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 § 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.
Claim(s) 1-4 and 7-9 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Boecker et al. (US – 2015/0300683 A1) and further in view of KR – 200437096 Y1 (Examiner disclosed English machined translation for rejection reference) and Dodge et al. (US – 2021/0180739 A1).
As per claim 1, Boecker discloses Method and System To Reduce Damage Cause By Vibration comprising:
a damper (242, 243, Fig: 2A) attached to a refrigerant pipe of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system at a first location (A vibration-damping device 242 is configured to engage the refrigerant line 215 between the vibration control device 241 and the compressor 210. The vibration-damping device 242 may generally be configured to absorb or damp the vibration/displacement of the refrigerant line 215. In the illustrated embodiment, the vibration-damping device 242 may include a damping member 243 and a holding device 244 (e.g., a clamp, etc.). The holding device 244 generally can help keep the damping member 243 on the refrigerant line 215, [0033], Fig: 2A).
Boecker discloses all the structural elements of the claimed invention but fails to explicitly disclose the damper comprising:
a first annular structure comprising an elastic material, wherein the refrigerant pipe extends through the first annular structure; and
a clamp configured to secure the first annular structure at the first location of the refrigerant pipe, wherein the clamp comprises:
a metallic material; and
one or more tightening mechanisms configured to secure the clamp at the first location of the refrigerant pipe.
KR – 200437096 discloses Apparatus for Insulate Cooling Pipe comprising:
the damper comprising:
a first annular structure (10, left, Fig: 1-2) comprising an elastic material (semicircular urethane shoe 10 is mounted to the outside of the pipe (1), TECH-SOLUTION, paragraph: 3), wherein the refrigerant pipe extends through the first annular structure (Fig: 1-2); and
a clamp (21, Fig: 1-2) configured to secure the first annular structure at the first location of the refrigerant pipe (Fig: 1-2), wherein the clamp comprises:
one or more tightening mechanisms (24, Fig: 1-2) configured to secure the clamp at the first location of the refrigerant pipe (Fig: 1-2).
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date to modify the Method and System To Reduce Damage Cause By Vibration of the Boecker to make the damper in which a first annular structure comprising an elastic material, wherein the refrigerant pipe extends through the first annular structure; and a clamp configured to secure the first annular structure at the first location of the refrigerant pipe, wherein the clamp comprises and one or more tightening mechanisms configured to secure the clamp at the first location of the refrigerant pipe as taught by KR – 200437 in order to provide a heat insulating device of the refrigeration pipe fixing unit that can prevent the condensation is prevented from occurring in the assembly between the pipe and the clamp.
Further, Boecker and KR – 200437096 both disclose clamp but silent about clamp made of a metallic material.
Dodge discloses Pipe Insulation Coupling With Sealing Mechanism comprising:
clamp made of a metallic material (the pipe insulation coupling to be supplemented with a failsafe such as a metal clamp, [0005], Fig: 1).
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date to modify the Method and System To Reduce Damage Cause By Vibration of the Boecker as modified by KR – 200437096 to make the clamp with metal as taught by Dodge in order to provide the coupling systems with locking feet do not allow the pipe insulation coupling to be supplemented with a failsafe such as a metal clamp.
As per claim 2, Boecker discloses wherein:
the refrigerant pipe has a first vibration amplitude at the first location for a first natural frequency (A compressor of an HVAC system may produce vibration during operation. The vibration of the compressor may be transmitted to refrigerant lines in the HVAC system, which can cause vibration and/or displacement of one or more of the refrigerant lines, [0014], Fig: 2A); and
the damper has a mass, a spring constant, and a damping constant such that the damper reduces the first vibration amplitude of the refrigerant pipe during operation or transportation (The vibration control device can help isolate the vibration, thereby reducing or preventing the vibration from passing the vibration control device along the refrigerant line. The system may also include a vibration-damping device to damp or absorb the vibration of the refrigerant line. A position of the vibration control device can provide a reference point for a location of the vibration-damping, [0016], Fig: 2A).
As per claim 3, KR – 200437096 further discloses wherein the clamp further comprises:
a first half-shell structure (21, left, Fig: 2); and
a second half-shell structure (21, right, Fig: 2) attached to the first half-shell structure using a first tightening mechanism and a second tightening mechanism (24, both ends, Fig: 1-2), wherein:
the first annular structure (10, left, Fig: 1-2) is interposed between the first half-shell structure and the second half-shell structure (Fig: 1-2); and
the first annular structure is interposed between the first tightening mechanism and the second tightening mechanism (Fig: 1-2).
