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 .
Priority
1. Receipt is acknowledged of certified copies of papers required by 37 CFR 1.55.
Information Disclosure Statement
2. The information disclosure statements (IDS) submitted on 4/11/2024, 2/27/2025, 7/23/2025, 9/29/2025, 10/15/2025 and 11/14/2025 were filed prior to the mailing date of this action. The submission is in compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the information disclosure statements are being considered by the examiner.
Specification
3. The amendment filed 6/21/2024 is objected to under 35 U.S.C. 132(a) because it introduces new matter into the disclosure. 35 U.S.C. 132(a) states that no amendment shall introduce new matter into the disclosure of the invention. The added material which is not supported by the original disclosure is as follows:
The attempt to incorporate subject matter into this application by reference to EP 21315107.9 is ineffective because the attempt to incorporate the subject matter is occurring after the filing date of the application which is the filing date of the PCT. Therefore, the attempt to incorporate the subject matter of EP 21315107.9 is considered new matter. Please correct the specification accordingly.
Applicant is required to cancel the new matter in the reply to this Office Action.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
4. 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 16-17, 23 and 27-29 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Wang (CN 210150076).
Regarding claim 16, Wang teaches a spring carrier for receiving, retaining, and discharging of a coil spring in a manufacturing process (fig. 1), the spring carrier comprising:
an elongate hollow body (fig. 1, tube 3) defining an inner cavity configured to receive the coil spring (fig. 1, wherein spring 7 is received in tube 3);
an opening at a first proximal end of the hollow body (see annotated fig. 3 below) for insertion of the coil spring into the inner cavity and extraction of the coil spring from the inner cavity (see annotated fig. 3 below, the annotated opening is capable of providing insertion of the spring into the inner cavity and extraction of the spring from the inner cavity); and
the hollow body including a second distal end opposite to the first proximal end (see annotated fig. 3 below),
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wherein the hollow body includes a magnetic member (fig. 3, magnet 10) configured to magnetically attract and retain the coil spring when the coil spring is located within the inner cavity (fig. 1, third to last paragraph on page 1 of the attached translation).
Regarding claim 17, Wang teaches the claimed invention as rejected above in claim 16. Additionally, Wang teaches wherein the magnetic member is provided proximate to the second distal end of the hollow body (fig. 1).
Regarding claim 23, Wang teaches the claimed invention as rejected above in claim 16. Additionally, Wang teaches wherein the magnetic member comprises a permanent magnet (fig. 3, magnet block 10).
Regarding claim 27, Wang teaches the claimed invention as rejected above in claim 16. Additionally, Wang teaches comprising an aperture at the second distal end of the hollow body (fig. 3, through hole 8 is interpreted as the aperture).
Regarding claim 28, Wang teaches the claimed invention as rejected above in claim 27. Additionally, Wang teaches wherein the hollow body comprises one or more protrusions (fig. 3, structure indicated by element 9 is interpreted as a protrusion) extending inwardly at least partially across the aperture at the second distal end of the hollow body (as shown in fig. 1).
Regarding claim 29, Wang teaches the claimed invention as rejected above in claim 16. Additionally, Wang teaches comprising at least one window (fig. 3, wherein through hole 8 is interpreted as a window) in a side wall of the hollow body (fig. 3) to allow the coil spring located within the spring carrier to be visible from outside the spring carrier through the at least one window (the through hole 8 provides the capability of allowing the coil spring located within the spring carrier to be visible from outside the spring carrier through the through hole).
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
5. 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 35 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Wang (CN 210150076).
Regarding claim 35, Wang teaches a method of manipulating a coil spring using a spring carrier for receiving, retaining, and discharging of the coil spring in a manufacturing assembly process (fig. 1), the spring carrier comprising an elongate hollow body (fig. 1, tube 3) defining an inner cavity (fig. 1), an opening at a first proximal end of the hollow body (see annotated fig. 3 below), the hollow body including a second distal end opposite to the first proximal end (see annotated fig. 3 below), and a magnetic member (fig. 3, magnet 10) provided proximate to the second distal end of the hollow body (fig. 1 and 3), the method comprising:
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inserting the coil spring into the inner cavity (fig. 1, last four paragraphs on page 1 of the attached translation); and
magnetically attracting and retaining, with the magnetic member, the coil spring within the inner cavity (fig. 1, third to last paragraph on page 1 of the attached translation).
