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 .
Status of Claims
Currently claims 1-18, claim 10 is amended, and claims 11-18 are new.
Claim Interpretation
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(f):
(f) Element in Claim for a Combination. – An element in a claim for a combination may be expressed as a means or step for performing a specified function without the recital of structure, material, or acts in support thereof, and such claim shall be construed to cover the corresponding structure, material, or acts described in the specification and equivalents thereof.
The following is a quotation of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph:
An element in a claim for a combination may be expressed as a means or step for performing a specified function without the recital of structure, material, or acts in support thereof, and such claim shall be construed to cover the corresponding structure, material, or acts described in the specification and equivalents thereof.
The claims in this application are given their broadest reasonable interpretation using the plain meaning of the claim language in light of the specification as it would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. The broadest reasonable interpretation of a claim element (also commonly referred to as a claim limitation) is limited by the description in the specification when 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, is invoked.
As explained in MPEP § 2181, subsection I, claim limitations that meet the following three-prong test will be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph:
(A) the claim limitation uses the term “means” or “step” or a term used as a substitute for “means” that is a generic placeholder (also called a nonce term or a non-structural term having no specific structural meaning) for performing the claimed function;
(B) the term “means” or “step” or the generic placeholder is modified by functional language, typically, but not always linked by the transition word “for” (e.g., “means for”) or another linking word or phrase, such as “configured to” or “so that”; and
(C) the term “means” or “step” or the generic placeholder is not modified by sufficient structure, material, or acts for performing the claimed function.
Use of the word “means” (or “step”) in a claim with functional language creates a rebuttable presumption that the claim limitation is to be treated in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph. The presumption that the claim limitation is interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, is rebutted when the claim limitation recites sufficient structure, material, or acts to entirely perform the recited function.
Absence of the word “means” (or “step”) in a claim creates a rebuttable presumption that the claim limitation is not to be treated in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph. The presumption that the claim limitation is not interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, is rebutted when the claim limitation recites function without reciting sufficient structure, material or acts to entirely perform the recited function.
Claim limitations in this application that use the word “means” (or “step”) are being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, except as otherwise indicated in an Office action. Conversely, claim limitations in this application that do not use the word “means” (or “step”) are not being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, except as otherwise indicated in an Office action.
This application includes one or more claim limitations that do not use the word “means,” but are nonetheless being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, because the claim limitation(s) uses a generic placeholder that is coupled with functional language without reciting sufficient structure to perform the recited function and the generic placeholder is not preceded by a structural modifier. Such claim limitation(s) is/are:
Transmission assembly in claim 1.
Driving assembly in claim 1.
Because this/these claim limitation(s) is/are being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, it/they is/are being interpreted to cover the corresponding structure described in the specification as performing the claimed function, and equivalents thereof.
If applicant does not intend to have this/these limitation(s) interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, applicant may: (1) amend the claim limitation(s) to avoid it/them being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph (e.g., by reciting sufficient structure to perform the claimed function); or (2) present a sufficient showing that the claim limitation(s) recite(s) sufficient structure to perform the claimed function so as to avoid it/them being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph.
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.
Claim(s) 1-6 and 8-9 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over ZHANG (CN 109819955B) in view of LI (CN115213032A).
