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 .
Status of Claims
The Office Action is in response to the remarks and amendments filed on 6/01/2026. The objection to the Drawings has been withdrawn in light of the amendments. Accordingly, claims 1-16 are pending for consideration in this Office Action.
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, 2, 3, 6, 7, 9-11 and 13-16 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Hogan (US3115014A) in view of Oppedal et al. (NO339027B1).
Regarding Claim 1, Hogan teaches a device for compressing a fluid [thermal compressor of high efficiency col. 1, lines 10-13], said device comprising:
a compression chamber [chamber 12 and chamber 10, Figure 12] accommodating a mobile piston [piston 16 and 14, connected via shaft 44, Figure 12];
a first end accommodating a first end of the compression chamber [at chamber 12, Figure 12];
a second end accommodating a second end of the compression chamber [at chamber 10, Figure 12], the piston being able to move in translation between the first and second ends of the compression chamber [via shaft 44 driven by drive shaft 30, driven member 31 and wheel 31, Figure 12; col. 7, lines 34-36];
a regeneration circuit [passages 32 and 33, 37 and 38, including Regenerators R, Figure 12] connecting the first and second ends of the compression chamber [where subchamber 18 and 22 are joined through a passage 37 and 38 and sub chambers 17 and 21 are joined through a passage 32 and 33, Figure 12] and having a regenerator [regenerators R, Figure 12];
a supply pipe [56, Figure 12] comprising an upstream end intended to be connected to a source of fluid to be compressed [where fluid ballast 53 furnishes a volume of fluid via valve 57 and valve 55; col. 7, lines 36-42] and a downstream end opening into the first end of the compression chamber [chamber 12, Figure 12], the supply pipe comprising a set of one or more valves [valve 57, Figure 12]; and
at least one discharge pipe comprising an upstream end connected to the compression chamber [chamber 12, Figure 12] and a downstream end configured to discharge the compressed fluid [where the apparatus of Figure 12 may be used as a source of compressed fluid with conduits being connected to sub chambers 21 and 22 as in Figure 14; col. 1, lines 44-55 ], the regeneration circuit comprising, between the regenerator and the first end of the compression chamber, a heat exchanger [cooler 36, Figure 12] that is configured to ensure an exchange of heat between the flow of fluid that has passed through the regenerator during the first movement of the piston towards the second end of the compression chamber [where when piston 14 moves toward subchamber 17, fluid from chamber 17 passes through heater 34, regenerator R, and then cooler 36, Figure 12] and a cold source [where the cooler may be a heat exchanger suitable for circulating a coolant fluid by way of conduit 41 in out-of-contact heat exchange with the fluids of the cycle; col. 3, lines 50-53, where manner in which the hot or cold heat exchange liquids are furnished is within the skill of the art ; col. 3, lines 53-55].
wherein the source of fluid to be compressed comprises a tank of liquefied fluid [where fluid ballast 53 furnishes a volume of fluid via valve 57 and valve 55; col. 7, lines 36-42] and is connected to the upstream end of the supply pipe [upstream of 56, Figure 12];
Hogan teaches the cold source comprises of a passage for said flow of liquefied cryogenic fluid through the heat exchanger [conduit 41, Figure 12] to absorb heat from the flow of fluid that has passed through the regenerator [from passage 32 through regenerator R, Figure 12; where hot fluid from sub chamber 17 is forced out downwardly as shown in the embodiment of Figure 3 and passes through the heater, regenerator, and then the cooler; col. 4, lines 34-45, where Figure 3 shares the features with Figure 12] but does not teach the cold source comprises of a tap-off pipe configured to withdraw a flow of liquefied cryogenic fluid from said tank of liquefied fluid, and return said flow of liquefied cryogenic fluid to said tank of liquefied fluid to form a closed-loop thermosiphon.
