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 .
Continued Examination Under 37 CFR 1.114
A request for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, including the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e), was filed in this application after final rejection. Since this application is eligible for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114. Applicant's submission filed on 09/22/2026 has been entered.
Status
This Office Action is in response to the remarks and amendments filed on 09/22/2026. The previous 35 USC 112 rejections have also been withdrawn. Claims 1-3, 5-9, 11-18, and 24-27 remain pending for consideration.
Drawings
The drawings are objected to under 37 CFR 1.83(a). The drawings must show every feature of the invention specified in the claims.
Therefore, the “wherein the ice maker further comprises a bracket integrally formed with the first tray case” in claim 7 must be shown or the feature(s) canceled from the claim(s). No new matter should be entered.
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. The figure or figure number of an amended drawing should not be labeled as “amended.” If a drawing figure is to be canceled, the appropriate figure must be removed from the replacement sheet, and where necessary, the remaining figures must be renumbered and appropriate changes made to the brief description of the several views of the drawings for consistency. Additional replacement sheets may be necessary to show the renumbering of the remaining figures. 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
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.
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 1, 7, and 27 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kim et al. (US 20140000304 A1, herein after referred to as Kim), in view of Shiozaki et al. (JP2003056966A, herein after referred to as Shiozaki), and in further view of Castrellon et al. (US 20050241329 A1, herein after referred to as Castrellon).
Regarding claim 1, Kim teaches an ice maker (ice maker 200 Fig. 6) comprising: a cell (disclosed “shell” in paragraph [0053]) in which a liquid (disclosed “water” in paragraph [0042]) is phase changed into ice (paragraph [0042]); a first tray (recess part 213 Fig. 6) configured to define a first portion (corresponds to the upper portion of the shell Fig. 6) of a wall providing the cell (corresponds to the upper and lower walls of the shell Fig. 6); a second tray (tray body 223 Fig. 6) configured to define a second portion of the wall (corresponds to the lower portion of the shell Fig. 6) providing the cell (paragraph [0060]); a first tray case (tray part 212 Fig. 6) configured to be positioned at one side of the first tray (corresponds to the bottom side of recess parts 213 Fig. 6 and paragraph [0060]); wherein the cell is provided in plurality (Fig. 6), and includes one ice making cell (first left cell Fig. 6) and another ice making cell (second left cell Fig. 6), wherein the ice maker further comprises a bracket (ice maker bracket 250 Fig. 7) manufactured as a separate component from the first tray case (Figs. 6-7) and coupled to the first tray case (Figs. 6-7), and wherein the second tray is disposed to be relatively movable with respect to the first tray, the first tray case and the bracket (paragraph [0046]).
Kim teaches the invention as described above but fails to explicitly teach “the ice maker comprising: a temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of the liquid or the ice in the cell, the other ice making cell disposed nearer to a cold air hole, through which cold air flows, than the one ice making cell, wherein the temperature sensor includes a portion disposed between the one ice making cell and the other ice making cell”.
However, Shiozaki teaches an ice maker (ice making machining 13 Fig. 1 corresponds to the ice maker of Kim) comprising: a temperature sensor (temperature sensor 26 Fig. 2) configured to detect a temperature of a liquid or ice (paragraph [0011] page 3) in a cell (see below annotated Fig. 2 of Shiozaki), another ice making cell (see below annotated Fig. 2 of Shiozaki) disposed nearer to a cold air hole (cold air outlet 31 Fig. 2), through which cold air flows (paragraph [0002]), than one ice making cell (see below annotated Fig. 2 of Shiozaki), wherein the temperature sensor includes a portion (see below annotated Fig. 2 of Shiozaki) disposed between the one ice making cell and the other ice making cell (see below annotated Fig. 2 of Shiozaki) to determine whether the ice tray is empty or not (paragraph [0011] page 4).
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Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person skilled in the art before the effectively filed date to modify the apparatus of Kim to include “the ice maker comprising: a temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of the liquid or the ice in the cell, the other ice making cell disposed nearer to a cold air hole, through which cold air flows, than the one ice making cell, wherein the temperature sensor includes a portion disposed between the one ice making cell and the other ice making cell” in view of the teachings of Shiozaki to determine whether the ice tray is empty or not.
The combined teachings teach the invention as described above but fail to explicitly teach “the cold air hole being formed at the bracket, and wherein the bracket is configured to define at least a portion of a space that accommodates the first tray and the second tray”.
However, Castrellon teaches a cold air hole (air inlet slits 14 Fig. 3 corresponds to the cold air hole of Shiozaki) being formed at a bracket (Fig. 3 where case 10 corresponds to the bracket of Kim), and wherein the bracket is configured to define at least a portion of a space (Fig. 1 and paragraph [0034]) that accommodates a first tray (Fig. 1 where top ice-cube tray 50 corresponds to the first tray of Kim) and a second tray (Fig. 1 where bottom ice-cube tray 50 corresponds to the first tray of Kim) to allow for a faster cooling of the ice-cube trays (paragraph [0035]).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person skilled in the art before the effectively filed date to modify the apparatus of the combined teachings to include “the cold air hole being formed at the bracket, and wherein the bracket is configured to define at least a portion of a space that accommodates the first tray and the second tray” in view of the teachings of Castrellon to allow for a faster cooling of the ice-cube trays.
The combined teachings teach the invention as described above but fail to explicitly teach “the first tray case is a separate component from the first tray”.
