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 .
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.
Election/Restrictions
Applicant's election with traverse of Group I, claims 1-12, in the reply filed on 03/27/26 is acknowledged. The traversal is on the ground(s) that it would not be a serious burden to examine both sets of claims. This is not found persuasive because the species require a different field of search (for example, searching different classes/subclasses or electronic resources or employing different search queries.
The requirement is still deemed proper and is therefore made FINAL.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
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.
Claim(s) 1-5 and 7-11 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Guyette et al (US 20220144458; hereinafter Guyette).
As regarding claim 1, Guyette discloses the claimed invention for a universal commode system (UCS) ([0058], figs. 1-6), comprising: an air/liquid separator (174); a urine line (162) connected to the air/liquid separator; a fan (166); a cabin air return line (fig. 6; no number; [0059]) connected to the air/liquid separator and to the fan; a commode line connected to the cabin air return line (fig. 6); a first motor (M01) coupled to the air/liquid separator and configured to drive an operation of the air/liquid separator; and a second motor (M02) independent of the first motor, coupled to the fan and configured to drive an operation of the fan (fig. 6 and [0058]).
As regarding claim 2, Guyette discloses all of limitations as set forth above. Guyette discloses the claimed invention for a urine funnel (162) attached to a distal end of the urine line.
As regarding claim 3, Guyette discloses all of limitations as set forth above. Guyette discloses the claimed invention for a commode (160) attached to a distal end of the commode line.
As regarding claim 4, Guyette discloses all of limitations as set forth above. Guyette discloses the claimed invention for an odor bacteria filter (OBF) (176) disposed on the cabin air return line downstream from the fan.
As regarding claim 5, Guyette discloses all of limitations as set forth above. Guyette discloses the claimed invention for wherein the air/liquid separator comprises a drain (fig. 6; no number) and the UCS further comprises: a valve (178) coupled to the drain; and a temporary urine storage tank (180) coupled to the valve.
Claims 7-11 are likewise rejected with similar reasons as stated in claims 1-5 above.
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.
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.
Claim(s) 6 and 12 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Guyette et al (US 20220144458; hereinafter Guyette) in view of Stapleton et al (US 20130318701; hereinafter Stapleton), PAYRA SYAMANTAK et al ("Artemis Removable-Canister Waste Accumulation System & Handler (ARC-WASH): A Portable Modular Space Lavatory"; hereinafter Payra), or Birbara (US 5894608).
As regarding claim 6, Guyette discloses all of limitations as set forth above. Guyette discloses the claimed invention for wherein the air/liquid separator comprises a drain and the UCS further comprises: a valve coupled to the drain; an external temporary urine storage tank coupled to the valve (fig. 6; [0058]-[0059]).
Guyette does not disclose a capping assembly interposed between the valve and the external temporary urine storage tank.
Stapleton (or Payra, Birbara) teaches a capping assembly (Stapleton -[0018] – quick disconnects 54, 56; Payra – fig. 7; Birbara – figs. 7-8) interposed between the valve and the external temporary urine storage tank. Both Guyette and Stapleton are directed to urine storage system for spacecraft. It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the filing date of the invention was made to provide a capping assembly interposed between the valve and the external temporary urine storage tank as taught by Stapleton (or Payra, Birbara) in order to enhance system performance.
Claim 12 is likewise rejected with similar reasons as stated in claim 6 above.
Conclusion
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/DUNG H BUI/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1773
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