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 Arguments
Applicant’s arguments, see pages 5-6, filed March 2, 2026, with respect to the rejection(s) of claim(s) 1-8 under 35 U.S.C. 102 have been fully considered and are persuasive. Therefore, the rejection has been withdrawn. However, upon further consideration, a new ground(s) of rejection is made in view of Chae (US 2020/0325620).
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) 1-9 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Zattin (US 2018/0073177), and in further view of Chae (US 2020/0325620).
Regarding claim 1, Zattin figures 1-5 teach a laundry machine comprising:
a user interface (10 control panel) configured to receive a user input of a user selected preprogrammed laundry treatment cycle; [0155]
a processor (16 control unit) configured to receive user provided product identity data for multiple laundry treatment products (the user can select the type of detergent introduced).[0172]
Figure 2b teaches an automatic determination of the detergent's type by the machine 1 via suitable sensor(s) 20 in phase 24. In dependency of such determination, the method of the invention selects and adjusts the further rinsing cycle. It is checked in phase 25 whether the detergent is of a first type, e.g. it is a powder detergent thereby suggesting said processor operates a specific preprogrammed laundry treatment cycle when a predetermined set of said product identity data is received.[0199-200]
Figure 3a teaches in phase 24 the method of the invention includes a determination of the detergent's type by the user's input, e.g. the user selects the type of detergent introduced. Figure 3a further teaches depending on the type of detergent, the invention selects and adjusts the further rinsing cycle thereby reading on said processor operates said user selected preprogrammed laundry treatment cycle in absence of receiving said predetermined set of said product identity data.[0199-200]
Zattin is silent to the predetermined set of said product identity data is received the processor utilizes memory to determine if the product identity data matches a unique predetermined set of product identity data in the memory and the processor determines a specific preprogrammed laundry treatment cycle corresponding to the unique predetermined set of product identity data.
Chae is directed towards a washing machine having a detergent supply device which supplies a liquid additive to the tub. Chae teaches a control method of the washing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a step S10 of detecting the conductivity of the additive contained in the plurality of cartridges 200 from the electrode sensor 300, a step S40 of comparing the detected conductivity value with data on the type of the additive previously stored in the memory 4, a step S50 of determining the type of additive contained in each of the plurality of cartridges 200, a step S110 of receiving a washing course through the input unit 5, a step S130 of selecting a preset additive according to the input washing course by the controller 3 after the step of receiving a washing course (S110) and the step (S50) of determining the type of additive, and a step S150, S160, S170 of extracting the selected additive by the pump 500.[0233-256]
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the present invention to provide a product identity step as taught in Chae to automatically input appropriate additives according to a washing course.[0012]
Regarding claim 2, Zattin teaches a control panel 10 apt to be used by a user to set parameters of washing programs (e.g. temperature, number of rinsing cycles, speed of spinning, etc.) and/or to select a washing program from a given list, through suitable push buttons 11 or knobs 12 thereby reading on said user interface is selected from the group of a touch screen on board said laundry machine, a mobile device in wireless communication with said laundry machine, a mechanical switch on board said laundry machine, and an electronic switch on board said laundry machine.[0155]
Regarding claim 3, Zattin teaches a conductivity sensor is utilized to determine whether or not the detergent is a powder thereby suggesting said product identity data comprises shapes of said multiple laundry treatment products.[0172-175]
Regarding claim 4, figures 2a-4 teach varying washing operations depending on the detergent type thereby reading on said processor is configured to select amongst multiple specific preprogrammed laundry treatment cycles that differ from one another and are each uniquely associated with one unique predetermined set of said product identity data.
