DETAILED ACTIONS
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis 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.
Information Disclosure Statement
The information disclosure statements (IDS) submitted on April 29, 2024 and August 26, 2025 was filed after the mailing date of the application on December 22, 2023. The submission is in compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the information disclosure statement is being considered by the examiner.
Drawings
The drawings are objected to as failing to comply with 37 CFR 1.84(p)(4) because reference characters “182” and “192” have both been used to designate “drawer part” Corrected drawing sheets in compliance with 37 CFR 1.121(d) are required in reply to the Office action to avoid abandonment of the application. Any amended replacement drawing sheet should include all of the figures appearing on the immediate prior version of the sheet, even if only one figure is being amended. Each drawing sheet submitted after the filing date of an application must be labeled in the top margin as either “Replacement Sheet” or “New Sheet” pursuant to 37 CFR 1.121(d). If the changes are not accepted by the examiner, the applicant will be notified and informed of any required corrective action in the next Office action. The objection to the drawings will not be held in abeyance.
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.
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.
Claims 13, 22, 24, and 29-31 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kim ‘966 et al. (Korean Publication No.: KR20200073966A) in view of Yukio (JP 2019081104 A) as cited by Applicant.
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In reference to claim 13, Kim ‘966 et al discloses a cleaner station (100, Kim ‘966 Fig 1, Paragraph 93) configured to draw dust into a dust bin (20, Kim ‘966 Fig 4, Paragraph 93) of a cleaner (10, Kim ‘966 Fig 1, Paragraph 94) and to
collect the dust, the cleaner station comprising: a station housing (110, Fig 1, Kim ‘966 Paragraph 103) configured to be coupled to the cleaner; a dust collecting motor (130 (motor of suction device), Kim ‘966 Fig 2) disposed at the station housing and configured to generate a suction force for drawing the dust into the dust bin; and an accessory storage part (113, Kim ‘966 Fig 2, Paragraph 121) that is coupled to a lower end of the station (see Kim ‘966 Fig 2) housing and defines a storage space (see Kim ‘966 Fig 2) for storing an accessory (see Kim ‘966 Fig 2) of the cleaner or an accessory of the cleaner station.
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Kim ‘966 et al., does not explicitly teach the accessory storage part is configured to receive at least a portion of the cleaner in a state in which the cleaner is coupled to the station housing.
Yukio, however, discloses the accessory storage part (192; Fig. 10) is configured to receive at least a portion of the cleaner (cleaner, 11) in a state in which the cleaner (11) is coupled to the station housing (12; Paragraph [0067] - the holding portion 188 has an axial direction along the vertical direction, and at its upper end, it is provided with an insertion opening 191 into which the vacuum cleaner 11 is inserted from above, and inside, there is a storage space 192 that communicates with the insertion opening 191 and houses a part of the vacuum cleaner 11 (the front side of the vacuum cleaner 11).
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the cleaner station of Kim ‘966 et al. to further include the accessory storage part is configured to receive at least a portion of the cleaner in a state in which the cleaner is coupled to the station housing as taught by Yukio in order to prevent a cleaner that is easily stored, thus preventing multiple components of the system.
In reference to claim 22, Kim ‘966 et al., as modified, discloses a cleaner station (100, Kim ‘966 Fig 1, Paragraph 93) configured to draw dust into a dust bin (20, Kim ‘966 Fig 1, Paragraph 93) of a cleaner (10, Kim ‘966 Fig 1, Paragraph 94) and to collect the dust, the cleaner station comprising: a station housing (110, Fig 1, Kim ‘966 Paragraph 103) configured to be coupled to the cleaner; wherein a major axis (see annotated Kim ‘966 et al. Fig 2) of the station housing (110, Kim ‘966 et al. Fig 2) extends in an up-down direction relative to a ground, and an accessory storage part (113, Kim ‘966 Fig 2, Paragraph 121) that is coupled to a lower end of the station (see Kim ‘966 Fig 2) housing and defines a storage space (see Kim ‘966 Fig 2) for storing an accessory (see Kim ‘966 Fig 2) of the cleaner or an accessory of the cleaner station, wherein the accessory storage part comprises a storage part housing (see annotated Kim ‘966 et al. Fig 2) that defines an external shape of the accessory storage part, and a drawer (see annotated Kim ‘966 et al. Fig 2) that is disposed at the storage part housing (see annotated Kim ‘966 et al. Fig 2) and configured to extend from the storage part housing in a direction perpendicular to the major axis of the station housing (see annotated Kim ‘966 et al. Fig 2).
