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 .
Allowed claims
Claim 3-5,7-8 are allowed.
Claim(s) 1,2 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a1) as anticipated by or, in the alternative, under 35 U.S.C. 103 as obvious over Soers et al 2013/0199269.
Soers et al teach a gas detection system for detecting a gas species, comprising: a gas flow path;
a chamber (housing of provided downstream of the gas flow path;
a gas sensor (sensitive detector within housing 42 in Figure 4) accommodated in the chamber;
a negative pressure generating device 43 provided downstream of the chamber;
wherein the gas flow path comprises: a filter configured to selectively transmit a gas (last 4 lines, Para 42, Figure 4)
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; and a tubular member through which the gas having passed through the filter passes and in which an opening area at a downstream end is smaller than an opening area at an upstream end
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, wherein the gas sensor is for detecting a gas species, and wherein the negative pressure generating device comprises a pump configured to discharge air from the gas flow path and the chamber.
As to claim 1, with a vacuum pump will pump air, or in the alternative, it is well known that a vacuum pump will pump air.
As to claim 2, the outlet is schematic 31. Either that change is diameter is inherent, or one of ordinary skill would employ smooth tapering as it is know that discontinuities in fluid lines negatively affect flow.
Prior art cited (not applied)
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
Corrigan et al WO 9109307 teach a gas detection system for detecting a gas species, comprising: a gas flow path
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; a chamber provided downstream of the gas flow path; a gas sensor (just downstream of the gas chromatograph) accommodated in the chamber; and a negative pressure generating device provided downstream of the chamber (“air pump of fan draws a sample of collected air volume in the sample collection and analysis subsystems”), wherein the gas flow path comprises: a filter (GC/gas chromatograph) configured to selectively transmit a gas; and a tubular member through which the gas having passed through the filter passes and in which an opening area at a downstream end wherein the gas sensor is for detecting a gas species, and wherein the negative pressure generating device comprises a pump configured to discharge air from the gas flow path and the chamber. (Note: the tapering region is upstream of the filter, not down stream as called for in claim 1:
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Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to ROBERT R RAEVIS whose telephone number is (571)272-2204. The examiner can normally be reached on Mon to Fri from 8am to 4pm.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Kristina DeHerrera, can be reached at telephone number 303-297-4237. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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Examiner interviews are available via a variety of formats. See MPEP § 713.01. To schedule an interview, applicant is encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR) Form at https://www.uspto.gov/InterviewPractice.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to ROBERT R RAEVIS whose telephone number is (571)272-2204. The examiner can normally be reached on Mon to Friday from 8am to 4pm.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Kristina DeHerrera, can be reached at telephone number 303-297-4237. 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 Patent Center. Status information for published applications may be obtained from Patent Center. Status information for unpublished applications is available through Patent Center to authorized users only. Should you have questions about access to the USPTO patent electronic filing system, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free).
Examiner interviews are available via a variety of formats. See MPEP § 713.01. To schedule an interview, applicant is encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR) Form at https://www.uspto.gov/InterviewPractice.
/ROBERT R RAEVIS/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2855