As per claim 4, KR – 200437096 further discloses wherein each of the first half-shell structure and the second half-shell structure (21, left and right, Fig: 2) has a substantially uniform thickness (Fig: 1-2).
As per claim 7, KR – 200437096 further discloses wherein the elastic material comprises nitrile rubber (both sides of the urethane shoe 10 is also semi-circular to fit inside the rubber band, TECH-SOLUTION, paragraph: 7).
As per claim 8, Boecker discloses Method and System To Reduce Damage Cause By Vibration comprising:
a damper (242, 243, Fig: 2A) attached to a refrigerant pipe of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system at a first location (A vibration-damping device 242 is configured to engage the refrigerant line 215 between the vibration control device 241 and the compressor 210. The vibration-damping device 242 may generally be configured to absorb or damp the vibration/displacement of the refrigerant line 215. In the illustrated embodiment, the vibration-damping device 242 may include a damping member 243 and a holding device 244 (e.g., a clamp, etc.). The holding device 244 generally can help keep the damping member 243 on the refrigerant line 215, [0033], Fig: 2A).
Boecker discloses all the structural elements of the claimed invention but fails to explicitly disclose the damper comprising:
a first annular structure comprising:
an elastic material having:
a hole therein, wherein the refrigerant pipe extends through the hole; and
a cut extending from an inner sidewall of the elastic material to an outer sidewall of the elastic material wherein the refrigerant pipe extends through the first annular structure; and
a clamp configured to secure the first annular structure at the first location of the refrigerant pipe, wherein the clamp comprises:
one or more tightening mechanisms configured to secure the clamp at the first location of the refrigerant pipe.
KR – 200437096 discloses Apparatus for Insulate Cooling Pipe comprising:
the damper comprising:
a first annular structure (10, left, Fig: 1-2) comprising:
an elastic material (semicircular urethane shoe 10 is mounted to the outside of the pipe (1), TECH-SOLUTION, paragraph: 3), having:
a hole therein (Fig: 1-2), wherein the refrigerant pipe (1, Fig: 1) extends through the hole (Fig: 1); and
a cut extending from an inner sidewall of the elastic material to an outer sidewall of the elastic material (Attached figure and Fig: 1-2); and
a clamp (21, Fig: 1-2) configured to secure the first annular structure at the first location of the refrigerant pipe (Fig: 1-2), wherein the clamp comprises:
a metallic material; and
one or more tightening mechanisms (24, Fig: 1-2) configured to secure the clamp at the first location of the refrigerant pipe (Fig: 1-2).
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date to modify the Method and System To Reduce Damage Cause By Vibration of the Boecker to make the damper in which a first annular structure comprising: an elastic material having: a hole therein, wherein the refrigerant pipe extends through the hole; and a cut extending from an inner sidewall of the elastic material to an outer sidewall of the elastic material wherein the refrigerant pipe extends through the first annular structure; and a clamp configured to secure the first annular structure at the first location of the refrigerant pipe, wherein the clamp comprises: one or more tightening mechanisms configured to secure the clamp at the first location of the refrigerant pipe as taught by KR – 200437 in order to provide a heat insulating device of the refrigeration pipe fixing unit that can prevent the condensation is prevented from occurring in the assembly between the pipe and the clamp.
Further, Boecker and KR – 200437096 both disclose clamp but silent about clamp made of a metallic material.
Dodge discloses Pipe Insulation Coupling With Sealing Mechanism comprising:
clamp made of a metallic material (the pipe insulation coupling to be supplemented with a failsafe such as a metal clamp, [0005], Fig: 1).
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date to modify the Method and System To Reduce Damage Cause By Vibration of the Boecker as modified by KR – 200437096 to make the clamp with metal as taught by Dodge in order to provide the coupling systems with locking feet do not allow the pipe insulation coupling to be supplemented with a failsafe such as a metal clamp.
As per claim 9, KR – 200437096 further discloses the damper has a mass, a spring constant, and a damping constant such that the damper reduces the first vibration amplitude of the refrigerant pipe during operation or transportation (The vibration control device can help isolate the vibration, thereby reducing or preventing the vibration from passing the vibration control device along the refrigerant line. The system may also include a vibration-damping device to damp or absorb the vibration of the refrigerant line. A position of the vibration control device can provide a reference point for a location of the vibration-damping, [0016], Fig: 2A).
Claim(s) 5 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Boecker et al. (US – 2015/0300683 A1) as modified by KR – 200437096 Y1 (Examiner disclosed English machined translation for rejection reference) and Dodge et al. (US – 2021/0180739 A1) as applied to claims 1 and 3 above, and further in view of A. N. Wells (US – 3,172,502).
