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 .
DETAILED ACTION
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.
Claim 22 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Minteer et al (US 20070287034). The reference teaches a base of a liquid membrane cell assembly (41, Fig. 7), comprising a central portion and first and second end portions (central portion is shared channel 34; end portions are above and below the branching points). The first end portion comprises a first elongate body (elongated in width direction), a first oxidant channel in the body, and an oxidant inlet port (33) in the body, the oxidant inlet port fluidly connected to the first oxidant channel (Figure 7, Example 8). The first end portion further comprises a first fuel channel in the first body, the first fuel channel being separate and distinct from the first oxidant channel, and a fuel inlet port (also 33) adjacent the oxidant inlet port, the fuel inlet port being fluidly connected to the first fuel channel, the fuel inlet port being separate and distinct from the oxidant inlet port. Note: the claim recites an “electrolyte” channel and inlet port, whereas the reference discloses an “oxidant” channel and port. The limitation is considered to be anticipated by the reference because the term “electrolyte” is merely a label and does not provide any limitation on the structure of the claimed assembly base. In other words, the structure of Minteer et al. is supplied with a fuel and oxidant, whereas the claimed structure is supplied with electrolyte and fuel. However, the claim is directed to a “base” of a cell assembly and the electrolyte is not positively recited in the claim. Accordingly, as structure of the base of the cell assembly of Minteer is the same as that claimed, the limitations are considered to be anticipated. Stated another way, a material worked upon is not considered to further limit an apparatus claim (MPEP 2115).
Further regarding claim 22, the second end portion comprises a second elongate body (elongated in width direction), a second oxidant channel in the body, and an oxidant outlet port (35) in the body, the oxidant outlet port fluidly connected to the second oxidant channel (Figure 7, Example 8). The second end portion further comprises a second fuel channel in the second body, the second fuel channel being separate and distinct from the second oxidant channel, and a fuel outlet port (also 35) adjacent the oxidant outlet port, the fuel outlet port being fluidly connected to the second fuel channel, the fuel outlet port being separate and distinct from the oxidant outlet port. As stated above, the “oxidant” label is tantamount to the claimed “electrolyte” label.
Further regarding claim 22, the central portion (34) comprises first and second bridge members (areas to the sides of “34”) that connect the first and second elongate bodies (Fig. 8), the bridge members collectively and horizontally defining an open area therebetween (34), the open area fluidly connecting the first oxidant channel and the first fuel channel with the second oxidant channel and the second fuel channel. Thus, claim 22 is anticipated.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-21 are allowed.
The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter:
Claim 1 recites all the limitations of claim 22 discussed above, and further recites an anode adjacent the first and second bridge members, and a cathode adjacent the first and second bridge members such that the (elongate) base is disposed between the anode and the cathode, wherein the anode and cathode vertically define the open area therebetween. In Minteer, the closest prior art, the anode (41) is located horizontally adjacent one bridge member, and the cathode (40) is located horizontally adjacent the other bridge member. The reference does not teach or fairly suggest that each electrode is adjacent both bridge members, such that the elongate base is disposed between the anode and the cathode, wherein the anode and cathode vertically define the open area therebetween as claimed.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Jonathan Crepeau whose telephone number is (571) 272-1299. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Friday from 9:30 AM - 6:00 PM EST.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner's supervisor, Nicole Buie-Hatcher, can be reached at (571) 270-3879. The phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is (571) 272-1700. Documents may be faxed to the central fax server at (571) 273-8300.
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/Jonathan Crepeau/
Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1725
December 23, 2025