DETAILED ACTION
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
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 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.
Priority
Receipt is acknowledged of papers submitted under 35 U.S.C. 119(a)-(d), which papers have been placed of record in the file.
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 1-12 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 pre-AIA the applicant regards as the invention.
Regarding claim 1, the phrase “and continuously manufacturing a hot-dip metal-coated steel strip..." in claim 1 is indefinite because the scope of "continuously manufacturing hot-dip metal-coated steel strip" in describing the hot-dip metal-coated steel strip is unclear whether is the same hot-dip metal-coated steel strip as the preamble.
Regarding claim 1, the phrase “the paired gas wiping nozzles are operated under conditions in a range enclosed by lines expressed by (equation 1) to (equation 5) below: D/B = 0.1 x θ + 9… (equation 2)" in claim 1 is indefinite because the scope of " D/B = 0.1 x θ + 9… (equation 2)" in describing the operation under conditions is unclear, because D/B = 0.1 x θ + 9… (equation 2) is out of range of D/B and θ and not meet the condition of equations 1, 3, 4 and 5.
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.
Claims 1-2 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Ohama et al. (US 3,681,118).
Regarding claim 1, Ohama teaches a method for manufacturing a hot-dip metal-coated steel strip (Abstract, Col. 1, lines 39-44), the method comprising: continuously dipping a steel strip (4) in a molten metal bath (3); pulling up the steel strip from the molten metal bath; injecting a gas onto the pulled-up steel strip by using paired gas wiping nozzles (5, 5) arranged on both front and back surface sides of the steel strip, the paired gas wiping nozzles having slit gas injection ports extending in a width direction of the steel strip to a range wider than a width of the steel strip as shown in Fig. 2, the gas being injected through the slit gas injection ports to adjust an adhesion amount of molten metal which adheres to both surfaces of the steel strip as shown in Fig. 3; and continuously manufacturing a hot-dip metal-coated steel strip as shown in Figs, 2 and 3, wherein the wiping nozzles is directed onto the steel strip faces at an angle (θ) of about 3 to 45 degrees, in examples 1 and 2 the angles are 30 or 15 degrees for example, spacing between nozzles to steel strip (D) is 3 to 20 mm, in examples 1 and 2 the distances are 5 and 7 for examples, the openings of the nozzles (B) have a size of about 0.3 to 3 millimeters, in examples 1 and 2 the openings are 0.9 and 1 mm for example, the ratio of D/B =3/0.3 =10, or 20/3=6.7 for examples in the claimed ranges enclosed by the equations (Col. 3 lines 75 – Col. 4 lines 19, Table 4, Col. 9-10, Table 1, Col.12, lines 35-68, Figs. 2 and 3).
Regarding claim 2, Ohama teaches wherein the distance H between each front edge of the gas injection ports of the paired gas wiping nozzles and a liquid surface of the molten metal bath is 250 mm for example, wherein a temperature T (°C) of the gas immediately after injected through the paired gas wiping nozzles is 200 °C to 500 °C for example 400 °C and 500 °C in examples 1 and 2 satisfies a relational expression TM - 150 < T < TM + 250 in relation to a melting point TM (°C) of the molten metal (Zn) is 419 °C (Col.12, lines 35-68, Table 4).
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 3-12 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Ohama et al. (US 3,681,118) as applied to claims 1-2, and further in view of Terasaki et al. (WO 2020/039869 A1 with US 2021/0310109 A1 as English translation).