As per claim 5, Boecker as modified by KR – 200437096 and Dodge discloses all the structural elements of the claimed invention but fails to explicitly disclose wherein each of the first half-shell structure and the second half-shell structure has a non-uniform thickness.
Wells discloses Vibration damper comprising:
wherein each of the first half-shell structure (first upper portion 34, Fig: 4) and the second half-shell structure (second lower or clamping portion 36) has a non-uniform thickness (34 and 36 are different thickness, Fig: 4).
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date to modify the Method and System To Reduce Damage Cause By Vibration of the Boecker as modified by KR – 200437096 and Dodge to make the clamp in which each of the first half-shell structure and the second half-shell structure has a non-uniform thickness as taught y Wells in order to a simple and effective apparatus which can be quickly and easily attached in operative position about a conduit.
Claim(s) 6 and 14 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Boecker et al. (US – 2015/0300683 A1) as modified by KR – 200437096 Y1 (Examiner disclosed English machined translation for rejection reference) and Dodge et al. (US – 2021/0180739 A1) as applied to claims 1 and 8 above, and further in view of Guido et al. (US – 2015/0204474 A1).
As per claims 6 and 14, Boecker as modified by KR – 200437096 and Dodge discloses all the structural elements of the claimed invention but fails to explicitly disclose an adhesive layer between the first annular structure and the refrigerant pipe.
Guido discloses After The Mass-Spring Principle Operating Vibration Absorber comprising:
an adhesive layer between the first annular structure and the refrigerant pipe (he vibration dampers are mounted non-rotatably on the injection line pipe in question, which can be effected for example by being glued on. For that purpose a suitable layer of adhesive is provided between the inside surface of the respective hollow cylinder 2 and the outside of the injection line pipe (not shown), [0060], Fig: 1).
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date to modify the Method and System To Reduce Damage Cause By Vibration of the Boecker as modified by KR – 200437096 and Dodge to use the adhesive layer between the first annular structure and the refrigerant pipe as taught by Guido in order to prevent the pipe from slipping and prevent vibration.
Claim(s) 10 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Boecker et al. (US – 2015/0300683 A1) as modified by KR – 200437096 Y1 (Examiner disclosed English machined translation for rejection reference) and Dodge et al. (US – 2021/0180739 A1) as applied to claim 8 above, and further in view of Manfredotti (US – 2011/0308905 A1).
As per claim 10, Boecker as modified by KR – 200437096 and Dodge discloses all the structural elements of the claimed invention but fails to explicitly disclose
a first plate; and
a second plate attached to the first plate using a first tightening mechanism and
a second tightening mechanism, wherein:
the first annular structure is interposed between the first plate and the second plate; and
the first annular structure is interposed between a first tightening mechanism and a second tightening mechanism.
Manfredotti discloses Device For Damping The Vibration Of A Structure comprising:
a first plate (61’, Fig: 3); and
a second plate (61”, Fig: 3) attached to the first plate using a first tightening mechanism (Attached figure and Fig: 3) and
a second tightening mechanism (Attached figure and Fig: 3), wherein:
the first annular structure (30, Fig: 3) is interposed between the first plate (61’) and the second plate (61”, Fig: 3); and
the first annular structure (30) is interposed between a first tightening mechanism and a second tightening mechanism (Attached figure and Fig: 3).
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date to modify the Method and System To Reduce Damage Cause By Vibration of the Boecker as modified by KR – 200437096 and Dodge to make the first plate; and the second plate attached to the first plate using a first tightening mechanism and the second tightening mechanism, wherein: the first annular structure is interposed between the first plate and the second plate; and the first annular structure is interposed between a first tightening mechanism and the second tightening mechanism as taught by Manfredotti in order to optimize the efficiency of the absorber, it is appropriate to adjust the resonant frequency of the absorber so that said resonant frequency is equal to the frequency of the vibration of the structure that is to be damped.
PNG
media_image1.png
532
502
media_image1.png
Greyscale
Claim(s) 11 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Boecker et al. (US – 2015/0300683 A1) as modified by KR – 200437096 Y1 (Examiner disclosed English machined translation for rejection reference) and Dodge et al. (US – 2021/0180739 A1) as applied to claim 8 above, and further in view of E. W. Waters (US – 2,994,499).
As per claim 11, Boecker as modified by KR – 200437096 and Dodge discloses all the structural elements of the claimed invention but fails to explicitly disclose wherein the clamp further comprises a second annular structure surrounding the first annular structure, wherein:
the second annular structure is secured to the first annular structure using a first tightening mechanism;
the second annular structure has a second cut extending from an inner sidewall of the second annular structure to an outer sidewall of the second annular structure; and
the first tightening mechanism provides the clamp with a desired mass.
