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 .
Claim Status
Claims 1-20 are currently being examined.
Specification
The Specification has not been checked to the extent necessary to determine the presence of all possible minor errors. Applicant’s cooperation is requested in correcting any errors of which applicant may become aware in the specification. MPEP § 608.01
Nonstatutory Double Patenting
The nonstatutory double patenting rejection is based on a judicially created doctrine grounded in public policy (a policy reflected in the statute) so as to prevent the unjustified or improper timewise extension of the “right to exclude” granted by a patent and to prevent possible harassment by multiple assignees. A nonstatutory double patenting rejection is appropriate where the claims at issue are not identical, but at least one examined application claim is not patentably distinct from the reference claim(s) because the examined application claim is either anticipated by, or would have been obvious over, the reference claim(s). See, e.g., In re Berg, 140 F.3d 1428, 46 USPQ2d 1226 (Fed. Cir. 1998); In re Goodman, 11 F.3d 1046, 29 USPQ2d 2010 (Fed. Cir. 1993); In re Longi, 759 F.2d 887, 225 USPQ 645 (Fed. Cir. 1985); In re Van Ornum, 686 F.2d 937, 214 USPQ 761 (CCPA 1982); In re Vogel, 422 F.2d 438, 164 USPQ 619 (CCPA 1970); and In re Thorington, 418 F.2d 528, 163 USPQ 644 (CCPA 1969).
A timely filed terminal disclaimer in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(c) or 1.321(d) may be used to overcome an actual or provisional rejection based on a nonstatutory double patenting ground provided the reference application or patent either is shown to be commonly owned with this application, or claims an invention made as a result of activities undertaken within the scope of a joint research agreement. A terminal disclaimer must be signed in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(b).
The USPTO internet Web site contains terminal disclaimer forms which may be used. Please visit http://www.uspto.gov/forms/. The filing date of the application will determine what form should be used. A web-based eTerminal Disclaimer may be filled out completely online using web-screens. An eTerminal Disclaimer that meets all requirements is auto-processed and approved immediately upon submission. For more information about eTerminal Disclaimers, refer to http://www.uspto.gov/patents/process/file/efs/guidance/eTD-info-I.jsp.
Claims 1-20 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over Claims 1-12 of U.S. Patent No. 12,098,029. Although the conflicting claims are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because the '029 patent discloses the following with respect to the Applicant’s claims:
1. An access station for picking storage containers, comprising: (See Claim 1)
a picking zone; (See Claim 1)
at least one conveyor arranged to transport one or more storage containers from an entry position through said picking zone and to an exit position; (See Claim 1)
at least one tilting device arranged to tilt a storage container at least in the picking zone; and (See Claim 1)
paneling comprising an aperture with a sliding door in the picking zone. (See Claim 1)
2. The access station according to claim 1, wherein the paneling comprises a tilted top panel. (See Claim 1)
3. The access station according to claim 2, wherein the aperture with the sliding door is disposed in the tilted top panel. (See Claim 1)
4. The access station according to claim 1, wherein the paneling comprises a tilted front panel. (See Claim 1)
5. The access station according to claim 1, where the entry position and the exit position are arranged for connection to at least one storage system conveyor. (See Claim 2)
6. The access station according to claim 1, wherein the access station comprises only one tilting device arranged to tilt at least one storage container in the picking zone. (See Claim 3)
7. The access station according to claim 1, wherein the picking zone is arranged to receive only one storage container. (See Claim 4)
8. The access station according to claim 1, wherein the at least one tilting device is arranged to tilt only one storage container. (See Claim 5)
9. The access station according to claim 1, comprising three tilting devices. (See Claim 6)
10. The access station according to claim 1, wherein the access station comprises an entry conveyor arranged to transport the one or more storage containers from the entry position to at least one access conveyor, and (See Claim 7)
an exit conveyor arranged to transport the one or more storage containers from the at least one access conveyor to the exit position. (See Claim 7)
11. The access station according to claim 10, wherein a transport direction of the entry conveyor is parallel and opposite to a transport direction of the exit conveyor, and (See Claim 8)
wherein a transport direction of the at least one access conveyor is orthogonal to the transport directions of the entry and exit conveyors. (See Claim 8)
12. The access station according to claim 11, wherein the at least one tilting device is arranged to tilt around an axis parallel to a transport direction of the at least one access conveyor. (See Claim 9)
