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
This action is responsive to communication filed on 07/09/2026. Claims 1-19 and 21 remain pending.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
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 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.
Claim(s) 1-2, 6-7, 9-16, and 19 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by US Patent 10,669,701 B2 (hereinafter Hadfield).
Regarding claim 1, Hadfield discloses a self-docking faucet comprising: a faucet body (108); an arm (116) comprising a first end (adjacent faucet body; fig. 1) and a second end (adjacent spray head; fig. 1), wherein the first end of the arm is attached to the faucet body (fig. 1) and the second end of the arm comprises a docking portion comprising a first magnetic component (col. 7, ln. 16-20); a hose (120) extending through and protruding out of the faucet body (fig. 1); an adapter (252) fluidly connected to an end of the hose and configured to receive flow of water from the hose into an adapter flow path (col. 7, ln. 52-58), the adapter comprising a second magnetic component (254), wherein the first magnetic component and the second magnetic component are configured to exert an attractive magnetic force on one another to cause the adapter to dock to the docking portion of the arm (col. 7, ln. 13-30); ); a shell (housing 252 is a shell) comprising a recess (portion that receives magnet 254) shaped to receive a corresponding portion of the docking portion of the arm when the adapter is in the docked position (fig. 2); wherein the second magnetic component (254) is disposed behind the recess inside the shell of the adapter; and a spray head (128) fluidly connected to the adapter and configured to receive flow of water from the adapter flow path into a spray head flow path (col. 7, ln. 52-58), wherein a central axis (302) of the spray head flow path is aligned with a central axis of the adapter flow path and with a central axis of the end of the hose (fig. 12).
Regarding claim 2, Hadfield discloses the second magnetic component (254) is disposed between the adapter flow path and a wall of the adapter (fig. 13 shows the mounting location of the magnetic component 254 that is between the flow path and the external surface of the wall of housing 252).
Regarding claim 6, Hadfield discloses the second magnetic component (254) comprises a partial annular shape (the second magnetic component forms a partial annular shape since it is embedded in the annular wall of the housing and thus forms a portion of the inner surface annular wall (270); fig. 3).
Regarding claim 7, Hadfield discloses the partial annular shape of the second magnetic component (254) is disposed against a corresponding annular portion of a wall of the adapter (252) (the second magnetic component forms a partial annular shape since it is embedded in the annular wall of the housing and thus forms a portion of the inner surface annular wall (270); fig. 3).
Regarding claim 9, Hadfield discloses a self-docking faucet comprising: a faucet body (108); an arm (116) comprising a first end (adjacent faucet body; fig. 1) and a second end (adjacent spray head; fig. 1), wherein the first end of the arm is attached to the faucet body (fig. 1) and the second end of the arm comprises a docking portion comprising a first magnetic component (col. 7, ln. 16-20); a hose (120) extending through and protruding out of the body (fig. 1); an adapter (252) fluidly connected to an end of the hose and configured to receive flow of water from the hose (col. 7, ln. 52-58), the adapter comprising a second magnetic component (254), and a shell (housing 252 is a shell) comprising a recess (portion that receives magnet 254) shaped to receive a corresponding portion of the docking portion of the arm when the adapter is in the docked position (fig. 2); wherein the second magnetic component (254) is disposed behind the recess inside the shell of the adapter; wherein the first magnetic component and the second magnetic component are configured to exert an attractive magnetic force on one another to cause the adapter to dock to the docking portion of the arm (col. 7, ln. 13-30); and a spray head (128) fluidly connected to the adapter and configured to receive flow of water from the adapter, wherein the spray head is operably rotatable with respect to the hose (col. 8, ln. 25-26).
Regarding claim 10, Hadfield discloses the spray head (128) is operably rotatable with respect to the adapter (252) (col. 6, ln. 65-col. 7, ln. 11).
Regarding claim 11, Hadfield discloses the adapter (252) is operably rotatable with respect to the hose (col. 6, ln. 65-col. 7, ln. 11; col. 16, ln. 66-col. 17, ln. 7).
Regarding claim 12, Hadfield discloses when the adapter (252) is in a docked position with respect to the docking portion of the arm, the adapter is rotated into a predefined docked orientation (col. 17, ln. 8-14).