Wang does not explicitly teach inserting the coil spring into the inner cavity through the opening at the first proximal end of the hollow body.
However, Wang teaches the springs are accommodated in the cavity one by one vertically (page 1 of the attached translation, last four paragraphs). When inserting the springs into the cavity, there are a finite number of insertion openings to allow the springs to be accommodated in the cavity which include the opening at the first proximal end of the hollow body and the opening at the second distal end of the hollow body.
A person having ordinary skill in the art would have had a reasonable expectation of success of attempting either insertion opening since both insertion openings perform equally well in the same function of allowing the springs to be loaded in the cavity. Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to insert the coil spring into the inner cavity through the opening at the first proximal end of the hollow body since it has been held that “a person of ordinary skill has good reason to pursue the known options within his or her technical grasp. If this leads to the anticipated success, it is likely that product [was] not of innovation but of ordinary skill and common sense. In that instance the fact that a combination was obvious to try might show that is was obvious under 103” (MPEP 2143 E).
Claims 18-22, 24-25 and 31 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Wang (CN 210150076) in view of Seok et al. (KR 20100104918), hereinafter Seok.
Regarding claim 18, Wang teaches the claimed invention as rejected above in claim 17. Wang does not explicitly teach wherein the magnetic member is disposed within the inner cavity.
However, Seok teaches a work holding device that includes an electromagnet wherein the magnet member (fig. 2, primary coil 300, page 3 of the attached translation, fifth paragraph from bottom) is disposed within the inner cavity (fig. 2, wherein the primary coil 300 is disposed within the inner cavity of work holding device 100).
It would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified Wang to incorporate the teachings of Seok to provide wherein the magnetic member is disposed within the inner cavity. Specifically, it would have been obvious to provide wherein the magnetic member is disposed within the inner cavity of Wang. Doing so would have been a simple substitution (MPEP 2143) of one known magnet configuration (of Seok) for another known magnet configuration (of Wang) to obtain the predictable results of providing a magnet to aid in holding a workpiece.
Regarding claim 19, Wang, as modified, teaches the claimed invention as rejected above in claim 18. Additionally, Wang, as modified, teaches wherein the magnetic member comprises a permanent magnet (permanent magnet of fig. 1 and 3 of Wang).
Regarding claims 20 and 21, Wang, as modified, teaches the claimed invention as rejected above in claim 18. Wang, as modified, does not explicitly teach wherein the magnetic member comprises a magnetic material capable of induced magnetism, wherein the magnetic member comprises an electromagnet.
However, Seok additionally teaches wherein the magnetic member comprises a magnetic material capable of induced magnetism (coil 500, forming an induced current by electromagnetic induction, page 4 of the attached translation, fifth paragraph from bottom), wherein the magnetic member comprises an electromagnet (primary coil 300, fifth paragraph from bottom on page 3 of the attached translation). Overall, Seok teaches of a magnetic member that utilizes an electromagnet 300 and a magnetic material 500 capable of induced magnetism.
It would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have further modified Wang, as modified, to incorporate the additional teachings of Seok to provide wherein the magnetic member comprises a magnetic material capable of induced magnetism, wherein the magnetic member comprises an electromagnet. Specifically, it would have been obvious to include wherein the magnetic member of Wang is an electromagnet and a magnetic material capable of induced magnetism. Doing so would have been a simple substitution (MPEP 2143) of one known magnet means (of Seok) for another known magnet means (of Wang) to obtain the predictable results of providing a magnet member to selectively retain the workpiece.
Regarding claim 22, Wang teaches the claimed invention as rejected above in claim 16. Wang does not explicitly teach wherein the magnetic member is disposed within the inner cavity.
However, Seok teaches a work holding device that includes an electromagnet wherein the magnet member (fig. 2, primary coil 300, page 3 of the attached translation, fifth paragraph from bottom) is disposed within the inner cavity (fig. 2, wherein the primary coil 300 is disposed within the inner cavity of work holding device 100).
