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 .
Response to Amendment
The proposed amendments filed 03/24/2026 have been entered. Claims 1-20 are currently pending.
Drawings
The drawings were received on 03/24/2026. These drawings are acceptable.
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.
Claims 1, 2, and 4-11 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over US 2015/0082658 (Contarini hereinafter) in view of US 2023/0062358 (Kehl hereinafter) and further in view of WO 2019/001235 (LV hereinafter).
Regarding claim 1, Contarini teaches a laundry appliance that discloses a vertical, a lateral, and a transverse direction (Figure 1 shows a laundry cabinet 110), the laundry appliance comprising: a cabinet comprising a front panel (Cabinet 110 with front for door 115 in Figure 1), the front panel defining an opening (Opening for allowing clothes into 105), the front panel comprising a recessed portion (Figure 1 where the door shown being set into a recessed portion of the front panel); a door assembly mounted to the cabinet (Door 115 in Figure 1), the door assembly being rotatable between an open position and a closed portion (Inherent operation of a door in a laundry unit); a tub positioned within the cabinet (Figure 2, tub 205); a basket supported for rotation within the tub and accessible through the opening (Inherent basket for holding the clothes within the tub 205); a recirculating air flow system comprising a fan fluidly coupled to the tub (Figure 2, recirculation path 245); and a fan (Fan 250 in Figure 2).
Contarini is silent with respect to the door assembly defining an undercut, and wherein the recessed portion of the front panel and the undercut of the door assembly define a ventilation gap for venting from the vent tube, whereby air is urged through the ventilation gap by the fan of the recirculating air flow system while the door assembly is in the closed position.
However, Kehl teaches a door assembly mounted to the cabinet (Figure 2, door 106), a front panel with a recessed portion (Front panel 104 with recess at 123), and the door assembly defining an undercut (Undercut at 115 in Figure 2), and wherein the recessed portion of the front panel and the undercut of the door assembly define a ventilation gap for venting from the vent tube (Figure 3 shows the ventilation gap 122 per ¶ 25-26), whereby air is urged through the ventilation gap by the fan of the recirculating air flow system while the door assembly is in the closed position (¶ 25).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to modify the door of Contarini with the door venting of Kehl to allow for ventilation to occur when the door is closed and in a more compact position.
Contarini is silent with respect to a vent tube having a first end fluidly coupled to a pressure side of the fan; wherein a second end of the vent tube is in fluid communication with an external atmosphere.
However, LV teaches a laundry appliance that discloses a vent tube having a first end (Figures 1, 3, and 4 with vent tube 4 and first end at 42); wherein a second end of the vent tube is in fluid communication with an external atmosphere (Second end 41 in Figure 4). The resultant combination would be such that the first end of the vent would be fluidly coupled to a pressure side of the fan (The vent 4 of LV is placed on the door side of the laundry appliance would be on the door side of the appliance of Contarini at fan 250 and on a pressure side of the fan).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to modify the recirculation path of Contarini with the vent of LV to allow for the laundry chamber to be vented and prevent odor from forming.
Regarding claim 2, Contarini’s modified teachings are described above in claim 1 where the combination of Contarini, Kehl, and LV would further disclose that the second end of the vent tube is disposed in the recessed portion (Recessed portion for the door to mate with the cabinet front face as seen in Figures 1-4 of Kehl and Figures 1 and 4 of LV).
Regarding claim 4, Contarini’s modified teachings are described above in claim 2 where the combination of Contarini, Kehl, and LV would further disclose that wherein, in the closed position, the second end of the vent tube is covered by a portion of the door assembly (Kehl ¶ 26 and LV’s Gap from 41 through 61 in Figure 4 of LV per “Further, the first control switch 6 is disposed on the door body 5, and mainly includes a shutter 61 and a solenoid valve 62 connected to the shutter 61. Specifically, the shutter 61 is pivotally or slidably disposed in the door body 5, and the solenoid valve 62 can drive the shutter 61 to rotate or slide, so that the shutter 61 is in the closed position (the position of the shutter 61 in FIG. 4).
Regarding claim 5, Contarini’s modified teachings are described above in claim 4 where the combination of Contarini, Kehl, and LV would further disclose that the ventilation gap facilitates a flow of air from the vent tube into the external atmosphere away from the cabinet (LV teaches the airflow through 61 in the cited portion of LV in the rejection of claim 5 above).
Regarding claim 6, Contarini’s modified teachings are described above in claim 1 where the combination of Contarini, Kehl, and LV would further disclose the recirculating air flow system further comprises a heat exchanger having an evaporator and a condenser (Figure 2 of Contarini with evaporator 215 and condenser 220).