However, Applicant has not disclosed that having “the first tray case is a separate component from the first tray” does anything more than produce the predictable result of providing a cover for the first tray. Since it has been held that Making Separable parts has no patentable significance unless a new and unexpected result is produced, see MPEP 2144.04 V. C, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was made, to modify the apparatus of the combined teachings and meet the claimed limitations in order to produce the predictable results of providing a cover for the first tray.
Regarding claim 7, Kim teaches an ice maker (ice maker 200 Fig. 6) comprising: a cell (disclosed “shell” in paragraph [0053]) in which a liquid (disclosed “water” in paragraph [0042]) is phase changed into ice (paragraph [0042]); a first tray (recess part 213 Fig. 6) configured to define a first portion (corresponds to the upper portion of the shell Fig. 6) of a wall providing the cell (corresponds to the upper and lower walls of the shell Fig. 6); a second tray (tray body 223 Fig. 6) configured to define a second portion of the wall (corresponds to the lower portion of the shell Fig. 6) providing the cell (paragraph [0060]); a first tray case (tray part 212 Fig. 6) configured to be positioned at one side of the first tray (corresponds to the bottom side of recess parts 213 Fig. 6 and paragraph [0060]); a second tray case (tray case 221 Fig. 6) configured to support the second tray (paragraph [0048]); wherein the cell is provided in plurality (Fig. 6), and includes one ice making cell (first left cell Fig. 6) and another ice making cell (second left cell Fig. 6), wherein the ice maker further comprises a bracket (ice maker bracket 250 Fig. 7), wherein the first tray case is coupled to the first tray (Fig. 6 and paragraph [0060]), and wherein the second tray is disposed to be relatively movable with respect to the first tray, the first tray case and the bracket (paragraph [0046]).
Kim teaches the invention as described above but fails to explicitly teach “the ice maker comprising: a temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of the liquid or the ice in the cell, the other ice making cell disposed nearer to a cold air hole, through which cold air flows, than the one ice making cell, wherein the temperature sensor includes a portion disposed between the one ice making cell and the other ice making cell”.
However, Shiozaki teaches an ice maker (ice making machining 13 Fig. 1 corresponds to the ice maker of Kim) comprising: a temperature sensor (temperature sensor 26 Fig. 2) configured to detect a temperature of a liquid or ice (paragraph [0011] page 3) in a cell (see below annotated Fig. 2 of Shiozaki), another ice making cell (see below annotated Fig. 2 of Shiozaki) disposed nearer to a cold air hole (cold air outlet 31 Fig. 2), through which cold air flows (paragraph [0002]), than one ice making cell (see below annotated Fig. 2 of Shiozaki), wherein the temperature sensor includes a portion (see below annotated Fig. 2 of Shiozaki) disposed between the one ice making cell and the other ice making cell (see below annotated Fig. 2 of Shiozaki) to determine whether the ice tray is empty or not (paragraph [0011] page 4).
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Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person skilled in the art before the effectively filed date to modify the apparatus of Kim to include “the ice maker comprising: a temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of the liquid or the ice in the cell, the other ice making cell disposed nearer to a cold air hole, through which cold air flows, than the one ice making cell, wherein the temperature sensor includes a portion disposed between the one ice making cell and the other ice making cell” in view of the teachings of Shiozaki to determine whether the ice tray is empty or not.
The combined teachings teach the invention as described above but fail to explicitly teach “the cold air hole being formed at the bracket, and wherein the bracket is configured to define at least a portion of a space that accommodates the first tray and the second tray”.
However, Castrellon teaches a cold air hole (air inlet slits 14 Fig. 3 corresponds to the cold air hole of Shiozaki) being formed at a bracket (Fig. 3 where case 10 corresponds to the bracket of Kim), and wherein the bracket is configured to define at least a portion of a space (Fig. 1 and paragraph [0034]) that accommodates a first tray (Fig. 1 where top ice-cube tray 50 corresponds to the first tray of Kim) and a second tray (Fig. 1 where bottom ice-cube tray 50 corresponds to the first tray of Kim) to allow for a faster cooling of the ice-cube trays (paragraph [0035]).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person skilled in the art before the effectively filed date to modify the apparatus of the combined teachings to include “the cold air hole being formed at the bracket, and wherein the bracket is configured to define at least a portion of a space that accommodates the first tray and the second tray” in view of the teachings of Castrellon to allow for a faster cooling of the ice-cube trays.
The combined teachings teach the invention as described above but fail to explicitly teach “the first tray case is a separate component from the first tray”.
However, Applicant has not disclosed that having “the first tray case is a separate component from the first tray” does anything more than produce the predictable result of providing a cover for the first tray. Since it has been held that Making Separable parts has no patentable significance unless a new and unexpected result is produced, see MPEP 2144.04 V. C, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was made, to modify the apparatus of the combined teachings and meet the claimed limitations in order to produce the predictable results of providing a cover for the first tray.
The combined teachings teach the invention as described above but fail to explicitly teach “the bracket integrally formed with the first tray case”.
However, Applicant has not disclosed that having “the bracket integrally formed with the first tray case” does anything more than produce the predictable result of providing a cover for the first tray and means for mounting the ice maker. Since it has been held that Making Integral parts has no patentable significance unless a new and unexpected result is produced, see MPEP 2144.04 V. B, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was made, to modify the apparatus of the combined teachings and meet the claimed limitations in order to produce the predictable results of providing a cover for the first tray and means for mounting the ice maker.
