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 .
Abstract
The abstract of the disclosure is objected to because it exceeds 150 words. A corrected abstract of the disclosure is required and must be presented on a separate sheet, apart from any other text. See MPEP § 608.01(b).
Claim Objections
Claims 1-16 are objected to because of the following informalities:
Regarding claim 1, line 12: the limitation “a sweeper module” should be “the sweeper module” since the limitation has been previously introduced.
Regarding claim 9, lines 9-10: the limitation “wherein debris in the container of the sweeper module to empty onto the conveyor belt” should be “wherein debris in the container of the sweeper module is emptied onto the conveyor belt”
Appropriate correction is required.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b):
(b) CONCLUSION.—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph:
The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention.
Claims 15 and 16 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor (or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention.
Regarding claim 15, line 3: the limitation “the dispense region” has a lack of antecedent basis rendering the claim indefinite. It appears claim 15 should be dependent upon claim 11.
Regarding claim 16, lines 2-3: the limitation “the receiving region” has a lack of antecedent basis rendering the claim indefinite. It appears claim 16 should be dependent upon claim 11.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-14 would be allowable if rewritten or amended to overcome the claim objections set forth in this Office action.
Claims 15 and 16 would be allowable if rewritten or amended to overcome the rejection(s) under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), 2nd paragraph, set forth in this Office action.
Regarding claim 1, Baek (KR100715774) is considered the closest prior art and discloses a conveyor station, comprising,
a housing (2) having an input end and an output end;
a conveyor belt (24) having a receiving region proximate to the input end and a dispense region
a conveyor controller (page 22-23 of translation) of the conveyor station is configured with a sensor (22) for detecting presence of a sweeper module (13).
The primary reason for the indication of allowable subject matter of claim 1 is the inclusion of the conveyor belt having an angled transport region leading toward dispense region, the conveyor belt having a plurality of fins that extend out from a surface of the conveyor belt, the plurality of fins enable movement of debris collected at the receiving region toward the dispense region, wherein the dispense region is configured to push debris into a drop funnel of the housing, the drop funnel directs debris into a receptacle; and wherein debris from a sweeper module are configured to be emptied from said sweeper module directly onto said receiving region of the conveyor belt in combination with the rest of the claim limitations is not taught nor fairly suggested by the prior art.
Regarding claim 9, Baek (KR100715774) is considered the closest prior art and discloses a system, comprising,
a robot (1);
a sweeper module (13) configured for interfacing with the robot, wherein said robot connects to said sweeper module and causes said sweeper to operate brushes (14) for sweeping a surface to collect debris in a container of the sweeper;
a docking station (fig 4-8) and for enabling the robot to connect the sweeper module with the docking station; and
a conveyor system (24) including a conveyor belt (24), the conveyor system having an input end that is interfaced with the docking station.
The primary reason for the indication of allowable subject matter of claim 9 is the inclusion of wherein debris in the container of the sweeper module is emptied onto the conveyor belt at the input end, the conveyor belt is configured to move debris to an output end so that said debris can be dropped into a receptacle in combination with the rest of the claim limitations is not taught nor fairly suggested by the prior art.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Keith R Campbell whose telephone number is (571)270-1015. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Friday 8:30am-5:00pm EST.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Gene Crawford can be reached at (571) 272-6911. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/KRC/ Examiner, Art Unit 3651
5/1/2026
/GENE O CRAWFORD/ Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 3651
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