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 .
Information Disclosure Statement
The information disclosure statement (IDS) submitted on 05/18/2023 and 11/22/2024 is being considered by the examiner.
Claim Objections
Claim 2, 10, and 19 are objected to because of the following informalities:
“Positionable” should read “positioned”
Appropriate correction is required.
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.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph:
The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention.
Claims 5-6 and 13-14 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.
The term “generally flush” in claims 5 and 13 is a relative term which renders the claim indefinite. The term “generally flush” is not defined by the claim, the specification does not provide a standard for ascertaining the requisite degree, and one of ordinary skill in the art would not be reasonably apprised of the scope of the invention. The term “generally flush” is unclear, the examiner does not understand how much of a gap is considered “generally flush”, appropriate correction is needed.
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.
The factual inquiries for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35 U.S.C. 103 are summarized as follows:
1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art.
2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue.
3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art.
4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or nonobviousness.
Claims 1-3, 5-6, 8-11, and 13-14 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over US 20070000944 A1 – Cahen in view US 20110283889 A1 – Con.
Regarding claim 1, Cahen is directed towards a beverage machine. Cahen does teach a base defining a cavity having an open side (Figure 1, element 2 (base) and figure 2 shows the withing the base for the drip tray.), and a dispensing portion supported on the base and defining a beverage outlet location suspended above the base ([0022] The extraction housing 20 terminates at its bottom end by a beverage (coffee) outlet 22 in the form of a collector and a funneling portion of tube. The outlet 22 can be configured with particular means to break the energy of the beverage coming out of the extraction module and/or for conditioning the foam and/or for reducing splashing.), a drip tray body defining a perimeter side wall ([0052] extending wall 52.), and the drip tray body being partially received within the cavity of the base through the open side thereof with the storage area positioned within the cavity and at least a portion of the reservoir area being positioned outside the cavity underlying the beverage outlet location (Figure 6, a main reservoir 51 (outside of cavity), a rear reservoir extension 53 (inside cavity)).
Cahen does not expressly teach an interior wall separating an interior of the tray body within the perimeter side wall into a reservoir area and a storage area.
Con is directed towards an espresso machine. Con does teach an interior wall separating an interior of the tray body within the perimeter side wall into a reservoir area and a storage area (Figure 23, 234 (storage tray), 210 (drip tray)).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before effective filing date of the invention to an interior wall separating an interior of the tray body within the perimeter side wall into a reservoir area and a storage area by Con in the system of Cahen, since the claimed invention is merely a combination of old elements, and in the combination each element merely would have performed the same function as it did separately, and one of ordinary skill in the art would have recognized that the results of the combination were predictable.
Person having ordinary skill in the art (PHOSITA) would have understood that an interior wall separating an interior of the tray body within the perimeter side wall into a reservoir area and a storage area of Con could be predictably used in a variety of systems, including the well-known system of Cahen in a manner which would have predictably allow for an extra area to store materials. Moreover, there is no indication in the instant application that any special steps or devices were devised or that any surprising results were derived from simply using an interior wall separating an interior of the tray body within the perimeter side wall into a reservoir area and a storage area of Con with the well-known system of Cahen.
Regarding claim 2, Cahen and Con does teach the limitations of claim 1. Cahen does teach a grate positionable over a portion of the reservoir area and supported on the perimeter side wall of the drip tray body ([0054] FIGS. 4 and 5 shows a detail of the upper support grid 7.).
Regarding claim 3, Cahen and Con does teach the limitations of claim 2. Cahen does teach the drip tray body and the grate are included in a drip tray assembly configured for selectively assembly with the housing as a unit (Figure 2 shows the grate and drip tray going into the base).
Regarding claim 5, Cahen and Con does teach the limitations of claim 1. Cahen does teach the drip tray body defines a forward portion and a rear extension, the rear extension being receivable within the cavity and the forward portion extending generally flush with a profile of the base when the drip tray body is partially received within the cavity (Figure 6, a main reservoir 51 (outside of cavity), a rear reservoir extension 53 (inside cavity)).