Regarding claim 13, Hadfield discloses a self-docking faucet comprising: a faucet body (108); an arm (116) comprising a first end (adjacent faucet body; fig. 1) and a second end (adjacent spray head; fig. 1), wherein the first end of the arm is attached to the faucet body (fig. 1) and the second end of the arm comprises a docking portion comprising a first magnetic component (col. 7, ln. 16-20); a hose (120) extending through and protruding out of the faucet body (fig. 1); an adapter (252) fluidly connected to an end of the hose and configured to receive flow of water from the hose (col. 7, ln. 52-58), the adapter comprising a second magnetic component (254), wherein the first magnetic component and the second magnetic component are configured to exert an attractive magnetic force on one another to cause the adapter to dock to the docking portion of the arm (col. 7, ln. 13-30); a shell (housing 252 is a shell) comprising a recess (portion that receives magnet 254) shaped to receive a corresponding portion of the docking portion of the arm when the adapter is in the docked position (fig. 2); wherein the second magnetic component (254) is disposed behind the recess inside the shell of the adapter; and wherein the adapter (252) comprising a sprayhead attachment portion (310) configured to be removably attachable to a spray head (128).
Regarding claim 14, Hadfield discloses the sprayhead attachment portion (310) is configured to fluidly connect to a sprayhead (128) such that water flows from the adapter to the sprayhead when the sprayhead is in the connected position (fig. 11).
Regarding claim 15, Hadfield discloses the sprayhead attachment portion comprises a threaded connection portion (see fig. 11 – threads between elements 202 and 310).
Regarding claim 16, Hadfield discloses a self-docking faucet comprising: a faucet body (108); an arm (116) comprising a first end (adjacent faucet body; fig. 1) and a second end (adjacent spray head; fig. 1), wherein the first end of the arm is attached to the faucet body (fig. 1) and the second end of the arm comprises a docking portion comprising a first magnetic component (col. 7, ln. 16-20); a hose (120) extending through and protruding out of the faucet body (fig. 1); an adapter (252) fluidly connected to an end of the hose and configured to receive flow of water from the hose (col. 7, ln. 52-58), the adapter comprising a second magnetic component (254), wherein the first magnetic component and the second magnetic component are configured to exert an attractive magnetic force on one another to pull the adapter toward a docked position with respect to the docking portion of the arm (col. 7, ln. 13-30); a shell (housing 252 is a shell) comprising a recess (portion that receives magnet 254), wherein the recess comprises a tapered sidewall (256) (fig. 3), and wherein the recess is shaped to receive a corresponding portion of the arm when the adapter is in the docked position (fig. 2); wherein the second magnetic component (254) is disposed behind the recess inside the shell of the adapter; and a spray head (128) fluidly connected to the adapter and configured to receive flow of water from the adapter (col. 7, ln. 52-58).
Regarding claim 19, Hadfield discloses the recess extends circumferentially around less than (less than, fig. 3) or equal to 50% (not explicitly disclosed) of the adapter (252).
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.
Claim(s) 3-5, 8, and 18 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Hadfield.
Regarding claim 3, Hadfield shows a thickness of the second magnetic component (254) in a direction extending from the adapter flow path toward the wall of the adapter (fig. 3) but is silent as to the specific dimension and thus fails to show it is less than or equal to 4 millimeters. Applicant has not placed criticality on the claimed dimension. Furthermore, one of ordinary skill in the art would expect the magnetic component to work equally well within the claimed range due to standard faucet housing wall materials and sizes. It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing of the claimed invention to select a thickness less than or equal to 4 millimeters because such a modification would have been considered a mere design consideration which fails to patentably distinguish over the prior art of Hadfield. MPEP 2144.04(IV)(A).
Regarding claim 4, Hadfield shows the second magnetic component has a thickness in a direction extending from the adapter flow path toward the outer wall of the adapter but is silent as to the relative dimension and thus fails to show that it is less than or equal to 25% of a radius of the adapter in the direction extending from the adapter flow path toward the wall of the adapter. Applicant has not placed criticality on the claimed dimension. Furthermore, one of ordinary skill in the art would expect the magnetic component to work equally well within the claimed range due to standard faucet housing wall materials and sizes. It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing of the claimed invention to select a thickness less than or equal to 25% of a radius of the adapter in the direction extending from the adapter flow path toward the wall of the adapter because such a modification would have been considered a mere design consideration which fails to patentably distinguish over the prior art of Hadfield. MPEP 2144.04(IV)(A).