However, Oppedal teaches a system for conditioning the pressure in a LNG storage tank [Abstract] comprising of a tap-off pipe [pressure build-up inlet conduit 8, Figure 1] configured to withdraw a flow of liquefied cryogenic fluid from said tank of liquefied fluid [where pressure build-up unit inlet conduit 8 transfers LNG, Figure 1; p.5, lines 1-4], provide a passage for said flow of liquefied cryogenic fluid through the heat exchanger [pressure build up unit (PBU) 3, Figure 1, where PBU 3 heats LNG and evaporates it before returning the LVG to the top of tank; p.1, lines 17-23], and return said flow of liquefied cryogenic fluid to said tank [where LNG is returned to tank 2, Figure 1; p.1, lines 17-23] where one of ordinary skill in the art could have combined the elements, a pressure-building circuit to the fluid tank, as claimed by known methods and that in combination, each element would perform the same function as it did separately and one of ordinary skills would have recognized that the results of the combination were predictable i.e., providing a simple cooling heat exchanger system with large heat capacity
Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to modify the assembly of Hogan to have the cold source comprise of a tap-off pipe configured to withdraw a flow of liquefied cryogenic fluid from said tank of liquefied fluid, and return said flow of liquefied cryogenic fluid to said tank of liquefied fluid to form a closed-loop thermosiphon in view of the teachings of Oppedal where the elements could have been combined by known methods with no change in their respective functions, and the combination would have yielded predictable results i.e., providing a simple cooling heat exchange system with large heat capacity .
Additionally, claim 1 recites functional limitations drawn toward the intended use or manner of operating the claimed apparatus. The functional limitations are: “liquified fluid.” When the cited prior art teaches all of the positively recited structure of the claimed apparatus, it will be held that the prior art apparatus is capable of performing all of the claimed functional limitations of the claimed apparatus. MPEP § 2114.
Regarding Claim 2, Hogan, as modified, teaches the invention of claim 1 and does not teach where the tap-off pipe branches off from the supply pipe.
However, Oppedal teaches a system for conditioning the pressure in a LNG storage tank [Abstract] where the tap-off pipe [pressure build-up inlet conduit 8, Figure 1] configured branches off from the supply pipe [feed conduit 7, Figure 1] where one of ordinary skill in the art could have combined the elements, a pressure-building circuit to the fluid tank, as claimed by known methods and that in combination, each element would perform the same function as it did separately and one of ordinary skills would have recognized that the results of the combination were predictable i.e., providing a simple cooling heat exchanger system with large heat capacity .
Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to modify the assembly of Hogan to have where the tap-off pipe branches off from the supply pipe in view of the teachings of Oppedal where the elements could have been combined by known methods with no change in their respective functions, and the combination would have yielded predictable results i.e., providing a simple cooling heat exchanger system with large heat capacity .
Regarding Claim 3. Hogan, as modified, teaches the invention of claim 1 and does not teach wherein the tap-off pipe describes a loop that is connected to the source of fluid and configured to form a thermosiphon.
However, Oppedal teaches a system for conditioning the pressure in a LNG storage tank [Abstract] where the tap-off pipe [pressure build-up inlet conduit 8, Figure 1] describes a loop [inlet 8, return 9 and tank inlet conduit 10, Figure 1, where PBU 3 heats LNG and evaporates it before returning the LVG to the top of tank; p.1, lines 17-23] that is connected to the source of fluid [tank 2, Figure 1] and configured to form a thermosiphon [where fluid circulation is driven by heat exchange and pressure build up; p.4, liens 35-41] where one of ordinary skill in the art could have combined the elements, a pressure-building circuit to the fluid tank, as claimed by known methods and that in combination, each element would perform the same function as it did separately and one of ordinary skills would have recognized that the results of the combination were predictable i.e., providing a simple cooling heat exchanger system with large heat capacity
Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to modify the assembly of Hogan to have where the tap-off pipe branches off from the supply pipe in view of the teachings of Oppedal where the elements could have been combined by known methods with no change in their respective functions, and the combination would have yielded predictable results i.e., providing a simple cooling heat exchanger system with large heat capacity.
Regarding Claim 6, Hogan, as modified, teaches the invention of claim 1 and further teaches wherein the second end of the device [chamber 10, Figure 12] comprises a heating system [heater 34, Figure 12].