Regarding claim 7, Contarini’s modified teachings are described above in claim 6 where the combination of Contarini, Kehl, and LV would further disclose that the tub and the recirculating air flow system cooperate to provide an air flow path including the basket, the heat exchanger, the fan, and the basket (Evident from Figure 2 of Contarini along 245).
Regarding claim 8, Contarini’s modified teachings are described above in claim 6 where the combination of Contarini, Kehl, and LV would further disclose a flow of recirculating process air follows the air flow path through the evaporator, the condenser, the fan, and the basket (Evident form Figure 2 of LV).
Regarding claim 9, Contarini’s modified teachings are described above in claim 8 where the combination of Contarini, Kehl, and LV would further disclose that the evaporator extracts heat energy and moisture from the flow of recirculating process air (Inherent operation of the evaporator of Contarini), the condenser adds heat energy to the flow of recirculating process air, and the fan urges the flow of recirculating process air (Inherent of the condenser of Contarini).
Regarding claim 10, Contarini’s modified teachings are described above in claim 8 where the combination of Contarini, Kehl, and LV would further disclose a portion of the flow of recirculating process air flows through the vent tube to the external atmosphere (Vent 4 of LV as seen in Figure 4 of LV as modifying Contarini).
Regarding claim 11, Contarini’s modified teachings are described above in claim 1 where the combination of Contarini, Kehl, and LV would further disclose that the first end of the vent tube is fluidly coupled to the pressure side of the fan at a fan housing (The vent 4 of LV is placed on the door side of the laundry appliance would be on the door side of the appliance of Contarini at fan 250 and on a pressure side of the fan).
Claim 3 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over US 2015/0082658 (Contarini) in view of US 2023/0062358 (Kehl) in view of WO 2019/001235 (LV) and further in view of US 2012/0111066 (Hayashi hereinafter).
Regarding claim 3, Contarini’s modified teachings are described above in claim 2 but are silent with respect that the second end of the vent tube terminates in a diffuser.
However, Hayashi teaches a laundry appliance that discloses a diffuser on an ventilation outlet (Figure 2 with diffuser 83a and ¶ 96).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to modify the opening of the vent of LV as modifying Contarini with the diffuser of Hayashi to prevent debris from entering while diffusing the outlet airflow.
Claims 12-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over US 2015/0082658 (Contarini) in view of US 2021/0214880 (Masters hereinafter) in view of US 2023/0062358 (Kehl) and further in view of WO 2019/001235 (LV).
Regarding claim 12, Contarini teaches a laundry appliance that discloses a vertical, a lateral, and a transverse direction (Figure 1 shows a laundry cabinet 110), the laundry appliance comprising: a cabinet comprising a front panel (Cabinet 110 with front for door 115 in Figure 1), the front panel defining an opening (Opening for allowing clothes into 105), the front panel comprising a recessed portion (Figure 1 where the door shown being set into a recessed portion of the front panel) a door assembly mounted to the cabinet (Door 115), the door assembly being rotatable between an open position and a closed portion (Inherent operation of a door in a laundry unit); a tub positioned within the cabinet (Figure 2, tub 205); a basket supported for rotation within the tub and accessible through the opening (Inherent basket for holding the clothes within the tub 205); a recirculating air flow system comprising a fan fluidly coupled to the tub (Figure 2, recirculation path 245); and a fan (Fan 250 in Figure 2).
Contarini is silent with respect to the laundry appliance being a combination washer/dryer.
However, Masters teaches the interchangeability and applicability of a washer, dryer, and combination washer/dryer (¶ 23).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to modify the type of laundry appliance of Contarini with the combination washer/dryer to minimize the footprint required for a full laundry set-up.
Contarini is silent with respect to the door assembly defining an undercut, and wherein the recessed portion of the front panel and the undercut of the door assembly define a ventilation gap for venting from the vent tube, whereby air is urged through the ventilation gap by the fan of the recirculating air flow system while the door assembly is in the closed position.
However, Kehl teaches a door assembly mounted to the cabinet (Figure 2, door 106), a front panel with a recessed portion (Front panel 104 with recess at 123), and the door assembly defining an undercut (Undercut at 115 in Figure 2), and wherein the recessed portion of the front panel and the undercut of the door assembly define a ventilation gap for venting from the vent tube (Figure 3 shows the ventilation gap 122 per ¶ 25-26), whereby air is urged through the ventilation gap by the fan of the recirculating air flow system while the door assembly is in the closed position (¶ 25).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to modify the door of Contarini with the door venting of Kehl to allow for ventilation to occur when the door is closed and in a more compact position.
