Prosecution Insights
Last updated: October 27, 2026
Application No. 18/647,926

Systems and Methods for Detection, Treatment, Prevention and Protection

Non-Final OA §102§103
Filed
Apr 26, 2024
Priority
Apr 26, 2023 — provisional 63/498,360 +1 more
Examiner
YOO, REGINA M
Art Unit
1758
Tech Center
1700 — Chemical & Materials Engineering
Assignee
P Tech LLC
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
64%
Grant Probability
Moderate
1-2
OA Rounds
10m
Est. Remaining
70%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 64% of resolved cases
64%
Career Allowance Rate
583 granted / 914 resolved
-1.2% vs TC avg
Moderate +6% lift
Without
With
+5.8%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
3y 4m
Avg Prosecution
50 currently pending
Career history
968
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
0.6%
-39.4% vs TC avg
§103
35.9%
-4.1% vs TC avg
§102
21.3%
-18.7% vs TC avg
§112
36.8%
-3.2% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 914 resolved cases

Office Action

§102 §103
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 . DETAILED ACTION Election/Restrictions Applicant’s election without traverse of Group I in the reply filed on 9/15/2026 is acknowledged. Claim 15 is withdrawn from further consideration pursuant to 37 CFR 1.142(b) as being drawn to a nonelected group, there being no allowable generic or linking claim. Election was made without traverse in the reply filed on 9/15/2026. Claim Objections Claims 1-14 and 16-20 are objected to because of the following informalities: in line 5 of Claim 1, delete “adaptor” and insert --adapter--, insert --adapter-- between “the” and “coupler”; in line 8 of Claim 1, delete “adaptor” and insert --adapter--; in line 9 of Claim 1, insert --UV-- before “disinfecting”; in line 5 of Claim 16, delete “adaptor” and insert --adapter--, insert --adapter-- between “the” and “coupler”; in line 6 of Claim 16, insert --lid-- before “adapter”; in line 9 of Claim 16, delete “adaptor” and insert --adapter--; in line 10 of Claim 16, insert --UV-- before “disinfecting”. Appropriate correction is required. Applicant is advised that should claim 1 be found allowable, claims 11-12 will be objected to under 37 CFR 1.75 as being a substantial duplicate thereof. When two claims in an application are duplicates or else are so close in content that they both cover the same thing, despite a slight difference in wording, it is proper after allowing one claim to object to the other as being a substantial duplicate of the allowed claim. See MPEP § 608.01(m). Claim Interpretation The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(f): (f) Element in Claim for a Combination. – An element in a claim for a combination may be expressed as a means or step for performing a specified function without the recital of structure, material, or acts in support thereof, and such claim shall be construed to cover the corresponding structure, material, or acts described in the specification and equivalents thereof. The following is a quotation of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph: An element in a claim for a combination may be expressed as a means or step for performing a specified function without the recital of structure, material, or acts in support thereof, and such claim shall be construed to cover the corresponding structure, material, or acts described in the specification and equivalents thereof. The claims in this application are given their broadest reasonable interpretation using the plain meaning of the claim language in light of the specification as it would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. The broadest reasonable interpretation of a claim element (also commonly referred to as a claim limitation) is limited by the description in the specification when 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, is invoked. As explained in MPEP § 2181, subsection I, claim limitations that meet the following three-prong test will be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph: (A) the claim limitation uses the term “means” or “step” or a term used as a substitute for “means” that is a generic placeholder (also called a nonce term or a non-structural term having no specific structural meaning) for performing the claimed function; (B) the term “means” or “step” or the generic placeholder is modified by functional language, typically, but not always linked by the transition word “for” (e.g., “means for”) or another linking word or phrase, such as “configured to” or “so that”; and (C) the term “means” or “step” or the generic placeholder is not modified by sufficient structure, material, or acts for performing the claimed function. Use of the word “means” (or “step”) in a claim with functional language creates a rebuttable presumption that the claim limitation is to be treated in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph. The