DETAILED ACTION
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
The present application is being examined under the pre-AIA first to invent provisions.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of pre-AIA 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 –
(b) the invention was patented or described in a printed publication in this or a foreign country or in public use or on sale in this country, more than one year prior to the date of application for patent in the United States.
Claim(s) 1 is/are rejected under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102(b) as being anticipated by Zheng (7,506,389). Zheng shows a chair (220m) comprising: a seat (224m); a seatback assembly (226m) secured to the seat; a support (228m) having an upper end secured to said seatback assembly, said support having a lower end which is shaped and dimensioned to engage with and bear upon a liquid-tight storage container (222m) (upon assembly/attachment thereon); and the liquid-tight storage container bearing a load including the seat, the seatback assembly, and the support (as shown in Fig. 23).
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments filed 09/02/2025 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive. In response to applicant’s argument that office failed to “expressly map the claim 1, limitation of a “liquid tight storage container”…failed to establish prima facie case of unpatentability”, the applicant was directed to Fig. 23, wherein the examiner stated that Zheng teaches a seat (224m) that is clearly being supported on a “liquid tight storage container” (222m), as Zheng has stated the containers can contain liquid. Furthermore, the examiner has stated in the above rejection that the lower end of the support (228m) can be easily bear upon this liquid tight storage container (upon it being assembled or attached thereon. Consequently the examiner maintains the position that so far as clearly defined Zheng anticipates the limitations of the claimed invention therefore rendering the claim unpatentable.
Applicant's arguments do not comply with 37 CFR 1.111(c) because they do not clearly point out the patentable novelty which he or she thinks the claims present in view of the state of the art disclosed by the references cited or the objections made. Further, they do not show how any amendments avoid such references or objections.
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 ANTHONY D BARFIELD whose telephone number is (571)272-6852. 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. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/ANTHONY D BARFIELD/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3636
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December 09, 2025