It would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified Wang to incorporate the teachings of Seok to provide wherein the magnetic member is disposed within the inner cavity. Specifically, it would have been obvious to provide wherein the magnetic member is disposed within the inner cavity of Wang. Doing so would have been a simple substitution (MPEP 2143) of one known magnet configuration (of Seok) for another known magnet configuration (of Wang) to obtain the predictable results of providing a magnet to aid in holding a workpiece.
Regarding claims 24 and 25, Wang teaches the claimed invention as rejected above in claim 16. Wang does not explicitly teach wherein the magnetic member comprises a magnetic material capable of induced magnetism, wherein the magnetic member comprises an electromagnet.
However, Seok teaches a work holding device that includes an electromagnet wherein the magnetic member comprises a magnetic material capable of induced magnetism (coil 500, forming an induced current by electromagnetic induction, page 4 of the attached translation, fifth paragraph from bottom), wherein the magnetic member comprises an electromagnet (primary coil 300, fifth paragraph from bottom on page 3 of the attached translation). Overall, Seok teaches of a magnetic member that utilizes an electromagnet 300 and a magnetic material 500 capable of induced magnetism.
It would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified Wang to incorporate the teachings of Seok to provide wherein the magnetic member comprises a magnetic material capable of induced magnetism, wherein the magnetic member comprises an electromagnet. Specifically, it would have been obvious to include wherein the magnetic member of Wang is an electromagnet and a magnetic material capable of induced magnetism. Doing so would have been a simple substitution (MPEP 2143) of one known magnet means (of Seok) for another known magnet means (of Wang) to obtain the predictable results of providing a magnet member to selectively retain the workpiece.
Regarding claim 31, Wang teaches an apparatus comprising:
a spring carrier (fig. 1) comprising:
an elongate hollow body (fig. 1, tube 3) defining an inner cavity configured to receive a coil spring (fig. 1, wherein spring 7 is received in tube 3);
an opening at a first proximal end of the hollow body (see annotated fig. 3 below) for insertion of the coil spring into the inner cavity and extraction of the coil spring from the inner cavity (see annotated fig. 3 below, the annotated opening is capable of providing insertion of the spring into the inner cavity and extraction of the spring from the inner cavity);
the hollow body including a second distal end opposite to the first proximal end (see annotated fig. 3 below),
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wherein the hollow body includes a magnetic member (fig. 3, magnet 10) configured to magnetically attract and retain the coil spring when the coil spring is located within the inner cavity (fig. 1, third to last paragraph on page 1 of the attached translation).
Wang does not explicitly teach an electromagnet configured for placement proximate the spring carrier and configured to generate a magnetic field to make the magnetic member an induced magnet.
However, Seok teaches a work holding device that includes an electromagnet wherein the magnetic member comprises a magnetic material capable of induced magnetism (coil 500, forming an induced current by electromagnetic induction, page 4 of the attached translation, fifth paragraph from bottom), wherein the magnetic member comprises an electromagnet (primary coil 300, fifth paragraph from bottom on page 3 of the attached translation). Overall, Seok teaches of a magnetic member that utilizes an electromagnet 300 and a magnetic material 500 capable of induced magnetism.
It would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified Wang to incorporate the teachings of Seok to provide wherein the magnetic member comprises a magnetic material capable of induced magnetism, wherein the magnetic member comprises an electromagnet. Specifically, it would have been obvious to include wherein the magnetic member of Wang is an electromagnet and a magnetic material capable of induced magnetism. Doing so would have been a simple substitution (MPEP 2143) of one known magnet means (of Seok) for another known magnet means (of Wang) to obtain the predictable results of providing a magnet member to selectively retain the workpiece.
In summary, Wang, as modified, teaches an electromagnet (as incorporated from Seok) configured for placement proximate the spring carrier (as taught by Wang) and configured to generate a magnetic field (electromagnet as incorporated from Seok) to make the magnetic member an induced magnet (as incorporated from Seok).
Claim 32 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Wang (CN 210150076) in view of Seok et al. (KR 20100104918), hereinafter Seok, as applied to claim 31 above, and further in view of Eto (US Patent 6119322) and Chevallier (US PGPUB 20110016681).
Regarding claim 32, Wang, as modified, teaches the claimed invention as rejected above in claim 31. Additionally, Wang, as modified, teaches an assembly system comprising the apparatus of claim 31 (see above rejection of claim 31).
