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 .
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 10 and 13-17 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 10, Applicant claims in line 2, “a second portion”. Applicant previously claims “a second portion” in claim 8 from which this claim depends thereon. Is this the same second portion or another second portion? Therefore, this claim language is indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly.
Regarding claim 13, Applicant claims in line 7, “extending between the opposing sidewall”. Applicant previously claims “opposing sidewalls” in line 2. Is Applicant referring to one particular sidewall or did Applicant fail to pluralize the claim language thereof? Therefore, this claim language is indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly.
Claims 14-17 are rejected for depending upon claim 13 and thereby containing all of the same indefiniteness issues thereof.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-9, 11-12, and 18-20 are allowed.
Claims 10 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.
Claims 13-17 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 prior art fails to disclose or make obvious the limitations of claim 1, claiming a dishwasher, comprising: a tub having a top wall and opposing sidewalls that at least partially define a washing chamber; a dish rack operably coupled to the tub and extending between the opposing sidewalls; a guide assembly operably coupled to the tub, the guide assembly including: a housing operably coupled to the top wall of the tub; a motor disposed in the housing; a lead screw operably coupled to the motor, wherein the lead screw extends between the opposing sidewalls of the tub; and at least one support member operably coupled to the housing, wherein the at least one support member extends between the opposing sidewalls of the tub parallel to the lead screw; and an air knife assembly operably coupled to the lead screw and the at least one support member, wherein the air knife assembly is operable between a stowed state and a deployed state, the air knife assembly including: an air knife defining at least one inlet and an outlet; and a first blower and a second blower operably coupled to the air knife, wherein the first and second blowers are configured to direct air through the outlet of the air knife to generate an air curtain along a length of the dish rack when the air knife assembly is in the deployed state.
The prior art fails to disclose or make obvious the limitations of claim 13, claiming an appliance, comprising: a tub having opposing sidewalls that at least partially define a washing chamber; a housing operably coupled to a top portion of the tub; a lead screw operably coupled to the housing and extending between the opposing sidewalls of the tub; a first support member and a second support member coupled to the housing and extending between the opposing sidewall, wherein the lead screw is positioned between the first and second support members; and an air knife assembly operably coupled to the lead screw, wherein the air knife assembly is operable between a stowed state and a deployed state, the air knife assembly including: an air knife operably coupled to the lead screw, the first support member, and the second support member, wherein the air knife includes an inlet and an outlet; and at least one blower operably coupled to the air knife, wherein the at least one blower is configured to direct air through the outlet of the air knife to generate an air curtain when the air knife assembly is in the deployed state.
The prior art fails to disclose or make obvious the limitations of claim 17, claiming a drying assembly for an appliance, comprising a tub defining a washing chamber; a lead screw extending through the washing chamber; a support member extending through the washing chamber proximate to the lead screw; and an air knife assembly operably coupled to the lead screw and the support member, wherein the air knife assembly is operable between a stowed state and a deployed state, the air knife assembly including: an air knife defining an elongated body; a first blower coupled to a first portion of the elongated body; and a second blower coupled to a second portion of the elongated body, wherein the first blower and the second blower are configured to generate an air curtain when the air knife assembly is in the deployed state.
The closest prior art of record is that of U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20190099054 to Digman et al. (Digman). Digman discloses a dishwasher, appliance, and drying assembly for an appliance comprising: a tub defining a washing chamber; a lead screw extending through the washing chamber; and an air knife assembly operably coupled to the lead screw, the air knife assembly including: an air knife defining an elongated body. Digman does not disclose or make obvious a support member extending through the washing chamber proximate to the lead screw; wherein the air knife assembly is operable between a stowed state and a deployed state; and at least one blower operably coupled to the air knife, wherein the at least one blower is configured to direct air through the outlet of the air knife to generate an air curtain when the air knife assembly is in the deployed state.
The advantage of the current invention over that of the prior art to Digman is that of the combination and configuration of the air knife with stowed and deployed states coupled with the blower thereof wherein this allows for an efficient device to dry the washer ware in the appliance with a dedicated air source without interfering with the initial washing cycle thereof.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to BENJAMIN LEE OSTERHOUT whose telephone number is (571)270-7379. The examiner can normally be reached 9:00am-5:00pm.
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BENJAMIN LEE OSTERHOUT
Primary Examiner
Art Unit 1711
/BENJAMIN L OSTERHOUT/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1711
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