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 .
Response to Amendment
The amendment filed August 4th, 2026 has been entered. Claims 1-9, 11-19 and 21 remain pending in the application.
Drawings
The drawings are objected to under 37 CFR 1.83(a). The drawings must show every feature of the invention specified in the claims. Therefore, the next channel portion in claims 1 and 19 must be shown or the feature(s) canceled from the claim(s). No new matter should be entered.
Corrected drawing sheets in compliance with 37 CFR 1.121(d) are required in reply to the Office action to avoid abandonment of the application. Any amended replacement drawing sheet should include all of the figures appearing on the immediate prior version of the sheet, even if only one figure is being amended. The figure or figure number of an amended drawing should not be labeled as “amended.” If a drawing figure is to be canceled, the appropriate figure must be removed from the replacement sheet, and where necessary, the remaining figures must be renumbered and appropriate changes made to the brief description of the several views of the drawings for consistency. Additional replacement sheets may be necessary to show the renumbering of the remaining figures. Each drawing sheet submitted after the filing date of an application must be labeled in the top margin as either “Replacement Sheet” or “New Sheet” pursuant to 37 CFR 1.121(d). If the changes are not accepted by the examiner, the applicant will be notified and informed of any required corrective action in the next Office action. The objection to the drawings will not be held in abeyance.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action:
A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made.
The factual inquiries for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35 U.S.C. 103 are summarized as follows:
1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art.
2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue.
3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art.
4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or nonobviousness.
Claims 1-5, 12-17, 19, and 21 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Wurz (US 20100116900 A1) in view of Clauss et al. (US 20030080213 A1).
Regarding claim 1, Wurz discloses a spray device (entire structure, Fig. 2), comprising:
a first housing structure (2, 104, entire internal housing structure extending to nozzle orifice 48, and lance pipe 2 and nozzle housing 104 together can be considered one housing structure because they both house a liquid channel for a liquid to travel through, annotated in Fig. 2), including:
a liquid channel (channel within lance pipe 2, shown in Fig. 2) having a liquid inlet (upstream end of channel within lance pipe 2, shown in Fig. 2) and a first outlet (102, shown in Fig. 2) opposite to the liquid inlet (shown in Fig. 2), the liquid channel (channel within lance pipe 2, shown in Fig. 2) configured to receive a liquid flow (fluid in channel within lance pipe 2 indicated by dots, there is at least one fluid inlet for fluid to be atomized, shown in Fig. 2, Paragraphs 0001, 0010, 0052) at the liquid inlet of the liquid channel (upstream end of channel within lance pipe 2, shown in Fig. 2) and transport the liquid flow (1, fluid in channel within lance pipe 2 indicated by dots, shown in Fig. 2) from the liquid inlet (upstream end of channel within lance pipe 2, shown in Fig. 2) to the first outlet (102, shown in Fig. 2); and
a second housing structure (4, Fig. 2) surrounding the first housing structure (2, 104, entire internal housing structure extending to nozzle orifice 48, annotated and shown in Fig. 2); and
a gas channel (6, Fig. 2), separate from the liquid channel (channel within lance pipe 2, shown in Fig. 2), formed between the first housing structure (2, 104, entire internal housing structure extending to nozzle orifice 48, annotated in Fig. 2) and the second housing structure (4, Fig. 2), wherein the gas channel (6, Fig. 2) further includes a tapered section (annotated in Fig. 2) coupled to a second outlet (32, Fig. 2), and the tapered section (annotated in Fig. 2) has a varying width that decreases continuously with respect to an extended section length (L1, L2, shown in Fig. 2), and is configured to convert a gas flow to a supersonic gas jet to be released from the gas channel via the second outlet (Paragraph 0079),
wherein the first housing structure (2, 104, entire internal housing structure extending to nozzle orifice 48, annotated and shown in Fig. 2) further includes a first channel section (104, Fig. 1) directly coupled to the first outlet (102, Fig. 1), and the first channel section (104, Fig. 1) and the tapered section of the gas channel (annotated in Fig. 2) have overlapping projections with respect to a central axis (50, shown in Fig. 2) of the spray device (entire structure, Fig. 2).