With respect to claim 1, Zhang discloses an atomizer for aerial spraying (abstract), comprising a rotary cage atomizer (figure 1, having inner nozzle 11 rotating cage 12), a deflection mechanical arm (spray rod being mounted to 21, figure 1, page 8 paragraph);
wherein the rotary cage atomizer comprises a primary atomizing valve core (11), a secondary atomizing rotary cage (12), a brushless motor (dive motor of drive unit 1, being brushless, see last paragraph of page 7 of the attached translation), a first adapter (upper part of 19 below 1), and a paddle (4); the primary atomizing valve core (9) is arranged in the secondary atomizing rotary cage (as shown I figure 1), the paddle comprises a blade mounting base (base having 2 and 3) and a plurality of blades (see figure 1, there being multiple paddles/blades 4); the blade mounting base comprises a liquid pipeline (7), a side wall arranged on a periphery of the liquid pipeline (sidewall of 7), and a bottom wall for connecting the liquid pipeline and the side wall (as shown the bottom wall beneath 1, where the pipeline 7 protrudes down through, where the sidewall being that about 3 and2, has a bottom wall between the sidewall and the inner sidewall of 7); the side wall is movably covered with the first adapter (via the bolts 15, which if removed released the side wall that is attached to the first adapter (upper part of 19), and the first adapter is opposite to the bottom wall (as shown in figure 1); the first adapter is provided with a liquid inlet in communication with the liquid pipeline (being the liquid inlet about 17), the brushless motor sleeves the liquid pipeline (as shown in figure 1, where the brushless motor is shown sleeved about 7), and the plurality of blades are arranged on a periphery of the side wall in a circumferential direction of the side wall (as shown in figure 1); the secondary atomizing rotary cage is connected to the bottom wall (as shown in figure 1, connected via the sidewall), the first adapter is connected to the deflection mechanical arm (as shown in figure 1). Zhang fails to disclose a transmission assembly and a driving assembly, and the deflection mechanical arm is connected to the driving assembly via the transmission assembly.
LI discloses, a deflection arm (figures 1 and 5, having the gears shown at 4-12, 4-13, and 4-14, being the arm between 4-9-1 and ending at 4-18) shown in figure 1 attached to a nozzle assembly at its end), a transmission assembly (transmission rod 4-10 and that of the bionic trunk transmission shown in figure 2), and a driving assembly (having linear motors 4-2). Where the motors transmit rotation to the gears which rotate and move the nozzle itself (abstract). LI discloses, page 4 paragraph 5, that utilizing such remote and robot control allows for a flexible spraying and improved efficiency of spraying work.
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to utilize the deflection arm, transmission assembly, and driving assembly of LI into the system of Zhang, allowing for improved flexible spraying and spraying efficiency. Further noting that LI is an automated robotic spraying system, which would further automate a spraying system of Zhang to utilize sensors and a controllable deflection arm to move around and spray the desired work areas.
With respect to claim 2, Zhang as modified discloses the secondary atomizing rotary cage comprises a rotary cage body (being the body of the cage shown in figure 1) and a first connecting portion (where 12 connects to the body about spacer 6), an opening of the rotary cage body is covered with the first connecting portion (being covered by the spacer 6 at its bottom), and the first connecting portion is provided with a first via hole (the hole in the spacer that 7/11 extend through); the primary atomizing valve core comprises a valve core body (the body about valve 9) and a second connecting portion (where the valve body connects within 7); an opening of the valve core body is covered with the second connecting portion (as its connected at the bottom portion to 7), and the second connecting portion is provided with a second via hole (allowing the fluid from 7 to flow through the valve to the nozzle 11); the first connecting portion is provided with a first side and a second side opposite to each other (top and bottom side of spacer 6), the second connecting portion is arranged on the first side (as shown in figure 1), the bottom wall is arranged on the second side (as shown in figure 1), and the first via hole, the second via hole, the liquid pipeline and the liquid inlet are in communication with one another in sequence (as shown in figure 1, as fluid flows through the first hole, within the housing, then through the second hold within the fluid tube heading to valve 9).
With respect to claim 3, Zhang as modified discloses a projection area of the bottom wall (being the projection of the spacer 5 about the bottom wall) on the first connecting portion is less than an area of the first connecting portion (being that of the spacer about the bottom (as the interior spacer 6 is larger than that of 5).
With respect to claim 4, Zhang as modified discloses the deflection mechanical arm comprises a plurality of pairs of spherical gear assemblies arranged in sequence (LI, figure 5, 4-12, 4-13, and 4-14).
