DETAILED ACTION
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
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.
Claims 1-14 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Wabbels [ DE 102013008952] in view of Thakkar [US Pub # 2021/0283606].
Regarding claim 1: Wabbels shows an automatic coupling device configured to reversibly constrain at least a first body (robot arm, see translation [0038] “… carrier device designed as a robot arm or stationary bracket and likewise not shown..” ) and at least a second body (the tool, see [0038], line 2) and comprising: a first coupling body (2)activatable on respective constraining portions of said first coupling body (2) and said second coupling body (3) so as to reversibly constrain the first body and the second body wherein said first coupling body comprises locking means (6, 7) and a rest configuration, in which said first locking means (6) and second locking means (7) are not respectively abutting on said first locking portion (6) and/or said second locking portion (7) thus permitting a relative movement between the first body and the second body a movement means (robot arm) configured to produce a relative movement between said first coupling body (2) and said second coupling body (3) said movement means (robot arm) being configured to move said first coupling body (2) and said second coupling body (3) at least between a proximal position, in which said constraining means (18) is active on respective constraining portions of said first coupling body (2) and said second coupling body (3) and a distal position, in which said constraining means (18) is not active on respective constraining portions of said first coupling body (2) and said second coupling body; (3); a control unit (see translation [0002], “…the movements of which are freely programmable with respect to the sequence of movements, paths and angles…”) configured to activate and/or deactivate at least said movement means (robot arm) and/or said constraining means and/or locking means (6, 7) on the basis of at least one operating parameter of said device and/or on the basis of a preloaded logic; wherein said first body is a robotic arm.
Wabbels does not explicitly disclose that second body is a reservoir adapted to contain at least one sterile product to be transferred to a filling line. However, Thakkar teaches that second body is a reservoir (707c) adapted to contain at least one sterile product (706a) to be transferred to a filling line.
It would have been obvious to someone having ordinary skill in the art at the time of the effective filling date to have replaced the second body/tool with a reservoir adapted to contain sterile product or any other parts attached to robot to serve the intended use of the robot arm and having the ability to configure the robot for multi use.
Regarding claim 2: Wabbels shows wherein said second coupling body (3) defines at least one opening adapted to receive said first locking means (6) and/or said second locking means (7) by at least partial insertion; and wherein said first locking portion (10 and 11)
Regarding claim 3: Wabbels shows wherein said opening (4) has a polygonal, preferably hexagonal, shape.
Regarding claim 4: Wabbels shows wherein said second locking body comprises a first pair of lead-in portions11)
Regarding claim 5: Wabbels shows wherein said first locking portion (10 and 11) and said second locking portion (10 and 11) are defined by opposing, preferably facing, portions, of said second locking body.
Regarding claim 6: Wabbels shows wherein said first locking means (6) and/or said second locking means (7) has portions (see fig 11 and fig 5) that are complementarily shaped with respect to said first locking portion (10 and 11) and/or to said second locking portion (10 and 11) respectively.
Regarding claim 7: Wabbels shows wherein said second locking means (7) is reversibly movable away from and/or near to said first locking means (6) in order to achieve said active configuration and/or said rest configuration.
Regarding claim 8: Wabbels shows wherein said locking means (6, 7) comprises at least one actuator (18) configured to produce a relative movement between said first locking means and said second locking means (6, 7)
Regarding claim 9: Wabbels shows wherein said constraining means
Regarding claim 10: Wabbels does not show comprising at least one sensor adapted to detect and to generate at least one signal representative of at least one operating parameter of said device preferably at least a relative positioning between the first coupling body and the second coupling body
It would have been obvious to someone having ordinary skill in the art at the time of the effective filling date to have added a sensor to monitor the operation status of the robot and detect any mal-function.
Regarding claim 11: Wabbels shows wherein said control unit configured to:- actuate said movement means (robot arm ) so as to produce a relative movement between said first coupling body (5) and said second coupling body[0002], “…the movements of which are freely programmable with respect to the sequence of movements, paths and angles. If the tool is fixed to a carrier device designed as a robot, the tool is moved relative to the workpiece for and/or during the machining of the workpiece. If the carrier device is designed as a stationary bracket, the tool is arranged in a stationary manner and the workpiece to be machined is moved relative to the stationary tool…”); and/or - activate and/or deactivate said constraining means (17) so as to constrain and/or free the first body and the second body; automatically on the basis of at least one operating parameter of said device and/or on the basis of a preloaded logic.
Regarding claim 12: Wabbels shows wherein said movement means (robot arm) comprises at least one robotic arm adapted to move said first coupling body (2) and/or said second coupling body (3) at least between said proximal position and said distal position.
Regarding claim 13: Wabbels shows wherein said robotic arm is connected to said first coupling body (robot arm)
Regarding claim 14: Wabbels shows wherein said constraining means (17) comprises a spring-loaded shutter mounted on the second coupling body and/or a centering block (B, see markup figure 12) mounted on the first coupling body operatively connected to substantially engage the first coupling body (2) and the second coupling body (3) (see [0041]).
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments filed 04/13/2026 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive.
In response to applicant argument that the threaded rod 18 is equipped with a hexagonal head for manual insertion of a torque into the rod (see in particular Fig. 2 and Fig. 10). The above paragraph of D1 thus clearly and explicitly indicates that the activation of the corresponding locking means of D1 is performed manually by applying a torque on the threaded rod by hand. Therefore, does not describe the implementation of a control unit configured to activate and deactivate the various components of the device, and does not provide any information regarding the possibility of implementing an automated coupling device.
Translation of Paragraph [0015] states the following “…By forming the fastening sections at an angle of approximately 90° and by forming the clamping jaws accordingly, the movable half is automatically positioned when it is hung into the fixed half in such a way that the tool….automatically positions itself in the predetermined position relative to the fixed half due to the weight force and the geometrical arrangement of the partial section or the geometrical configuration of the rigid clamping jaw…” in addition to manual actuation the device in D1 reference also has automated coupling which require to have a control unit.
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Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. For example, JP 2010-17834 shows robot with coupling device comprising a first locking mean (31) and second locking mean (31).
THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. 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 ZAKARIA ELAHMADI whose telephone number is (571)270-5324. The examiner can normally be reached on M-F 10-6 EST.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Minnah Seoh can be reached on 571-270-7778. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/ZAKARIA ELAHMADI/
Examiner, Art Unit 3618
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