Regarding claim 6, Cahen and Con does teach the limitations of claim 5. Cahen does teach the storage area is positioned within the rear extension. (Figure 6, a rear reservoir extension 53 (inside cavity))
Regarding claim 8, Cahen does teach a base defining a cavity having an open side (Figure 1, element 2 (base) and figure 2 shows the withing the base for the drip tray.), and a dispensing portion supported on the base and defining a beverage outlet location suspended above the base ([0022] The extraction housing 20 terminates at its bottom end by a beverage (coffee) outlet 22 in the form of a collector and a funneling portion of tube. The outlet 22 can be configured with particular means to break the energy of the beverage coming out of the extraction module and/or for conditioning the foam and/or for reducing splashing.), and a drip tray body defining a perimeter side wall ([0052] extending wall 52.), and the drip tray body being partially received within the cavity of the base through the open side thereof with the storage area positioned within the cavity and a remaining portion of the drip tray body positioned beneath the dispensing portion underlying the beverage outlet location (Figure 6, a main reservoir 51 (outside of cavity), a rear reservoir extension 53 (inside cavity)).
Cahen does not expressly teach an interior wall separating an interior of the tray body within the perimeter side wall into a reservoir area and a storage area.
Con is directed towards an espresso machine. Con does teach an interior wall separating an interior of the tray body within the perimeter side wall into a reservoir area and a storage area (Figure 23, 234 (storage tray), 210 (drip tray)).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before effective filing date of the invention to an interior wall separating an interior of the tray body within the perimeter side wall into a reservoir area and a storage area by Con in the system of Cahen, since the claimed invention is merely a combination of old elements, and in the combination each element merely would have performed the same function as it did separately, and one of ordinary skill in the art would have recognized that the results of the combination were predictable.
Person having ordinary skill in the art (PHOSITA) would have understood that an interior wall separating an interior of the tray body within the perimeter side wall into a reservoir area and a storage area of Con could be predictably used in a variety of systems, including the well-known system of Cahen in a manner which would have predictably allow for an extra area to store materials. Moreover, there is no indication in the instant application that any special steps or devices were devised or that any surprising results were derived from simply using an interior wall separating an interior of the tray body within the perimeter side wall into a reservoir area and a storage area of Con with the well-known system of Cahen.
Regarding claim 9, Cahen and Con does teach the limitations of claim 8. Cahen does not expressly teach the interior wall separates a reservoir area from the storage area within an interior of the tray body, at least a portion of the reservoir area being positioned outside the cavity underlying the beverage outlet location.
Con does teach the interior wall separates a reservoir area from the storage area within an interior of the tray body, at least a portion of the reservoir area being positioned outside the cavity underlying the beverage outlet location (Figure 23, 234 (storage tray), 210 (drip tray)).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before effective filing date of the invention to the interior wall separates a reservoir area from the storage area within an interior of the tray body, at least a portion of the reservoir area being positioned outside the cavity underlying the beverage outlet location by Con in the system of Cahen, since the claimed invention is merely a combination of old elements, and in the combination each element merely would have performed the same function as it did separately, and one of ordinary skill in the art would have recognized that the results of the combination were predictable.
Person having ordinary skill in the art (PHOSITA) would have understood that the interior wall separates a reservoir area from the storage area within an interior of the tray body, at least a portion of the reservoir area being positioned outside the cavity underlying the beverage outlet location of Con could be predictably used in a variety of systems, including the well-known system of Cahen in a manner which would have predictably allow the user to access the storage easily. Moreover, there is no indication in the instant application that any special steps or devices were devised or that any surprising results were derived from simply using the interior wall separates a reservoir area from the storage area within an interior of the tray body, at least a portion of the reservoir area being positioned outside the cavity underlying the beverage outlet location of Con with the well-known system of Cahen.
Regarding claim 10, Cahen and Con does teach the limitations of claim 9. Cahen does teach a grate positionable over a portion of the reservoir area and supported on the perimeter side wall of the drip tray body. ([0054] FIGS. 4 and 5 shows a detail of the upper support grid 7.)
Regarding claim 11, Cahen and Con does teach the limitations of claim 10. Cahen does teach the drip tray body and the grate are included in a drip tray assembly configured for selectively assembly with the housing as a unit (Figure 2 shows the grate and drip tray going into the base).