With respect to claim 5, Zhan as modified discloses a case that the deflection mechanical arm comprises three pairs of spherical gear assemblies (as shown in figures 4 and 5 of LI), the deflection mechanical arm further comprises a primary holder (holder between 4-19), a secondary holder (4-20), a tertiary holder (4-21), and a bottom hood (the hood abou4 4-9); the primary holder is connected to the bottom hood (as shown in figure 4, where 19 extends from the bottom hood, being the cylinder beneath it), the bottom hood is connected to a convex spherical gear in a first pair of spherical gear assembly (as shown in figure 5), the primary holder is connected to a concave spherical gear in a second pair of spherical gear assembly (as 4-19 attaches with that of 4-15), the secondary holder is connected to a concave spherical gear in the first pair of spherical gear assembly (as shown in figure 4) and a concave spherical gear in a third pair of spherical gear assembly (as shown in figure 4, where 4-20 connects the bottom of 4-14’s holder), and the tertiary holder is connected to a convex spherical gear in the third pair of spherical gear assembly (as shown in figure 4) and the concave spherical gear in the second pair of spherical gear assembly (as shown In figure 4).
With respect to claim 6, Zhang as modified discloses the first adapter comprises a cover body (being the end of 19 that covers the above elements), a first vertical portion extending to a circumferential side of the cover body (being the vertical portion of 19 adjacent the cover body), an inclined portion bent from the first vertical portion (the inclined portion of 19 shown in figure 1), and a second vertical portion extending from the inclined portion (being the vertical portion at the right of 19); the side wall is movably covered with the cover body (as shown in the above rejection of claim 1, by the removal of the bolts), the cover body is provided with the liquid inlet (as shown in figure 1), and the second vertical portion is connected to the convex spherical gear in the third pair of spherical gear assembly (as shown in the combination, where instead of the rod inserted to the vertical portion the arm of LI is, and thus the third pair of the gears and its housing is affixed to the nozzle arm of the noted vertical portion).
With respect to claim 8, Zhang discloses the driving assembly comprises a driving motor (motor 4-2 of Li; the rejection of this claim will be directed to the elements shown in LI), and a driving motor mounting base (Li, figure 2, the base 4-2 is shown mounted on as well as the base at the end where 4-4 then extends from); the transmission assembly comprises a worm wheel (the worm wheels shown at 4-11, being the screw 4-3 within the screw sleeve which becomes meshed together within that of 4-4 to 4-5), a first worm (a first worm of 4/3 and 11), a second worm (the noted second, as there is shown two), and a third adapter (the connecting piece within the middle sleeve 4-8); the driving motor is arranged on the driving motor mounting base (as shown in figure 2), the worm wheel is arranged on an output shaft of the driving motor (as shown in figure 2), the first worm and the second worm are meshed with the worm wheel (as they are both meshed within that of 4-5), the first worm penetrates through the driving motor mounting base and is movably connected to a periphery of the bottom hood (as shown in figures 2-3, where the first worm penetrates through the driving motor, and the rotation of it is movably connected to that of the bottom hood shown above it in figure 2 to impart motion); the second worm penetrates through the driving motor mounting base and is movably connected to the periphery of the bottom hood (as shown in figures 2-3, where the second worm penetrates through the driving motor, and the rotation of it is movably connected to that of the bottom hood shown above it in figure 2 to impart motion); the first worm and the second worm are arranged in parallel (as shown in figure 2); one end of the third adapter is movably connected to the convex spherical gear in the first pair of spherical gear assembly (as shown in figure 2, where the third adapter is what adapts the rotation of the two elements of 4-3 into the rotation going to the gear), and another end of the third adapter is movably connected to the driving motor mounting base (as shown in figures 2-3).
With respect to claim 9, Zhang as modified discloses the driving assembly further comprises a second sleeve (the sleeve of 4-5) and a second bottom plate (bottom plate that 4-5 is mounted to, shown in figure 2); the second sleeve is arranged on a periphery of the driving motor mounting base (as shown about its periphery in figure 2) via the second bottom plate (as shown in figure 2), each of the first worm and the second worm penetrates through the driving motor mounting base and the second bottom plate in sequence (as shown in figure 3, where they each penetrate through the second bottom plate in sequence (being parallel) both the bae at the one side and the second bottom plate in the other side), and the other end of the third adapter is movably connected to the second sleeve (as the second sleeve is sleeved about and connected with the third adapter, see figures 2 and 3).
Claim(s) 10-15 and 17-18 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Zhang and Li as applied to claim 1 above, and further in view of Grim (U.S. 2018/0319500).
