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 .
Priority
Receipt is acknowledged of certified copies of papers required by 37 CFR 1.55.
Specification
The disclosure is objected to because of the following informalities:
As essentially set forth in each of paragraphs [0006] and [0023], the statement, “one end of the button extends from the sliding groove” appears to be a mischaracterization of the disclosed device, as understood. When viewing the drawings, and in light of the remaining portions of the description, “button 41” functions to selectively slide up and down within “jacket 43”. The “soap outlet pipe 42”, being arranged whereby it slides “up and down” within the “sliding groove 431” of “jacket 43”, and being “mounted to connect with the button”, means that the “soap outlet pipe 42” would have to extend from the “button 41”, and through the “sliding groove 431”. Thus, there does not appear to be any way possible for any part of “button 41” to extend from “sliding groove 431”. Applicant’s attention is also directed to paragraph 6 of the instant Office action, which details claim indefiniteness associated with this issue.
Appropriate correction is required.
Claim Objections
Claims 1-7 are objected to because of the following informalities:
Regarding claim 1, on line 7, the syntax of the recitation, “and the soap cavity is internally installed a soap press pump module” renders the recitation somewhat unclear. As understood, the “soap press pump module” is installed internally within the “soap cavity”.
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.
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 1-7 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, on lines 2-3, the recitation, “a fluid passage for allowing water to pass through” is unclear. The fluid passage allows water to pass through exactly what element(s)?
Further, regarding claim 1, on lines 3-4, the recitation, “a switch module for controlling water flow through” is unclear. The switch module controls water flow through exactly what element(s)?
Further, regarding claim 1, on line 15, the recitation, “one end of the button extends from the sliding groove” appears to be a mischaracterization of the disclosed device, as understood. When viewing the drawings, and in light of the description, “button 41” functions to selectively slide up and down within “jacket 43”. The “soap outlet pipe 42”, being arranged whereby it slides “up and down” within the “sliding groove 431” of “jacket 43”, and being “mounted to connect with the button”, means that the “soap outlet pipe 42” would have to extend from the “button 41”, and through the “sliding groove 431”. Thus, there does not appear to be any way possible for any part of “button 41” to extend from “sliding groove 431”, as recited in claim 1.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-7 would be allowable if rewritten or amended to overcome the rejection(s) under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), 2nd paragraph, set forth in this Office action.
The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter:
As well as claim 1 can be understood (see paragraph 6 of the instant Office action), the prior art, alone or in combination, did not show or teach a basin kitchen faucet with integrated soap dispenser, including the soap press pump module having the jacket provided with the sliding cavity that allows the button to slide up and down, and the sliding groove on a pipe wall thereon for the soap outlet pipe to slide up and down, wherein the button is disposed in the sliding cavity of the jacket, and one end of the soap outlet pipe is mounted in connection with the button, with the soap outlet pipe extending from the button and through the sliding groove, together with the other recited limitations as set forth in claim 1.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. US Patents to Minke, Hensley and Fan et al., US Patent Application Publication to Yeh, and Foreign Patent Documents to Rocchelli, Cai, Yan and Lin, are cited as of interest.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to DARREN W GORMAN whose telephone number is (571)272-4901. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Thursday 6:30-4:30.
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/DARREN W GORMAN/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3752