Regarding claim 13, Cahen and Con does teach the limitations of claim 8. Cahen does teach the drip tray body defines a forward portion and a rear extension, the rear extension being receivable within the cavity and the forward portion extending generally flush with a profile of the base when the drip tray body is partially received within the cavity.(Figure 6, a main reservoir 51 (outside of cavity), a rear reservoir extension 53 (inside cavity))
Regarding claim 14, Cahen and Con does teach the limitations of claim 13. Cahen does not expressly teach the storage area is positioned within the rear extension.
Con does teach the storage area is positioned within the rear extension (Figure 23, 234 (storage tray), 210 (drip tray) and figure 24 shows the storage tray being about to be slid to the back.).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before effective filing date of the invention to the storage area is positioned within the rear extension by Con in the system of Cahen, since the claimed invention is merely a combination of old elements, and in the combination each element merely would have performed the same function as it did separately, and one of ordinary skill in the art would have recognized that the results of the combination were predictable.
Person having ordinary skill in the art (PHOSITA) would have understood that the storage area is positioned within the rear extension of Con could be predictably used in a variety of systems, including the well-known system of Cahen in a manner which would have predictably have the ability to hide the storage tray. Moreover, there is no indication in the instant application that any special steps or devices were devised or that any surprising results were derived from simply using the storage area is positioned within the rear extension of Con with the well-known system of Cahen.
Claims 4 and 12 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over US 20070000944 A1 – Cahen and US 20110283889 A1 - Con as applied to claims 3 and 11 above, and further in view of US 20240245255 A1 - Harrod.
Regarding claim 4, Cahen and Con does teach the limitations of claim 3. Cahen and Con does not expressly teach the drip tray assembly further includes a fluid level indicator received within the reservoir area of the drip tray body and configured to partially extend through an aperture in the grate.
Harrod is directed towards an coffee machine. Harrod does teach the drip tray assembly further includes a fluid level indicator received within the reservoir area of the drip tray body and configured to partially extend through an aperture in the grate. ([0180] FIG. 19 shows the liquid level 90 at which the visual indicator 40 will extend through the support surface aperture 32 to a maximum extent.).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before effective filing date of the invention to the drip tray assembly further includes a fluid level indicator received within the reservoir area of the drip tray body and configured to partially extend through an aperture in the grate by Harrod in the system of Cahen and Con, since the claimed invention is merely a combination of old elements, and in the combination each element merely would have performed the same function as it did separately, and one of ordinary skill in the art would have recognized that the results of the combination were predictable.
Person having ordinary skill in the art (PHOSITA) would have understood that the drip tray assembly further includes a fluid level indicator received within the reservoir area of the drip tray body and configured to partially extend through an aperture in the grate of Harrod could be predictably used in a variety of systems, including the well-known system of Cahen and Con in a manner which would have predictably in order to know when the drip tray is full. Moreover, there is no indication in the instant application that any special steps or devices were devised or that any surprising results were derived from simply using the drip tray assembly further includes a fluid level indicator received within the reservoir area of the drip tray body and configured to partially extend through an aperture in the grate of Harrod with the well-known system of Cahen and Con.
Regarding claim 12, Cahen and Con does teach the limitations of claim 11. Cahen and Con does not expressly teach the drip tray assembly further includes a fluid level indicator received within the reservoir area of the drip tray body and configured to partially extend through an aperture in the grate.
Harrod is directed towards an coffee machine. Harrod does teach the drip tray assembly further includes a fluid level indicator received within the reservoir area of the drip tray body and configured to partially extend through an aperture in the grate. ([0180] FIG. 19 shows the liquid level 90 at which the visual indicator 40 will extend through the support surface aperture 32 to a maximum extent.).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before effective filing date of the invention to the drip tray assembly further includes a fluid level indicator received within the reservoir area of the drip tray body and configured to partially extend through an aperture in the grate by Harrod in the system of Cahen and Con, since the claimed invention is merely a combination of old elements, and in the combination each element merely would have performed the same function as it did separately, and one of ordinary skill in the art would have recognized that the results of the combination were predictable.
Person having ordinary skill in the art (PHOSITA) would have understood that the drip tray assembly further includes a fluid level indicator received within the reservoir area of the drip tray body and configured to partially extend through an aperture in the grate of Harrod could be predictably used in a variety of systems, including the well-known system of Cahen and Con in a manner which would have predictably in order to know when the drip tray is full. Moreover, there is no indication in the instant application that any special steps or devices were devised or that any surprising results were derived from simply using the drip tray assembly further includes a fluid level indicator received within the reservoir area of the drip tray body and configured to partially extend through an aperture in the grate of Harrod with the well-known system of Cahen and Con.