Regarding claim 27, Kim teaches an ice maker (ice maker 200 Fig. 6) comprising: a cell (disclosed “shell” in paragraph [0053]) in which a liquid (disclosed “water” in paragraph [0042]) is phase changed into ice (paragraph [0042]); a first tray (recess part 213 Fig. 6) configured to define a first portion (corresponds to the upper portion of the shell Fig. 6) of a wall providing the cell (corresponds to the upper and lower walls of the shell Fig. 6) and including a communication hole (water supply part 214 Fig. 6) to introduce the liquid to the cell (paragraph [0062]); a second tray (tray body 223 Fig. 6) configured to define a second portion of the wall (corresponds to the lower portion of the shell Fig. 6) providing the cell (paragraph [0060]); a first tray case (tray part 212 Fig. 6) configured to be positioned at one side of the first tray (corresponds to the bottom side of recess parts 213 Fig. 6 and paragraph [0060]); wherein the cell is provided in plurality (Fig. 6), and includes one ice making cell (first left cell Fig. 6) and another ice making cell (second left cell Fig. 6) wherein the ice maker further comprises a bracket (ice maker bracket 250 Fig. 7) manufactured as a separate component from the first tray case (Figs. 6-7), and wherein the second tray is disposed to be relatively movable with respect to the first tray, the first tray case and the bracket (paragraph [0046]).
Kim teaches the invention as described above but fails to explicitly teach “the ice maker comprising: a temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of the liquid or the ice in the cell, the other ice making cell disposed nearer to a cold air hole, through which cold air flows, than the one ice making cell, wherein the temperature sensor includes a portion disposed between the one ice making cell and the other ice making cell”.
However, Shiozaki teaches an ice maker (ice making machining 13 Fig. 1 corresponds to the ice maker of Kim) comprising: a temperature sensor (temperature sensor 26 Fig. 2) configured to detect a temperature of a liquid or ice (paragraph [0011] page 3) in a cell (see below annotated Fig. 2 of Shiozaki), another ice making cell (see below annotated Fig. 2 of Shiozaki) disposed nearer to a cold air hole (cold air outlet 31 Fig. 2), through which cold air flows (paragraph [0002]), than one ice making cell (see below annotated Fig. 2 of Shiozaki), wherein the temperature sensor includes a portion (see below annotated Fig. 2 of Shiozaki) disposed between the one ice making cell and the other ice making cell (see below annotated Fig. 2 of Shiozaki) to determine whether the ice tray is empty or not (paragraph [0011] page 4).
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Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person skilled in the art before the effectively filed date to modify the apparatus of Kim to include “the ice maker comprising: a temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of the liquid or the ice in the cell, the other ice making cell disposed nearer to a cold air hole, through which cold air flows, than the one ice making cell, wherein the temperature sensor includes a portion disposed between the one ice making cell and the other ice making cell” in view of the teachings of Shiozaki to determine whether the ice tray is empty or not.
The combined teachings teach the invention as described above but fail to explicitly teach “the cold air hole being formed at the bracket, and wherein the bracket is configured to define at least a portion of a space that accommodates the first tray and the second tray”.
However, Castrellon teaches a cold air hole (air inlet slits 14 Fig. 3 corresponds to the cold air hole of Shiozaki) being formed at a bracket (Fig. 3 where case 10 corresponds to the bracket of Kim), and wherein the bracket is configured to define at least a portion of a space (Fig. 1 and paragraph [0034]) that accommodates a first tray (Fig. 1 where top ice-cube tray 50 corresponds to the first tray of Kim) and a second tray (Fig. 1 where bottom ice-cube tray 50 corresponds to the first tray of Kim) to allow for a faster cooling of the ice-cube trays (paragraph [0035]).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person skilled in the art before the effectively filed date to modify the apparatus of the combined teachings to include “the cold air hole being formed at the bracket, and wherein the bracket is configured to define at least a portion of a space that accommodates the first tray and the second tray” in view of the teachings of Castrellon to allow for a faster cooling of the ice-cube trays.
The combined teachings teach the invention as described above but fail to explicitly teach “the first tray case is a separate component from the first tray”.
However, Applicant has not disclosed that having “the first tray case is a separate component from the first tray” does anything more than produce the predictable result of providing a cover for the first tray. Since it has been held that Making Separable parts has no patentable significance unless a new and unexpected result is produced, see MPEP 2144.04 V. C, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was made, to modify the apparatus of the combined teachings and meet the claimed limitations in order to produce the predictable results of providing a cover for the first tray.
Claims 2 and 8 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kim, Shiozaki, and Castrellon as applied to claims 1 and 7 above, and further in view of Kang et al. (US 20110185759 A1, herein after referred to as Kang).
Regarding claim 2, the combined teachings teach further comprising a liquid supply (water supply pipe 20 Fig. 2 of Shiozaki) configured to supply the liquid (paragraph [0004] of Shiozaki), and the cold air hole includes a portion (the entirety of cold air outlet 31 Fig. 2 of Shiozaki) spaced apart from the liquid supply (Fig. 2 of Shiozaki).
The combined teachings teach the invention as described above but fail to explicitly teach “the liquid supply including a first portion and a second portion, the liquid supply being provided with a first opening formed in the first portion of the liquid supply and a second opening formed in the second portion of the liquid supply such that the liquid, which is supplied to the first portion of the liquid supply, is guided to the second portion of the liquid supply, wherein the liquid supply is installed at the bracket”.
