the same field of endeavor.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to DANA L POON whose telephone number is (571)272-6164. The examiner can normally be reached on General: 6:30AM-3:30PM.
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/DANA LEE POON/Examiner, Art Unit 3723
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