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 3, 6, and 8 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 3 and 6 recites the limitation "said holes" in line 1. Claim 8 recites the limitation “the corresponding external connection tube” in the last line. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
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 and 3, 8, as best understood, 9, and 10 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Teles (US 9,174192).
Regarding claims 1 and 3, Teles teaches a tube bundle 2, 112 (fig. 1a, 2) capable of circulating a plurality of fluids and in turn comprising a plurality of tubes 2 and two connection plates 120, 164 capable of being connected by welding, to a different end of the tube bundle and comprising a plurality of internal channels 150, 152a, 152b each adapted to connect fluidly at least two tubes 2, 112 of said plurality of tubes, to adapt said plurality of tubes to circulate various fluids in order to obtain an assembly of gas- absorption heat pumps components or heat exchangers which can be different in function and operating conditions, and where various fluid circuits run (the system of Teles is capable of meeting the functional limitations); the tubes 2, 112 of the tube bundle all substantially have the same height and the connection plates 120, 164 have a substantially flat structure; the plate 120, 164 comprises at least one connection 170 between the hole 160 and the corresponding tube 2, 112 of the tube bundle and/or the , corresponding external connection tube (corresponding tube 2, 112 of the bundle); the plate 120, 164 comprises, on the opposite sides, facing holes in various amounts and diameters (passageways 152 a, 152b, and 150 all have various diameters); the plate 120, 160 comprises supports (flanges best seen in fig. 1b) capable of allowing performing the welding while avoiding or limiting metal deformations.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claim 6 would be allowable if rewritten 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 and to include all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims.
Claims 2, 4, 5, 7, and 11 are objected to as being dependent upon a rejected base claim, but would be allowable if rewritten in independent form including all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims.
The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter: Teles fails to disclose wherein the tubes of said plurality of tubes have various diameters; said holes each having shape and size which are compatible with the diameter of the corresponding tube.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. Poulson teaches a plurality of tubes.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to P. MACADE NICHOLS whose telephone number is (571)270-5428. The examiner can normally be reached Mon-Fri 9:00-5:00 P.M..
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Kenneth Rinehart can be reached at 571-272-4881. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/P. MACADE NICHOLS/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3753
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