Wang, as modified, does not explicitly teach the assembly system further comprising:
a coil spring manufacturing machine, wherein the coil spring manufacturing machine is configured to produce the coil spring, and
an insertion station arranged to feed the produced coil spring into the spring carrier.
However, Eto teaches a coil spring producing apparatus including a coil spring manufacturing machine (fig. 1-5), wherein the coil spring manufacturing machine is configured to produce the coil spring (fig. 4-5).
Additionally, Chevallier teaches a device for handling springs, including an insertion station (fig. 6) arranged to feed the produced coil spring into the spring carrier (fig. 6).
It would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have further modified Wang, as modified, to incorporate the teachings of Eto and Chevallier to provide the assembly system further comprising: a coil spring manufacturing machine, wherein the coil spring manufacturing machine is configured to produce the coil spring, and an insertion station arranged to feed the produced coil spring into the spring carrier. Specifically, it would have been obvious to utilize the spring conveying device in conjunction with a manufacturing machine (as taught by Eto) and an insertion station (as taught by Chevallier), wherein springs are produced and inserted into the spring carrier of Wang, as modified. Doing so would provide additional springs for the apparatus of Wang, thereby avoiding downtime of waiting on more springs. Additionally, doing so would provide streamlined operations which promotes the savings of time.
Claims 26 and 30 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Wang (CN 210150076) in view of Chevallier (US PGPUB 20110016681).
Regarding claim 26, Wang teaches the claimed invention as rejected above in claim 16. Wang does not explicitly teach wherein the hollow body includes a flange at the first proximal end of the hollow body and extending radially outwardly from the hollow body.
However, Chevallier teaches a device for handling a spring article, wherein the device includes a hollow body (fig. 2), wherein the hollow body includes a flange (collar 16, fig. 2) at the first proximal end of the hollow body (fig. 2) and extending radially outwardly from the hollow body (fig. 2). Additionally, Chevallier teaches the collar 16 is utilized to support the device by the respective collar [0058].
It would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified Wang to incorporate the teachings of Chevallier to provide wherein the hollow body includes a flange at the first proximal end of the hollow body and extending radially outwardly from the hollow body. Specifically, it would have been obvious to incorporate a flange at the first proximal end of the hollow body of Wang, wherein the flange extends radially outwardly from the hollow body (as taught by Chevallier). Doing so would provide a structure to mount, grip and support the spring carrier (as taught by [0058] of Chevallier), thereby promoting increased stability and preventing damage of the workpieces due to slipping of the carrier.
Regarding claim 30, Wang teaches the claimed invention as rejected above in claim 16. Wang does not explicitly teach wherein the opening at the first proximal end of the hollow body comprises a tapered region such that the opening widens towards the first proximal end.
However, Chevallier teaches a device for handling a spring article, wherein the device includes a hollow body (fig. 2), wherein the opening at the first proximal end of the hollow body comprises a tapered region (fig. 2, region 10.sub.5) such that the opening widens towards the first proximal end (fig. 2). Additionally, Chevallier teaches the portion that flares makes it easier to insert an article 13 in to the housing 12. Specifically, this is the above described fifth zone 10.sub.5 [0056].
It would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified Wang to incorporate the teachings of Chevallier to provide wherein the opening at the first proximal end of the hollow body comprises a tapered region such that the opening widens towards the first proximal end. Specifically, it would have been obvious to incorporate a tapered region that widens towards the first proximal end (as taught by Chevallier). Doing so would make it easier to insert the workpiece into the device (paragraph 0056 of Chevallier).
Claim 33 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Wang (CN 210150076) in view of Lang et al. (US PGPUB 20100101581), hereinafter Lang.
Regarding claim 33, Wang teaches an apparatus comprising:
a spring carrier (fig. 1) comprising:
an elongate hollow body (fig. 1, tube 3) defining an inner cavity configured to receive a coil spring (fig. 1, wherein spring 7 is received in tube 3);
an opening at a first proximal end of the hollow body (see annotated fig. 3 below) for insertion of the coil spring into the inner cavity and extraction of the coil spring from the inner cavity (see annotated fig. 3 below, the annotated opening is capable of providing insertion of the spring into the inner cavity and extraction of the spring from the inner cavity);
the hollow body including a second distal end opposite to the first proximal end (see annotated fig. 3 below),
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wherein the hollow body includes a magnetic member (fig. 3, magnet 10) configured to magnetically attract and retain the coil spring when the coil spring is located within the inner cavity (fig. 1, third to last paragraph on page 1 of the attached translation).