Regarding claim 5, figures 2a-4 teach said multiple specific preprogrammed laundry treatment cycles each comprise a wash sub-cycle (26, 26a) and a rinse sub-cycle (28,28a, 35, 35a). Zattin teaches the wash cycle in case of a liquid or gel detergent and the wash cycle in case of a powder detergent for the same selected program by the user can be different one from the other thereby reading on said wash sub-cycles differ from one another.[0201] Zattin also teaches more than one detergent can be introduced inside either the detergent drawer or the detergent storage. For example, a detergent for the pre-wash phase can be supplied, a second detergent for the main wash and a softener can be added as well.[0048]
Regarding claim 6, Zattin teaches key parameters involved in main wash are: temperature, amount of water, mechanical action, detergent type/amount and duration. In order to provide best results in washing performances vs. water amount and energy consumption, one or more of these parameters are generally optimized thereby suggesting said wash sub-cycles differ from one another in a manner selected from the group of wash water temperature, wash water volume, wash liquor concentration, timing of application of said laundry treatment products, applied mechanical energy, cycle duration, and combinations thereof.[0006]
Regarding claim 7, figures 2a- 4 teaches said multiple specific preprogrammed laundry treatment cycles each comprise a wash sub-cycle (26, 26a) and a rinse sub-cycle (29, 29a, 35, 35a), wherein said rinse sub-cycles differ from one another. Zattin further teaches the rinsing cycle is modified according to the type of detergent used.[0201]
Regarding claim 8, Zattin teaches the type of detergent may influence the proper length to be set of the rinsing cycle, but also other characteristics of the laundry, for example whether a heavy load has been introduced, so that more water and more rinsing time have also to be used, or the type of washing program which has been selected by the user. Indeed, washing programs like cotton at high temperature are used for particularly dirty clothes which may need extra rinsing. On the contrary, a delicate program may require less water thereby suggesting said rinse sub-cycles differ from one another in a manner selected from the group of wash water temperature, wash water volume, wash liquor concentration, timing of application of said laundry treatment products, applied mechanical energy, cycle duration, and combinations thereof.[0136]
Regarding claim 9, Zattin teaches using conductivity for determining detergent type. Zattin further teaches differences on conductivity and turbidity signals between liquid and powder detergents are due to their composition. At first, powder detergents contain great amounts of fillers, builders and alkali: zeolites are one of main components which do increase turbidity; on the other hand, zeolites aren't part of liquid detergents' composition. Carbonates, sulphates and silicates are responsible for high conductivity in powder thereby suggesting said product identity data is associated with presence of a laundry active ingredient selected from the group of surfactant, softening active, bleach, acid, perfume, a tracer, and combinations thereof.[0194-195]
Claim(s) 10-20 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Zattin (US 2018/0073177) and Chae (US 2020/0325620, as applied to claim 1, and in further view of Ko (US 2020/0240066).
Regarding claim 10, Zattin in view of Chae is silent to said processor is configured to disseminate a user stimulus when a predetermined set of said product identity data is received.
Ko is directed towards a washing machine with a touch screen for outputting a graphical object corresponding to a washing-related function which can be performed by the washing tub.[Abstract] Ko teaches in figure 7A notification information 702 indicating a shortage of a remaining laundry detergent accommodated in the storage container of the detergent supplying unit 210. The notification information 702 disappears when a touch is applied to an icon ‘OK’ requesting confirmation of the user or when a feedback voice (e.g., ‘OK’) is recognized if a voice recognition function is in an activated state.[0163-164]
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the present invention to provide the feature of user confirming a detergent shortage as taught in Ko to ensure the articles to be washed are properly cleaned.
Regarding claim 11, Zattin figures 1-5 teach a process for laundering articles.
Zattin teaches in figure 3a phase 24 the user inputs the type of detergent thereby reading on inputting user provided product identity data.
Zattin is silent to forming a user set of multiple laundry treatment products into a processor.
Ko is directed towards a washing machine wherein memory 195 may further store setting information (e.g., detergent type, input quantity, a number of inputs, etc.) related to automatic input (introduction) of laundry detergent, and the setting information may be updated when the setting information is changed based on a user input.[0121]
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the present invention to provide a memory storing detergent types to accurately supply detergent to the washing machine.[0122]
Zattin teaches the use of powder detergent requires further rinsing steps compared to the number of rinsing steps performed when a liquid or gel detergent is detected therefore one having ordinary skill in the art would find comparing said user set to a predetermined set of multiple laundry treatment products to determine if said user set matches a predetermined set to be an obvious choice in the event the user selected the wrong detergent type.[0098]
Modified Zattin in view of Ko suggests upon detecting that said user set matches said predetermined set, laundering said articles according to a specific preprogrammed laundry treatment cycle associated with said predetermined set shown in figures Zattin 2a-4.
Zattin figures 2a and 3a teach in absence of detecting that said user set matches said predetermined set, laundering said articles according to a user selected preprogrammed laundry treatment cycle.
