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 .
Continued Examination Under 37 CFR 1.114
A request for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, including the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e), was filed in this application after final rejection. Since this application is eligible for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114. Applicant's submission filed on 2/12/2026 has been entered.
Status of the Application
This action is responsive to the amendment dated 1/29/2026. Claims 1 and 3-12 remain pending. Claims 1 has been amended.
Response to Remarks
Applicant’s arguments, filed 1/29/2026, with respect to the 102 rejection over Hase have been fully considered and are persuasive. The 102 rejection of claims 1, 4, 5, 8, and 9 has been withdrawn. Additionally, the 103 rejection of claims 3, 6, and 10-12 has been withdrawn.
In view of Applicant’s amendments, a 112(b) rejection has been applied to the claims below.
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 and 3-12 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 applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention.
Regarding claim 1, the limitation of “wherein said fluid connection includes a first fluid connection line connecting the first fluid line and the second fluid line at respective locations between the first liquid separator and the first liquid-injected element and between the second liquid separator and the second liquid-injected element” is indefinite. The limitation above can be interpreted in multiple ways and is not clear. The Examiner recommends the following amendment to bring clarity to the claims.
wherein said fluid connection includes a first fluid connection line connecting the first fluid line and the second fluid line at respective locations between the first liquid separator and the first liquid-injected element as well as between the second liquid separator and the second liquid-injected element
Claims not specifically referenced are rejected as being dependent upon a rejected base claim.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to PAUL J GRAY whose telephone number is (571)270-0544. The examiner can normally be reached 9:00 am - 5:00 pm, Monday - Friday.
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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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/PAUL J GRAY/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3753
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