Wang does not explicitly teach
an airflow generator configured to generate a flow of air into the hollow body to facilitate extraction of the coil spring from the hollow body.
However, Lang teaches a tool for manufacturing and handling a workpiece, wherein the workpiece 20 (fig. 9) is extracted/removed from the tool (fig. 9) via applying pressurized air through duct 52 and nozzles 54 [0066]. Overall, Lang teaches applying pressurized air through duct and nozzles in order to extract/remove a workpiece from the tool.
It would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified Wang to incorporate the teachings of Lang to provide applying pressurized air through ducts and nozzles in order to extract/remove a workpiece from the tool. Specifically, it would have been obvious to incorporate applying pressurized air to the tool of Wang via ducts and nozzles in order to aid in removing the workpiece 7 from the tool 3 of Wang. Doing so would prevent the springs from inadvertently being laterally wedged inside the cavity, thereby promoting quality of the product by ensuring springs are delivered and placed as intended. Additionally, doing so would prevent down time due to jams in the supply tube 3 of Wang.
In summary, Wang, as modified, teaches an airflow generator (incorporated pressurized air applying means including nozzles and ducts, as incorporated from Lang) configured to generate a flow of air (as taught by Lang) into the hollow body (of Wang) to facilitate extraction of the coil spring from the hollow body (of Wang, wherein the pressurized air extraction means of Lang was incorporated into Wang in order to aid in facilitating extraction of the spring from the hollow body of Wang).
Claim 34 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Wang (CN 210150076) in view of Lang et al. (US PGPUB 20100101581), hereinafter Lang, as applied to claim 33 above, and further in view of Eto (US Patent 6119322) and Chevallier (US PGPUB 20110016681).
Regarding claim 34, Wang, as modified, teaches the claimed invention as rejected above in claim 33. Additionally, Wang, as modified, teaches an assembly system comprising the apparatus of claim 33 (see above rejection of claim 33).
Wang, as modified, does not explicitly teach the assembly system further comprising:
a coil spring manufacturing machine, wherein the coil spring manufacturing machine is configured to produce the coil spring, and
an insertion station arranged to feed the produced coil spring into the spring carrier.
However, Eto teaches a coil spring producing apparatus including a coil spring manufacturing machine (fig. 1-5), wherein the coil spring manufacturing machine is configured to produce the coil spring (fig. 4-5).
Additionally, Chevallier teaches a device for handling springs, including an insertion station (fig. 6) arranged to feed the produced coil spring into the spring carrier (fig. 6).
It would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have further modified Wang, as modified, to incorporate the teachings of Eto and Chevallier to provide the assembly system further comprising: a coil spring manufacturing machine, wherein the coil spring manufacturing machine is configured to produce the coil spring, and an insertion station arranged to feed the produced coil spring into the spring carrier. Specifically, it would have been obvious to utilize the spring conveying device in conjunction with a manufacturing machine (as taught by Eto) and an insertion station (as taught by Chevallier), wherein springs are produced and inserted into the spring carrier of Wang, as modified. Doing so would provide additional springs for the apparatus of Wang, thereby avoiding downtime of waiting on more springs. Additionally, doing so would provide streamlined operations which promotes the savings of time.
Conclusion
6. The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
Grassold et al. (US PGPUB 20190383343) teaches a spring assembly having an anti-entanglement element similar to the disclosed invention
Berger (US Patent 6056339) teaches a magnetic retrieving device similar to the claimed invention
Fowler (US PGPUB 20210129936) teaches a system and method associated with magnetically activated mechanical binding which is similar to the claimed invention
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to MICHAEL A GUMP whose telephone number is (571)272-2172. The examiner can normally be reached Monday- Friday 9:00-5:30.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, David Posigian can be reached at (313) 446-6546. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/MICHAEL A GUMP/ Examiner, Art Unit 3723