Regarding Claim 7, Hogan, as modified, teaches the invention of claim 1 and further teaches wherein the first end of the device [on the side of chamber 12, Figure 12] comprises a cold end heat exchanger [cooler 36, Figure 12] configured to cool fluid flowing towards [where hot fluid from sub chamber 17 is forced out downwardly as shown in the embodiment of Figure 3 and passes through the heater, regenerator, and then the cooler; col. 4, lines 34-45, where Figure 3 shares the features with Figure 12].
Regarding Claims 9 and 10, Claims 9 and 10 recite functional limitations drawn toward the intended use or manner of operating the claimed apparatus. When the cited prior art teaches all of the positively recited structure of the claimed apparatus, it will be held that the prior art apparatus is capable of performing all of the claimed functional limitations of the claimed apparatus. MPEP § 2114.
Further regarding Claim 11, Hogan, as modified, teaches the positively recited structure of claim 10, and further teaches the invention configured to regulate a flow rate of the cryogenic fluid tapped from the tank [where fluid ballast 53 furnishes a volume of fluid via valve 57 and valve 55; col. 7, lines 36-42] and be used in the cooling step to control a temperature of the fluid transferred towards the first end of the compression chamber during step c) [where PBU 3 absorbs heat, Figure 1 of Oppedal, see Oppedal as applied to the rejection of claim 1].
Claim 11 recites functional limitations drawn toward the intended use or manner of operating the claimed apparatus. When the cited prior art teaches all of the positively recited structure of the claimed apparatus, it will be held that the prior art apparatus is capable of performing all of the claimed functional limitations of the claimed apparatus. MPEP § 2114.
Regarding Claim 13, Hogan, as modified, teaches the invention of claim 1 and does not teach where the tap-off pipe is configured to withdraw liquefied cryogenic fluid from the source of fluid to pass through the heat exchanger as the cold source.
However, Oppedal teaches a system for conditioning the pressure in a LNG storage tank [Abstract] where the tap-off pipe [pressure build-up inlet conduit 8, Figure 1] is configured to withdraw liquefied cryogenic fluid from the source of fluid [tank 2, Figure 1; where tank 2 supplies LNG to consumers via conduit 11, Figure 1] to pass through the heat exchanger as the cold source [where PBU absorbs heat to vaporize LNG; p.1, lines 17-23] where one of ordinary skill in the art could have combined the elements, a pressure-building circuit to the fluid tank, as claimed by known methods and that in combination, each element would perform the same function as it did separately and one of ordinary skills would have recognized that the results of the combination were predictable i.e., providing a simple cooling heat exchanger system with large heat capacity
Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to modify the assembly of Hogan to have where the tap-off pipe is configured to withdraw liquefied cryogenic fluid from the source of fluid to pass through the heat exchanger as the cold source in view of the teachings of Oppedal where the elements could have been combined by known methods with no change in their respective functions, and the combination would have yielded predictable results i.e., providing a simple cooling heat exchanger system with large heat capacity.
Regarding Claim 14, Hogan, as modified, teaches the invention of claim 1 and does not teach where the tap-off pipe is further configured to return the cryogenic fluid to the source of fluid after said cryogenic fluid has passed through the heat exchanger, thereby forming a closed loop for the cold source.
However, Oppedal teaches a system for conditioning the pressure in a LNG storage tank [Abstract] where the tap-off pipe [pressure build-up inlet conduit 8, Figure 1]
further configured to return the cryogenic fluid to the source of fluid [tank 2, Figure 1; where tank 2 supplies LNG to consumers via conduit 11, Figure 1] after said cryogenic fluid has passed through the heat exchanger [where PBU 3 heats LNG and evaporates it before returning the LVG to the top of tank; p.1, lines 17-23], thereby forming a closed loop for the cold source [inlet 8, return 9 and tank inlet conduit 10, Figure 1] where one of ordinary skill in the art could have combined the elements, a pressure-building circuit to the fluid tank, as claimed by known methods and that in combination, each element would perform the same function as it did separately and one of ordinary skills would have recognized that the results of the combination were predictable i.e., providing a simple cooling heat exchanger system with large heat capacity
Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to modify the assembly of Hogan to have where the tap-off pipe is further configured to return the cryogenic fluid to the source of fluid after said cryogenic fluid has passed through the heat exchanger, thereby forming a closed loop for the cold source in view of the teachings of Oppedal where the elements could have been combined by known methods with no change in their respective functions, and the combination would have yielded predictable results i.e., providing a simple cooling heat exchanger system with large heat capacity.