Claim 7 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over US 20070000944 A1 – Cahen and US 20110283889 A1 - Con as applied to claim 1 above, and further in view of US 20180161823 A1 - Patton.
Regarding claim 7, Cahen and Con does teach the limitations of claim 1. Cahen does not expressly teach the dispensing portion of the housing is configured to receive a portafilter holder in a supported arrangement with respect to the base such that an outlet of the portafilter holder is positioned within the beverage outlet location and the storage area of the drip tray body is sized to receive a portafilter basket therein.
Con does teach the dispensing portion of the housing is configured to receive a portafilter holder in a supported arrangement with respect to the base such that an outlet of the portafilter holder is positioned within the beverage outlet location (Figure 1, [0048] As shown in FIG. 3, the portafilter 30).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before effective filing date of the invention to the dispensing portion of the housing is configured to receive a portafilter holder in a supported arrangement with respect to the base such that an outlet of the portafilter holder is positioned within the beverage outlet location by Con in the system of Cahen, since the claimed invention is merely a combination of old elements, and in the combination each element merely would have performed the same function as it did separately, and one of ordinary skill in the art would have recognized that the results of the combination were predictable.
Person having ordinary skill in the art (PHOSITA) would have understood that the dispensing portion of the housing is configured to receive a portafilter holder in a supported arrangement with respect to the base such that an outlet of the portafilter holder is positioned within the beverage outlet location of Con could be predictably used in a variety of systems, including the well-known system of Cahen in a manner which would have predictably in order to make coffee from grinds. Moreover, there is no indication in the instant application that any special steps or devices were devised or that any surprising results were derived from simply using the dispensing portion of the housing is configured to receive a portafilter holder in a supported arrangement with respect to the base such that an outlet of the portafilter holder is positioned within the beverage outlet location of Con with the well-known system of Cahen.
Patton is directed toward an removal of a portafilter. Patton does teach the storage area of the drip tray body is sized to receive a portafilter basket therein. ([0040] With reference to FIGS. 6-11, the portafilter receiver 120).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before effective filing date of the invention to the storage area of the drip tray body is sized to receive a portafilter basket therein by Patton in the system of Cahen and Con, since the claimed invention is merely a combination of old elements, and in the combination each element merely would have performed the same function as it did separately, and one of ordinary skill in the art would have recognized that the results of the combination were predictable.
Person having ordinary skill in the art (PHOSITA) would have understood that the storage area of the drip tray body is sized to receive a portafilter basket therein of Patton could be predictably used in a variety of systems, including the well-known system of Cahen and Con in a manner which would have predictably be able to hold a portafilter when not in direct use. Moreover, there is no indication in the instant application that any special steps or devices were devised or that any surprising results were derived from simply using the storage area of the drip tray body is sized to receive a portafilter basket therein of Patton with the well-known system of Cahen and Con.
Claims 15-16 and 18-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over US 20070000944 A1 – Cahen in view US 20110283889 A1 – Con and US 20180161823 A1 - Patton.
Regarding claim 15, Cahen does teach a base defining a cavity having an open side (Figure 1, element 2 (base) and figure 2 shows the withing the base for the drip tray.), and a dispensing portion supported on the base and defining a beverage outlet location suspended above the base ([0022] The extraction housing 20 terminates at its bottom end by a beverage (coffee) outlet 22 in the form of a collector and a funneling portion of tube. The outlet 22 can be configured with particular means to break the energy of the beverage coming out of the extraction module and/or for conditioning the foam and/or for reducing splashing.), and a drip tray body defining a perimeter side wall ([0052] extending wall 52.), the drip tray body being partially received within the cavity of the base through the open side thereof with the storage area positioned within the cavity and a remaining portion of the drip tray body positioned beneath the dispensing portion so as to underlie the beverage outlet location (Figure 6, a main reservoir 51 (outside of cavity), a rear reservoir extension 53 (inside cavity)).
