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and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114.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 07/31/2026 has been entered.
Claim Objections
Claim 6 is objected to because of the following informalities: “the housing of the device (1) to be air-conditioned is closed or can be closed” in ll. 1 should be rewritten to be -- the housing of the device (1) to be air-conditioned is closed or capable of being closed--, and will be interpreted accordingly. Appropriate correction is required.
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.
Claims 1-6 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) 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 limitation “the housing has mechanical connection means on or in a section in the device (1) to be air-conditioned” in ll. 5 is indefinite, in context, since it cannot be discerned where the mechanical connection means are located. For Examination purposes and in accordance with the specification and drawings, “the housing has mechanical connection means on or in a section in the device (1) to be air-conditioned” will be interpreted as – the housing is mounted to a surface of the device (1) to be air-conditioned --.
Regarding Claim 1, the limitation “a first housing subsection (8) oriented toward the device (1) to be air-conditioned” in ll. 8 is indefinite, in context, since it cannot be discerned what structural limitations are derived from the first housing subsection being oriented toward the device to be air-conditioned. For Examination purposes and in accordance with the specification and drawings, “a first housing subsection (8) oriented toward the device (1) to be air-conditioned” will be interpreted as – a first housing subsection adjacent and in air flow communication with the device (1) to be air-conditioned --.
Regarding Claim 1, the limitation “a second housing subsection (9) directed toward the free environment” in ll. 9 is indefinite, in context, since it cannot be discerned what structural limitations are derived from the second housing subsection being directed toward the free environment. For Examination purposes and in accordance with the specification and drawings, “a second housing subsection (9) directed toward the free environment” will be interpreted as – a second housing subsection (9) adjacent and in air flow communication with the free environment --.
Regarding Claim 1, the limitation “a separation region (7) is formed between the first and the second housing subsections” in ll. 5 is indefinite, in context, since it cannot be discerned what structural component constitutes the region. For Examination purposes and in accordance with the specification and drawings, “a separation region (7) is formed between the first and the second housing subsections” will be interpreted as – a separation plate (7) is formed between the first and the second housing subsections for separating the first and second housing subsections--.
Regarding Claim 1, the limitation “the pipe connecting points and bent sections of the refrigerant-carrying evaporator (100) are arranged in the second housing subsection (9) directed toward the free environment” in ll. 19 is indefinite, in context, since it cannot be discerned what is being directed toward the free environment. For Examination purposes and in accordance with the specification and drawings, “the pipe connecting points and bent sections of the refrigerant-carrying evaporator (100) are arranged in the second housing subsection (9) directed toward the free environment” will be interpreted as – the pipe connecting points and bent sections of the refrigerant-carrying evaporator (100) are arranged in the second housing subsection (9) --.
Regarding Claim 4, the limitation “in order to discharge potentially escaping gaseous refrigerant from the region of the second housing subsection into the environment” in ll. 2 is indefinite, in context, since it cannot be discerned what constitutes the potential for the escaping refrigerant. For Examination purposes and in accordance with the specification and drawings, “in order to discharge potentially escaping gaseous refrigerant from the region of the second housing subsection into the environment” will be interpreted as – in order to discharge escaping refrigerant from the region of the second housing subsection into the environment --.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claim 1 would be allowable if rewritten or amended to overcome the rejection(s) under 35 U.S.C. 112(b), set forth in this Office action.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to PAUL ALVARE whose telephone number is (571)272-8611. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Friday 0930-1800.
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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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/PAUL ALVARE/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3763
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