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 § 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.
(a)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claims 1 – 5, 17 – 19, and 23 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by US Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0132680 to Wegelin et al. (hereinafter referred to as Wegelin).
In regard to claim 1, as shown in figure 1, Wegelin discloses a separator capable of being used for a cleaning device. The container (10) forms a housing that encloses a separating volume. The housing (10) includes an inlet (11) for receiving a fluid flow containing entrained debris into the separating volume, and an outlet (28) for discharging a filtered fluid flow from the separating volume. A filter screen (22) is disposed on or in the housing to define part of a boundary of the separating volume. The filter screen (22) can retain the debris in the separating volume while allowing air to exit the separating volume to the outlet (28). The duct (12) forms a cleaning conduit configured to convey fluid towards the filter screen, as shown by the arrows in figure 1. The cleaning conduit (12) includes an outlet (31) that is capable of functioning as a jet-forming outlet that is configured to direct a fluid jet at or across the filter screen to remove debris attached to the filter screen.
In regard to claims 2 – 5, as shown in figure 1, a spout is considered to define the duct (12), or cleaning conduit. The spout is connected to the inlet (11) and comprises a spout outlet (31) from which the fluid flow is discharged into the separating volume. The sprout is shown to extend into the separating volume from the inlet (11). The spout is further shown to direct the fluid flow across the filter screen (22).
In regard to claim 17, as shown in figure 1, the cleaning conduit (12) is connected to the inlet (11).
In regard to claims 18 and 19, the outlet (28) can also be considered to form an auxiliary duct capable of directing fluid onto a downstream side of the filter screen (22). The outlet (28) is further capable of allowing a secondary fluid to be directed onto the downstream side of the filter screen (22).
In regard to claim 23, in operation, Wegelin performs a method of reducing blockage of a filter screen (22) of a separator for a cleaning device. The filter screen (22) is disposed on or in a housing (10) of the separator to define part of a boundary of a separating volume enclosed by the housing. The housing (10) comprises an inlet (11) for receiving a fluid flow containing entrained debris into the separating volume, an outlet (28) for discharging a filtered fluid flow output from the separating volume, and a cleaning conduit (12) configured to convey fluid towards the filter screen, the cleaning conduit comprising a jet-forming outlet (31). The method comprises configuring the jet-forming outlet (31) to direct a fluid jet at or across the filter screen (22) to remove debris attached to the filter screen, as discussed in paragraph [0013].
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 6 – 16 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:
In regard to claim 6, there is no teaching or suggestion in Wegelin for size of the spout outlet to be capable of being varied, so that the spout outlet can be switched between a normal operating size and a reduced size, wherein the spout outlet defines the jet-forming outlet when in its reduced size. Claims 7 – 10 depend from claim 6 and would be allowable for at least the same reasoning as claim 6.
In regard to claim 11, there is no teaching or suggestion in Wegelin for a cleaning conduit that is distinct from the spout. The duct (12) in Wegelin can be considered to form the cleaning conduit. The flow from the spout can be used to remove particles from a surface of the filter (22). There is no suggestion in Wegelin to include another flow passage that can be considered a spout that is distinct from the cleaning conduit. Claims 12 – 15 depend from claim 11 and would be allowable for at least the same reasoning as claim 11.
In regard to claim 16, there is no teaching or suggestion in Wegelin for a spout closure that can be actuated to permit or block fluid flow through the spout.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
The cited references are patent application publications for related cases.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Robert Clemente whose telephone number is (571)272-1476. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 9-5.
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, Benjamin Lebron can be reached at 571-272-0475. 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.
/ROBERT CLEMENTE/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1773
Prosecution Insights