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
Claims 8 and 23-28 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.
Claim 8 is vague and indefinite. On lines 4-5, the phrase “the bracket member optionally forming a wall portion” is unclear. How does a bracket member “optionally” form a wall portion? The bracket either forms the wall portion or not.
Claim 23 is vague and indefinite. Note that while Claim 1 sets forth an outlet assembly with the intended use being for a dispenser, the claim positively sets forth elements of the outer wall including the opening and the wall opening having a wall opening rim. Claim 23 sets forth these elements again. So, are they the same elements or are there two different wall openings and two different wall opening rim?
Claim 24 is vague and indefinite. Note that while Claim 1 sets forth an outlet assembly with the intended use being for a dispenser, the claim positively sets forth elements of the outer wall including the opening and the wall opening having a wall opening rim. Claim 24 sets forth these elements again. So, are they the same elements or are there two different wall openings and two different wall opening rim?
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-15, 18, and 20-28 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 an examiner’s statement of reasons for allowance:
Claims 1-15, 18, and 20-28 are allowable over the prior art of record because the prior art of record does not teach or suggest the entire combination of elements of the outlet assembly set forth including an outlet assembly for arrangement to an outer wall of a dispenser for web-shaped absorbent material, the outer wall defining a wall opening extending along an outlet axis through the wall, the wall opening having a wall opening rim, and the outlet assembly being adapted to form an outlet for dispensing of the web-shaped absorbent material from the dispenser through the wall opening in a direction along the outlet axis,
wherein the outlet assembly comprises a first part defining a first outlet portion extending along a dispensing axis of the first part; and a
second part defining a second outlet portion extending along a dispensing axis A of the second part;
wherein the first part comprises a rim attachment element being such that the first part can be attached to the wall opening rim by means of the rim attachment element such that the first part assumes a first part fixed position in relation to the wall opening outer rim, wherein the dispensing axis of the first outlet portion extends along the outlet axis, and
the first part further comprises a first connector element, and the second part comprises a second connector element, the first connector element and the second connector element being such that the second part can be attached to the first part when in the first part fixed position by means of connection between the first connector element and the second connector element, such that the second part assumes a second part fixed position in relation to the first part, wherein the dispensing axis of the second outlet portion extends along the dispensing axis of the first outlet portion, such that, when the first part is in the first part fixed position in relation to the wall opening rim, and the second part is in the second part fixed position in relation to the first part, the first outlet portion and the second outlet portion form the outlet for dispensing of the web-shaped absorbent material from the dispenser through the wall opening in a direction along the outlet axis,
wherein the first part and the second part are such that the second part is movable by one or more attachment steps from an initial state, where the second part is unattached to the first part, to the second part fixed position,
wherein the second part and the first part are such that the second part is movable in a first attachment step from an initial state where the second part is unattached to the first part to a predetermined intermediate position at or adjacent the first part, and in a second attachment step from the predetermined intermediate position to the second part fixed position,
wherein the first part and the second part are such that the second part is movable from the predetermined intermediate position to the second part fixed position by rotation of the second part about a centre axis of the first part.
None of the references of the prior art teach or suggest an outlet assembly for arrangement to an outer wall of a dispenser for web-shaped absorbent material, the outer wall defining a wall opening extending along an outlet axis through the wall, the wall opening having a wall opening rim, and the outlet assembly being adapted to form an outlet for dispensing of the web-shaped absorbent material from the dispenser through the wall opening in a direction along the outlet axis,
wherein the outlet assembly comprises a first part defining a first outlet portion extending along a dispensing axis of the first part; and a
second part defining a second outlet portion extending along a dispensing axis A of the second part;
wherein the first part comprises a rim attachment element being such that the first part can be attached to the wall opening rim by means of the rim attachment element such that the first part assumes a first part fixed position in relation to the wall opening outer rim, wherein the dispensing axis of the first outlet portion extends along the outlet axis, and
the first part further comprises a first connector element, and the second part comprises a second connector element, the first connector element and the second connector element being such that the second part can be attached to the first part when in the first part fixed position by means of connection between the first connector element and the second connector element, such that the second part assumes a second part fixed position in relation to the first part, wherein the dispensing axis of the second outlet portion extends along the dispensing axis of the first outlet portion, such that, when the first part is in the first part fixed position in relation to the wall opening rim, and the second part is in the second part fixed position in relation to the first part, the first outlet portion and the second outlet portion form the outlet for dispensing of the web-shaped absorbent material from the dispenser through the wall opening in a direction along the outlet axis ,
wherein the first part and the second part are such that the second part is movable by one or more attachment steps from an initial state, where the second part is unattached to the first part, to the second part fixed position,
wherein the second part and the first part are such that the second part is movable in a first attachment step from an initial state where the second part is unattached to the first part to a predetermined intermediate position at or adjacent the first part, and in a second attachment step from the predetermined intermediate position to the second part fixed position,
wherein the first part and the second part are such that the second part is movable from the predetermined intermediate position to the second part fixed position by rotation of the second part about a centre axis of the first part as advanced above and such do not provide the necessary motivation, absent applicant's specification, for modifying the outlet assembly in the manner required by the claims.
Any comments considered necessary by applicant must be submitted no later than the payment of the issue fee and, to avoid processing delays, should preferably accompany the issue fee. Such submissions should be clearly labeled “Comments on Statement of Reasons for Allowance.”
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to WILLIAM ARAUZ RIVERA whose telephone number is (571)272-6953. The examiner can normally be reached Monday to Friday 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM MDT.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Victoria P. Augustine can be reached at 313-446-4858. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/WILLIAM A. RIVERA/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3654