presumption that the claim limitation is interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, is rebutted when the claim limitation recites sufficient structure, material, or acts to entirely perform the recited function. Absence of the word “means” (or “step”) in a claim creates a rebuttable presumption that the claim limitation is not to be treated in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph. The presumption that the claim limitation is not interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, is rebutted when the claim limitation recites function without reciting sufficient structure, material or acts to entirely perform the recited function. Claim limitations in this application that use the word “means” (or “step”) are being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, except as otherwise indicated in an Office action. Conversely, claim limitations in this application that do not use the word “means” (or “step”) are not being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, except as otherwise indicated in an Office action. This application includes one or more claim limitations that do not use the word “means,” but are nonetheless being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, because the claim limitation(s) uses a generic placeholder that is coupled with functional language without reciting sufficient structure to perform the recited function and the generic placeholder is not preceded by a structural modifier. Such claim limitation(s) is/are: “optical component” in claim 13. Because this/these claim limitation(s) is/are being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, it/they is/are being interpreted to cover the corresponding structure described in the specification as performing the claimed function, and equivalents thereof. The corresponding structure for the “optical component” includes a lens )see Claim 14). If applicant does not intend to have this/these limitation(s) interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, applicant may: (1) amend the claim limitation(s) to avoid it/them being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph (e.g., by reciting sufficient structure to perform the claimed function); or (2) present a sufficient showing that the claim limitation(s) recite(s) sufficient structure to perform the claimed function so as to avoid it/them being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102 The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action: A person shall be entitled to a patent unless – (a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention. Claim(s) 1-4, 9, 11-14 and 16-18 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Liao (20190135660). As to Claim 1, Liao (‘660) discloses an adapter (130) for coupling an ultraviolet (UV) disinfecting device (190) to a container (120) suitable for holding liquid (see Figures 1-4), the adapter (130) comprising: an adapter body (i.e. protruding portion of 130 which possesses 190 and 295) configured to enable the UV disinfecting device (190) to be removably coupled thereto, the adapter body (i.e. protruding portion of 130 which possesses 190 and 295) defining a window (i.e. where 190/280 is located); and an adapter coupler (i.e. the cap portion of 130 which includes 160, 250 and layer of material directly that attaches/connects to neck of 120 – see Figure 4) connected to the adaptor body (i.e. protruding portion of 130 which possesses 190 and 295), the adapter coupler (i.e. the cap portion of 130 which includes 160, 250 and layer of material directly that attaches/connects to neck of 120 – see Figure 4) configured to removably couple with the container (120) to thereby removably couple the adapter (130) to the container (120), wherein when the UV disinfecting device (190) is coupled to the adapter body (i.e. protruding portion of 130 which possesses 190 and 295) and the adapter coupler (i.e. the cap portion of 130 which includes 160, 250 and layer of material directly that attaches/connects to neck of 120 – see Figure 4) is coupled to the container (120), the window (280) of the adapter body is alignable with a UV light source (290) of the UV disinfecting device (190) and configured to enable the UV light source (290) to be in communication with the interior of the container (120) (see Figure 4). As to Claim 2, Liao (‘660) discloses that the adapter body (i.e. protruding portion of 130 which possesses 190 and 295) defines a docking area (i.e. where 200, 210, 270, 280 are located) configured to receive the UV disinfection device (190) to enable coupling of the UV disinfection device (190) to the adapter body (i.e. protruding portion of 130 which possesses 190 and 295) (see Figure 4). As to Claim 3, Liao (‘660) discloses that the window (290) is in registration with the docking area (i.e. where 200, 210, 270, 280 are located) (see Figure 