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However, Wurz does not disclose a swirling component contained within the liquid channel, the swirling component physically coupled to a next channel portion of the liquid channel and including an incoming channel portion, a plurality of side channels, and an exit channel portion, wherein the swirling component is configured to guide the liquid flow into the incoming channel portion, split the liquid flow into a plurality of sideway flows running in the plurality of side channels, guide the plurality of sideway flows towards the exit channel portion to generate swirling liquid stream, and expel the swirling liquid stream into the next channel portion of the liquid channel, and the next channel portion is configured to guide the swirling liquid stream out of the first housing structure via the first outlet of the liquid channel; and
wherein the incoming channel portion and the exit channel portion are aligned along a first direction, and each side channel extends along a respective second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction.
Clauss teaches a swirling component (23, Fig. 1) contained within the liquid channel (10, shown in Fig. 1), the swirling component (23, Fig. 1) physically coupled to a next channel portion (24, Fig. 1) of the liquid channel (10, Fig. 1) and including an incoming channel portion (22, Fig. 1), a plurality of side channels (paths through slots 14, 15, shown in Fig. 1), and an exit channel portion (30, Fig. 1), wherein the swirling component (23, Fig. 1) is configured to guide the liquid flow into the incoming channel portion (22, shown in Fig. 1), split the liquid flow into a plurality of sideway flows (flow flowing through slots 14 and 15, shown in Fig. 1) running in the plurality of side channels (paths through slots 14, 15, shown in Fig. 1), guide the plurality of sideway flows (flow flowing through slots 14 and 15, shown in Fig. 1) towards the exit channel portion (30, Fig. 1) to generate swirling liquid stream (shown in Fig. 1), and expel the swirling liquid stream into the next channel portion (24, Fig. 1) of the liquid channel (10, Fig. 1), and the next channel portion (24, Fig. 1) is configured to guide the swirling liquid stream out of the first housing structure (entire structure, Fig. 1) via the first outlet (31, Fig. 1) of the liquid channel (10, Fig. 1, Paragraphs 0022-0024); and
the incoming channel portion (22, Fig. 1) and the exit channel portion (30, Fig. 1) are aligned along a first direction (shown in Fig. 1), and each side channel (paths through slots 14, 15, shown in Fig. 1) extends along a respective second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction (shown in Fig. 1).
Wurz and Clauss are considered to be analogous art to the claimed invention because they are in the same field of nanojet spray devices. Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine the teaching of the swirling component taught in Clauss’ spray device to Wurz’s spray device to have the motivation to apply a fine-droplet and a large-droplet spray mist to minimize water use and increase efficiency of the device (Clauss, Paragraph 0006).
With respect to claim 2, Wurz, as modified by Clauss, discloses the spray device of claim 1. Wurz further discloses an external surface (external surface of lance pipe 2, shown in Fig. 2) of the first housing structure (2, Fig. 2) is conical (shown in Fig. 2) and has a first opening angle (annotated in Fig. 2), and an internal surface (internal surface of lance pipe 4, shown in Fig. 2) of the second housing structure (4, Fig. 2) is conical (shown in Fig. 2) and has a second opening angle (annotated in Fig. 2) greater than the first opening angle (annotated and shown in Fig. 2).
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In regards to claim 3, Wurz, as modified by Clauss, discloses the spray device of claim 2. Wurz further discloses the gas channel (6, Fig. 2) is formed between the external surface (external surface of lance pipe 2, shown in Fig. 2) of the first housing structure (2, Fig. 2) and an internal surface (internal surface of lance pipe 4, shown in Fig. 2) of the second housing structure (4, Fig. 2) and configured to increase a gas flow speed of the gas flow (Paragraphs 0079, 0081).
In regards to claim 4, Wurz, as modified by Clauss, discloses the spray device of claim 1. Wurz further discloses the second outlet (32, Fig. 2) of the gas channel (6, Fig. 2) has a ring shape (32 has an annular shape, which is a ring shape, Paragraph 0079) and surrounds the first outlet (48, shown in Fig. 2) of the liquid channel (channel within lance pipe 2, shown in Fig. 2), and a width of the second outlet (32, shown in Fig. 2) of the gas channel (6, Fig. 2) is in a predetermined width range (there is a predetermined width for outer annular gap 32, shown in Fig. 2, Paragraph 0079). In the embodiment of Fig. 6, Wurz further teaches expelling the swirling liquid stream (fluid is twisted in the mixing chamber 7 and exits out, shown in Fig. 6, Paragraphs 0011, 0026, 0100, 0109). Gerking further teaches the spray device is configured to generate the supersonic gas jet (“accelerated air flow coming from annular gas chamber 6”, accelerated air flow leads to supersonic flow under adequate pressure, Paragraphs 0014, 0016, 0030) in the tapered section (11, Fig. 1a, 2) of the gas channel (6, Fig. 1a, 2) concurrently with expelling the liquid stream (16, Fig. 2) through the first channel section (14, fluid and gas flow in parallel, shown in Figs. 1a, 2, Paragraph 0017). Wurz, as modified by Clauss, would result in the spray device is configured to generate the supersonic gas jet in the tapered section of the gas channel concurrently with expelling the swirling liquid stream through the first channel section.