Regarding claim 12, Zattin teaches a control panel 10 apt to be used by a user to set parameters of washing programs (e.g. temperature, number of rinsing cycles, speed of spinning, etc.) and/or to select a washing program from a given list, through suitable push buttons 11 or knobs 12 thereby reading on said user provided product identity data is input using a user interface selected from the group of a touch screen on board said laundry machine, a mobile device in wireless communication with said laundry machine, a mechanical switch on board said laundry machine, and an electronic switch on board said laundry machine.[0155]
Regarding claim 13, Zattin teaches a conductivity sensor is utilized to determine whether or not the detergent is a powder thereby suggesting said product identity data comprises shapes of said multiple laundry treatment products.[0172-175]
Regarding claim 14, figures 2a-4 teach varying washing operations depending on the detergent type thereby reading on said processor is configured to select amongst multiple specific preprogrammed laundry treatment cycles that differ from one another and are each uniquely associated with one unique predetermined set of said multiple laundry treatment products.
Regarding claim 15, figures 2a-4 teach said multiple specific preprogrammed laundry treatment cycles each comprise a wash sub-cycle (26, 26a) and a rinse sub-cycle (28,28a, 35, 35a). Zattin teaches the wash cycle in case of a liquid or gel detergent and the wash cycle in case of a powder detergent for the same selected program by the user can be different one from the other thereby reading on said wash sub-cycles differ from one another.[0201] Zattin also teaches more than one detergent can be introduced inside either the detergent drawer or the detergent storage. For example, a detergent for the pre-wash phase can be supplied, a second detergent for the main wash and a softener can be added as well.[0048]
Regarding claim 16, Zattin teaches key parameters involved in main wash are: temperature, amount of water, mechanical action, detergent type/amount and duration. In order to provide best results in washing performances vs. water amount and energy consumption, one or more of these parameters are generally optimized thereby suggesting said wash sub-cycles differ from one another in a manner selected from the group of wash water temperature, wash water volume, wash liquor concentration, timing of application of said laundry treatment products, applied mechanical energy, cycle duration, and combinations thereof.[0006]
Regarding claim 17, figures 2a- 4 teaches said multiple specific preprogrammed laundry treatment cycles each comprise a wash sub-cycle (26, 26a) and a rinse sub-cycle (29, 29a, 35, 35a), wherein said rinse sub-cycles differ from one another. Zattin further teaches the rinsing cycle is modified according to the type of detergent used.[0201]
Regarding claim 18, Zattin teaches the type of detergent may influence the proper length to be set of the rinsing cycle, but also other characteristics of the laundry, for example whether a heavy load has been introduced, so that more water and more rinsing time have also to be used, or the type of washing program which has been selected by the user. Indeed, washing programs like cotton at high temperature are used for particularly dirty clothes which may need extra rinsing. On the contrary, a delicate program may require less water thereby suggesting said rinse sub-cycles differ from one another in a manner selected from the group of wash water temperature, wash water volume, wash liquor concentration, timing of application of said laundry treatment products, applied mechanical energy, cycle duration, and combinations thereof.[0136]
Regarding claim 19, Zattin teaches using conductivity for determining detergent type. Zattin further teaches differences on conductivity and turbidity signals between liquid and powder detergents are due to their composition. At first, powder detergents contain great amounts of fillers, builders and alkali: zeolites are one of main components which do increase turbidity; on the other hand, zeolites aren't part of liquid detergents' composition. Carbonates, sulphates and silicates are responsible for high conductivity in powder thereby suggesting said product identity data is associated with presence of a laundry active ingredient selected from the group of surfactant, softening active, bleach, acid, perfume, a tracer, and combinations thereof.[0194-195]
Regarding claim 20, Ko teaches in figure 7A notification information 702 indicating a shortage of a remaining laundry detergent accommodated in the storage container of the detergent supplying unit 210. The notification information 702 disappears when a touch is applied to an icon ‘OK’ requesting confirmation of the user or when a feedback voice (e.g., ‘OK’) is recognized if a voice recognition function is in an activated state thereby suggesting upon detecting that said user set matches said predetermined set, disseminating a user stimulus.[0163-164]
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 CRISTI J TATE-SIMS whose telephone number is (571)272-1722. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 9am-6pm.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Michael Barr can be reached at 571-272-1414. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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CRISTI J. TATE-SIMS
Primary Examiner
Art Unit 1711
/CRISTI J TATE-SIMS/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1711
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