4). As to Claim 4, Liao (‘660) discloses that the docking area (i.e. where 200, 210, 270, 280 are located) defines a recess (i.e. where 200, 210, and/or 290 are installed) in the adapter body (i.e. protruding portion of 130 which possesses 190 and 295) configured to receive the UV disinfecting device (190) (see Figure 4). As to Claim 9, Liao (‘660) discloses that the adapter coupler (i.e. the cap portion of 130 which includes 160, 250 and layer of material directly that attaches/connects to neck of 120 – see Figure 4) is configured to removably couple to an open top portion of the container (120) (see Figure 4). As to Claim 11, the adapter (130) of Liao (‘660) in combination with the UV disinfecting device (190), the UV disinfecting device (190) is/is capable of being removably coupled to the adapter (130). As to Claim 12, the adapter (130) of Liao (‘660) in further combination with the container (120), the adapter (130) is removably coupled to the container (120). As to Claims 13-14, Liao (‘660) discloses that the window (i.e. where 190/280 is located) includes an opening (i.e. openings in the body, which forms 295, to accommodate 290 and/or 200/210) defined by the adapter body (i.e. protruding portion of 130 which possesses 190 and 295), and an optical component in the form of a lens (280 and/or housing of 290) in registration with the opening (i.e. openings in the body, which forms 295, to accommodate 290 and/or 200/210) (see Figure 4). As to Claim 16, Liao (‘660) discloses a lid adapter (130) for coupling an ultraviolet (UV) disinfecting device (190) to a container (120) suitable for holding liquid (see Figures 1-4), the lid adapter (130) comprising: an adapter body (i.e. protruding portion of 130 which possesses 190 and 295) configured to enable the UV disinfecting device (190) to be removably coupled thereto, the adapter body (i.e. protruding portion of 130 which possesses 190 and 295) defining a window (280); and an adapter coupler (i.e. the cap portion of 130 which includes 160, 250 and layer of material directly that attaches/connects to neck of 120 – see Figure 4) connected to the adapter body (i.e. protruding portion of 130 which possesses 190 and 295), the adapter coupler (i.e. the cap portion of 130 which includes 160, 250 and layer of material directly that attaches/connects to neck of 120 – see Figure 4) configured to removably couple to an open top portion of the container (120) to thereby removably couple the lid adapter (130) to the container (120), wherein when the UV disinfecting device (190) is coupled to the adapter body (i.e. protruding portion of 130 which possesses 190 and 295) and the adapter coupler (i.e. the cap portion of 130 which includes 160, 250 and layer of material directly that attaches/connects to neck of 120 – see Figure 4) is coupled to the container (120), the window (280) of the adapter body is alignable with a UV light source (290) of the UV disinfecting device (190) and configured to enable the UV light source (290) to be in communication with the interior of the container (120) (see Figure 4). As to Claim 17, Liao (‘660) discloses that the adapter body (i.e. protruding portion of 130 which possesses 190 and 295) defines a docking area (i.e. where 200, 210, 270, 280 are located) configured to receive the UV disinfection device (190) to enable coupling of the UV disinfection device (190) to the adapter body (i.e. protruding portion of 130 which possesses 190 and 295) (see Figure 4). As to Claim 18, Liao (‘660) discloses that the docking area (i.e. where 200, 210, 270, 280 are located) defines a recess (i.e. where 200, 210, and/or 290 are installed) in the adapter body (i.e. protruding portion of 130 which possesses 190 and 295) configured to receive the UV disinfecting device (190) (see Figure 4). Claim(s) 1-9, 11-14 and 16-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Lee (KR20220020654). As to Claim 1, Lee (‘654) discloses an adapter (200) for coupling an ultraviolet (UV) disinfecting device (300) to a container (100) suitable for holding liquid (see Figures 1-12), the adapter (200) comprising: an adapter body (i.e. top/body/main portion of 200) configured to enable the UV disinfecting device (300) to be removably coupled thereto (see Figures 1-12), the adapter body (i.e. top/body/main portion of 200) defining a window (222) (see Figures 2, 5-7 and 9-11; entire English translation, particularly p. 3 lines 9 and 15, p. 6 lines 1-20); and an adapter coupler (i.e. lip/edge portion of 200 that interacts/connects to 100) connected to the adapter body (i.e. top/body/main portion of 200), the adapter coupler (i.e. lip/edge portion of 200 that interacts/connects to 100) configured to removably couple with the container (100) to thereby removably couple the adapter (200) to the container (100) (see Figures 1-7 and 9-12; entire English translation, particularly p. 3 lines 17-19 and 