DETAILED ACTION
The amendments filed on 10/03/2025 have been entered.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 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 –
(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
(a)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claims 12-15 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Harris et al. (US 3543800).
Regarding claim 12, Harris discloses a method of manufacturing a locking mandrel plug for a tubing string, comprising: forming a generally tubular body (body of 100, fig 1) having an outwardly-tapered top (116) (fig 1); forming a mating interface ( threads @122, fig 1) in an inner surface of the outwardly-tapered top (fig 1), configured to operatively connect to a predetermined conveyance (fig 1); forming a cavity (interior of 100, fig 1) within a lower portion of the generally tubular body (fig 1), the cavity comprising the majority of the interior volume of the lower portion (fig 1), and fluidly-connected to the interior of the outwardly-tapered top (fig 1); and forming at least one equalization hole (120) through an exterior wall of the generally tubular body (fig 1), between the cavity and the outwardly- tapered top (fig 1).
Regarding claim 13, Harris further discloses forming an internal shoulder (annotated fig 1) between the outwardly-tapered top and the at least one equalization hole (fig 1).
Regarding claim 14, Harris further discloses forming the internal shoulder further comprises configuring the internal shoulder to correspond to an outer shoulder of a predetermined prong (fig 1).
Regarding claim 15, Harris further discloses forming the cavity includes occupying at least 50% of the volume of the lower portion of the generally tubular body (fig 1).
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Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
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.
Claims 16-19 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Harris et al. (US 3543800) as applied to claim 12 above, and further in view of Jin-Wei et al. (CN115434652).
Regarding claims 16-19, Harris is silent regarding disposing a sealing stack on an outer circumference of the generally tubular body.
Jin-wei teaches disposing a sealing stack (5) on an outer circumference of the generally tubular body (1).
Jin-wei further teaches retaining the sealing stack by operatively connecting a locking ring (6, 7, 8) to the outer circumference of the generally tubular body (fig 1).
Jin-Wei further teaches the location of the locking ring is adjustable to accommodate differing configurations of the sealing stack (fig 1 teaches the use of screw 7 to lock 7, meaning that the position of 7 is adjustable).
Jin-Wei further teaches retaining the locking ring by operatively connecting a set screw (7) to both the locking ring and the generally tubular body (fig 1).
Before the effective filling date, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, having the teachings of Harris and Jin-Wei before him or her, to modify the apparatus/method disclosed by Harris to include the sealing stack, locking ring and screw as taught by Jin-Wei in order to achieve an effective sealing.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-11 are allowed.
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments, filed on 10/03/2025, with respect to claim 1 have been fully considered and are persuasive. The rejection of claims 1-11 has been withdrawn.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
St.Clair (US 7111677) discloses a blanking plug device, system and method of use, wherein the plug device has an anchoring portion for securing the blanking plug device within a tubing string or other well conduit. In preferred embodiments, the anchoring portion comprises a locking device such as the Extreme SUR-SET.RTM. locking system. However, other anchoring mechanisms may be utilized as well. The blanking plug device has a lower plug portion that incorporates a screening section. The screening section permits flow of fluid through the sidewall of the plug portion while substantially preventing the passage of solid particles.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to DANY E AKAKPO whose telephone number is (469)295-9255. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 9am - 5pm.
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/DANY E AKAKPO/Examiner, Art Unit 3672
1/15/2026
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