However, Kang teaches a liquid supply (water funnel 160 Fig. 3 corresponds to the liquid supply of Shiozaki) including a first portion (corresponds to water collecting portion 161 Fig. 4) and a second portion (corresponds to drain tube 171 and tapered portion 174 Fig. 3), the liquid supply being provided with a first opening (corresponds to the top opening of water funnel 160 Fig. 4) formed in the first portion of the liquid supply (Fig. 4) and a second opening (corresponds to the opening of tapered portion 174 Fig. 4) formed in the second portion of the liquid supply (Fig. 4) such that a liquid (paragraph [0056] where the disclosed “water” corresponds to the liquid of Kim), which is supplied to the first portion of the liquid supply (paragraph [0056]), is guided to the second portion of the liquid supply (paragraph [0056]), wherein the liquid supply is installed at a bracket (Figs. 2-3 where frame 131 corresponds to the bracket of Kim) to guide water for making ice (paragraph [0056]).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person skilled in the art before the effectively filed date to modify the apparatus of the combined teachings to include “the liquid supply including a first portion and a second portion, the liquid supply being provided with a first opening formed in the first portion of the liquid supply and a second opening formed in the second portion of the liquid supply such that the liquid, which is supplied to the first portion of the liquid supply, is guided to the second portion of the liquid supply, wherein the liquid supply is installed at the bracket” in view of the teachings of Kang to guide water for making ice.
Regarding claim 8, the combined teachings teach further comprising a liquid supply (water supply pipe 20 Fig. 2 of Shiozaki) configured to supply the liquid (paragraph [0004] of Shiozaki), wherein the first tray includes a communication hole (corresponds to the opening on the top of ice making tray 22 Fig. 2 of Shiozaki which allows water to be supplied to the tray), and wherein the liquid supply is configured to supply the liquid to the communication hole (paragraph [0011] of page 3 of Shiozaki), and the cold air hole includes a portion (the entirety of cold air outlet 31 Fig. 2 of Shiozaki) spaced apart from the communication hole (Fig. 2 of Shiozaki).
The combined teachings teach the invention as described above but fail to explicitly teach “the liquid supply including a first portion and a second portion, the liquid supply being provided with a first opening formed in the first portion of the liquid supply and a second opening formed in the second portion of the liquid supply such that the liquid, which is supplied to the first portion of the liquid supply, is guided to the second portion of the liquid supply”.
However, Kang teaches a liquid supply (water funnel 160 Fig. 3 corresponds to the liquid supply of Shiozaki) including a first portion (corresponds to water collecting portion 161 Fig. 4) and a second portion (corresponds to drain tube 171 and tapered portion 174 Fig. 3), the liquid supply being provided with a first opening (corresponds to the top opening of water funnel 160 Fig. 4) formed in the first portion of the liquid supply (Fig. 4) and a second opening (corresponds to the opening of tapered portion 174 Fig. 4) formed in the second portion of the liquid supply (Fig. 4) such that a liquid (paragraph [0056] where the disclosed “water” corresponds to the liquid of Kim), which is supplied to the first portion of the liquid supply (paragraph [0056]), is guided to the second portion of the liquid supply (paragraph [0056]) to guide water for making ice (paragraph [0056]).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person skilled in the art before the effectively filed date to modify the apparatus of the combined teachings to include “the liquid supply including a first portion and a second portion, the liquid supply being provided with a first opening formed in the first portion of the liquid supply and a second opening formed in the second portion of the liquid supply such that the liquid, which is supplied to the first portion of the liquid supply, is guided to the second portion of the liquid supply” in view of the teachings of Kang to guide water for making ice.
Claims 3 and 25 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kim, Shiozaki, and Castrellon as applied to claims 1 and 7 above, and further in view of Alshourbagy et al. (US 20170299244 A1, herein after referred to as Alshourbagy).
Regarding claims 3 and 25, the combined teachings teach the invention as described above but fail to explicitly teach “wherein the temperature sensor is installed in the first tray case, and a wire connected to the temperature sensor is guided to one side of the first tray case”.
However, Alshourbagy teaches wherein a temperature sensor (heater thermistor 114 Fig. 10) is installed in a first tray case (Fig. 10 where canopy 116 corresponds to the first tray case of Kim), and a wire (Fig. 9) connected to the temperature sensor (Fig. 9) is guided to one side of the first tray case (Figs. 10-11) to allow for easy engagement and removal of the completed assembly for replacement and repair of the assembly if necessary (paragraph [0040]).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person skilled in the art before the effectively filed date to modify the apparatus of the combined teachings to include “wherein the temperature sensor is installed in the first tray case, and a wire connected to the temperature sensor is guided to one side of the first tray case” in view of the teachings of Alshourbagy to allow for easy engagement and removal of the completed assembly for replacement and repair of the assembly if necessary.
Claims 5 and 11 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kim, Shiozaki, and Castrellon as applied to claims 1 and 7 above, and further in view of Hara (US 4910974).
Regarding claims 5 and 11, the combined teachings teach the invention as described above but fail to explicitly teach “further comprising a heater configured to supply heat to the cell, wherein the first tray includes a contact surface contacting with the second tray in an ice making process, and wherein a portion of the heater is spaced apart from the contact surface of the first tray in a first distance and a portion of the temperature sensor is spaced apart from the contact surface of the first tray in a second distance less than the first distance”.