Regarding claim 5, Wurz, as modified by Clauss, discloses the spray device of claim 1. Wurz further discloses an aerospike zone (31, Fig. 2) coupled immediately adjacent to both the first outlet (48, Fig. 2) of the liquid channel (channel within lance pipe 2, shown in Fig. 2) and the second outlet (32, Fig. 2) of the gas channel (6, Fig. 2), the aerospike zone (31, Fig. 2) is configured to receive the swirling liquid stream and the supersonic gas jet and form a converging aerospike mixture (shown in Fig. 2, Paragraph 0086).
Regarding claim 12, Wurz, as modified by Clauss, discloses the spray device of claim 1. Clauss further teaches the swirling component (23, Fig. 1) is configured to touch a plurality of locations of an internal wall (internal wall of entire structure, shown in Fig. 1) of the first housing structure (entire structure, shown in Fig. 1) that forms the liquid channel (10, Fig. 1), and has a plurality of recesses (14, 15, shown in Fig. 1) from the internal wall (internal wall of entire structure, shown in Fig. 1) of the first housing structure (entire structure, shown in Fig. 1), which are configured to split the liquid flow (shown in Fig. 1).
Regarding claim 13, Wurz, as modified by Clauss, discloses the spray device of claim 1. Clauss further teaches the plurality of side channels (paths through slots 14, 15, shown in Fig. 1) includes two identical side channels that are aligned to each other (shown in Fig. 1) and meet at the exit channel portion (30, shown in Fig. 1).
In regards to claim 14, Wurz, as modified by Clauss, discloses the spray device of claim 1. Clauss teaches the swirling component (23, Fig. 1) is configured to split the liquid flow into a plurality of sideway flows (flow flowing through slots 14 and 15, shown in Fig. 1) running in the plurality of side channels (paths through slots 14, 15, shown in Fig. 1), guide the plurality of sideway flows towards the exit channel portion (30, shown in Fig. 1), and form the swirling liquid stream that is stable in the exit channel portion (30, Fig. 1, Paragraphs 0022-0024), and the plurality of side channels (paths through slots 14, 15, shown in Fig. 1) meets at the exit channel portion (30, Fig. 1) and have identical geometric features (shown in Fig. 1).
With respect to claim 15, Wurz, as modified by Clauss, discloses the spray device of claim 1. Wurz further discloses the extended section length (shown in Fig. 2) of the tapered section (annotated in Fig. 2 under claim 1) of the gas channel (6, Fig. 2) is in a predetermined length range (shown in Fig. 2), a taper width of the tapered section of the gas channel is in a predetermined width range (shown in Fig. 2), and a volumetric flow rate of the gas channel (6, Fig. 2) is in a predetermined flow rate range (Paragraph 0011).
With respect to claim 16, Wurz, as modified by Clauss, discloses the spray device of claim 1. Wurz further discloses the spray device (entire structure, Fig. 2) has a plurality of cross sections (annotated in Fig. 2) that are perpendicular to, and intersect with, the central axis (50, Fig. 2), and each cross section (annotated in Fig. 2) is symmetric with respect to a respective intersecting node with the central axis (50, shown in Fig. 2).
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Regarding claim 17, Wurz, as modified by Clauss, discloses the spray device of claim 1. Wurz further discloses the first housing structure (2, Fig. 2) further comprises a delivering portion (annotated in Fig. 2) providing a gas incoming region (annotated in Fig. 2) and a gas channel section (annotated in Fig. 2), and the gas channel section (annotated in Fig. 2) is coupled to the second housing structure (4, shown in Fig. 2) and has a plurality of air holes (35, 37, Fig. 2) coupling the gas incoming region (annotated in Fig. 2) to the gas channel (6, shown in Fig. 2).