Waters discloses Conduit Clamp comprising:
wherein the clamp (10, Fig: 1-2) further comprises a second annular structure surrounding the first annular structure, wherein:
the second annular structure (12, Fig: 1-2) is secured to the first annular structure (26, Fig: 1-2, 4) using a first tightening mechanism (16, Fig: 1-2);
the second annular structure (26) has a second cut (30, Fig: 3) extending from an inner sidewall of the second annular structure to an outer sidewall of the second annular structure (Fig: 3); and
the first tightening mechanism (16, Fig: 1-2) provides the clamp with a desired mass (Fig: 1-3).
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date to modify the Method and System To Reduce Damage Cause By Vibration of the Boecker as modified by KR – 200437096 and Dodge to make the clamp in which a second annular structure surrounding the first annular structure, wherein: the second annular structure is secured to the first annular structure using a first tightening mechanism; the second annular structure has a second cut extending from an inner sidewall of the second annular structure to an outer sidewall of the second annular structure; and the first tightening mechanism provides the clamp with a desired mass as taught by Waters in order to provide an improved shock-resistant conduit clamp adapted to absorb vibration and dissipate heat.
Claim(s) 12 and 13 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Boecker et al. (US – 2015/0300683 A1) as modified by KR – 200437096 Y1 (Examiner disclosed English machined translation for rejection reference) and Dodge et al. (US – 2021/0180739 A1) as applied to claim 8 above, and further in view of LEE et al. (US – 2022/0412423 A1).
As per claim 12, Boecker as modified by KR – 200437096 and Dodge discloses all the structural elements of the claimed invention but fails to explicitly disclose wherein the clamp further comprises:
a first half-shell structure; and
a second half-shell structure attached to the first half-shell structure using a hinge, wherein:
a first tightening mechanism secures the first half-shell structure and the second half-shell structure around the first annular structure; and
the refrigerant pipe is interposed between the hinge and the first tightening mechanism.
LEE discloses Mass Damper For Vehicle Air Conditioning System comprising:
the clamp (120, Fig: 2-10) further comprises:
a first half-shell structure (123, Fig: 2-10); and
a second half-shell structure 126, Fig: 2-10) attached to the first half-shell structure using a hinge (129, Fig: 2-10), wherein:
a first tightening mechanism (124, Fig: 2-10) secures the first half-shell structure and the second half-shell structure around the first annular structure (Fig: 9-0); and
the refrigerant pipe is interposed between the hinge and the first tightening mechanism (Various embodiments of the present disclosure relates to a mass damper which is mounted on a refrigerant pipe for the flow of refrigerant in a vehicle air conditioner system to reduce vibration and noise generated in the refrigerant pipe, [0054], Fig: 2-10).
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date to modify the Method and System To Reduce Damage Cause By Vibration of the Boecker as modified by KR – 200437096 and Dodge to make the clamp in which a first half-shell structure; and a second half-shell structure attached to the first half-shell structure using a hinge, wherein: a first tightening mechanism secures the first half-shell structure and the second half-shell structure around the first annular structure; and the refrigerant pipe is interposed between the hinge and the first tightening mechanism as taught by LEE in order to reduce vibrations generated in the refrigerant pipe and noise.
As per claim 13, LEE further disclose wherein the first annular structure has a shape of a cylindrical shell (123, Fig: 9).
Claim(s) 15-18 and 20 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Boecker et al. (US – 2015/0300683 A1) and further in view of KR – 200437096 Y1 (Examiner disclosed English machined translation for rejection reference) and F. H. Rice (US – 2,466,912).
As per claim 15, Boecker discloses Method and System To Reduce Damage Cause By Vibration comprising:
a damper (242, 243, Fig: 2A) attached to a refrigerant pipe of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system at a first location (A vibration-damping device 242 is configured to engage the refrigerant line 215 between the vibration control device 241 and the compressor 210. The vibration-damping device 242 may generally be configured to absorb or damp the vibration/displacement of the refrigerant line 215. In the illustrated embodiment, the vibration-damping device 242 may include a damping member 243 and a holding device 244 (e.g., a clamp, etc.). The holding device 244 generally can help keep the damping member 243 on the refrigerant line 215, [0033], Fig: 2A).
Boecker discloses all the structural elements of the claimed invention but fails to explicitly disclose the damper comprising:
an annular elastic structure, wherein the refrigerant pipe extends through the annular clastic structure; and an annular metallic structure embedded in the annular elastic structure.