However, Hara teaches further comprising a heater (heater H Fig. 13) configured to supply heat (Col. 14 lines 32-36) to a cell (the disclosed “spherical spaces” in Col. 5 lines 1-12 correspond to cell of Kim), wherein a first tray (first freezing chamber 11 Fig. 13 corresponds to the first tray of Kim) includes a contact surface (bottom surface of first freezing chamber 11 Fig. 13) contacting with a second tray (second freezing cell 15 Fig. 13 corresponds to the second tray of Kim) in an ice making process (the process described in Col. 8 lines 52-68 and Col. 9 lines 1-48), and wherein a portion of the heater (top portion of heater H Fig. 13) is spaced apart from the contact surface of the first tray in a first distance (see below annotated Fig. 13 of Hara) and a portion of a temperature sensor (lower portion of thermostat Th2 Fig. 13 where thermostat Th2 corresponds to the temperature sensor of Shiozaki) is spaced apart from the contact surface of the first tray in a second distance (see below annotated Fig. 13 of Hara) less than the first distance (see below annotated Fig. 13 of Hara) to separate the ice (Col. 14 lines 32-36).
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Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person skilled in the art before the effectively filed date to modify the apparatus of the combined teachings to include “further comprising a heater configured to supply heat to the cell, wherein the first tray includes a contact surface contacting with the second tray in an ice making process, and wherein a portion of the heater is spaced apart from the contact surface of the first tray in a first distance and a portion of the temperature sensor is spaced apart from the contact surface of the first tray in a second distance less than the first distance” in view of the teachings of Hara to separate the ice.
Claims 6, 12-13, and 24 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kim, Shiozaki, and Castrellon as applied to claims 1 and 7 above, and further in view of Boarman et al. (US 20140165598 A1, herein after referred to as Boarman).
Regarding claim 6, the combined teachings teach wherein the first tray case is coupled to the first tray (Fig. 6 and paragraph [0060] of Kim).
The combined teachings teach the invention as described above but fail to explicitly teach “further comprising a heater configured to supply heat to the cell, and the heater is installed in the first tray case”.
However, Boarman teaches further comprising a heater (heating coil 520 Figs. 30 and 35) configured to supply heat to a cell (Fig. 26 where unitary mold cavity 440 corresponds to the cell of Kim), and the heater is installed in a first tray case (Figs. 30 and 35 where chill ring cover 504 corresponds to the first tray case of Kim).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person skilled in the art before the effectively filed date to modify the apparatus of the combined teachings to include “further comprising a heater configured to supply heat to the cell, and the heater is installed in the first tray case” in view of the teachings of Boarman to improve the ice removal process.
Regarding claim 12, the combined teachings teach the invention as described above but fail to explicitly teach “further comprising: a pusher including at least one extension part configured to push out the ice disposed in the cell, wherein the pusher is supported by the bracket”.
However, Boarman teaches further comprising a pusher (ejector pin 475 Fig. 29) including at least one extension part (stem portion of ejector pin 475 Fig. 29) configured to push out ice (paragraph [0120]) disposed in a cell (Fig. 26 where unitary mold cavity 440 corresponds to the cell of Kim), wherein the pusher is supported by a bracket (Fig. 29 where outer shell 500 corresponds to the bracket of Kim).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person skilled in the art before the effectively filed date to modify the apparatus of the combined teachings to include “further comprising: a pusher including at least one extension part configured to push out the ice disposed in the cell, wherein the pusher is supported by the bracket” in view of the teachings of Boarman to improve the ice removal process.
Regarding claim 13, the combined teachings teach the invention as described above but fail to explicitly teach “further comprising a pusher including at least one extension part configured to push out the ice disposed in the cell, wherein the pusher is installed on the bracket”.
However, Boarman teaches further comprising a pusher (ejector pin 475 Fig. 29) including at least one extension part (stem portion of ejector pin 475 Fig. 29) configured to push out ice (paragraph [0120]) disposed in a cell (Fig. 26 where unitary mold cavity 440 corresponds to the cell of Kim), wherein the pusher is installed on a bracket (Fig. 29 where outer shell 500 corresponds to the bracket of Kim).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person skilled in the art before the effectively filed date to modify the apparatus of the combined teachings to include “further comprising a pusher including at least one extension part configured to push out the ice disposed in the cell, wherein the pusher is installed on the bracket” in view of the teachings of Boarman to improve the ice removal process.
Regarding claim 24, the combined teachings teach the invention as described above but fail to explicitly teach “further comprising a pusher including at least one extension part configured to push out the ice disposed in the cell, wherein the first tray case is provided with a hole through which a portion of the pusher passes”.
However, Boarman teaches further comprising a pusher (ejector pin 475 Fig. 29) including at least one extension part (stem portion of ejector pin 475 Fig. 29) configured to push out ice (paragraph [0120]) disposed in a cell (Fig. 26 where unitary mold cavity 440 corresponds to the cell of Kim), wherein a first tray case (chill ring cover 504 Fig. 35 corresponds to the first tray case of Kim) is provided with a hole (water inlet apertures 505 Fig. 35) through which a portion of the pusher passes (lower portion of ejector pin 475 Fig. 29).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person skilled in the art before the effectively filed date to modify the apparatus of the combined teachings to include “further comprising a pusher including at least one extension part configured to push out the ice disposed in the cell, wherein the first tray case is provided with a hole through which a portion of the pusher passes” in view of the teachings of Boarman to improve the ice removal process.
Claim 9 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kim, Shiozaki, and Castrellon, as applied to claim 7 above, and further in view of Hara and Alshourbagy.
Regarding claim 9, the combined teachings teach the invention as described above but fail to explicitly teach “wherein the first tray includes a surface contacting with the second tray in an ice making process and the temperature sensor includes a portion spaced apart from the surface of the first tray in the ice making process, and wherein the ice maker further comprises a heater”.
