DETAILED ACTION
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Drawings
The drawings filed July 19, 2024 are approved.
Claim Objections
Claims 3-7 and 14-20 are objected to because of the following informalities:
In claims 3 and 14, the term “matt” should be “mat”.
In claims 7 and 18, the term “a” should appear before “power”. Appropriate correction is required.
In claim 19, the term “enable” should be “enables”.
The remaining claims are objected to since each depends from an objected to claim.
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 19 and 20 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.
Claim 19 recites the limitation "the selection of the one or more operational functions" in line 3. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 19 recites the limitation "the one or more operational functions" in line 3. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 19 recites “a first towel motor” and “a second towel motor” in line 4. It is unclear if these limitations are intended to represent the same structure as the previously set forth first and second towel motors.
Claim 20 is indefinite as it depends from an indefinite claim.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-18 are allowed.
Claims 19 and 20 would be allowable if rewritten 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 and to include all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. Arnold (US5000384) shows a water misting apparatus for a chair. Gange (US5322342) shows a chaise lounge having a misting system. Gallo (US7175231) shows a rolling towel system on a chaise lounge. Darquea et al (US9175496) shows a tablet associated with a supporting device for a human. Delvilla (US8864221) shows a folding massage chair.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to MILTON NELSON JR whose telephone number is (571)272-6861. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 5:30am-1:30pm.
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.
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.
mn /MILTON NELSON JR/January 27, 2026 Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3636