Regarding Claim 15, Hogan, as modified, teaches the invention of claim 1, and further teaches where the heat exchanger [cooler 34] is a counterflow heat exchanger [where fluid flows in opposing directions in passage 32 and 37 through coolers 36, see arrows of Figure 3, where Figure 3 shares features with embodiment of Figure 12].
Regarding Claim 16, Hogan, as modified, teaches the invention of claim 1 and further teaches where said heat exchanger [cooler 36, Figure 12] is distinct from any heat exchanger used for heating fluid at the second end of the compression chamber [heater 34, Figure 12] or for primary regeneration [regenerators R, Figure 12].
Claim 4 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Hogan (US3115014A) in view of Oppedal et al. (NO339027B1) as applied to claim 1 above and in further view of Drube et al. (US20030126867A1).
Regarding Claim 4, Hogan, as modified, teaches the invention of claim 1 and does not teach where the tap-off pipe comprises at least one valve for regulating pressure and flow rate of the cryogenic fluid therein.
However, Drube teaches a system dispensing cryogenic liquid [0002] where the tap-off pipe [liquid feed line 18, Figure 1A] comprises at least one valve [pressure building regulating valve 26 and redund and check valves 28a and b, Figure 1A; 0028] for regulating pressure and flow rate of the cryogenic fluid therein [in tank 11, Figure 1; 0028] where one of ordinary skill in the art could have combined the elements, a pressure-building circuit with a regulating valve to the fluid tank, as claimed by known methods and that in combination, each element would perform the same function as it did separately and one of ordinary skills would have recognized that the results of the combination were predictable i.e., protecting against blow-by from the pressure building coil [Drude, 0028]
Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to modify the assembly of Hogan to have where the tap-off pipe comprises at least one valve for regulating pressure and flow rate of the cryogenic fluid therein in view of the teachings of Oppedal where the elements could have been combined by known methods with no change in their respective functions, and the combination would have yielded predictable results i.e., protecting against blow-by from the pressure building coil [Drude, 0028]
Claims 5, 8and 12 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Hogan (US3115014A) in view of Oppedal et al. (NO339027B1) as applied to claim 1 above and in further view of Joffroy (US9273681B2), hereinafter Joffroy ‘681.
Regarding Claim 5, Hogan, as modified, teaches the invention of claim 1 and does not teach wherein the set of one or more valves [valve 57, Figure 12] of the supply pipe [fluid inlet 19, Figure 1] comprises a non-return valve.
However, Joffroy ‘681 teaches a gaseous fluid compression device [col. 1, lines 3-5] including a set of one or more valves of the supply pipe [where the inlet 81 can be fitted with a valve 81 a or check valve 81 a, Figure 1; col. 4, lines 35-42] comprising a non-return valve [check valve 81 a, Figure 1; col. 4, lines 35-42 ] where one of ordinary skill in the art would have been capable of applying this known technique to a known device that was ready for improvement and the results would have been predictable to one of ordinary skill in the art i.e., regulating the direction of fluid flow
Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to modify the assembly of Hogan to have where the set of one or more valves of the supply pipe comprises a non-return member such as a non-return valve in view of the teachings of Joffroy ‘681 where this known technique could have been applied to a known device that was ready for improvement and the results would have been predictable i.e., regulating the direction of fluid flow
Regarding Claim 8, Hogan, as modified, teaches the invention of claim 1 and does not teach wherein the regenerator comprises a heat exchanger tube, in particular a cylindrical tube, that is filled with a material configured to store and release the heat and to allow the fluid in the liquid and/or gaseous state to pass through.