However, Hara teaches wherein a first tray (first freezing chamber 11 Fig. 13 corresponds to the first tray of Kim) includes a surface (bottom surface of first freezing chamber 11 Fig. 13) contacting with a second tray (second freezing cell 15 Fig. 13 corresponds to the second tray of Kim) in an ice making process (the process described in Col. 8 lines 52-68 and Col. 9 lines 1-48), and a temperature sensor (thermostat Th2 Fig. 13 corresponds to the temperature sensor of Shiozaki) includes a portion (lower portion of thermostat Th2 Fig. 13) spaced apart from the surface of the first tray in the ice making process (Fig. 13), and wherein the ice maker further comprises a heater (heater H Fig. 13) to separate the ice (Col. 14 lines 32-36).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person skilled in the art before the effectively filed date to modify the apparatus of the combined teachings to include “wherein the first tray includes a surface contacting with the second tray in an ice making process and the temperature sensor includes a portion spaced apart from the surface of the first tray in the ice making process, and wherein the ice maker further comprises a heater” in view of the teachings of Hara to separate the ice.
The combined teachings teach the invention as described above but fail to explicitly teach “wherein the ice maker further comprises a heater case in which the heater is installed, and wherein the portion of the temperature sensor is disposed between the heater case and the first tray”.
However, Alshourbagy teaches an ice maker (ice making assembly 100 Fig. 4 corresponds to the ice maker of Kim) further comprises a heater case (frame cover 116 Fig. 10 and paragraph [0039]) in which a heater (heater 112 Fig. 4 corresponds to the heater of Hara) is installed (Fig. 10 and paragraph [0039]), and wherein a portion of a temperature sensor (the entirety of thermistor 114 Fig. 10 where thermistor 114 corresponds to the temperature sensor of Shiozaki) is disposed between the heater case and a first tray (Figs. 4 and 10 where ice making portion 118 corresponds to the first tray of Kim) to allow for easy engagement and removal of the completed assembly for replacement and repair of the assembly if necessary (paragraph [0040]).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person skilled in the art before the effectively filed date to modify the apparatus of the combined teachings to include “wherein the ice maker further comprises a heater case in which the heater is installed, and wherein the portion of the temperature sensor is disposed between the heater case and the first tray” in view of the teachings of Alshourbagy to allow for easy engagement and removal of the completed assembly for replacement and repair of the assembly if necessary.
Claims 14-18, and 26 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kim, Shiozaki, and Castrellon as applied to claim 7 above, and further in view of Kakimoto et al. (JPH0674624A, herein after referred to as Kakimoto).
Regarding claim 14, the combined teachings teach the invention as described above but fail to explicitly teach “further comprising a heater configured to be turned on when a turn-on condition of the heater is satisfied, and to supply heat to the cell to make a transparent ice, wherein, before the heater is turned on, the second tray is configured to be moved to a position at which the liquid starts to be supplied to the cell”.
However, Kakimoto teaches further comprising a heater (heater 20 Fig. 3) configured to be turned on when a turn-on condition of the heater is satisfied (paragraph [0018] where the turn-on condition corresponds to the completion of Step 5), and to supply heat to a cell (paragraph [0018] and Fig. 14 where block 9 corresponds to the cell of Kim) to make a transparent ice (paragraph [0018]), wherein, before the heater is turned on, a second tray (ice tray 8 Fig. 3 corresponds to the second tray of Kim) is configured to be moved to a position (the position illustrated in Fig. 9A) at which a liquid (the disclosed “water” in paragraph [0017] corresponds to the liquid of Kim) starts to be supplied to the cell (paragraph [0017]) to allow for bubbles contained in the water to be released (paragraph [0018]).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person skilled in the art before the effectively filed date to modify the apparatus of the combined teachings to include “further comprising a heater configured to be turned on when a turn-on condition of the heater is satisfied, and to supply heat to the cell to make a transparent ice, wherein, before the heater is turned on, the second tray is configured to be moved to a position at which the liquid starts to be supplied to the cell” in view of the teachings of Kakimoto to allow for bubbles contained in the water to be released.
Regarding claim 15, the combined teachings teach wherein the heater is configured to supply the heat to the cell in at least a partial period (understood to be at least during step S6 as described in paragraph [0018] of Kakimoto) when cold air (corresponds to the disclosed “cool air” in paragraph [0018] of Kakimoto) is supplied to the cell (paragraph [0018] of Kakimoto).
Regarding claim 16, the combined teachings teach the invention as described above but fail to explicitly teach “further comprising a heater configured to be turned on when a turn-on condition of the heater is satisfied, and to transfer heat to the cell such that an ice making rate in the cell is reduced, wherein, before the heater is turned on, the second tray is configured to be moved to a position at which the liquid starts to be supplied to the cell”.
However, Kakimoto teaches further comprising a heater (heater 20 Fig. 3) configured to be turned on when a turn-on condition of the heater is satisfied (paragraph [0018] where the turn-on condition corresponds to the completion of Step 5), and to transfer heat to a cell (paragraph [0018] and Fig. 14 where block 9 corresponds to the cell of Kim) such that an ice making rate in the cell is reduced (paragraph [0018] where it is disclosed that “the formation of ice on the water surface side is delayed”), wherein, before the heater is turned on, a second tray (ice tray 8 Fig. 3 corresponds to the second tray of Kim) is configured to be moved to a position (the position illustrated in Fig. 9A) at which a liquid (the disclosed “water” in paragraph [0017] corresponds to the liquid of Kim) starts to be supplied to the cell (paragraph [0017]) to allow for bubbles contained in the water to be released (paragraph [0018]).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person skilled in the art before the effectively filed date to modify the apparatus of the combined teachings to include “further comprising a heater configured to be turned on when a turn-on condition of the heater is satisfied, and to transfer heat to the cell such that an ice making rate in the cell is reduced, wherein, before the heater is turned on, the second tray is configured to be moved to a position at which the liquid starts to be supplied to the cell” in view of the teachings of Kakimoto to allow for bubbles contained in the water to be released.