23), wherein when the UV disinfecting device (300) is coupled to the adapter body (i.e. top/body/main portion of 200) and the adapter coupler (i.e. lip/edge portion of 200 that interacts/connects to 100) is coupled to the container (100), the window (222) of the adapter body (i.e. top/body/main portion of 200) is alignable with a UV light source (324) of the UV disinfecting device (300) and configured to enable the UV light source (324) to be in communication with the interior of the container (100) (see Figures 6-7 and 10). As to Claim 2, Lee (‘654) discloses that the adapter body (i.e. top/body/main portion of 200) defines a docking area (220) configured to receive the UV disinfection device (300) to enable coupling of the UV disinfection device (300) to the adapter body (i.e. top/body/main portion of 200) (see Figures 2, 5-7 and 9-12). As to Claim 3, Lee (‘654) discloses that the window (222) is in registration with the docking area (220) (see Figures 2, 5-7 and 9-12). As to Claim 4, Lee (‘654) discloses that the docking area (220) defines a recess (224a, 224b) in the adapter body (i.e. top/body/main portion of 200) configured to receive the UV disinfecting device (300) (see Figures 2, 5-7 and 9-12). As to Claim 5, Lee (‘654) discloses that the adapter body (i.e. top/body/main portion of 200) includes a magnetic coupler configured to magnetically couple to the UV disinfecting device (300) when the UV disinfecting device (300) is received in the recess (220) (see entire document, particularly Figure 11; see entire English translation, particularly p. 6 – lines 5-10). As to Claim 6, Lee (‘654) discloses that the magnetic coupler includes a magnetic strip (i.e. magnet corresponding to the iron plate) disposed over the recess (220) (see entire English translation, particularly p. 6 – lines 5-10), wherein the magnetic strip (i.e. magnet corresponding to the iron plate) and the recess (220) define a slot sized and shaped to receive the UV disinfecting device (300) (see entire document, particularly Figures 1-7 and 9-12, more particularly Figures 11-12). As to Claim 7, Lee (‘654) discloses that the recess (220) is defined by a surface (222a; 224a, 224b), wherein the window (222) extends through the surface (222a; 224b) of the recess (222) (see Figures 2, 5-7 and 9-12). As to Claim 8, Lee (‘654) discloses that the adapter body (i.e. top/body/main portion of 200) includes a magnetic coupler configured to magnetically couple to the UV disinfecting device (300) when the UV disinfecting device (300) is received in the docking area (220) (see entire document, particularly Figure 11; see entire English translation, particularly p. 6 – lines 5-10). As to Claim 9, Lee (‘654) discloses that the adapter coupler (i.e. lip/edge portion of 200 that interacts/connects to 100) is configured to removably couple to an open top portion of the container (100) (see Figures 6-7). As to Claim 11, Lee (‘654) discloses that the adapter (200) in combination with the UV disinfecting device (300), the UV disinfecting device (300) is removably coupled to the adapter (200) (see Figures 1-12; entire English translation, particularly p. 3 lines 9 and 15, p. 6 lines 1-20). As to Claim 12, Lee (‘654) discloses that the adapter (200) in combination with the container (100), the adapter (200) is removably coupled to the container (see Figures 1-12; entire English translation, particularly p. 3 lines 17-19 and 23). As to Claims 13-14, Lee (‘654) discloses that the window (222) includes an opening (222a) defined by the adapter body (i.e. top/body/main portion of 200), and an optical component in the form of a lens (222) in registration with the opening (222a) (see Figures 2, 5-7 and 9-10). As to Claim 16, Lee (‘654) discloses a lid adapter (200) for coupling an ultraviolet (UV) disinfecting device (300) to a container (100) suitable for holding liquid (see Figures 1-12), the lid adapter (200) comprising: an adapter body (i.e. top/body/main portion of 200) configured to enable the UV disinfecting device (300) to be removably coupled thereto (see Figures 1-12), the adapter body (i.e. top portion of 200) defining a window (222) (see Figures 2, 5-7 and 9-11); and an adapter coupler (i.e. lip/edge portion of 200 that interacts/connects to 100) connected to the adapter body (i.e. top/body/main portion of 200), the adapter coupler (i.e. lip/edge portion of 200 that interacts/connects to 100) configured to removably couple to an open top portion the container (100) to thereby removably couple the lid adapter (200) to the container (100) (see Figures 1-7 and 9-12), wherein when the UV disinfecting device (300) is coupled to the adapter body (i.e. top/body/main portion of 200) and the adapter coupler (i.e. lip/edge portion of 200 that interacts/connects to 100) is coupled to the container (100), the window (222) of the adapter body (i.e. top/body/main portion of 200) is alignable