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 .
Continued Examination Under 37 CFR 1.114
A request for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, including the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e), was filed in this application after final rejection. Since this application is eligible for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114. Applicant's submission filed on 7/28/26 has been entered.
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments filed 7/28/26 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive. The examiner reiterates the combination of Miyahara and Obikane would disclose the feature of the roll of Obikane is clearly capable of being in constant contact with a surface and Miyahara has cylinder (16) for linear displacement [Fig 3, 4] and would be capable of placing the pressing member in constant contact with the rotary platen. Hence, this (currently unclaimed) feature is merely an intended use and not a structural feature. The manner of operating a device does not differentiate an apparatus claim from the prior art, see MPEP 2114 II. As to the spring body, this feature is taught by the added reference Inoue. Obikane teaches the pressing member is attached to a plate. Furthermore, the manner of operating a device does not differentiate an apparatus claim from the prior art, see MPEP 2114 II.
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.
Claim 1, 3-8, 21 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Miyahara (JP H058246) in view of Obikane (JP 2020-25128) and Inoue (JP 59019910).
As to claim 1, A position determining mechanism for a rotary platen, the rotary platen being disposed to face a mold platen and being provided to be rotatable with respect to the mold platen, the position determining mechanism comprising: a position determination part (12) continuously provided to one platen of the mold platen and the rotary platen (10); and a position determination driving unit (14) provided to the other platen, wherein the position determination driving unit includes a press member (19) and pressing means (phrased as “driven by air or hydraulic pressure”) [0009], and wherein when the press member (58, 42) is pressed by the pressing means and the press member (58) is fitted into the position determination part, a rotation position of the rotary platen is determined [Fig 1, 3, 4, 6].
As the claim is directed to the position determining mechanism, the various platens are not a limitation of the claim as they are objects that are not part of the claimed invention, which is the position determining mechanism in particular.
Miyahara teaches a circular or arcuate guide portion (the edge surface of the rotary plate 10 or the groove 122 in Fig 6) concentric with the rotary platen is formed on the one platen, and the position determination part is provided continuously with the guide portion, and wherein when the rotary platen rotates, the press member is configured to be pressed by the pressing means and slide in contact with the guide portion so as to be guided to the position determination part [Fig 1, 3, 4, 6].
The examiner notes that applicant does not require the guide portion be a groove or have any feature in particular beyond being in contact with the pressing member and concentric with the rotary platen as in [Fig 4] or claim 4 of applicant’s own disclosure.
Obikane teaches a position detecting mechanism within a conveying device [Abstract] wherein a roller (93) guides along a surface until it reaches a desired position indicated by a v notch [Fig 12, 13] which allows for highly accurate determination of a position [0045, 0046]. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have altered the invention of Miyahara and made the tip of the press member a roller that slides/rolls along the guide portion, as suggested by Obikane, as this had demonstrated success at determining when a desired position is arrived at and was compatible with V- notch position indicators.
Inoue teaches a positioning mechanism involving v-notches within a guide wherein resilient spring is provided to bias the press member into the groove and prevent inadvertent dislodging of the press member but also allows for the press member to be easily removed [0001, Fig 1-3]. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have altered the invention of Miyahara and utilized a resilient spring biasing member, as suggested by Inoue, in order to allow for exiting the v groove without excessive force but also preventing inadvertent dislodging.
As to claim 3, Miyahara teaches the position determining mechanism for a rotary platen according to wherein the pressing means is configured to press the press member (58, 42) according to a rotation position of the rotary platen, and in a case where the press member comes near the position determination part, the pressing means presses the press member so that the press member comes into contact with the guide portion [Fig 1, 3, 4, 6].
As to claim 4, Miyahara teaches The position determining mechanism for a rotary platen according to wherein the one platen is the rotary platen (10), and wherein an outer peripheral wall of the rotary platen serves as the guide portion [Fig 1, 3, 4, 6].
As to claim 5, Miyahara teaches The position determining mechanism for a rotary platen according to the position determination part is provided to the one platen at a reference position of the rotary platen and a position whose rotation phase is shifted by 180 degrees from the reference position [Fig 6].