Regarding claim 5, Hadfield is silent as to the dimensions of the second magnetic component and thus fails to show a length of the second magnetic component is less than or equal to 9 millimeters and a height of the second magnetic component is less than or equal to 22 millimeters. Applicant has not placed criticality on the claimed dimension. Furthermore, one of ordinary skill in the art would expect the magnetic component to work equally well within the claimed range due to standard faucet housing wall materials and sizes. It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing of the claimed invention to select a thickness a length of the second magnetic component is less than or equal to 9 millimeters and a height of the second magnetic component is less than or equal to 22 millimeters because such a modification would have been considered a mere design consideration which fails to patentably distinguish over the prior art of Hadfield. MPEP 2144.04(IV)(A).
Regarding claim 8, Hadfield is silent as to the attractive force between the components and thus fails to show the attractive magnetic force is greater than or equal to 5 Newtons when the first magnetic component and the second magnetic component are in a docked position with respect to one another. Applicant has not placed criticality on the claimed value. Furthermore, one of ordinary skill in the art would expect the magnetic components to work equally well within the claimed range due to standard faucet housing wall materials and sizes and strength of users. It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing of the claimed invention to select an attractive magnetic force greater than or equal to 5 Newtons when the first magnetic component and the second magnetic component are in a docked position with respect to one another because such a modification would have been considered a mere design consideration which fails to patentably distinguish over the prior art of Hadfield. MPEP 2144.04(IV)(A).
Regarding claim 18, Hadfield fails to show the recess depth is less than or equal to 4 millimeters. Applicant has not placed criticality on the claimed dimension. Furthermore, one of ordinary skill in the art would expect the magnetic component to work equally well within the claimed range due to standard faucet housing wall materials and sizes. It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing of the claimed invention to select a recess depth of less than or equal to 4 millimeters because such a modification would have been considered a mere design consideration which fails to patentably distinguish over the prior art of Hadfield. MPEP 2144.04(IV)(A).
Claim(s) 17 and 21 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Hadfield in view of US Patent 11,085,175 (hereinafter Fourman).
Regarding claims 17 and 21, Hadfield discloses the recess comprises one or more tapered side-walls and one or more rounded corners (fig. 3) but fails to show configured to guide the corresponding portion of the docking portion of the arm into the recess when the adapter is pulled toward the docked position. Attention is turned to Fourman in the same field of endeavor of docking portions of arms for sprayer head assemblies which shows an adapter (46) with a shell (122) having a recess (defined by outer wall 138) with rounded corners that guide a corresponding portion (132) of a docking portion (50) of an arm (154) into the recess when the adapter is pulled toward the docked position (see fig. 6). It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing of the claimed invention to configure a recess on the shell of Hadfield to guide the corresponding portion of the docking portion of the arm into the recess when the adapter is pulled toward the docked position to ensure the sprayer head is docked in the correct position as evidenced by the teachings of Fourman.
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments filed 07/09/26 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive. Applicant argues that the adapter fails to show being “fluidly connected to an end of the hose and configured to receive a flow of water from the house into an adapter flow path”. The Examiner respectfully disagrees and directs attention to fig. 11 of Hadfield which shows a fluid flow path through the adapter (252). The claims do not recite fluid makes contact with the shell or other structures directly as Applicant appears to be arguing. There is a hollow passageway that extends through the adapter for fluid flow. Accordingly, a fluid flow path exists through the adapter. Applicant argues that Hadfield fails to show a recess in the shell as claimed. Examiner respectfully disagrees. The recess in the shell that houses magnet (252) is in fact a recess as it creates a void that receives the magnet, and it couples with, i.e. receives a portion of the docking arm as can be seen in fig. 2 and 11. Claims 1, 9, 13, and 16 do not preclude the recess from also forming a protrusion on the exterior surface of the shell when mating with the corresponding docking portion. The rejection is deemed proper and maintained. Arguments pertaining to the recess as it relates to claims 17 and 21 are moot in light of the new grounds of rejection.
Conclusion
Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a).
A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the mailing date of this final action.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to JANIE M LOEPPKE whose telephone number is (571)270-5208. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 9AM-5PM ET.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, David Angwin can be reached at (571) 270-3735. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/JANIE M LOEPPKE/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3754
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