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Regarding claim 19, Wurz discloses a method for providing a spray device (Paragraphs 0009, 0052), comprising:
providing a first housing structure (2, 104, entire internal housing structure extending to nozzle orifice 48, and lance pipe 2 and nozzle housing 104 together can be considered one housing structure because they both house a liquid channel for a liquid to travel through, annotated in Fig. 2) including a liquid channel (channel within lance pipe 2, shown in Fig. 2, Paragraph 0052), wherein:
the liquid channel (channel within lance pipe 2, shown in Fig. 2) includes a liquid inlet (upstream end of channel within lance pipe 2, shown in Fig. 2) and a first outlet (downstream end of channel within lance pipe 2, shown in Fig. 2) opposite to the liquid inlet (shown in Fig. 2), the liquid channel (channel within lance pipe 2, shown in Fig. 2) configured to receive a liquid flow (fluid in channel within lance pipe 2 indicated by dots, there is at least one fluid inlet for fluid to be atomized, shown in Fig. 2, Paragraphs 0001, 0010, 0052) at the liquid inlet of the liquid channel (upstream end of channel within lance pipe 2, shown in Fig. 2) and transport the liquid flow (1, fluid in channel within lance pipe 2 indicated by dots, shown in Fig. 2) from the liquid inlet (upstream end of channel within lance pipe 2, shown in Fig. 2) to the first outlet (downstream end of channel within lance pipe 2, shown in Fig. 2);
providing a second housing structure (4, Fig. 2) surrounding the first housing structure (2, 104, entire internal housing structure extending to nozzle orifice 48, annotated and shown in Fig. 2, Paragraph 0052); and
providing a gas channel (6, Fig. 2), separate from the liquid channel (channel within lance pipe 2, shown in Fig. 2), formed between the first housing structure (2, 104, entire internal housing structure extending to nozzle orifice 48, annotated and shown in Fig. 2) and the second housing structure (4, shown in Fig. 2, Paragraphs 0054-0055), wherein the gas channel (6, Fig. 2) further includes a tapered section (annotated in Fig. 2 under claim 1) coupled to a second outlet (32, Fig. 2), and the tapered section (annotated in Fig. 2 under claim 1) has a varying width that decreases continuously with respect to an extended section length (L1, L2, shown in Fig. 2), and is configured to convert a gas flow to a supersonic gas jet to be released from the gas channel via the second outlet (Paragraph 0079);
wherein the first housing structure (2, 104, entire internal housing structure extending to nozzle orifice 48, annotated and shown in Fig. 2) further includes a first channel section (104, Fig. 1) directly coupled to the first outlet (102, Fig. 1), and the first channel section (104, Fig. 1) and the tapered section of the gas channel (annotated in Fig. 2) have overlapping projections with respect to a central axis (50, shown in Fig. 2) of the spray device (entire structure, Fig. 2).
However, Wurz does not disclose a swirling component contained within the liquid channel, the swirling component includes an incoming channel portion, a plurality of side channels, and an exit channel portion, and the swirling component is configured to guide the liquid flow into the incoming channel portion, split the liquid flow into a plurality of sideway flows running in the plurality of side channels, guide the plurality of sideway flows towards the exit channel portion to generate swirling liquid stream, and expel the swirling liquid stream into a next channel portion of the liquid channel;
the next channel portion is configured to guide the swirling liquid stream out of the first housing structure via the first outlet of the liquid channel; and
for the swirling component, the incoming channel portion and the exit channel portion are aligned along a first direction, and each side channel extends along a respective second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction.
Clauss teaches a swirling component (23, Fig. 1) contained within the liquid channel (10, shown in Fig. 1), the swirling component (23, Fig. 1) includes an incoming channel portion (22, Fig. 1), a plurality of side channels (paths through slots 14, 15, shown in Fig. 1), and an exit channel portion (30, Fig. 1), and the swirling component (23, Fig. 1) is configured to guide the liquid flow into the incoming channel portion (22, shown in Fig. 1), split the liquid flow into a plurality of sideway flows (flow flowing through slots 14 and 15, shown in Fig. 1) running in the plurality of side channels (paths through slots 14, 15, shown in Fig. 1), guide the plurality of sideway flows (flow flowing through slots 14 and 15, shown in Fig. 1) towards the exit channel portion (30, Fig. 1) to generate swirling liquid stream (shown in Fig. 1), and expel the swirling liquid stream into a next channel portion (24, Fig. 1) of the liquid channel (10, Fig. 1, Paragraphs 0022-0024);
the next channel portion (24, Fig. 1) is configured to guide the swirling liquid stream out of the first housing structure (entire structure, Fig. 1) via the first outlet (31, Fig. 1) of the liquid channel (10, Fig. 1, Paragraphs 0022-0024); and
for the swirling component, the incoming channel portion (22, Fig. 1) and the exit channel portion (30, Fig. 1) are aligned along a first direction (shown in Fig. 1), and each side channel (paths through slots 14, 15, shown in Fig. 1) extends along a respective second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction (shown in Fig. 1).