As to claim 6, Miyahara teaches The position determining mechanism for a rotary platen wherein a V-notch is formed in the position determination part and wherein a tip end of the press member is fittable into the V-notch [Fig 3, 0007]
As to claim 7, Miyahara teaches the press member moves along the guide surface comes into contact with a V-notch, the tip of the press member comprising a round cylinder [Fig 3, 4], but does not explicitly state the tip end a roller.
Obikane teaches a position detecting mechanism within a conveying device [Abstract] wherein a roller (93) guides along a surface until it reaches a desired position indicated by a v notch [Fig 12, 13] which allows for highly accurate determination of a position [0045, 0046]. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have altered the invention of Miyahara and made the tip of the press member a roller, as suggested by Obikane, as this had demonstrated success at determining when a desired position is arrived at and was compatible with V- notch position indicators.
As to claim 21, Both Obikane and Inoue teaches the roller provided at a tip end of the press member, the guide portion defining a track along which the roller rolls, and the position determination part comprises a V-notches that opens in and is provided continuously with the track such that during rotation of the platen the roller rolls along the track and into the V-notch as explained above.
Claim 22 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Miyahara (JP H058246) in view of Obikane (JP 2020-25128), as applied to claims 1, 3-8, 21 above, and in further view of Nippon Bearing (Linear Bushings).
As to claim 22, A position determining mechanism for a rotary platen, the rotary platen being disposed to face a mold platen and being provided to be rotatable with respect to the mold platen, the position determining mechanism comprising: a position determination part (12) continuously provided to one platen of the mold platen and the rotary platen (10); and a position determination driving unit (14) provided to the other platen, wherein the position determination driving unit includes a press member (19) and pressing means (phrased as “driven by air or hydraulic pressure”) [0009], and wherein when the press member (58, 42) is pressed by the pressing means and the press member (58) is fitted into the position determination part, a rotation position of the rotary platen is determined [Fig 1, 3, 4, 6]. Miyahara teaches wherein the pressing means (16) includes a cylinder unit [0007].
Miyahara teaches The position determining mechanism for a rotary platen according to wherein the one platen is the rotary platen (10), and wherein an outer peripheral wall of the rotary platen serves as the guide portion [Fig 1, 3, 4, 6]. Miyahara teaches a guide for the pressing means configured to guide movement of the press member [Fig 3, 4], but does not explicitly state the guide includes a ball bush.
Nippon Bearing teaches multiple bushings/bearings including a linear ball bushing and notes that such parts “standard parts for linear motion” and that these bushings allow for a stroke motion to be obtained with “very little frictional resistance.” It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have altered the invention of Miyahara and made the guide element be a ball bushing, as suggested by Nippon Bearing, as these parts were typical for linear motion and allowed for operation with minimal frictional resistance.
Miyahara teaches a cylinder unit (16). Miyahara teaches the press member moves along the guide surface comes into contact with a V-notch, the tip of the press member comprising a round cylinder [Fig 3, 4], but does not explicitly state the tip end a roller.
Obikane teaches a position detecting mechanism within a conveying device [Abstract] wherein a roller/press member (93) guides along a surface until it reaches a desired position indicated by a v notch [Fig 12, 13] which allows for highly accurate determination of a position [0045, 0046]. The roller is fixed to a plate (34) [Fig 12, 13]. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have altered the invention of Miyahara and made the tip of the press member a roller and had the press member be fixed to a plate, as suggested by Obikane, as this had demonstrated success at determining when a desired position is arrived at and was compatible with V- notch position indicators.
Miyahara teaches a guide for the pressing means configured to guide movement of the plate and press member [Fig 3, 4], but does not explicitly state the guide includes a ball bush.
Nippon Bearing teaches multiple bushings/bearings including a linear ball bushing and notes that such parts “standard parts for linear motion” and that these bushings allow for a stroke motion to be obtained with “very little frictional resistance.” It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have altered the invention of Miyahara and made the guide element be a ball bushing to guide the plate and press member, as suggested by Nippon Bearing, as these parts were typical for linear motion and allowed for operation with minimal frictional resistance.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to ARMAND MELENDEZ whose telephone number is (571)270-0342. The examiner can normally be reached 9 AM- 6 PM Monday-Friday.
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, Curtis Mayes can be reached at 571-272-1234. 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.
/ARMAND MELENDEZ/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1759
Prosecution Insights