13. The access station according to claim 1, wherein the picking zone is arranged towards a front side of the access station, and (See Claim 10)
where the access station is arranged to receive a goods conveyor between the picking zone and a back side of the access station. (See Claim 10)
14. A method for operating an access station for picking storage containers, the access station comprising: (See Claims 1 and 11)
a picking zone; (See Claim 1)
at least one conveyor arranged to transport one or more storage containers from an entry position through said picking zone and to an exit position; (See Claim 1)
at least one tilting device arranged to tilt a storage container at least in the picking zone; and (See Claim 1)
paneling comprising an aperture with a sliding door in the picking zone, (See Claim 1)
wherein the method comprises the steps of: (See Claim 11)
receiving the storage container at the entry position; (See Claim 11)
transferring the storage container from the entry position to the picking zone; (See Claim 11)
tilting the storage container with the at least one tilting device; (See Claim 11)
transferring the storage container from the picking zone to the exit position; and (See Claim 11)
delivering the storage container at the exit position. (See Claim 11)
15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the paneling comprises a tilted top panel. (See Claim 1)
16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the aperture with the sliding door is disposed in the tilted top panel. (See Claim 1)
17. The method according to claim 14, wherein the paneling comprises a tilted front panel. (See Claim 1)
18. An automated storage and retrieval system, the automated storage and retrieval system comprising: (See Claim 12)
a rail system comprising a first set of parallel tracks arranged in a horizontal plane and extending in a first direction, and (See Claim 12)
a second set of parallel tracks arranged in the horizontal plane and extending in a second direction which is orthogonal to the first direction, (See Claim 12)
which first and second sets of tracks form a grid pattern in the horizontal plane comprising a plurality of adjacent grid cells, (See Claim 12)
each comprising a grid opening defined by a pair of neighboring tracks of the first set of tracks and a pair of neighboring tracks of the second set of tracks; (See Claim 12)
a plurality of stacks of storage containers arranged in storage columns located beneath the rail system, (See Claim 12)
wherein each storage column is located vertically below a grid opening; (See Claim 12)
a plurality of container handling vehicles for handling the storage containers in the automated storage and retrieval system, (See Claim 12)
each vehicle being configured to move on the rail system above the storage columns, (See Claim 12)
each vehicle comprising: (See Claim 12)
a vehicle body; and (See Claim 12)
a wheel assembly connected to the vehicle body, (See Claim 12)
the wheel assembly being configured to guide each container handling vehicle along the rail system in at least one of the first direction and the second direction; (See Claim 12)
an access station comprising: (See Claim 12)
a picking zone; (See Claim 12)
at least one storage conveyor arranged to transport one or more of the storage containers from an entry position through said picking zone and to an exit position; (See Claim 12)
at least one tilting device arranged to tilt a storage container at least in the picking zone and (See Claim 12)
paneling comprising an aperture with a sliding door in the picking zone; and (See Claim 12)
at least one storage system conveyor arranged below at least one delivery column, (See Claim 12)
wherein the at least one storage system conveyor is arranged to transfer the one or more storage containers between a transfer position below the at least one delivery column and the entry position of the access station, and (See Claim 12)
between the transfer position and the exit position of the access station. (See Claim 12)
19. The automated storage and retrieval system according to claim 18, wherein the paneling comprises a tilted top panel, and (See Claim 12)
wherein the aperture with the sliding door is disposed in the tilted top panel. (See Claim 12)
20. The automated storage and retrieval system according to claim 18, wherein the paneling comprises a tilted front panel. (See Claim 12)
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to Applicant's disclosure because the prior art references contain subject matter that relates to one or more of Applicant’s claim limitations.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to THOMAS RANDAZZO whose telephone number is (313)446-4903. The examiner can normally be reached between 9:00am and 4:00pm ET Monday through Thursday and between 9:00am and 11:00am ET on Friday.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner's supervisor, Jacob Scott, can be reached on 571-270-3415. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/THOMAS RANDAZZO/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3655 June 26, 2026
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