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 .
Election/Restrictions
Applicant’s election without traverse of Group I, claims 2-9 and 11-20, in the reply filed on 6/3/2026 is acknowledged.
Claim 10 is withdrawn from further consideration pursuant to 37 CFR 1.142(b) as being drawn to a nonelected invention, there being no allowable generic or linking claim.
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 1-9 and 11-20 rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention.
The claim 1 recitation “An apparatus for improving cleanliness of a robot, comprising:” is unclear as to whether “comprising” is to modify the apparatus or the robot. If the latter, note that the robot is not recited in structural combination such that it would appear that the remainder of the claims are mere intended use functions rather than structures positively limiting the apparatus.
Claim 1 recites “to enclose a plurality of parts” (line 3 of claim 1) as a mere functional intended use for the hoop rather than positively limiting structure. However, the body of the claim later recites “wherein the hoop is shaped such that at least one gap is formed between the hoop and the plurality of parts” which can be interpreted to positively limit the claim to require the parts in combination therewith. However, it is unclear whether the apparatus is to comprise the parts or not.
The claim 1 recitation “the plurality of parts can move relatively” is unclear as to what element or elements the parts can move relative to.
Claim 7 recites “the other” which lacks proper antecedent basis.
The remaining claims depend from the above and are thus similarly unclear/rejected.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
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.
(a)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claims 1-9 and 11-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. (a)(2) as being anticipated by Kahari US20240261927.
The prior art structures bolded below are presumed to be inherently capable of meeting the claimed functions/properties italicized below in accordance with MPEP §2112.01(I) and MPEP §2114, which state that where the prior art structure is substantially identical to the claimed structure, the PTO may presume claimed functions/properties to be inherently capable thereto, thus presenting a prima facie case and properly shifting the burden to applicant to obtain/test the prior art and provide evidence to the contrary.
Claim 1. An apparatus (see fig.12a, 12b) for improving cleanliness of a robot (see multiple written descriptions of “robot”), comprising: a hoop (250) adapted to be mounted on a joint (200) of the robot to enclose a plurality of parts of the joint, the plurality of parts can move relatively, wherein the hoop is shaped such that at least one gap (DUC1) is formed between the hoop and the plurality of parts (parts of MOTOR1); and a suction port (252) provided on the hoop and adapted to be coupled to a suction device to allow creation of a flow from the at least one gap to the suction port.
Claim 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the hoop comprises: a plurality of shells (FIX1, 250, PAD1) coupled to each other to facilitate mounting of the hoop on the joint.
Claim 3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: at least one through hole (through hole in 250 receiving MOTOR1 therethrough) formed on the hoop and adapted for at least one of the plurality of parts to pass through.
Claim 4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the plurality of shells are coupled to each other by at least one of a snap connection, fasteners (parts/portions fastening shells together), or an adhesive.
Claim 5. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising: at least one connection plate (right end plate of 250 and/or plate of FIX1 and/or plate of PAD1) arranged adjacent to ends of the plurality of shells to connect the plurality of shells.
Claims 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the hoop is arranged to move with one of the plurality of parts (e.g., housing/stator of MOTOR1).
Claim 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the hoop is coaxial (see AX2) with one of the plurality of parts (e.g., rotor/shaft of MOTOR1) and adapted to rotate with the other (e.g., housing/stator of MOTOR1) of the plurality of parts about an axis of the hoop.
Claims 8 and 15-19. Further comprising: a positioning rib (three ribs of C3) protruding inward from an inner surface of the hoop and adapted to fit in one of the plurality of parts to facilitate positioning of the hoop on the joint.
Claims 9 and 20. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the hoop is of a ring shape (shape of 250).
Claims 11-14. Wherein the hoop is arranged to move with one of the plurality of parts (e.g., housing/stator of MOTOR1).
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to VICTOR L MACARTHUR whose telephone number is (571)272-7085.
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/VICTOR L MACARTHUR/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3618
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