In reference to claim 24, Kim ‘966 et al., as modified,. discloses the cleaner station as disclosed in claim 22. Additionally, Kim ‘966 discloses that the accessory storage part (113, Kim ‘966 Fig 2, Paragraph 121) further comprises an airflow generation unit (131, Kim ‘966 et al. Fig 2) disposed at the storage part housing (see annotated Kim ‘966 et al. Fig 2) and configured to generate airflow in the drawer (see annotated Kim ‘966 et al. Fig 2).
In reference to claim 29, Kim ‘966 et al., as modified, discloses the cleaner station as disclosed in claim 22. Additionally, Kim ‘966 discloses wherein the station housing (110, Kim ‘966 et al. Fig 1) is configured to receive the cleaner (10, Kim ‘966 et al. Fig 1) at a first side of the station housing (see annotated Kim ‘966 et al. Fig 1), and wherein the drawer (see annotated Kim ‘966 et al. Fig 1) is configured to extend in a lateral direction or a rearward direction (see annotated Kim ‘966 et al. Fig 1) relative to the first side.
In reference to claim 30, Kim ‘966 et al., as modified, discloses the cleaner station as disclosed in claim 29. Additionally, Kim ‘966 discloses that the drawer (see annotated Kim ‘966 et al. Fig 1) is configured to extend in a lateral direction (see annotated Kim ‘966 et al. Fig 1) relative to the first side.
In reference to claim 31, Kim ‘966 et al., as modified, discloses the cleaner station as disclosed in claim 29. Additionally, Kim ‘966 discloses that the drawer (see annotated Kim ‘966 et al. Fig 1) is configured to extend in a rearward direction (see annotated Kim ‘966 et al. Fig 1) relative to the first side.
Claims 14-20, 23 and 25-28 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kim ‘966 et al. (KR20200073966A) in view of Yukio (JP 2019081104 A) as cited by Applicant and Kim ‘270 et al. (Korean Registration No.: KR 101185270).
In reference to claim 14, Kim ‘966 et al., as modified, discloses the cleaner station as disclosed in claim 13. Kim ‘966 does not disclose that the accessory storage part comprises a sterilization unit and that the sterilization unit being configured to emit ultraviolet rays toward the cleaner.
Kim ‘270 et al., however, discloses that the accessory storage part comprises of a sterilization unit (250, Kim ‘270 et al. Paragraph 41, Fig 4), and the sterilization unit being configured to emit ultraviolet rays (Kim ‘270 et al. Paragraph 41) toward the cleaner.
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It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the cleaner station of Kim ‘966 et al. with a sterilization unit that emits UV rays as taught by Kim ‘270 et al. in order to prevent bacteria spreading on the cleaner while it is docked in the cleaner station.
In reference to claim 15, Kim ‘966 et al., as modified, discloses the cleaner station as disclosed in claim 14. Kim ‘966 et al. does not disclose of a sterilization unit and that it is disposed at a lower end of the accessory storage part.
Kim ‘270 et al., however, teaches that it is known in the art to modify cleaner stations with a sterilization unit (250, Kim ‘270 et al. Paragraph 41, Fig 4) and that it is disposed at a lower end of the accessory storage part (200, Kim ‘270 et al. Fig 3).