However, Joffroy ‘078 teaches a regenerative thermal compressor [col. 1, lines 6-9] where a regenerator [regenerator 9, Figure 1] comprises a heat exchanger tube, in particular a cylindrical tube [where regenerator 9 is around a cylindrical sleeve 50, Figure 1; col. 7, lines 29-38], that is filled with a material configured to store and release the heat [where the regenerator 9 comprises of elements for storing thermal energy; col. 7, lines 29-38] and to allow the fluid in the liquid and/or gaseous state to pass through [where the regenerator comprises fluid channels; col. 7, lines 29-38], where one of ordinary skill in the art would have been capable of applying this known technique to a known device that was ready for improvement and the results would have been predictable to one of ordinary skill in the art i.e., providing integration of regenerator components
Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to modify the assembly of the combined teachings to have where the regenerator comprises a heat exchanger tube, in particular a cylindrical tube, that is filled with a material configured to store and release the heat and to allow the fluid in the liquid and/or gaseous state to pass through in view of the teachings of Joffroy ‘078 where this known technique could have been applied to a known device that was ready for improvement and the results would have been predictable i.e., providing integration of regenerator components
Further regarding Claim 12, Hogan, as modified, teaches the positively recited structure of claim 9 and further teaches where the invention is configured to have where cooling the flow of fluid that has passed through the regenerator (step c) reduces the temperature of said fluid [where hot fluid from sub chamber 17 is forced out downwardly as shown in the embodiment of Figure 3 and passes through the heater, regenerator, and then the cooler; col. 4, lines 34-45, where Figure 3 shares the features with Figure 12] but does not teach a predetermined temperature differential of the fluid in the tank of liquefied fluid.
However Joffroy ‘681 teaches a gaseous fluid compression device [col. 1, lines 3-5] including a predetermined temperature differential [where heat exchanger 5 is for cooling and stabilizes fluid temperature to 50 degrees Celsius before fluid enters first chamber 11; col. 5, lines 14-19; and where fluid from the first chamber 11, which is the cold chamber comprising the fluid inlet at intake valve 81a, leaves at 50 degrees Celsius, demonstrating the ability to set a predetermined temperature relative to the fluid supply; col. 6, lines 23-30] of the fluid tank [where fluid is suction from an upstream tank; col. 7 lines 1-7] where one of ordinary skill in the art would have been capable of applying this known technique to a known device that was ready for improvement and the results would have been predictable to one of ordinary skill in the art i.e., contribute to high thermal efficiency during heat exchange by precooling fluid before entering the cold end chamber.
Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to modify the assembly of Hogan to have where the temperature of said fluid to within a predetermined temperature differential of the fluid in the tank of liquefied fluid in view of the teachings of Joffroy ‘681 where this known technique could have been applied to a known device that was ready for improvement and the results would have been predictable i.e., contribute to high thermal efficiency during heat exchange by precooling fluid before entering the cold end chamber.
Claim 12 recites functional limitations drawn toward the intended use or manner of operating the claimed apparatus. The function limitations include “…of liquified fluid” where the phase of the fluid does not change the structural limitation of tank. When the cited prior art teaches all of the positively recited structure of the claimed apparatus, it will be held that the prior art apparatus is capable of performing all of the claimed functional limitations of the claimed apparatus. MPEP § 2114.
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments on pages 8-11 filed on 06/01/2026 in regards to the rejection of claims 1-16 under 35 U.S.C. 103 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive.
On pages 8-9 of the remarks, Applicant argues that Oppedal does not teach a thermosiphon loop because the fluid circulation in Oppedal is driven by heat exchange and pressure build-up whereas a thermosiphon is a passive heat exchange system that relies on natural convection. Applicant's arguments have been fully considered but they are not persuasive. In particular, a thermosiphon is a passive heat exchange system and thermosiphon circulation as resulting from the change in fluid density with temperature and fluid movement occurring by natural convection. The hydrostatic force driving the system in Oppedal, as quoted from page 8 of the remarks, is a passive force, see pertinent art. A thermosyphon loop is further defined as requiring no mechanical pump to drive fluid flow, see pertinent art below. The PBU system of Oppedal is considered a thermosyphon loop because fluid circulation is driven by hydrostatic force and temperature-dependent change in fluid density, resulting in fluid circulation without a mechanical pump. Accordingly, the rejection of record is considered proper and remain.
