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 .
Double Patenting
A rejection based on double patenting of the “same invention” type finds its support in the language of 35 U.S.C. 101 which states that “whoever invents or discovers any new and useful process... may obtain a patent therefor...” (Emphasis added). Thus, the term “same invention,” in this context, means an invention drawn to identical subject matter. See Miller v. Eagle Mfg. Co., 151 U.S. 186 (1894); In re Vogel, 422 F.2d 438, 164 USPQ 619 (CCPA 1970); In re Ockert, 245 F.2d 467, 114 USPQ 330 (CCPA 1957).
A statutory type (35 U.S.C. 101) double patenting rejection can be overcome by canceling or amending the claims that are directed to the same invention so they are no longer coextensive in scope. The filing of a terminal disclaimer cannot overcome a double patenting rejection based upon 35 U.S.C. 101.
Claim 12 is provisionally rejected under 35 U.S.C. 101 as claiming the same invention as that of claim 13 of copending Application No. 18/245381 (2023/0348340). This is a provisional statutory double patenting rejection since the claims directed to the same invention have not in fact been patented.
Claim Objections
Claim 13 is objected to because of the following informalities: The examiner suggests amending “a riser” (see line 1) to “a first riser“, “the riser” (see line 2) to “the first riser”, and “the second riser” (see lines 3-4) to “a second riser”. Appropriate correction is required.
Allowable Subject Matter
The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter:
Claims 1-11 and 13 are allowed.
The closest prior art references are Cui et al. (US 2017/0305815 A1) and Chen et al. (US 6,736,960 B1).
Regarding claim 1, Cui et al. discloses a mixing device for mixing at least two particulate catalysts, comprising a riser (riser reactor, 1) for loading a first particulate catalyst; a mixing zone vessel (vessel surrounding the top of riser reactor (1)); and the top of the riser (1) has a riser outlet structural member for allowing the upward-delivered first particulate catalyst to be fed into the interior of the mixing zone vessel (vessel surrounding the top of riser reactor (1)) via the riser outlet structural member (see figure 1 and paragraph 0024).
Chen et al. discloses a mixing device for mixing at least two particulate catalysts, comprising a riser (first conduit, 22) for loading a first particulate catalyst and an outer casing vessel (third conduit, 5) surrounding and being coaxial with the riser for loading a second particulate catalyst, the first and second particulate catalysts being different in structure and/or composition, and at least a part of the upper portion of the riser (22) and at least a part of the upper portion of the outer casing vessel (5) both being located inside a mixing zone vessel (catalytic cracker riser reactor, 1); wherein: the bottom of the riser (22) is provided with a riser feed inlet (12) for a first lifting medium, which is used for delivering upwards the first particulate catalyst loaded in the riser (22); the bottom of the outer casing vessel (5) is provided with a feed inlet (24) for a second lifting medium, which is used for delivering upwards the second particulate catalyst loaded in the outer casing vessel (5) (see figure 1 and column 3, line 46 through column 4, line 63).
The prior art references fail to disclose or suggest a mixing device having the top of the outer casing vessel has an outer casing vessel outlet structural member for allowing the upward-delivered second particulate catalyst to be fed into the interior of the mixing zone vessel via the outer casing vessel outlet structural member, and to be mixed with the first particulate catalyst, so as to obtain a mixed catalyst.
Claims 2-10 depend on claim 1.
Regarding claim 11, Cui et al. discloses a mixing device having a first catalyst feeding equipment for loading a first particulate catalyst, since Cui et al. discloses a riser (riser reactor, 1) having a riser outlet structural member that distributing catalyst and lifting gas in the area of the dense bed (3) (see figure 1 and paragraph).
Chen et al. discloses a catalytic cracker riser reactor (1), a first conduit (22) for introducing dispensing gas (12) into the reactor, and a second conduit (5) for introducing dispensing gas (4) into the reactor (see figure 1 and column 3, line 46 through column 4, line 63).
The examiner will interpret a first catalyst feeding equipment for loading a first particulate catalyst and a second catalyst feeding equipment for loading a second particulate catalyst as a riser with a distributor and an outer casing vessel, surrounding an being coaxial with the riser.
The prior art references fail to disclose or suggest a mixing device for mixing at least two particulate catalysts, having a first catalyst feeding equipment for loading a first particulate catalyst and a second catalyst feeding equipment for loading a second particulate catalyst, and a mixing zone vessel located above the first and second catalyst feeding equipments into which the first and second particulate catalysts are fed to mix to obtain a mixed catalyst; wherein: within the mixing zone vessel, the first and second particulate catalysts are distributed such that the Peclet number of the mixed catalyst is less than 5, and the mean square error, σ, of the first particulate catalyst fraction is less than 3.0; or the Peclet number of the mixed catalyst is less than 1, and the mean square error, σ, of the first particulate catalyst fraction is less than 1.0; and wherein the ratio by weight of the flow rates entering the mixing zone vessel, Rw, of the first particulate catalyst to the second particulate catalyst is 0.01 < Rw ≤ 0.5, preferably 0.02 ≤ Rw ≤ 0.2, prior art references fail to disclose or suggest a riser with a distributor and an outer casing vessel, surrounding an being coaxial with the riser.
Regarding claim 13, Cui et al. discloses a mixing device comprising a riser (riser reactor, 1) for loading a first part (see figure 1 and paragraph 0024).
Chen et al. discloses a catalytic cracker riser reactor (1), a first conduit (22) for introducing dispensing gas (12) into the reactor, and a second conduit (5) for introducing dispensing gas (4) into the reactor (see figure 1 and column 3, line 46 through column 4, line 63).
The prior art references fail to disclose or suggest a mixing device for mixing at least two particulate materials, comprising a riser for loading a first particle and an outer casing vessel surrounding and being coaxial with the riser for loading a second particle, the upper portion of the first riser extending beyond the top of the second riser, and at least a part of the upper portion of the first riser and at least a part of the second riser both being located inside a mixing zone vessel, such that the first and second particles are delivered through the first and second risers, respectively, to the interior of the mixing zone vessel and mixed.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to NATASHA E YOUNG whose telephone number is (571)270-3163. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 7:00 am - 6:00 pm.
Examiner interviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video conferencing using a USPTO supplied web-based collaboration tool. To schedule an interview, applicant is encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR) at http://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Wang Claire can be reached at 571-270-1051. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
Information regarding the status of published or unpublished applications may be obtained from Patent Center. Unpublished application information in Patent Center is available to registered users. To file and manage patent submissions in Patent Center, visit: https://patentcenter.uspto.gov. Visit https://www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/patent-center for more information about Patent Center and https://www.uspto.gov/patents/docx for information about filing in DOCX format. For additional questions, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000.
NATASHA E. YOUNG
Examiner
Art Unit 1774
/NATASHA E YOUNG/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1774