Cahen does not expressly teach a portafilter holder selectively couplable with the dispensing portion of the housing in a supported arrangement with respect to the base with an outlet of the portafilter holder that is positioned within the beverage outlet location and an interior wall defining a storage area within a portion of the drip tray body and the storage area being sized to receive a portafilter basket alternately receivable in the portafilter holder.
Con does teach a portafilter holder selectively couplable with the dispensing portion of the housing in a supported arrangement with respect to the base with an outlet of the portafilter holder that is positioned within the beverage outlet location (Figure 1, the group head or brew head 15.)
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before effective filing date of the invention to the dispensing portion of the housing is configured to receive a portafilter holder in a supported arrangement with respect to the base such that an outlet of the portafilter holder is positioned within the beverage outlet location by Con in the system of Cahen, since the claimed invention is merely a combination of old elements, and in the combination each element merely would have performed the same function as it did separately, and one of ordinary skill in the art would have recognized that the results of the combination were predictable.
Person having ordinary skill in the art (PHOSITA) would have understood that the dispensing portion of the housing is configured to receive a portafilter holder in a supported arrangement with respect to the base such that an outlet of the portafilter holder is positioned within the beverage outlet location of Con could be predictably used in a variety of systems, including the well-known system of Cahen in a manner which would have predictably in order to make coffee from grinds. Moreover, there is no indication in the instant application that any special steps or devices were devised or that any surprising results were derived from simply using the dispensing portion of the housing is configured to receive a portafilter holder in a supported arrangement with respect to the base such that an outlet of the portafilter holder is positioned within the beverage outlet location of Con with the well-known system of Cahen.
Con also teaches an interior wall defining a storage area within a portion of the drip tray body. (Figure 23, 234 (storage tray), 210 (drip tray))
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before effective filing date of the invention to an interior wall separating an interior of the tray body within the perimeter side wall into a reservoir area and a storage area by Con in the system of Cahen, since the claimed invention is merely a combination of old elements, and in the combination each element merely would have performed the same function as it did separately, and one of ordinary skill in the art would have recognized that the results of the combination were predictable.
Person having ordinary skill in the art (PHOSITA) would have understood that an interior wall separating an interior of the tray body within the perimeter side wall into a reservoir area and a storage area of Con could be predictably used in a variety of systems, including the well-known system of Cahen in a manner which would have predictably allow for an extra area to store materials. Moreover, there is no indication in the instant application that any special steps or devices were devised or that any surprising results were derived from simply using an interior wall separating an interior of the tray body within the perimeter side wall into a reservoir area and a storage area of Con with the well-known system of Cahen.
Patton does teach the storage area of the drip tray body is sized to receive a portafilter basket therein. ([0040] With reference to FIGS. 6-11, the portafilter receiver 120).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before effective filing date of the invention to the storage area of the drip tray body is sized to receive a portafilter basket therein by Patton in the system of Cahen and Con, since the claimed invention is merely a combination of old elements, and in the combination each element merely would have performed the same function as it did separately, and one of ordinary skill in the art would have recognized that the results of the combination were predictable.
Person having ordinary skill in the art (PHOSITA) would have understood that the storage area of the drip tray body is sized to receive a portafilter basket therein of Patton could be predictably used in a variety of systems, including the well-known system of Cahen and Con in a manner which would have predictably be able to hold a portafilter when not in direct use. Moreover, there is no indication in the instant application that any special steps or devices were devised or that any surprising results were derived from simply using the storage area of the drip tray body is sized to receive a portafilter basket therein of Patton with the well-known system of Cahen and Con.
Regarding claim 16, Cahen, Con, and Patton does teach the limitations of claim 15. Cahen and Patton does not expressly teach including first and second portafilter baskets, each being alternately receivable in a respective one of the storage area and the portafilter holder.
Con does teach first and second portafilter baskets, each being alternately receivable in a respective one of the storage area and the portafilter holder. ([0043] a portafilter support cradle 14 that is located below an internal coffee grinder and the group head or brew head 15, it can be seen in figure 1, that there are two different holders for portafilters.)
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before effective filing date of the invention to first and second portafilter baskets, each being alternately receivable in a respective one of the storage area and the portafilter holder by Con in the system of Cahen, since the claimed invention is merely a combination of old elements, and in the combination each element merely would have performed the same function as it did separately, and one of ordinary skill in the art would have recognized that the results of the combination were predictable.