Regarding claim 3, Ohama teaches a method for manufacturing a hot-dip metal-coated steel strip as disclosed above. Ohama does not explicitly teach wherein each of the paired gas wiping nozzles has a nozzle header and an upper nozzle member and a lower nozzle member which are connected to the nozzle header, wherein, in a cross-sectional view in a direction perpendicular to the width direction of the steel strip, front edge portions of the upper nozzle member and the lower nozzle member are parallel to and face each other to form the gas injection port, and wherein the gas is passed through the nozzle header and injected through the gas injection port. However, an analogous art, Terasaki teaches a method of producing a hot-dip metal coated steel strip with a pair of gas wiping nozzles (20A and 20B), wherein the nozzle (20A) includes a nozzle header (22) and an upper nozzle member (24) and a lower nozzle member (26) connected to the nozzle header (22) which are connected to the nozzle header, wherein, in a cross-sectional view in a direction perpendicular to the width direction of the steel strip, front edge portions of the upper nozzle member and the lower nozzle member are parallel to and face each other to form the gas injection port, and wherein the gas is passed through the nozzle header and injected through the gas injection port as shown in Figs. 2 and 3 (Abstract, [0035], Figs. 2 and 3). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to apply wiping nozzles to the method in Ohama, because Terasaki disclosed the use of wiping nozzles excess molten metal is wiped away to adjust the coating weight on both sides of the steel strip S and also uniformize the coating weight in the sheet transverse direction and the sheet longitudinal direction ([0033]).
Regarding claim 4, Ohama teaches a method for manufacturing a hot-dip metal-coated steel strip as disclosed above. Ohama does not explicitly teach wherein each of the paired gas wiping nozzles has a nozzle header and an upper nozzle member and a lower nozzle member which are connected to the nozzle header, wherein, in a cross-sectional view in a direction perpendicular to the width direction of the steel strip, front edge portions of the upper nozzle member and the lower nozzle member are parallel to and face each other to form the gas injection port, and wherein the gas is passed through the nozzle header and injected through the gas injection port. However, an analogous art, Terasaki teaches a method of producing a hot-dip metal coated steel strip with a pair of gas wiping nozzles (20A and 20B), wherein the nozzle (20A) includes a nozzle header (22) and an upper nozzle member (24) and a lower nozzle member (26) connected to the nozzle header (22) which are connected to the nozzle header, wherein, in a cross-sectional view in a direction perpendicular to the width direction of the steel strip, front edge portions of the upper nozzle member and the lower nozzle member are parallel to and face each other to form the gas injection port, and wherein the gas is passed through the nozzle header and injected through the gas injection port as shown in Figs. 2 and 3 (Abstract, [0035], Figs. 2 and 3). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to apply wiping nozzles to the method in Ohama, because Terasaki disclosed the use of wiping nozzles excess molten metal is wiped away to adjust the coating weight on both sides of the steel strip S and also uniformize the coating weight in the sheet transverse direction and the sheet longitudinal direction ([0033]).
Regarding claim 5, Ohama teaches wherein an internal pressure of the nozzle header is 0.5 kilogram per square centimeter (49 kPa) for example (Col.12, lines 35-68).
Regarding claim 6, Ohama teaches wherein an internal pressure of the nozzle header is 0.5 kilogram per square centimeter (49 kPa) for example (Col.12, lines 35-68).
Regarding claim 7, Ohama teaches a method for manufacturing a hot-dip metal-coated steel strip as disclosed above. Ohama does not explicitly teach wherein baffle plates are placed between the paired gas wiping nozzles so as to face the gas injection ports on outsides of both edges in the width direction of the steel strip. However, an analogous art, Terasaki teaches a method of producing a hot-dip metal coated steel strip with baffle plates (40 and 42) are placed between the paired gas wiping nozzles so as to face the gas injection ports on outsides of both edges in the width direction of the steel strip as shown in Figs. 4-6 (Abstract, [0037], Figs. 4-6). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to apply baffle plates to the method in Ohama, because Terasaki disclosed the use of baffle plates prevent the gas sprayed from the pair of nozzles from directly colliding with each other, thus contributing to reduced splashing ([0037]).