KR – 200437096 discloses Apparatus for Insulate Cooling Pipe comprising:
an annular elastic structure (10, Fig: 1-2), wherein the refrigerant pipe (1, Fig: 1-2) extends through the annular clastic structure (Figures 2 and 3 shows a state in which the heat insulating device of the refrigeration pipe fixing unit according to the present invention is installed, TECH-SOLUTION, paragraph 2 Fig: 2-3).
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date to modify the Method and System To Reduce Damage Cause By Vibration of the Boecker to make the annular elastic structure, wherein the refrigerant pipe extends through the annular clastic structure as taught by KR – 200437096 in order to provide a heat insulating device of the refrigeration pipe fixing unit that can prevent the condensation is prevented from occurring in the assembly between the pipe and the clamp.
Further, Boecker and KR – 200437096 also fail to disclose an annular metallic structure embedded in the annular elastic structure.
Rice discloses Wire Or Conduit Clip comprising:
an annular metallic structure (6, Fig: 1-4) embedded in the annular elastic structure (18, a cushion strip 18 of rubber or the like having rebent flanges 18 to hold it on the loop and provided with tubular cushioning ribs 20 as seats for the wires or conduit, Col: 3, Ln: 9-13, Fig: 1-4).
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date to modify the Method and System To Reduce Damage Cause By Vibration of the Boecker as modified by KR – 200437096 to make the an annular metallic structure embedded in the annular elastic structure as taught by Rice in order to provide quickly and easily applied to and removed from wires or conduits before or after being fastened to a support .
As per claim 16, Rice further discloses one or more metallic pins (6, Fig: 1-4) embedded in the annular elastic structure (Fig: 1-4).
As per claim 17, Rice further disclose wherein the one or more metallic pins (6, Fig: 1-4) have a shape of a cylinder (Fig: 1-4).
As per claim 18, Rice further disclose wherein the annular elastic structure (18, Fig: 3-4) has a cut extending from an inner sidewall of the annular elastic structure to an outer sidewall of the annular elastic structure (Fig: 3-4).
As per claim 20, Boecker discloses the damper has a mass, a spring constant, and a damping constant such that the damper reduces the first vibration amplitude of the refrigerant pipe during operation or transportation (The vibration control device can help isolate the vibration, thereby reducing or preventing the vibration from passing the vibration control device along the refrigerant line. The system may also include a vibration-damping device to damp or absorb the vibration of the refrigerant line. A position of the vibration control device can provide a reference point for a location of the vibration-damping, [0016], Fig: 2A).
Claim(s) 19 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Boecker et al. (US – 2015/0300683 A1) as modified by KR – 200437096 Y1 (Examiner disclosed English machined translation for rejection reference) and F. H. Rice (US – 2,466,912) as applied to claims 15 above, and further in view of Guido et al. (US – 2015/0204474 A1).
As per claim 19, Boecker as modified by KR – 200437096 and Dodge discloses all the structural elements of the claimed invention but fails to explicitly disclose an adhesive layer between the annular elastic structure and the refrigerant pipe
Guido discloses After The Mass-Spring Principle Operating Vibration Absorber comprising:
an adhesive layer between the annular elastic structure and the refrigerant pipe (he vibration dampers are mounted non-rotatably on the injection line pipe in question, which can be effected for example by being glued on. For that purpose a suitable layer of adhesive is provided between the inside surface of the respective hollow cylinder 2 and the outside of the injection line pipe (not shown), [0060], Fig: 1).
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date to modify the Method and System To Reduce Damage Cause By Vibration of the Boecker as modified by KR – 200437096 and Rice to use an adhesive layer between the annular elastic structure and the refrigerant pipe as taught by Guido in order to prevent the pipe from slipping and prevent vibration.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
A: Runge et al. (US – 5,971,859),
B: House (US – 4,962,826),
C: E. B. Cushenberry (US – 2,936,982),
D: GAO et al. (US – 2023/0243522 A1),
E: Smith et al. (US – 2020/0256416 A1),
F: SAMPSON (US – 2014/0299722 A1),
G: KIM et al. (US – 2013/0112518 A1), and
H: Sohn Jae Yang (KR – 2022-0125403 A).
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to SAN M AUNG whose telephone number is (571)270-5792. The examiner can normally be reached 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM.
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, Robert Siconolfi can be reached at 571-272-7124. 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.
/SAN M AUNG/Examiner, Art Unit 3616
/Robert A. Siconolfi/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 3616
Prosecution Insights