DETAILED ACTION
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 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 1-20 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. Claims 1 and 20 are construed to be indefinite because the recitations “the respective one” (plural occurrences) lacks a positive antecedent basis. Since claims 2-20 are depend upon an indefinite claim, those claims are construed to be indefinite by dependency. Claim 5 is further construed to be indefinite because the recitation “the one end” lacks a positive antecedent basis. Claims 13 and 16 are further construed to be indefinite because the recitation “the corresponding groove” lacks a positive antecedent basis.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-20 are allowable over the prior art or record because the laundry treatment apparatus with all the independently claimed features including a supply device of steam or air to a treatment space, a holder body fixed to a first and second side surfaces, a light source and light guide in the holder body transmitting light from the light source along a length direction through a through hole, and a support body is not found in the prior art either singly or in combination.
Claims 1-20 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.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. Other prior art cited with this application may teach one or more claim features but do not rise to a level of anticipation, obviousness, and/or double patenting. References A, N, O, P, cited with this application, are patent publications from the same inventive entity as the current application. References B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, cited with this application, teach laundry treatment apparatus.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to STEPHEN MICHAEL GRAVINI whose telephone number is (571)272-4875. The examiner can normally be reached M-Th 5:30 am to 5:00 (mid day flex) first F 6:00 am t0 11:00 am.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Craig Schneider can be reached at 571 272 3607. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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Friday, July 31, 2026
/STEPHEN M GRAVINI/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3753
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