Person having ordinary skill in the art (PHOSITA) would have understood that the first and second portafilter baskets, each being alternately receivable in a respective one of the storage area and the portafilter holder of Con could be predictably used in a variety of systems, including the well-known system of Cahen in a manner which would have predictably allow the unit to brew using the first portafilter when having a second one ready for the brewing process. Moreover, there is no indication in the instant application that any special steps or devices were devised or that any surprising results were derived from simply using the first and second portafilter baskets, each being alternately receivable in a respective one of the storage area and the portafilter holder of Con with the well-known system of Cahen.
Regarding claim 18, Cahen, Con, and Patton does teach the limitations of claim 15. Cahen does teach at least a portion of the reservoir area being positioned outside the cavity underlying the beverage outlet location (Figure 6, a main reservoir 51 (outside of cavity), a rear reservoir extension 53 (inside cavity)).
Con does teach the interior wall separates a reservoir area from the storage area within an interior of the tray body (Figure 23, 234 (storage tray), 210 (drip tray)).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before effective filing date of the invention to an interior wall separating an interior of the tray body within the perimeter side wall into a reservoir area and a storage area by Con in the system of Cahen, since the claimed invention is merely a combination of old elements, and in the combination each element merely would have performed the same function as it did separately, and one of ordinary skill in the art would have recognized that the results of the combination were predictable.
Person having ordinary skill in the art (PHOSITA) would have understood that an interior wall separating an interior of the tray body within the perimeter side wall into a reservoir area and a storage area of Con could be predictably used in a variety of systems, including the well-known system of Cahen in a manner which would have predictably allow for an extra area to store materials. Moreover, there is no indication in the instant application that any special steps or devices were devised or that any surprising results were derived from simply using an interior wall separating an interior of the tray body within the perimeter side wall into a reservoir area and a storage area of Con with the well-known system of Cahen.
Regarding claim 19, Cahen, Con, and Patton does teach the limitations of claim 18. Cahen does teach a grate positionable over a portion of the reservoir area and supported on the perimeter side wall of the drip tray body. ([0054] FIGS. 4 and 5 shows a detail of the upper support grid 7.)
Regarding claim 20, Cahen, Con, and Patton does teach the limitations of claim 19. Cahen does teach the drip tray body and the grate are included in a drip tray assembly configured for selectively assembly with the housing as a unit (Figure 2 shows the grate and drip tray going into the base).
Claim 17 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over US 20070000944 A1 – Cahen, US 20110283889 A1 – Con, and US 20180161823 A1 - Patton as applied to claim 16 above, and further in view of US 20160242590 A1 - Grassia.
Regarding claim 17, Cahen, Con, and Patton does teach the limitations of claim 19. Cahen, Con, and Patton does not expressly teach the first and second portafilter baskets vary with at least one of an interior volume or a dispensing configuration.
Grassia is directed towards an adjustable portafilter. Grassia does teach first and second portafilter baskets vary with at least one of an interior volume or a dispensing configuration ([0028] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portafilter having a variable volume compartment).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before effective filing date of the invention to the first and second portafilter baskets vary with at least one of an interior volume or a dispensing configuration by Grassia in the system of Cahen, Con, and Patton, since the claimed invention is merely a combination of old elements, and in the combination each element merely would have performed the same function as it did separately, and one of ordinary skill in the art would have recognized that the results of the combination were predictable.
Person having ordinary skill in the art (PHOSITA) would have understood that the first and second portafilter baskets vary with at least one of an interior volume or a dispensing configuration. of Grassia could be predictably used in a variety of systems, including the well-known system of Cahen, Con, and Patton in a manner which would have predictably change the volume of each portafilter as needed. Moreover, there is no indication in the instant application that any special steps or devices were devised or that any surprising results were derived from simply using the first and second portafilter baskets vary with at least one of an interior volume or a dispensing configuration. of Grassia with the well-known system of Cahen, Con, and Patton.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to KEITH BRIAN ASSANTE whose telephone number is (571)272-5853. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 7:30 am - 4:30 pm EST.
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/KEITH BRIAN ASSANTE/Examiner, Art Unit 3761
/ELIZABETH M KERR/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3761