Wurz and Clauss are considered to be analogous art to the claimed invention because they are in the same field of nanojet spray devices. Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine the teaching of the swirling component taught in Clauss’ spray device to Wurz’s spray device to have the motivation to apply a fine-droplet and a large-droplet spray mist to minimize water use and increase efficiency of the device (Clauss, Paragraph 0006).
Regarding claim 21, Wurz, as modified by Clauss, discloses the spray device of claim 1. Wurz further discloses at least a portion of the first channel section (104, Fig. 1) has a contracting cone shape (shown in Fig. 1).
Claim 6 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Wurz (US 20100116900 A1, herein referenced as Wurz ‘900) in view of Clauss et al. (US 20030080213 A1) as applied to claims 1 and 5 above, and further in view of Wurz (US 20100163647 A1, herein referenced as Wurz ‘647).
With respect to claim 6, Wurz ‘900, as modified by Clauss, discloses the spray device of claim 5. However, Wurz ‘900 and Clauss do not teach the second housing structure further comprises an expansion portion.
Wurz ‘647 teaches a spray device (entire structure, Fig. 1) comprising a second housing structure (4, Fig. 1) further comprises an expansion portion (26, Fig. 1) extending beyond a second outlet (6, Fig. 1) of a gas channel (channel within external lance tube 4, shown in Fig. 1), and the expansion portion (26, Fig. 1) is configured to constrain a converging aerospike mixture (9, Fig. 1) in the aerospike zone adjacent to a first outlet (annotated in Fig. 1) and the second outlet (6, Fig. 1).
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Both references from Wurz and Clauss are considered to be analogous art to the claimed invention because they are in the same field of nanojet spray devices. Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine the teaching of the expansion portion taught in Wurz ‘647’s spray device to Wurz ‘900’s spray device, as modified by Clauss, to have the motivation to improve the dispersion of the droplets (Wurz ‘647, Paragraph 0004).
Claim 7 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Wurz (US 20100116900 A1) in view of Clauss et al. (US 20030080213 A1) as applied to claims 1 and 5 above, further in view of Wurz (US 20100163647 A1) as applied to claim 6 above, and further in view of Prather et al. (US 20220362789 A1).
Regarding claim 7, Wurz ‘900, as modified by Clauss and Wurz ‘647, discloses the spray device of claim 6. However, both references from Wurz and Clauss do not teach a droplet size of liquid droplets of the converging aerospike mixture is in a range of 0.05-50 μm.
Prather teaches a spray device (100, Fig. 1) comprising a droplet size of liquid droplets is in a range of 0.05-50 μm (droplet sizes may range from 1 μm to 500 μm, Paragraph 0036).
Both references from Wurz, Clauss, and Prather are considered to be analogous art to the claimed invention because they are in the same field of nanojet spray devices. Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine the teaching of the droplet size of the liquid droplets taught in Prather’s spray device to Wurz ‘900’s spray device, as modified by Clauss and Wurz ‘647, to have the motivation to have improved drying times of the particle (Prather, Paragraph 0036).
Claims 8-9 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Wurz (US 20100116900 A1) in view of Clauss et al. (US 20030080213 A1) as applied to claim 1 above, and further in view of Bambray et al. (US 20210213470 A1).
In regards to claim 8, Wurz ‘900, as modified by Clauss, discloses the spray device of claim 1. However, Wurz ‘900 and Clauss do not teach an acoustic structure.
Bambray teaches an acoustic structure (103b, interpreting an acoustic structure as an air cap, Figs. 1b, 2b) coupled to a housing structure (not explicitly shown, but air caps attach to a nozzle housing, Paragraphs 0003, 0005), the acoustic structure (103b, Figs. 1b, 2b) configured to control spreading of a mixture of the supersonic gas jet and the swirling liquid stream and reduce a noise level of the spray device (Paragraphs 0007-0008).