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the cleaner station of Kim ‘966 et al. with the storage part and space as taught by Kim ‘270 et al. in order to store an accessory of the cleaner within the cleaning station.
In reference to claim 16, Kim ‘966 et al., as modified, discloses the cleaner station as disclosed in claim 13. Additionally, Kim ‘966 et al. discloses an air flow path (132, Kim ‘966 et al. Paragraph 123) is defined between the storage spaces (Kim ‘966 et al. Paragraph 123) to thereby dry the accessory in the storage space based on operation of the dust collecting motor.
Kim ‘966 however, does not expressly disclose that the air flow path is defined between the dust collecting motor and the storage space to thereby dry the accessory in the storage space based on operation of the dust collecting motor.
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the location of the airflow path within the cleaner station of Kim ‘966 et al. since it has been held that rearranging parts of an invention involves only routine skill in the art (MPEP 2144.04, Section VI, Part C).
In reference to claim 17, Kim ‘966 et al., as modified, discloses the cleaner station as disclosed in claim 13. Additionally, Kim ‘966 et al. discloses wherein the accessory storage part (113, Kim ‘966 et al. Fig 2, Paragraph 121) comprises: a storage part housing (see annotated Kim ‘966 et al. Fig 2) that defines an external shape of the accessory storage part, and a drawer (see annotated Kim ‘966 et al. Fig 2) that is disposed at the storage part housing (see annotated Kim ‘966 et al. Fig 2) and defines at least a portion of the storage space (see annotated Kim ‘966 et al. Fig 2).
Kim ‘966 however does not expressly disclose that the storage part housing is configured to receive at least a portion of a cleaning module coupled to the cleaner in the particular embodiment shown in figure 2.
Yukio, however, discloses the accessory storage part (192; Fig. 10) is configured to receive at least a portion of the cleaner (cleaner, 11) in a state in which the cleaner (11) is coupled to the station housing (12; Paragraph [0067] - the holding portion 188 has an axial direction along the vertical direction, and at its upper end, it is provided with an insertion opening 191 into which the vacuum cleaner 11 is inserted from above, and inside, there is a storage space 192 that communicates with the insertion opening 191 and houses a part of the vacuum cleaner 11 (the front side of the vacuum cleaner 11).
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the cleaner station of Kim ‘966 et al. to further include the accessory storage part is configured to receive at least a portion of the cleaner in a state in which the cleaner is coupled to the station housing as taught by Yukio in order to prevent a cleaner that is easily stored, thus preventing multiple components of the system.
In reference to claim 18, Kim ‘966 et al., as modified, discloses the cleaner station as disclosed in claim 17. Additionally, Kim ‘966 et al. discloses a first air flow path (132, Kim ‘966 et al. Paragraph 123) and a drawer (see annotated Kim ‘966 et al. Fig 2) that is configured to receive air through the first air flow path based on an operation of the dust collecting motor (130 (motor of suction device), Kim ‘966 Fig 2). Kim ‘966 also discloses a second air flow path (151, Kim ‘966 Paragraphs 197-198) and a storage part housing is configured to receive air (see annotated Kim ‘966 et al. Fig 2).
Kim ‘966 however, does not expressly disclose that the first air flow path is defined between the dust collecting motor and the storage space to thereby dry the accessory in the storage space based on operation of the dust collecting motor and that the second air flow path is defined between the dust collecting motor and the drawer to thereby dry the accessory in the storage space based on operation of the dust collecting motor. Kim ‘966 also does not expressly disclose that the storage part housing is configured to receive air through the second air flow path based on the operation of the dust collecting motor.
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the location of the airflow path within the cleaner station of Kim ‘966 et al. in order to let the accessories of the cleaner dry since it has been held that rearranging parts of an invention involves only routine skill in the art (MPEP 2144.04, Section VI, Part C).
