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and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114.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 12/23/2025 has been entered.
Information Disclosure Statement
The information disclosure statement (IDS) submitted on 12/23/2025 was filed after the mailing date of the Final Office action on 07/02/2025. The submission is in compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the information disclosure statement is being considered by the examiner.
Status
This Office Action is in response to the remarks and amendments filed on 12/23/2025. The previous 35 USC 112 rejections have been withdrawn. Claims 1, 5-8, 12-15, and 18-28 remain pending for consideration.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
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)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claims 1, 5-6, 8, 12-13, 15, and 21-26 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by Sodot et al. (US20160313047A1, herein after referred to as Sodot).
Regarding claim 1, Sodot teaches a coffee maker (disclosed “automated beverage dispensing system” in paragraph [0039]), comprising: a cooling unit (beverage cooler 100 Fig. 12) including one or more thermoelectric modules (heat pump 12 Fig. 12 with paragraphs [0044] and [0057]); one volume of phase change material (phase-change material 18 Fig. 12), the cooling unit operable to freeze (paragraphs [0036] and [0042]) at least a portion of the one volume of phase change material (paragraph [0036] where it is understood to be the entire volume of phase-change material 18) to provide a cold storage reservoir (negative-heat-energy-accumulator 14 Fig. 12 and paragraphs [0035] to [0036]), a passageway (corresponds to the combination of conduit 20 and thermally-conductive block 102 paragraph [0057] and Fig. 12) within which a beverage (disclosed “beverage” in paragraph [0035]) flows (paragraph [0035]), the passageway being in thermal communication with the one volume of phase change material (paragraph [0057]) that cools the beverage as it flows within the passageway (paragraph [0035]) to chill the beverage before it is dispensed (paragraph [0036]); and a thermally conductive body (negative-heat-energy-accumulator 14 Fig. 12) at least partially disposed between the one volume of phase change material and the passageway (Fig. 12), the thermally conductive body in direct thermal contact with the one or more thermoelectric modules (Fig. 12), with the one volume of phase change material (Fig. 12) and with a majority of the passageway (paragraph [0057] and Fig. 12), the one or more thermoelectric modules configured to simultaneously cool the thermally conductive body and the one volume of phase change material (Fig. 12, paragraphs [0036], [0046], and [0047]).
Regarding claim 8, Sodot teaches a beverage dispensing machine (disclosed “automated beverage dispensing system” in paragraph [0039]), comprising: a cooling unit (beverage cooler 100 Fig. 12) including: one or more thermoelectric modules (heat pump 12 Fig. 12 with paragraphs [0044] and [0057]); one volume of phase change material (phase-change material 18 Fig. 12), the cooling unit operable to freeze the one volume of phase change material (paragraphs [0036] and [0042]) to provide a cold storage reservoir (negative-heat-energy-accumulator 14 Fig. 12 and paragraphs [0035] to [0036]), a flowpath (corresponds to the combination of conduit 20 and thermally-conductive block 102 paragraph [0057] and Fig. 12) in thermal communication with the one volume of phase change material (paragraph [0057]) and via which a beverage (disclosed “beverage” in paragraph [0035]) flows (paragraph [0035]), the one volume of phase change material configured to chill the beverage before it is dispensed (paragraph [0036]); and a thermally conductive body (negative-heat-energy-accumulator 14 Fig. 12) at least partially disposed between the one volume of phase change material and the flowpath (Fig. 12), the thermally conductive body in direct thermal contact with the one or more thermoelectric modules (Fig. 12), with the one volume of phase change material (Fig. 12) and with a majority of the flowpath (Fig. 12 and paragraph [0057]), the one or more thermoelectric modules configured to simultaneously cool the thermally conductive body and the one volume of phase change material (Fig. 12, paragraphs [0036], [0046], and [0047]).
Regarding claim 15, Sodot teaches in combination with a beverage dispensing machine (disclosed “automated beverage dispensing system” in paragraph [0039]), a cooling unit (beverage cooler 100 Fig. 12) comprising: one or more thermoelectric modules (heat pump 12 Fig. 12 with paragraphs [0044] and [0057]); one volume of phase change material (phase-change material 18 Fig. 12), the cooling unit operable to charge (paragraphs [0036] and [0042]) at least a portion of the one volume of phase change material (paragraph [0036] where it is understood to be the entire volume of phase-change material 18) such that the one volume of phase change material transition from one state to another (paragraph [0042] where a person skilled in the art would recognize that charging the accumulator below its phase-change temperature will lead to a phase change) to provide a cold storage reservoir (negative-heat-energy-accumulator 14 Fig. 12 and paragraphs [0035] to [0036]), a passageway (corresponds to the combination of conduit 20 and thermally-conductive block 102 paragraph [0057] and Fig. 12) along which a beverage (disclosed “beverage” in paragraph [0035]) flows (paragraph [0035]), the passageway being in thermal communication with the one volume of phase change material (paragraph [0057]) that cools the beverage as it flows within the passageway (paragraph [0035]) to chill the beverage before it is dispensed (paragraph [0036]); and a thermally conductive body (negative-heat-energy-accumulator 14 Fig. 12) at least partially disposed between the one volume of phase change material and the passageway (Fig. 12), the thermally conductive body in direct thermal contact with the one or more thermoelectric modules (Fig. 12), with the one volume of phase change material (Fig. 12) and with a majority of the passageway (Fig. 12 and paragraph [0057]), the one or more thermoelectric modules configured to simultaneously cool the thermally conductive body and the one volume of phase change material (Fig. 12, paragraphs [0036], [0046], and [0047]).
Regarding claims 5 and 12, Sodot teaches wherein the thermally conductive body is a metal body (paragraphs [0041] and [0057] where it is understood that heat-energy dispersion arrangement 16 Fig.12 which is a part of negative-heat-energy-accumulator 14 is made of a metallic material).