On page 9 of the remarks, Applicant argues that replacing Hogan’s gas ballast 53 with Oppedal’s tank of liquified cryogenic fluid would render Hogan’s device inoperable for its intended purpose because Applicant emphasizes Hogan relies on the thermodynamic compression and expansion of a gas, as opposed to liquid. Applicant's arguments have been fully considered but they are not persuasive. In response to applicant's argument that the teachings of Oppedal would render Hogan inoperable, the test for obviousness is not whether the features of a secondary reference may be bodily incorporated into the structure of the primary reference; nor is it that the claimed invention must be expressly suggested in any one or all of the references. Rather, the test is what the combined teachings of the references would have suggested to those of ordinary skill in the art. See In re Keller, 642 F.2d 413, 208 USPQ 871 (CCPA 1981). In particular, assuming the compression cycle of Hogan is a gaseous working fluid the teachings of Oppedal does not require a tank of entirely liquid working fluid. Oppedal teaches an LNG tank 2 is configured to perform both liquid-storage and gas storage, where the tank includes a liquid column and gaseous cushion, p. 1, lines 17-23. A recitation of the intended use of the claimed invention must result in a structural difference between the claimed invention and the prior art in order to patentably distinguish the claimed invention from the prior art. If the prior art structure is capable of performing the intended use, then it meets the claim. Accordingly, the rejection of record is considered proper and remain.
On pages 10-11 of the remarks Applicant argues that the rejection relies on impermissible hindsight because Oppedal is a pressure-building vaporizer strictly designed for marine engine fuel systems to evaporate LNG and maintain head pressure and Hogan is a generic gas-based thermal compressor. Applicant's arguments have been fully considered but they are not persuasive. In response to applicant's argument that the examiner's conclusion of obviousness is based upon improper hindsight reasoning, it must be recognized that any judgment on obviousness is in a sense necessarily a reconstruction based upon hindsight reasoning. But so long as it takes into account only knowledge which was within the level of ordinary skill at the time the claimed invention was made, and does not include knowledge gleaned only from the applicant's disclosure, such a reconstruction is proper. See In re McLaughlin, 443 F.2d 1392, 170 USPQ 209 (CCPA 1971). In this case, the system of Oppedal is “particularly suitable”, p.1, lines 3-6, for use on board a ship rather than strictly being designed for a marine engine fuel system. Hogan discusses the manner in which the hot or cold heat exchange liquids are furnished is within the skill of the art and is not a part of the invention, col. 3, lines 52-55. Oppedal teaches where fluid is heated and evaporated in the pressure build-up unit (PBU), before the vapour is returned to the top of the LNG tank, p.1, lines 17-23. Therefore, one of ordinary skill in the art would be motivated to modify Hogan in view of Oppedal because Oppedal teaches a manner in which to furnish hot or cold heat exchange liquid from an existing fluid storage tank. Accordingly, the rejection of record is considered proper and remain.
Applicant does not separately argue the rejection of claims 2-16 except for their dependence upon claim 1. Accordingly, the rejections of record are considered proper and remain.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. Detman et al. (US3393127A) presents a thermosiphon deep pool reactor and discusses where the thermosiphon principle eliminates pumping during normal operation, such that water circulation is not dependent upon use of mechanical energy, col. 1, lines 56-65. The driving force for circulation increases with boiling, col. 3, line 74- col. 4 line 14. The hydrostatic pressure is a driving force for circulation in the thermosiphoning action, claim 7.
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.
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.
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/KEONA LAUREN BANKS/Examiner, Art Unit 3763
/ELIZABETH J MARTIN/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3763