Regarding claim 17, the combined teachings teach the invention as described above but fail to explicitly teach “further comprising a heater configured to be turned on when a turn on condition of the heater is satisfied, and to supply heat to the cell to make a transparent ice, wherein, before the heater is turned on, the second tray is configured to be moved to a position at which the transparent ice is generated in the cell”.
However, Kakimoto teaches further comprising a heater (heater 20 Fig. 3) configured to be turned on when a turn-on condition of the heater is satisfied (paragraph [0018] where the turn-on condition corresponds to the completion of Step 5), and to supply heat to a cell (paragraph [0018] and Fig. 14 where block 9 corresponds to the cell of Kim) to make a transparent ice (paragraph [0018]), wherein, before the heater is turned on, a second tray (ice tray 8 Fig. 3 corresponds to the second tray of Kim) is configured to be moved to a position (the position illustrated in Fig. 9A) at which the transparent ice is generated in the cell (paragraph [0018]) to allow for bubbles contained in the water to be released (paragraph [0018]).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person skilled in the art before the effectively filed date to modify the apparatus of the combined teachings to include “further comprising a heater configured to be turned on when a turn on condition of the heater is satisfied, and to supply heat to the cell to make a transparent ice, wherein, before the heater is turned on, the second tray is configured to be moved to a position at which the transparent ice is generated in the cell” in view of the teachings of Kakimoto to allow for bubbles contained in the water to be released.
Regarding claim 18, the combined teachings teach the invention as described above but fail to explicitly teach “further comprising a heater configured to be turned on when a turn-on condition of the heater is satisfied, and to transfer heat to the cell such that an ice making rate in the cell is reduced, wherein, before the heater is turned on, the second tray is configured to be moved to a position at which the transparent ice is generated in the cell, wherein the heater is turned off when a turn-off condition of the heater is satisfied, and wherein, after the heater is turned off, the second tray is configured to be moved in a direction so as to take the ice out of the cell”.
However, Kakimoto teaches further comprising a heater (heater 20 Fig. 3) configured to be turned on when a turn-on condition of the heater is satisfied (paragraph [0018] where the turn-on condition corresponds to the completion of Step 5), and to transfer heat to a cell (paragraph [0018] and Fig. 14 where block 9 corresponds to the cell of Kim) such that an ice making rate in the cell is reduced (paragraph [0018] where it is disclosed that “the formation of ice on the water surface side is delayed”), wherein, before the heater is turned on, a second tray (ice tray 8 Fig. 3 corresponds to the second tray of Kim) is configured to be moved to a position (the position illustrated in Fig. 9A) at which the transparent ice is generated in the cell (paragraph [0018]), wherein the heater is turned off when a turn-off condition of the heater is satisfied (paragraph [0019] where the turn-off condition corresponds to the detection of temperature that is “equal to or lower than the ice making completion temperature”), and wherein, after the heater is turned off, a second tray (ice tray 8 Fig. 3 corresponds to the second tray of Kim) is configured to be moved in a direction (corresponds to the opposite direction of arrow S Fig. 9B-C and paragraph [0021]) so as to take ice out of the cell (paragraph [0021]) to allow for bubbles contained in the water to be released (paragraph [0018]).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person skilled in the art before the effectively filed date to modify the apparatus of the combined teachings to include “further comprising a heater configured to be turned on when a turn-on condition of the heater is satisfied, and to transfer heat to the cell such that an ice making rate in the cell is reduced, wherein, before the heater is turned on, the second tray is configured to be moved to a position at which the transparent ice is generated in the cell, wherein the heater is turned off when a turn-off condition of the heater is satisfied, and wherein, after the heater is turned off, the second tray is configured to be moved in a direction so as to take the ice out of the cell” in view of the teachings of Kakimoto to allow for bubbles contained in the water to be released.
Regarding claim 26, the combined teachings teach the invention as described above but fail to explicitly teach “further comprising a heater configured to be turned on when a turn-on condition of the heater is satisfied, and to supply heat to the cell to make a transparent ice, wherein the heater is turned off when a turn-off condition of the heater is satisfied, and wherein, after the heater is turned off, the second tray is configured to be moved in a direction so as to take the ice out of the cell”.
However, Kakimoto teaches further comprising a heater (heater 20 Fig. 3) configured to be turned on when a turn-on condition of the heater is satisfied (paragraph [0018] where the turn-on condition corresponds to the completion of Step 5), and to supply heat to a cell (paragraph [0018] and Fig. 14 where block 9 corresponds to the cell of Kim) to make a transparent ice (paragraph [0018]), wherein the heater is turned off when a turn-off condition of the heater is satisfied (paragraph [0019] where the turn-off condition corresponds to the detection of temperature that is “equal to or lower than the ice making completion temperature”), and wherein, after the heater is turned off, a second tray (ice tray 8 Fig. 3 corresponds to the second tray of Kim) is configured to be moved in a direction (corresponds to the opposite direction of arrow S Fig. 9B-C and paragraph [0021]) so as to take ice out of the cell (paragraph [0021]) to allow for bubbles contained in the water to be released during an ice making process (paragraph [0018]).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person skilled in the art before the effectively filed date to modify the apparatus of the combined teachings to include “further comprising a heater configured to be turned on when a turn-on condition of the heater is satisfied, and to supply heat to the cell to make a transparent ice, wherein the heater is turned off when a turn-off condition of the heater is satisfied, and wherein, after the heater is turned off, the second tray is configured to be moved in a direction so as to take the ice out of the cell” in view of the teachings of Kakimoto to allow for bubbles contained in the water to be released during an ice making process.