With respect to claim 10, Zhang as modified discloses the atomizer for aerial spraying according to any one of claims claim 1, but fails to disclose comprising: acquiring an ambient wind speed and a wind direction; in a case that the ambient wind speed is greater than a preset wind speed, adjusting an orientation of the rotary cage atomizer by a deflection mechanical arm, making each blade perpendicular to the wind direction; and in a case that the ambient wind speed is less than the preset wind speed, adjusting the orientation of the rotary cage atomizer by the deflection mechanical arm, enabling each blade parallel to the wind direction, and increasing a rotation speed of the brushless motor. Zhang does disclose making each blade perpendicular with respect to its body (page 7 paragraphs 5-9) and adjusting the orientation of the blades as well as control of the motor itself with the blades to improve the utilization rate of the wind energy.
Grim, paragraph 0074, discloses receiving data such as wind speed and wind direction as well as making adjustments based on that data to generate the desired spray.
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date to utilize the teachings of Grim into that of Zhang, allowing the wind speed and wind direction to be used to make adjustments to the system, such as to improve the desired spray. Furthermore, adjusting the angles of the wings is already being done to utilize wind energy in Zhang, further information such as the speed and direction of the wind would be obvious to incorporate to improve the utilization rate of wind energy already happening in Zhang by utilizing the movement of their system (and thus deflection arm) as well as changing the angle of the blades already being done in Zhang.
With respect to claim 11, Zhang as modified discloses the secondary atomizing rotary cage comprises a rotary cage body (being the body of the cage shown in figure 1) and a first connecting portion (where 12 connects to the body about spacer 6), an opening of the rotary cage body is covered with the first connecting portion (being covered by the spacer 6 at its bottom), and the first connecting portion is provided with a first via hole (the hole in the spacer that 7/11 extend through); the primary atomizing valve core comprises a valve core body (the body about valve 9) and a second connecting portion (where the valve body connects within 7); an opening of the valve core body is covered with the second connecting portion (as its connected at the bottom portion to 7), and the second connecting portion is provided with a second via hole (allowing the fluid from 7 to flow through the valve to the nozzle 11); the first connecting portion is provided with a first side and a second side opposite to each other (top and bottom side of spacer 6), the second connecting portion is arranged on the first side (as shown in figure 1), the bottom wall is arranged on the second side (as shown in figure 1), and the first via hole, the second via hole, the liquid pipeline and the liquid inlet are in communication with one another in sequence (as shown in figure 1, as fluid flows through the first hole, within the housing, then through the second hold within the fluid tube heading to valve 9).
With respect to claim 12, Zhang as modified discloses a projection area of the bottom wall (being the projection of the spacer 5 about the bottom wall) on the first connecting portion is less than an area of the first connecting portion (being that of the spacer about the bottom (as the interior spacer 6 is larger than that of 5).
With respect to claim 13, Zhang as modified discloses the deflection mechanical arm comprises a plurality of pairs of spherical gear assemblies arranged in sequence (LI, figure 5, 4-12, 4-13, and 4-14).
With respect to claim 14, Zhan as modified discloses a case that the deflection mechanical arm comprises three pairs of spherical gear assemblies (as shown in figures 4 and 5 of LI), the deflection mechanical arm further comprises a primary holder (holder between 4-19), a secondary holder (4-20), a tertiary holder (4-21), and a bottom hood (the hood abou4 4-9); the primary holder is connected to the bottom hood (as shown in figure 4, where 19 extends from the bottom hood, being the cylinder beneath it), the bottom hood is connected to a convex spherical gear in a first pair of spherical gear assembly (as shown in figure 5), the primary holder is connected to a concave spherical gear in a second pair of spherical gear assembly (as 4-19 attaches with that of 4-15), the secondary holder is connected to a concave spherical gear in the first pair of spherical gear assembly (as shown in figure 4) and a concave spherical gear in a third pair of spherical gear assembly (as shown in figure 4, where 4-20 connects the bottom of 4-14’s holder), and the tertiary holder is connected to a convex spherical gear in the third pair of spherical gear assembly (as shown in figure 4) and the concave spherical gear in the second pair of spherical gear assembly (as shown In figure 4).