Regarding claims 6 and 13, Sodot teaches wherein the one volume of the phase change material is disposed in one or more cavities (Fig. 12 where a cavity would correspond to the space between two adjacent heat-energy dispersion arrangement 16) in the thermally conductive body (Fig. 12).
Regarding claims 21, 22, and 23, Sodot teaches wherein the cooling unit is configured to direct the chilled beverage to a drinkware container (disclosed “cup” in paragraph [0056]).
Regarding claims 24, 25, and 26, Sodot teaches wherein the one or more thermoelectric modules is a plurality of separate thermoelectric modules (Fig. 6).
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
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.
This application currently names joint inventors. In considering patentability of the claims the examiner presumes that the subject matter of the various claims was commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the claimed invention(s) absent any evidence to the contrary. Applicant is advised of the obligation under 37 CFR 1.56 to point out the inventor and effective filing dates of each claim that was not commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the later invention in order for the examiner to consider the applicability of 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(C) for any potential 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) prior art against the later invention.
Claims 7 and 18-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Sodot.
Regarding claims 7 and 18, Sodot teaches the invention as described above but fails to explicitly teach “wherein the passageway comprises an inclined surface”.
However, a different embodiment of Sodot teaches wherein the passageway (conduit 20 Fig. 14) comprises an inclined surface (bottom portion of conduit 20 Fig. 14) to provide filtering (paragraph [0059]).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person skilled in the art before the effectively filed date to modify the apparatus of Sodot to include “wherein the passageway comprises an inclined surface” in view of the teachings of a different embodiment of Sodot to provide filtering.
Regarding claim 19, Sodot teaches wherein the thermally conductive body is a metal body (paragraphs [0041] and [0057] where it is understood that heat-energy dispersion arrangement 16 Fig.12 which is a part of negative-heat-energy-accumulator 14 is made of a metallic material).
Regarding claim 20, Sodot teaches wherein the one volume of the phase change material is disposed in one or more cavities (Fig. 12 where a cavity would correspond to the space between two adjacent heat-energy dispersion arrangement 16) in the thermally conductive body (Fig. 12).
Claim 14 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Sodot in view of Jones (US20170234610A1).
Regarding claim 14, Sodot teaches the invention as described above but fails to explicitly teach “wherein the flowpath comprises an inclined surface between a proximal end and a distal end of the flowpath”.
However, Jones teaches wherein the flowpath (body 30 Fig. 3 which corresponds to the flowpath of Sodot) comprises an inclined surface (upper surface 40 Fig. 3) between a proximal end (leading edge 96 Fig. 3) and a distal end (trailing edge 100 Fig. 3) of the flowpath to control the cooling time of the beverage (paragraph [0028]).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person skilled in the art before the effectively filed date to modify the apparatus of Sodot to include “wherein the flowpath comprises an inclined surface between a proximal end and a distal end of the flowpath” in view of the teachings of Jones to control the cooling time of the beverage.
Claims 27-28 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Sodot in view of Godbole et al. (WO2015148346A1, herein after referred to as Godbole).
Regarding claims 27-28, Sodot teaches the invention as described above but fails to explicitly teach “wherein the one or more volumes of phase change material disposed in one or more cavities in the thermally conductive body are a plurality of volumes of phase change material disposed in a plurality of separate cavities in the thermally conductive body”.
However, Godbole teaches wherein one or more volumes of phase change material (disclosed “phase change material 200” in paragraph [0156] corresponds to the one or more volumes of phase change material of Sodot) disposed in one or more cavities (cavities 680 Fig. 19) in a thermally conductive body (phase change material heat exchanger 650 Fig. 19 corresponds to the thermally conductive body of Sodot) are a plurality of volumes of phase change material (paragraph [0156]) disposed in a plurality of separate cavities (paragraph [0156] and Fig. 19) in the thermally conductive body to improve the heat transfer process.
Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person skilled in the art before the effectively filed date to modify the apparatus of Sodot to include “wherein the one or more volumes of phase change material disposed in one or more cavities in the thermally conductive body are a plurality of volumes of phase change material disposed in a plurality of separate cavities in the thermally conductive body” in view of the teachings of Godbole to improve the heat transfer process.
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments filed on 12/23/2025 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive.
Regarding Applicant’s arguments on pages 6-8 that Sodot does not disclose “the thermally conductive body in direct thermal contact with a majority of the passageway/flowpath” as claimed in amended claims 1, 8, and 15, Examiner disagrees.
For clarity purposes, and as already stated above in the rejections of claims 1, 8, and 15, Sodot teaches a thermally conductive body (negative-heat-energy-accumulator 14 Fig. 12) in direct thermal contact with a majority of a passageway/flowpath (paragraph [0057] and Fig. 12 where the combination of conduit 20 and thermally-conductive block 102 corresponds to the passageway/flowpath).
Furthermore, Examiner disagrees with Applicant’s assertion that in Fig. 12 of Sodot “less than ½ of the length of conduit 20” is in direct thermal contact with negative heat energy accumulator 14. There is nothing in the disclosure of Sodot that substantiates such an assertion.
In the contrary, referring to paragraph [0057], Sodot explicitly teaches “a majority of a length of conduit 20 from inlet 22 to outlet 24 is integrated within a thermally-conductive block 102 which is thermally coupled to negative-heat-energy accumulator 14”.
Therefore, Applicant arguments are not persuasive and the rejections are maintained.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to SAMBA NMN GAYE whose telephone number is (571)272-8809. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Thursday 4:30AM to 2:30PM.
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/SAMBA NMN GAYE/Examiner, Art Unit 3763
/JERRY-DARYL FLETCHER/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 3763