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 .
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)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claims 1, 3-5, 7, 9 and 10 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by EP 3885264 A1 (hereinafter “BURD”).
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Regarding Claims 1, 3-5, 7, 9 and 10, BURD discloses a galley insert for an aircraft galley, the galley insert comprising: heating equipment (see 104, see also: “The galley compartment 104 houses heat-producing appliances of the galley, including but not limited to ovens, refrigerators, and beverage makers.”); and an exhaust arrangement configured to pass an exhaust air stream out of the galley insert, wherein the exhaust arrangement comprises: one or more temperature-dependent actors (see cylinder 204 and heat expanding material 208 disposed in the cylinder) that provide a rotational force (see the Abstract: “The system includes an actuating assembly (200). The actuating assembly includes a cylinder (204), a heat-expanding material (208) disposed in the cylinder, and a piston disposed in the cylinder, wherein the heat-expanding material is configured to actuate the piston when the heat-expanding material is heated.”; and see further the disclosure beginning at para. [0043]: “The mechanism of articulation of the louver blades 236 may be any mechanism known in the art. For example, the louver blades 236 may be configured to rotate relative to the louver frame 232 along a rotational axis (e.g., along the long axis, as in a venetian blind) when the bracket 224 is articulated. In this manner, the rotation of the louver blades 236 may seal the opening 112 shut when the louver blades 236 are arranged in a single plane (e.g., the flat side of each louver blade 236 contacting or nearly contacting the flat end of another louver blade 236). The louver blades 236 may reopen through another rotation of the blades (e.g., a rotation that allows the flat side of the louver blades 236 to assume a position perpendicular to the face of the plenum chamber 108 and/or surface of the galley compartment 104). Similarly, in some embodiments, the louver blades 236 are configured to pivot relative to the louver frame 232 upon the articulation of the connecting rod 220,”); a plurality of deflection lamellas (236) configured to adjust a direction of the exhaust air stream (i.e., the degree to which the deflection lamellas 236 rotate will adjust a direction of the exhaust air stream), wherein one or more of the deflection lamellas are angularly adjusted by the rotational force provided by the temperature dependent actors (see again cylinder 204 and heat expanding material 208 disposed in the cylinder), wherein the rotation force is created on the basis of a temperature of the exhaust air stream (see the rotation mechanism 200 for the deflection lamellas 236; see the Abstract: “The system includes an actuating assembly (200). The actuating assembly includes a cylinder (204), a heat-expanding material (208) disposed in the cylinder, and a piston disposed in the cylinder, wherein the heat-expanding material is configured to actuate the piston when the heat-expanding material is heated.”; and also see the disclosure beginning at para. [0043]: “The mechanism of articulation of the louver blades 236 may be any mechanism known in the art. For example, the louver blades 236 may be configured to rotate relative to the louver frame 232 along a rotational axis (e.g., along the long axis, as in a venetian blind) when the bracket 224 is articulated. In this manner, the rotation of the louver blades 236 may seal the opening 112 shut when the louver blades 236 are arranged in a single plane (e.g., the flat side of each louver blade 236 contacting or nearly contacting the flat end of another louver blade 236). The louver blades 236 may reopen through another rotation of the blades (e.g., a rotation that allows the flat side of the louver blades 236 to assume a position perpendicular to the face of the plenum chamber 108 and/or surface of the galley compartment 104). Similarly, in some embodiments, the louver blades 236 are configured to pivot relative to the louver frame 232 upon the articulation of the connecting rod 220,”); further comprising one or more adjustment rods (220) configured to engage with one or more groups of the plurality of deflection lamellas (236); wherein the one or more adjustment rods (220) are configured to engage with the one or more temperature-dependent actors (200) via one or more mechanical couplings (see 224, 228); wherein the one or more mechanical couplings are one of: a rotatable connection; a rigid connection; a geared coupling; and a rack-and-pinion arrangement (see the disclosure: “In some embodiments, the louver-style valve assembly 124 includes a connecting rod 220 and a bracket 224. The connecting rod is coupled to the piston 212 on one end, and the bracket 224 on the other end. For example, expansion of the heat-expanding material 208 through the addition of heat pushes the piston 212 towards the opening within the cylinder 204. The connecting rod 220 is articulated along with the piston, which then articulates the bracket 224. The movement of the connecting rod may be any range of movement needed to adjust the constriction of the opening. For example, the movement may be up to one centimeter. In another example, the movement may be up to 5 centimeters.