In reference to claim 19, Kim ‘966 et al., as modified, discloses the cleaner station as disclosed in claim 17. Additionally, Kim ‘966 et al. discloses wherein a major axis (see annotated Kim ‘966 et al. Fig 2) of the station housing (110, Kim ‘966 et al. Fig 2) extends in an up-down direction relative to a ground, and wherein the drawer (see annotated Kim ‘966 et al. Fig 2) is configured to extend in a direction perpendicular to the major axis.
In reference to claim 20, Kim ‘966 et al., as modified, discloses the cleaner station as disclosed in claim 19. Additionally, Kim ‘966 et al. discloses wherein the station housing (110, Kim ‘966 et al. Fig 1) is configured to receive the cleaner (10, Kim ‘966 et al. Fig 1) at a first side of the station housing (see annotated Kim ‘966 et al. Fig 1), and wherein the drawer (see annotated Kim ‘966 et al. Fig 1) is configured to extend in a lateral direction or a rearward direction (see annotated Kim ‘966 et al. Fig 1) relative to the first side.
In reference to claim 23, Kim ‘966 et al., as modified, discloses the cleaner station as disclosed in claim 22. Kim ’966 et al. does not disclose that the accessory storage part comprises a sterilization unit disposed at the storage part housing configured to emit ultraviolet rays toward the drawer.
Kim ‘270 et al., however, discloses that the accessory storage part comprises of a sterilization unit (250, Kim ‘270 et al. Paragraph 41, Fig 4) disposed at the storage part housing (see annotated Kim ‘270 Fig 4) and the sterilization unit being configured to emit ultraviolet rays (Kim ‘270 et al. Paragraph 41) toward the drawer.
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the cleaner station of Kim ‘966 et al. with a sterilization unit that emits UV rays as taught by Kim ‘270 et al. in order to prevent bacteria spreading on the cleaner while it is docked in the cleaner station.
In reference to claim 25, Kim ‘966 et al., as modified, discloses the cleaner station as disclosed in claim 22. Kim ’966 et al. does not disclose that the accessory storage part further comprises a sterilization unit, the sterilization unit being configured to emit ultraviolet rays toward the cleaner.
Kim ‘270 et al., however, discloses that the accessory storage part comprises of a sterilization unit (250, Kim ‘270 et al. Paragraph 41, Fig 4), and the sterilization unit being configured to emit ultraviolet rays (Kim ‘270 et al. Paragraph 41) toward the cleaner.
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the cleaner station of Kim ‘966 et al. with a sterilization unit that emits UV rays as taught by Kim ‘270 et al. in order to prevent bacteria spreading on the cleaner while it is docked in the cleaner station.
In reference to claim 26, Kim ‘966 et al., as modified, discloses the cleaner station as disclosed in claim 22. Kim ’966 et al. does not disclose that the accessory storage part further comprises a sterilization unit, the sterilization unit being disposed at a lower end of the accessory storage part.
Kim ‘270 et al., however, teaches that it is known in the art to modify cleaner stations with a sterilization unit (250, Kim ‘270 et al. Paragraph 41, Fig 4) and that it is disposed at a lower end of the accessory storage part (200, Kim ‘270 et al. Fig 3).
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the cleaner station of Kim ‘966 et al. with the storage part and space as taught by Kim ‘270 et al. in order to store an accessory of the cleaner within the cleaning station.
In reference to claim 27, Kim ‘966 et al., as modified, discloses the cleaner station as disclosed in claim 22. Additionally, Kim ‘966 discloses a dust collecting motor (130 (motor of suction device), Kim ‘966) disposed at the station housing and configured to generate a suction force for drawing the dust into the dust bin, an air flow path (132, Kim ‘966 et al. Paragraph 123) defined between the storage spaces (Kim ‘966 et al. Paragraph 123) wherein the storage space (Kim ‘966 et al. Paragraph 123) is configured to receive air (air from the air flow generation unit, see annotated Kim ‘966 Fig 2 ) through the air flow path based on operation of the dust collecting motor.