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments, see pages 14-21, filed on 09/22/2026, with respect to the rejection(s) of claim(s) 1 under 35 U.S.C. 103 have been fully considered and are persuasive. Therefore, the rejection has been withdrawn. However, upon further consideration, a new ground(s) of rejection is made in view of different interpretation of the previously applied reference.
For clarity purposes, the above rejection of amended claim 1 is repeated below:
Regarding claim 1, Kim teaches an ice maker (ice maker 200 Fig. 6) comprising: a cell (disclosed “shell” in paragraph [0053]) in which a liquid (disclosed “water” in paragraph [0042]) is phase changed into ice (paragraph [0042]); a first tray (recess part 213 Fig. 6) configured to define a first portion (corresponds to the upper portion of the shell Fig. 6) of a wall providing the cell (corresponds to the upper and lower walls of the shell Fig. 6); a second tray (tray body 223 Fig. 6) configured to define a second portion of the wall (corresponds to the lower portion of the shell Fig. 6) providing the cell (paragraph [0060]); a first tray case (tray part 212 Fig. 6) configured to be positioned at one side of the first tray (corresponds to the bottom side of recess parts 213 Fig. 6 and paragraph [0060]); wherein the cell is provided in plurality (Fig. 6), and includes one ice making cell (first left cell Fig. 6) and another ice making cell (second left cell Fig. 6), wherein the ice maker further comprises a bracket (ice maker bracket 250 Fig. 7) manufactured as a separate component from the first tray case (Figs. 6-7) and coupled to the first tray case (Figs. 6-7), and wherein the second tray is disposed to be relatively movable with respect to the first tray, the first tray case and the bracket (paragraph [0046]).
Kim teaches the invention as described above but fails to explicitly teach “the ice maker comprising: a temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of the liquid or the ice in the cell, the other ice making cell disposed nearer to a cold air hole, through which cold air flows, than the one ice making cell, wherein the temperature sensor includes a portion disposed between the one ice making cell and the other ice making cell”.
However, Shiozaki teaches an ice maker (ice making machining 13 Fig. 1 corresponds to the ice maker of Kim) comprising: a temperature sensor (temperature sensor 26 Fig. 2) configured to detect a temperature of a liquid or ice (paragraph [0011] page 3) in a cell (see below annotated Fig. 2 of Shiozaki), another ice making cell (see below annotated Fig. 2 of Shiozaki) disposed nearer to a cold air hole (cold air outlet 31 Fig. 2), through which cold air flows (paragraph [0002]), than one ice making cell (see below annotated Fig. 2 of Shiozaki), wherein the temperature sensor includes a portion (see below annotated Fig. 2 of Shiozaki) disposed between the one ice making cell and the other ice making cell (see below annotated Fig. 2 of Shiozaki) to determine whether the ice tray is empty or not (paragraph [0011] page 4).
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Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person skilled in the art before the effectively filed date to modify the apparatus of Kim to include “the ice maker comprising: a temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of the liquid or the ice in the cell, the other ice making cell disposed nearer to a cold air hole, through which cold air flows, than the one ice making cell, wherein the temperature sensor includes a portion disposed between the one ice making cell and the other ice making cell” in view of the teachings of Shiozaki to determine whether the ice tray is empty or not.
The combined teachings teach the invention as described above but fail to explicitly teach “the cold air hole being formed at the bracket, and wherein the bracket is configured to define at least a portion of a space that accommodates the first tray and the second tray”.
However, Castrellon teaches a cold air hole (air inlet slits 14 Fig. 3 corresponds to the cold air hole of Shiozaki) being formed at a bracket (Fig. 3 where case 10 corresponds to the bracket of Kim), and wherein the bracket is configured to define at least a portion of a space (Fig. 1 and paragraph [0034]) that accommodates a first tray (Fig. 1 where top ice-cube tray 50 corresponds to the first tray of Kim) and a second tray (Fig. 1 where bottom ice-cube tray 50 corresponds to the first tray of Kim) to allow for a faster cooling of the ice-cube trays (paragraph [0035]).
Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person skilled in the art before the effectively filed date to modify the apparatus of the combined teachings to include “the cold air hole being formed at the bracket, and wherein the bracket is configured to define at least a portion of a space that accommodates the first tray and the second tray” in view of the teachings of Castrellon to allow for a faster cooling of the ice-cube trays.
The combined teachings teach the invention as described above but fail to explicitly teach “the first tray case is a separate component from the first tray”.
However, Applicant has not disclosed that having “the first tray case is a separate component from the first tray” does anything more than produce the predictable result of providing a cover for the first tray. Since it has been held that Making Separable parts has no patentable significance unless a new and unexpected result is produced, see MPEP 2144.04 V. C, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was made, to modify the apparatus of the combined teachings and meet the claimed limitations in order to produce the predictable results of providing a cover for the first tray.
Conclusion
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/SAMBA NMN GAYE/Examiner, Art Unit 3763
/JERRY-DARYL FLETCHER/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 3763
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