In some embodiments, the louver-style valve assembly 124 includes a louver assembly 228. The louver assembly 228 includes a louver frame 232 and one or more louver blades 236. The louver frame 232 provides a housing for the louver blades 236 and provides the mechanism for the coordinated movement of the louver blades 236. The louver frame also provides an attachment point for the bracket 224. The louver blades 236 are disposed at or near the one or more openings 112. Adjustment of the louver blades (e.g., through movement of the bracket articulated through the action of the articulation assembly) adjust the airflow through the opening.
The mechanism of articulation of the louver blades 236 may be any mechanism known in the art. For example, the louver blades 236 may be configured to rotate relative to the louver frame 232 along a rotational axis (e.g., along the long axis, as in a venetian blind) when the bracket 224 is articulated.”); wherein the one or more temperature-dependent actors (200) are configured to provide a continuous adjustment depending on the temperature (see the disclosure: “In some embodiments, the actuating assembly 200 includes a piston 212. The piston 212 is a disk closely fitting within the cylinder 204 in which the piston moves up or down within the cylinder 204, depending on the expansion of the heat-expanding material 208 (e.g., the piston traps the heat-expanding material within the cylinder 204.)” and “In some embodiments, the actuating assembly includes a return spring 214 disposed between the piston and a side wall of the cylinder 204 (not shown in FIG. 2). The return spring 214 provides a countering force to the heat-expanding material 208, pushing the piston to a default position when the heat-expanding material 208 has cooled.”); wherein the insert is one of: a convection oven; a microwave oven; a steam oven; a bun warmer; a plate warmer; a coffee maker; a beverage maker (see the disclosure: “Many commercial passenger transport vehicles have galleys and/or galley monuments that have multiple food preparation appliances installed. Many of these food preparation appliances produce large amounts of heat, including appliances such as ovens, refrigerators, and beverage makers.”); a water boiler; a water heater; a rice cooker; a coffee warmer; and a hot jug; a method of heating a food or beverage in a galley of an aircraft, the method comprising: using a galley insert according to claim 1 to heat the food or beverage (see again 104, also see again: “The galley compartment 104 houses heat-producing appliances of the galley, including but not limited to ovens, refrigerators, and beverage makers.”).
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.
Claims 2 and 6 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over BURD in view of US 4715532 A (hereinafter “SARAZEN”).
Regarding Claim 2, BURD does not disclose wherein the one or more temperature dependent actors includes one or more bimetallic coils.
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SARAZEN teaches an automatic temperature responsive ventilator comprising a plurality of deflection lamellas wherein the one or more temperature dependent actors includes one or more bimetallic coils (see Col. 4, Lns. 29-32: “As embodied herein and shown for example in FIG. 4, the temperature responsive drive means comprises a thermally responsive coil spring 40. Preferably, coil spring 40 is a bimetallic spring.”).
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to modify BURD wherein the one or more temperature dependent actors includes one or more bimetallic coils as taught and/or suggested by SARAZEN, since BURD states that “The mechanism of articulation of the louver blades 236 may be any mechanism known in the art.” And furthermore, since both references teach temperature dependent actors used for articulating a plurality of lamellas, it would have been obvious to one skilled in the art to substitute one temperature dependent actor for the other to achieve the predictable result of articulating a plurality of lamellas based on an airflow temperature.
Regarding Claim 6, BURD does not explicitly disclose wherein at least one of the deflection lamellas is individually coupled with one of the one or more temperature-dependent actors.
SARAZEN teaches an automatic temperature responsive ventilator comprising wherein at least one of the deflection lamellas (31a) is individually coupled with one of the one or more temperature-dependent actors (40).
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to modify BURD wherein at least one of the deflection lamellas is individually coupled with one of the one or more temperature-dependent actors as taught and/or suggested by SARAZEN, since BURD states that “The mechanism of articulation of the louver blades 236 may be any mechanism known in the art.” And furthermore, since both references teach arrangements for deflecting lamellas via one or more temperature-dependent actors, it would have been obvious to one skilled in the art to substitute one lamella deflection arrangement for the other to achieve the predictable result of articulating a plurality of lamellas based on an airflow temperature.
Claim 8 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over BURD in view of EP 3550213 A1 (hereinafter “CASTILLO”).
Regarding Claim 8, BURD does not disclose wherein the exhaust stream is generated using an exhaust fan arrangement arranged within a housing of the galley insert.