with a UV light source (324) of the UV disinfecting device (300) and configured to enable the UV light source (324) to be in communication with the interior of the container (100) (see Figures 6-7 and 10). As to Claim 17, Lee (‘654) discloses that the adapter body (i.e. top/body/main portion of 200) defines a docking area (220) configured to receive the UV disinfection device (300) to enable coupling of the UV disinfection device (300) to the adapter body (i.e. top/body/main portion of 200) (see Figures 2, 5-7 and 9-12). As to Claim 18, Lee (‘654) discloses that the docking area (220) defines a recess (224a, 224b) in the adapter body (i.e. top/body/main portion of 200) configured to receive the UV disinfecting device (300) (see Figures 2, 5-7 and 9-12). As to Claim 19, Lee (‘654) discloses that the adapter body (i.e. top/body/main portion of 200) includes a magnetic coupler configured to magnetically couple to the UV disinfecting device (300) when the UV disinfecting device (300) is received in the recess (220) (see entire document, particularly Figure 11; see entire English translation, particularly p. 6 – lines 5-10). As to Claim 20, Lee (‘654) discloses that the adapter body (i.e. top/body/main portion of 200) includes a magnetic coupler configured to magnetically couple to the UV disinfecting device (300) when the UV disinfecting device (300) is received in the docking area (220) (see entire document, particularly Figure 11; see entire English translation, particularly p. 6 – lines 5-10). 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. 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. Claim(s) 10 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Liao (20190135660) or Lee (KR20220020654) as applied to claim 9 above, and further in view of Rajagopalan (ES2622755). Liao (‘660) and Lee (‘654) are relied upon for disclosure described in the rejection of claim 9 under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1). Neither Liao (‘660) or Lee (‘654) appears to specifically teach that the adapter coupler comprises a resiliently elastic material. It was known in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to provide a resiliently elastic material with an adapter coupler. Rajagopalan (‘755) discloses an adapter (3) for coupling an ultraviolet (UV) disinfecting device (15, 6, 7, 7a) to a container (1) suitable for holding liquid, the adapter (3) comprising: an adapter body (5) configured to enable the UV disinfecting device (15, 6, 7, 7a) to be removably coupled thereto (see Figure 3), the adapter body (5) defining a window (6) (see Figure 4); and an adapter coupler (20) connected to the adapter body (5) (see Figure 2), wherein when the UV disinfecting device (15, 6, 7, 7a) is coupled to the adapter body (5) and the adapter coupler (20) is coupled to the container (1) (see Figures 1-2), the window (6) of the adapter body (5) is alignable with a UV light source (7a) of the UV disinfecting device (15, 6, 7, 7a) and configured to enable the UV light source (7a) to be in communication with the interior of the container (1) (see Figures 1-2), wherein the adapter coupler (20) comprises a resiliently elastic material (see entire English translation, particularly p. 4 – last 3 lines), in order to provide a coupling/closure means that enables a tight or sealed arrangement between the adapter and the container (see entire English translation, particularly p. 4 – last 3 lines). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in this art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to provide a resiliently elastic material for the adapter coupler in the adapter of Liao or Lee as a known material for a coupling means in order to provide a sealed configuration between the container and the adapter as shown by Rajagopalan. Thus, Claim 10 would have been obvious within the meaning of 35 U.S.C. 103 over the combined teachings of Liao (‘660) or Lee (‘654), and Rajagopalan (‘755). In the event that rejections above are deemed inadequate to meet the limitations of Claims 13-14, the following rejection will apply. Claim(s) 13-14 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Liao (20190135660) or Lee (KR20220020654) as applied to claim 1 above, and further in view of Han (KR20200109662). Liao (‘660) and Lee (‘654) are relied upon for disclosure described in the rejection of claim 1 under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1). While Liao (‘660) discloses that the window (i.e. where 190/280 is located) includes an opening (i.e. openings in the body, which forms 295, to accommodate 290 and/or 200/210) defined by the adapter body (i.e. protruding portion of 130 which possesses 190 and 295), and an optical component (280 and/or housing of 290) in registration with the opening (i.e. openings in the body, which forms 295, to accommodate 290 and/or 200/210) (see Figure 4) and Lee (‘654) discloses