Wurz, Clauss, and Bambray are considered to be analogous art to the claimed invention because they are in the same field of nanojet spray devices. Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine the teaching of the acoustic structure taught in Bambray’s spray device to Wurz ‘900’s spray device, as modified by Clauss, to have the motivation to allow for more stabilized air jets in the spray device (Bambray, Paragraph 0008).
With respect to claim 9, Wurz ‘900, as modified by Clauss and Bambray, discloses the spray device of claim 8. Bambray further teaches the acoustic structure (103b, Figs. 1b, 2b) has a serration edge (104, Figs. 1b, 2b).
Claim 11 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Wurz (US 20100116900 A1) in view of Clauss et al. (US 20030080213 A1) as applied to claim 1 above, and further in view of Mansour et al. (US 20040098989 A1).
In regards to claim 11, Wurz ‘900, as modified by Clauss, discloses the spray device of claim 1. However, Wurz ‘900 and Clauss do not teach the plurality of side channels is formed under, and extended in parallel to, a top surface of the swirling component that is configured to face the liquid flow, and the exit channel portion is connected to the plurality of side channels and extends along a flow direction of the liquid flow and perpendicular to the plurality of side channels.
Mansour teaches a spray device (31, Fig. 2) comprising a first housing structure (40, Fig. 1) comprising a swirling component (annotated in Fig. 3) disposed within a liquid channel (68, shown in Fig. 3) and adjacent to a first outlet (79, Fig. 3) of the liquid channel (68, shown in Fig. 3), the swirling component includes a plurality of side channels (99, 100, 101, 103, 105, 107, 109, Figs. 3, 5A-15B);
the plurality of side channels (99, 100, 101, 103, 105, 107, 109, Figs. 3, 5A-15B) is formed under, and extended in parallel to, a top surface (annotated in Fig. 3) of the swirling component (annotated and shown in Fig. 3) that is configured to face the liquid flow (annotated and shown in Fig. 3), and the exit channel portion (annotated in Fig. 3) is connected to the plurality of side channels (99, 100, 101, 103, 105, 107, 109, shown in Fig. 3) and extends along a flow direction of the liquid flow (annotated and shown in Fig. 3) and perpendicular to the plurality of side channels (99, 100, 101, 103, 105, 107, 109, shown in Fig. 3).
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Wurz ‘900, Clauss, and Mansour are considered to be analogous art to the claimed invention because they are in the same field of nanojet spray devices. Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine the teaching of the plurality of side channels taught in Mansour’s spray device to Wurz ‘900’s spray device, as modified by Clauss, to have the motivation to improve the swirl motion and creates uniform dispersion of droplets (Mansour, Paragraphs 0085, 0087).
Claim 18 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Wurz (US 20100116900 A1) in view of Clauss et al. (US 20030080213 A1) as applied to claim 1, and further in view of Kimura et al. (US 20220379326 A1).
Regarding claim 18, Wurz ‘900, as modified by Clauss, discloses the spray device of claim 1. Wurz ‘900 further discloses the gas channel (6, Fig. 2) further includes a straight section (annotated in Fig. 2) coupled to the tapered section (annotated and shown in Fig. 2 under claim 1) and having a constant cross-sectional area (shown in Fig. 2), and the straight section (annotated in Fig. 2) is configured to deliver the gas flow to the tapered section (annotated and shown in Fig. 2, Paragraph 0011).
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However, Wurz ‘900 and Clauss do not teach the gas flow having a constant flow rate. Kimura teaches a spray device (11, Fig. 2) comprising a gas flow having a constant flow rate (Paragraph 0051).
Wurz, Clauss, and Kimura are considered to be analogous art to the claimed invention because they are in the same field of nanojet spray devices. Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to combine the teaching of the gas flow taught in Kimura’s spray device to Wurz ‘900’s spray device, as modified by Clauss, to have the motivation to improve the mist spray as it is being dispensed (Kimura, Paragraph 0051).
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments with respect to claim(s) 1-9, 11-19, and 21 have been considered but are moot because the new ground of rejection does not rely on any reference applied in the prior rejection of record for any teaching or matter specifically challenged in the argument.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Anna T Ho whose telephone number is (571)272-2587. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 8:00 AM-5:00 PM, First Friday of Pay Period off.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Arthur O Hall can be reached at (571) 270-1814. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/ANNA THI HO/Examiner, Art Unit 3752
/STEVEN M CERNOCH/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3752
Prosecution Insights