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CASTILLO teaches a galley insert (200) wherein the exhaust stream is generated using an exhaust fan arrangement (see the disclosure: “In some embodiments, the oven 202 may further include an exhaust vent 212 that releases heat from a controller compartment within the oven 202. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the exhaust vent 212 can be located near a controller compartment that includes a controller 300 for the oven 202. In some embodiments, the oven 202 further includes a fan or other blower that is configured to direct warm air out of the controller compartment through the exhaust vent 212. For example, the controller 300 may be cooled by blowing warm air from around the controller 300 out of the controller compartment through the exhaust vent 212.”) arranged within a housing (202) of the galley insert (200).
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to modify BURD wherein the exhaust stream is generated using an exhaust fan arrangement arranged within a housing of the galley insert as taught and/or suggested by CASTILLO, since such a modification would provide a forced flow of exhaust air to said exhaust arrangement thus ensuring quicker actuation of said exhaust arrangement when compared to a passive convective flow which is dependent on a temperature differential which would thus result in a more delayed response from said exhaust arrangement; furthermore, such a modification would simultaneously provide a cooling airflow to an insert controller as taught by CASTILLO.
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments filed on June 10th, 2026 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive.
Applicant argues that BURD discloses a unidirectional liner motion used to move the louvers and that, in contrast, independent Claim 1 of the instant application requires that the temperature-dependent actors provide rotational forces thus making Claim 1 novel relative to BURD.
The Examiner respectfully disagrees. BURD’s unidirectional liner motion provides a rotational force to rotate the louvers/lamellas (236) because for the louvers/lamellas (236) to rotate, a rotational force must be applied. As discussed in the rejection(s) above, BURD discloses one or more temperature-dependent actors (see cylinder 204 and heat expanding material 208 disposed in the cylinder) that provide a rotational force (see the Abstract: “The system includes an actuating assembly (200). The actuating assembly includes a cylinder (204), a heat-expanding material (208) disposed in the cylinder, and a piston disposed in the cylinder, wherein the heat-expanding material is configured to actuate the piston when the heat-expanding material is heated.”; and see further the disclosure beginning at para. [0043]: “The mechanism of articulation of the louver blades 236 may be any mechanism known in the art. For example, the louver blades 236 may be configured to rotate relative to the louver frame 232 along a rotational axis (e.g., along the long axis, as in a venetian blind) when the bracket 224 is articulated. In this manner, the rotation of the louver blades 236 may seal the opening 112 shut when the louver blades 236 are arranged in a single plane (e.g., the flat side of each louver blade 236 contacting or nearly contacting the flat end of another louver blade 236). The louver blades 236 may reopen through another rotation of the blades (e.g., a rotation that allows the flat side of the louver blades 236 to assume a position perpendicular to the face of the plenum chamber 108 and/or surface of the galley compartment 104). Similarly, in some embodiments, the louver blades 236 are configured to pivot relative to the louver frame 232 upon the articulation of the connecting rod 220,” Therefore, amended Claim 1 is not novel over BURD.
Applicant’s argument that it would not be obvious to modify BURD to arrive at the system of amended Claim 1 is superfluous since the rejection of Claim 1 is based on anticipation rather than obviousness. Notwithstanding, BURD discloses at para. [0043] that: “The mechanism of articulation of the louver blades 236 may be any mechanism known in the art. For example, the louver blades 236 may be configured to rotate relative to the louver frame 232 along a rotational axis (e.g., along the long axis, as in a venetian blind) when the bracket 224 is articulated. (the bolding, italics and underlining immediately above is mine, provided simply to emphasize a point). BURD discloses that the mechanism used to rotate louvers/lamellas (236) may be any mechanism known in the art and that the explicitly disclosed mechanism is simply exemplary of known mechanisms. Furthermore, SARAZEN (discussed above) teaches rotating temperature-dependent actors (40) wherein said temperature-dependent rotation provides a rotational force to rotate louvers/lamellas (31a). Therefore, arguendo, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to modify BURD wherein the one or more temperature dependent actors includes one or more bimetallic coils; wherein at least one of the deflection lamellas is individually coupled with one of the one or more temperature-dependent actors as taught and/or suggested by SARAZEN, since BURD states that “The mechanism of articulation of the louver blades 236 may be any mechanism known in the art.” And furthermore, since both references teach temperature dependent actors used for articulating a plurality of lamellas, it would have been obvious to one skilled in the art to substitute one temperature dependent actor for the other to achieve the predictable result of articulating a plurality of lamellas based on an airflow temperature.
Conclusion
THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. 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 extension fee 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 JORGE A PEREIRO whose telephone number is (571)270-3932 and whose fax number is (571) 270-4932. The examiner can normally be reached on M-F 9:00 - 5:00 EST.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Helena Kosanovic can be reached at (571) 272-9059. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/JORGE A PEREIRO/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3799
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