Contarini is silent with respect to a vent tube having a first end fluidly coupled to a pressure side of the fan; wherein a second end of the vent tube is in fluid communication with an external atmosphere.
However, LV teaches a laundry appliance that discloses a vent tube having a first end (Figures 1, 3, and 4 with vent tube 4 and first end at 42); wherein a second end of the vent tube is in fluid communication with an external atmosphere (Second end 41 in Figure 4). The resultant combination would be such that the first end of the vent would be fluidly coupled to a pressure side of the fan (The vent 4 of LV is placed on the door side of the laundry appliance would be on the door side of the appliance of Contarini at fan 250 and on a pressure side of the fan).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to modify the recirculation path of Contarini with the vent of LV to allow for the laundry chamber to be vented and prevent odor from forming.
Regarding claim 13, Contarini’s modified teachings are described above in claim 12 where the combination of Contarini, Masters, Kehl, and LV would further disclose that the second end of the vent tube is disposed in the recessed portion (Recessed portion for the door to mate with the cabinet front face as seen in Figures 1-4 of Kehl and Figures 1 and 4 of LV).
Regarding claim 14, Contarini’s modified teachings are described above in claim 12 where the combination of Contarini, Masters, Kehl, and LV would further disclose that wherein, in the closed position, the second end of the vent tube is covered by a portion of the door assembly (Kehl ¶ 26 and LV’s Gap from 41 through 61 in Figure 4 of LV per “Further, the first control switch 6 is disposed on the door body 5, and mainly includes a shutter 61 and a solenoid valve 62 connected to the shutter 61. Specifically, the shutter 61 is pivotally or slidably disposed in the door body 5, and the solenoid valve 62 can drive the shutter 61 to rotate or slide, so that the shutter 61 is in the closed position (the position of the shutter 61 in FIG. 4)
Regarding claim 15, Contarini’s modified teachings are described above in claim 14 where the combination of Contarini, Masters, Kehl, and LV would further disclose that the ventilation gap facilitates a flow of air from the vent tube into the external atmosphere away from the cabinet (LV teaches the airflow through 61 in the cited portion of LV in the rejection of claim 14 above).
Regarding claim 16, Contarini’s modified teachings are described above in claim 12 where the combination of Contarini, Masters, Kehl, and LV would further disclose the recirculating air flow system further comprises a heat exchanger having an evaporator and a condenser (Figure 2 of Contarini with evaporator 215 and condenser 220).
Regarding claim 17, Contarini’s modified teachings are described above in claim 16 where the combination of Contarini, Masters, Kehl, and LV would further disclose that the tub and the recirculating air flow system cooperate to provide an air flow path including the basket, the heat exchanger, the fan, and the basket (Evident from Figure 2 of Contarini along 245).
Regarding claim 18, Contarini’s modified teachings are described above in claim 16 where the combination of Contarini, Masters, Kehl, and LV would further disclose a flow of recirculating process air follows the air flow path through the evaporator, the condenser, the fan, and the basket (Evident form Figure 2 of LV); and the evaporator extracts heat energy and moisture from the flow of recirculating process air (Inherent operation of the evaporator of Contarini), the condenser adds heat energy to the flow of recirculating process air, and the fan urges the flow of recirculating process air (Inherent of the condenser of Contarini).
Regarding claim 19, Contarini’s modified teachings are described above in claim 18 where the combination of Contarini, Masters, Kehl, and LV would further disclose a portion of the flow of recirculating process air flows through the vent tube to the external atmosphere (Vent 4 of LV as seen in Figure 4 of LV as modifying Contarini).
Regarding claim 20, Contarini’s modified teachings are described above in claim 12 where the combination of Contarini, Masters, Kehl, and LV would further disclose that the first end of the vent tube is fluidly coupled to the pressure side of the fan at a fan housing (The vent 4 of LV is placed on the door side of the laundry appliance would be on the door side of the appliance of Contarini at fan 250 and on a pressure side of the fan).
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments with respect to claims 1-20 have been considered but are moot because the new ground of rejection does not rely on any combination of references applied in the prior rejection of record for any teaching or matter specifically challenged in the argument.
Conclusion
Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a).
A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the mailing date of this final action.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to CONNOR J. TREMARCHE whose telephone number is (571)272-2175. The examiner can normally be reached Monday - Thursday 0700-1700 Eastern.
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, MICHAEL HOANG can be reached at (571) 272-6460. 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.
/CONNOR J TREMARCHE/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3762
Prosecution Insights