Kim ‘966 however, does not expressly disclose that the air flow path is defined between the dust collecting motor and the storage space.
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the location of the airflow path within the cleaner station of Kim ‘966 et al. since it has been held that rearranging parts of an invention involves only routine skill in the art (MPEP 2144.04, Section VI, Part C).
In reference to claim 28, Kim ‘966 et al., as modified, discloses the cleaner station as disclosed in claim 22. Additionally, Kim ‘966 discloses a dust collecting motor (130 (motor of suction device), Kim ‘966) disposed at the station housing and configured to generate a suction force for drawing the dust into the dust bin. Kim ‘966 et al. continues to disclose a first air flow path (132, Kim ‘966 et al. Paragraph 123) and a drawer (see annotated Kim ‘966 et al. Fig 2) that is configured to receive air through the first air flow path based on an operation of the dust collecting motor (130 (motor of suction device), Kim ‘966 Fig 2). Kim ‘966 also discloses a second air flow path (151, Kim ‘966 Paragraphs 197-198) and a storage part housing is configured to receive air (see annotated Kim ‘966 et al. Fig 2).
Kim ‘966 however, does not expressly disclose that the first air flow path is defined between the dust collecting motor and the drawer and that the second air flow path is defined between the dust collecting motor based on operation of the dust collecting motor. Kim ‘966 also does not expressly disclose that the storage part housing is configured to receive air through the second air flow path based on the operation of the dust collecting motor.
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the location of the airflow path within the cleaner station of Kim ‘966 et al. in order to let the accessories of the cleaner dry since it has been held that rearranging parts of an invention involves only routine skill in the art (MPEP 2144.04, Section VI, Part C).
Claims 21 and 32 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kim ‘966 et al. (KR20200073966A) in view of Yukio (JP 2019081104 A) as cited by Applicant and New Icon Development HK (European Publication No.: DE202018103929U1).
In reference to claim 21, Kim ‘966 et al., as modified, discloses the cleaner station as disclosed in claim 17. Kim ’966 et al. however, does not disclose of an air inlet port that fluidly connects an inside and an outside of the storage part housing with each other, and wherein the air inlet port is defined at a front surface of the storage part housing.
New Icon Development HK teaches that it is known in the art to have a cleaner station with an air inlet port (23, New Icon Development HK Fig 1) that fluidly connects an inside and an outside (New Icon Development HK Paragraph 24) of the storage part housing port (2, New Icon Development HK Fig 1) with each other, and wherein the air inlet port is defined at a front surface (see annotated New Icon Development HK Fig 1) of the storage part housing.
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It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the cleaner station of Kim ‘966 et al. as modified by New Icon Development HK with an air inlet port order to allow the inside and outside storage part to communicate with each other.
In reference to claim 32, Kim ‘966 et al., as modified, discloses the cleaner station as disclosed in claim 29. Kim ’966 et al. however, does not disclose of an air inlet port that fluidly connects an inside and an outside of the storage part housing with each other, and wherein the air inlet port is defined at a front surface of the storage part housing.
New Icon Development HK teaches that it is known in the art to have a cleaner station with an air inlet port (23, New Icon Development HK Fig 1) that fluidly connects an inside and an outside (New Icon Development HK Paragraph 24) of the storage part housing port (2, New Icon Development HK Fig 1) with each other, and wherein the air inlet port is defined at a front surface (see annotated New Icon Development HK Fig 1) of the storage part housing.
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the cleaner station of Kim ‘966 et al. as modified by New Icon Development HK with an air inlet port order to allow the inside and outside storage part to communicate with each other.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to TRISHA JOY U FRANCISCO whose telephone number is (571)272-1224. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Friday 8-5.
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/TRISHA JOY U FRANCISCO/Patent Examiner, Art Unit 3723
/KATINA N. HENSON/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3723