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 1-17 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.
At claim 1, line 2, the claim recites “a first valve having at least one inlet port….” This appears to suggest that there could be an embodiment with only one inlet port. However, given the combination of eight lines as recited in the claim, it is unclear how the first valve could possibly have only one inlet port. This limitation should be amended to “a first valve having a plurality of inlet ports….”
Similarly, at claim 1, lines 2-3, the claim recites “a first valve having… at least one outlet port….” This appears to suggest that there could be an embodiment with only one outlet port. However, given the combination of eight lines as recited in the claim, it is unclear how the first valve could possibly have only one outlet port. This limitation should be amended to “a first valve having a plurality of outlet ports….”
Similarly, at claim 1, line 4, the claim recites “a second valve having at least one inlet port….” This appears to suggest that there could be an embodiment with only one inlet port. However, given the combination of eight lines as recited in the claim, it is unclear how the second valve could possibly have only one inlet port. This limitation should be amended to “a second valve having a plurality of inlet ports….”
Similarly, at claim 1, lines 4-5, the claim recites “a second valve having… at least one outlet port….” This appears to suggest that there could be an embodiment with only one outlet port. However, given the combination of eight lines as recited in the claim, it is unclear how the second valve could possibly have only one outlet port. This limitation should be amended to “a second valve having a plurality of outlet ports….”
At claim 1, line 19, the claim recites “a first heat-exchanger”. However, the claim previously recites a condenser, a chiller, and an evaporator, which are all types on heat-exchangers. As recited, it is unclear how the recitation “a first heat-exchanger” from these previously recited types of heat-exchangers.
Similarly, at claim 1, lines 22-23, the claim recites “a second heat-exchanger”. However, the claim previously recites a condenser, a chiller, and an evaporator, which are all types on heat-exchangers. As recited, it is unclear how the recitation “a second heat-exchanger” from these previously recited types of heat-exchangers.
Claims 2-17 are also rejected since they depend from claim 1.
At claim 11, line 2 the claim recites the limitation “is desired”. This renders the claim indefinite since it is unclear how a “desire” can be a structural limitation. The examiner suggests amending the limitation “when dehumidification of the vehicle interior is desired…” to “during dehumidification of the vehicle interior…”.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-17 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 following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter:
As per independent claim 1, the prior art is represented by Tasiopolis et al. (US 2017/0274727 A1) which shows a heat pump system with plural multi-direction valves 36 and 46; Kim et al. (US 2021/0387505 A1) which shows a heat pump system with plural multi-direction valves V1 and V2; and Li et al. (US 2025/0187399 A1) which shows a heat pump system with plural multi-direction valves 36 and 46. However none of these references, nor the prior art as a whole, teaches or suggests the heat pump system combination as recited, and in particular comprising the full first through eighth lines connected to the first and second valve modules as recited.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to MARC E NORMAN whose telephone number is (571)272-4812. The examiner can normally be reached 8:00-4:30 M-F.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Frantz Jules can be reached at 571-272-6681. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/MARC E NORMAN/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3763
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