Regarding claim 8, Ohama teaches a method for manufacturing a hot-dip metal-coated steel strip as disclosed above. Ohama does not explicitly teach wherein baffle plates are placed between the paired gas wiping nozzles so as to face the gas injection ports on outsides of both edges in the width direction of the steel strip. However, an analogous art, Terasaki teaches a method of producing a hot-dip metal coated steel strip with baffle plates (40 and 42) are placed between the paired gas wiping nozzles so as to face the gas injection ports on outsides of both edges in the width direction of the steel strip as shown in Figs. 4-6 (Abstract, [0037], Figs. 4-6). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to apply baffle plates to the method in Ohama, because Terasaki disclosed the use of baffle plates prevent the gas sprayed from the pair of nozzles from directly colliding with each other, thus contributing to reduced splashing ([0037]).
Regarding claim 9, Ohama teaches a method for manufacturing a hot-dip metal-coated steel strip as disclosed above. Ohama does not explicitly teach wherein baffle plates are placed between the paired gas wiping nozzles so as to face the gas injection ports on outsides of both edges in the width direction of the steel strip. However, an analogous art, Terasaki teaches a method of producing a hot-dip metal coated steel strip with baffle plates (40 and 42) are placed between the paired gas wiping nozzles so as to face the gas injection ports on outsides of both edges in the width direction of the steel strip as shown in Figs. 4-6 (Abstract, [0037], Figs. 4-6). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to apply baffle plates to the method in Ohama, because Terasaki disclosed the use of baffle plates prevent the gas sprayed from the pair of nozzles from directly colliding with each other, thus contributing to reduced splashing ([0037]).
Regarding claim 10, Ohama teaches a method for manufacturing a hot-dip metal-coated steel strip as disclosed above. Ohama does not explicitly teach wherein baffle plates are placed between the paired gas wiping nozzles so as to face the gas injection ports on outsides of both edges in the width direction of the steel strip. However, an analogous art, Terasaki teaches a method of producing a hot-dip metal coated steel strip with baffle plates (40 and 42) are placed between the paired gas wiping nozzles so as to face the gas injection ports on outsides of both edges in the width direction of the steel strip as shown in Figs. 4-6 (Abstract, [0037], Figs. 4-6). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to apply baffle plates to the method in Ohama, because Terasaki disclosed the use of baffle plates prevent the gas sprayed from the pair of nozzles from directly colliding with each other, thus contributing to reduced splashing ([0037]).
Regarding claim 11, Ohama teaches a method for manufacturing a hot-dip metal-coated steel strip as disclosed above. Ohama does not explicitly teach wherein baffle plates are placed between the paired gas wiping nozzles so as to face the gas injection ports on outsides of both edges in the width direction of the steel strip. However, an analogous art, Terasaki teaches a method of producing a hot-dip metal coated steel strip with baffle plates (40 and 42) are placed between the paired gas wiping nozzles so as to face the gas injection ports on outsides of both edges in the width direction of the steel strip as shown in Figs. 4-6 (Abstract, [0037], Figs. 4-6). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to apply baffle plates to the method in Ohama, because Terasaki disclosed the use of baffle plates prevent the gas sprayed from the pair of nozzles from directly colliding with each other, thus contributing to reduced splashing ([0037]).
Regarding claim 12, Ohama teaches a method for manufacturing a hot-dip metal-coated steel strip as disclosed above. Ohama does not explicitly teach wherein baffle plates are placed between the paired gas wiping nozzles so as to face the gas injection ports on outsides of both edges in the width direction of the steel strip. However, an analogous art, Terasaki teaches a method of producing a hot-dip metal coated steel strip with baffle plates (40 and 42) are placed between the paired gas wiping nozzles so as to face the gas injection ports on outsides of both edges in the width direction of the steel strip as shown in Figs. 4-6 (Abstract, [0037], Figs. 4-6). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to apply baffle plates to the method in Ohama, because Terasaki disclosed the use of baffle plates prevent the gas sprayed from the pair of nozzles from directly colliding with each other, thus contributing to reduced splashing ([0037]).
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to HAI YAN ZHANG whose telephone number is (571)270-7181. The examiner can normally be reached on MTTHF.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, DAH-WEI YUAN can be reached on 5712721295. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/HAI Y ZHANG/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1717