that the window (222) includes an opening (222a) defined by the adapter body (i.e. top/body/main portion of 200), and an optical component (222) in registration with the opening (222a) (see Figures 2, 5-7 and 9-10), neither Liao (‘660) nor Lee (‘654) appears to specifically teach that the optical component comprises a lens. It was known in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to provide a lens as a component of a window in an adapter. Han (‘048) discloses an adapter (100) for coupling an ultraviolet (UV) disinfecting device (110) to a container (200) suitable for holding liquid (see Figures 1-4), the adapter (100) comprising: an adapter body (150) coupled with the UV disinfecting device (110), the adapter body (150) defining a window (120, 130); and an adapter coupler (160) connected to the adaptor body (150), the adapter coupler (160) configured to removably couple with the container (200) to thereby removably couple the adapter (100) to the container (200) (see Figures 1-2), wherein when the UV disinfecting device (110) is coupled to the adapter body (150) and the adapter coupler (160) is coupled to the container (200), the window (120, 130) of the adapter body (150) is alignable with a UV light source (110) of the UV disinfecting device and configured to enable the UV light source (110) to be in communication with the interior of the container (200) (see Figure 2), wherein the window (120, 130) includes an opening defined by the adapter body (150), and an optical component (120, 130) comprising a lens (120) in registration with the opening (see Figure 2), in order to adjust/condense the light emitted from the UV light source and emit the light at a specific angle (see entire English translation, particularly p. 4 lines 27-28, p. 5 lines 1-5). It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in this art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to provide a lens as an optical component in the window of the adapter of Liao or Lee as a known additional component in order to allow the light to be condensed and be emitted at a desired angle so as to direct the light to a desired region/location as shown by Han. Thus, Claims 13-14 would have been obvious within the meaning of 35 U.S.C. 103 over the combined teachings of Liao (‘660) and Lee (‘654), and Han (‘662). Conclusion The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. The following references relate either to the field of the invention or subject matter of the invention, but are not relied upon in the rejection of record: 20110038754 and 20050258108 and 6042720 and CN109574342 (bottle water sterilizer), 20190142987 and 10653808 (fluid sterilization device), KR20210002932 and KR20210069252 and CN112472838 and KR20210012254 and 20200345876 and KR20170011761 and CN106175348 and KR101067450 (an adapter for a bottle/container). Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to REGINA M YOO whose telephone number is (571)272-6690. The examiner can normally be reached Monday - Friday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm EST. Examiner interviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video conferencing using a USPTO supplied web-based collaboration tool. To schedule an interview, applicant is encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR) at http://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice. If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Maris Kessel can be reached at (571)270-7698. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300. Information regarding the status of published or unpublished applications may be obtained from Patent Center. Unpublished application information in Patent Center is available to registered users. To file and manage patent submissions in Patent Center, visit: https://patentcenter.uspto.gov. Visit https://www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/patent-center for more information about Patent Center and https://www.uspto.gov/patents/docx for information about filing in DOCX format. For additional questions, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000. /REGINA M YOO/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1758
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Apr 26, 2024
Application Filed
Sep 30, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §102, §103 (current)

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3y 2m to grant Granted Sep 15, 2026
Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

Strategy Recommendation AI-generated — please review before filing

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Prosecution Projections

1-2
Expected OA Rounds
64%
Grant Probability
70%
With Interview (+5.8%)
3y 4m (~10m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 914 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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