With respect to claim 15, Zhang as modified discloses the first adapter comprises a cover body (being the end of 19 that covers the above elements), a first vertical portion extending to a circumferential side of the cover body (being the vertical portion of 19 adjacent the cover body), an inclined portion bent from the first vertical portion (the inclined portion of 19 shown in figure 1), and a second vertical portion extending from the inclined portion (being the vertical portion at the right of 19); the side wall is movably covered with the cover body (as shown in the above rejection of claim 1, by the removal of the bolts), the cover body is provided with the liquid inlet (as shown in figure 1), and the second vertical portion is connected to the convex spherical gear in the third pair of spherical gear assembly (as shown in the combination, where instead of the rod inserted to the vertical portion the arm of LI is, and thus the third pair of the gears and its housing is affixed to the nozzle arm of the noted vertical portion).
With respect to claim 17, Zhang discloses the driving assembly comprises a driving motor (motor 4-2 of Li; the rejection of this claim will be directed to the elements shown in LI), and a driving motor mounting base (Li, figure 2, the base 4-2 is shown mounted on as well as the base at the end where 4-4 then extends from); the transmission assembly comprises a worm wheel (the worm wheels shown at 4-11, being the screw 4-3 within the screw sleeve which becomes meshed together within that of 4-4 to 4-5), a first worm (a first worm of 4/3 and 11), a second worm (the noted second, as there is shown two), and a third adapter (the connecting piece within the middle sleeve 4-8); the driving motor is arranged on the driving motor mounting base (as shown in figure 2), the worm wheel is arranged on an output shaft of the driving motor (as shown in figure 2), the first worm and the second worm are meshed with the worm wheel (as they are both meshed within that of 4-5), the first worm penetrates through the driving motor mounting base and is movably connected to a periphery of the bottom hood (as shown in figures 2-3, where the first worm penetrates through the driving motor, and the rotation of it is movably connected to that of the bottom hood shown above it in figure 2 to impart motion); the second worm penetrates through the driving motor mounting base and is movably connected to the periphery of the bottom hood (as shown in figures 2-3, where the second worm penetrates through the driving motor, and the rotation of it is movably connected to that of the bottom hood shown above it in figure 2 to impart motion); the first worm and the second worm are arranged in parallel (as shown in figure 2); one end of the third adapter is movably connected to the convex spherical gear in the first pair of spherical gear assembly (as shown in figure 2, where the third adapter is what adapts the rotation of the two elements of 4-3 into the rotation going to the gear), and another end of the third adapter is movably connected to the driving motor mounting base (as shown in figures 2-3).
With respect to claim 18, Zhang as modified discloses the driving assembly further comprises a second sleeve (the sleeve of 4-5) and a second bottom plate (bottom plate that 4-5 is mounted to, shown in figure 2); the second sleeve is arranged on a periphery of the driving motor mounting base (as shown about its periphery in figure 2) via the second bottom plate (as shown in figure 2), each of the first worm and the second worm penetrates through the driving motor mounting base and the second bottom plate in sequence (as shown in figure 3, where they each penetrate through the second bottom plate in sequence (being parallel) both the bae at the one side and the second bottom plate in the other side), and the other end of the third adapter is movably connected to the second sleeve (as the second sleeve is sleeved about and connected with the third adapter, see figures 2 and 3).
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 7 and 16 objected to as being dependent upon a rejected base claim, but would be allowable if rewritten in independent form including all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims.
The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter: Regarding claims 7 and 16, the prior art fails to disclose “the deflection mechanical arm further comprises a second adapter, the second adapter comprises a first sleeve, and a first bottom plate arranged on one side of the first sleeve, the first sleeve sleeves the convex spherical gear in the third pair of spherical gear assembly, and the second vertical portion is connected to the first bottom plate” as it further modifies the structural elements of the deflection mechanical arm in preceding claims.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to JOSEPH A GREENLUND whose telephone number is (571)272-0397. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 9am-5pm EST.
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/JOSEPH A GREENLUND/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3752
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