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.
Claim(s) 1-2 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102 (a) (1) as being anticipated by Martins (FR2770635A1).
Regarding claim 1, Martins discloses a heat exchanger (see heat exchanger Fig. 1-6) configured to exchange heat with a plurality of target members (36) aligned in a first direction, the heat exchanger comprising: a base part (40 & 12) including a first base channel (50) and a second base channel (52) along both the first base channel and the second base channel a medium flows in the first direction (see at least Fig. 5, which would necessarily result in this flow configuration); and a plurality of first heat exchanging bodies (26) connected to the base part and aligned in the first direction, each of the first heat exchanging bodies (26) being positioned between two of the target members (36) and including a first channel (18) through which the medium circulates in a second direction intersecting the first direction, the first heat exchanging bodies each including a front portion and a back portion configured by folding a first film (strip 10), a first outer edge joint portion (see outer edges of 14) joining inner surfaces of the first film along outer edges of the front portion and the back portion, and a first section joint portion (portion between branches 18) joining inner surfaces of the first film so as to divide the first channel into a first forward channel connected to the first base channel and a first return channel connected to the second base channel, the base part including the first film (12).
Regarding claim 2, Martins discloses the limitations of claim 1, and Martins further discloses the base part includes an inlet portion (58) positioned at a first end in the first direction and supplying the medium to the first base channel and an outlet portion (60) positioned on a side opposite to the first end in the first direction and discharging the medium from the second base channel.
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments filed 7/22/2026 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive.
Applicant argues the citation of “portion between branches 18” of Martins does not specify which portions correspond to the claimed elements.
Examiner respectfully traverse. The rejection clearly sets forth which element reads on the claim limitation at issue. Applicant is directed to the portion between branches 18, which are joined, just as in the instant invention, and divides the first channel into a forward channel and a return channel (U-shaped).
Regarding the newly added subject matter, Applicant fails to provide any reasoning or analysis as to how the amendments overcome the art cited.
For at least the reasons stated above, Applicant’s arguments are unpersuasive and the rejection is maintained.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 3-7 are allowed.
Conclusion
THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a).
A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the mailing date of this final action.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to ERIC S RUPPERT whose telephone number is (571)272-9911. The examiner can normally be reached Monday - Friday 8 am - 4 pm.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Len Tran can be reached at 571-272-1184. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/ERIC S RUPPERT/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3763
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