DETAILED ACTION
Claims 1-18 were filed with the Preliminary Amendment dated 10/28/2024.
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 .
Drawings
The drawings are objected to because Figures 5, 7, 16, 17, 18, 26, 31, 35, and 40 show sectional views, but do not include the required hatching (see 37 C.F.R. 1.84(h)(3)).
Corrected drawing sheets in compliance with 37 CFR 1.121(d) are required in reply to the Office action to avoid abandonment of the application. Any amended replacement drawing sheet should include all of the figures appearing on the immediate prior version of the sheet, even if only one figure is being amended. The figure or figure number of an amended drawing should not be labeled as “amended.” If a drawing figure is to be canceled, the appropriate figure must be removed from the replacement sheet, and where necessary, the remaining figures must be renumbered and appropriate changes made to the brief description of the several views of the drawings for consistency. Additional replacement sheets may be necessary to show the renumbering of the remaining figures. Each drawing sheet submitted after the filing date of an application must be labeled in the top margin as either “Replacement Sheet” or “New Sheet” pursuant to 37 CFR 1.121(d). If the changes are not accepted by the examiner, the applicant will be notified and informed of any required corrective action in the next Office action. The objection to the drawings will not be held in abeyance.
Claim Objections
Claim 12 is objected to because of the following informalities: the phrase “at least part of the motor is located in the first accommodating cavity” in line 5-6 is just a repetition of claim 12, line 2. The examiner suggests deleting the repeated phrase. Appropriate correction is required.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112b
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 2, 3, 4, 6, 11, 12, 13 and 15-18 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.
With regard to claim 2, the phrase “at least one second chamber” (line 5) renders the claim confusing and, therefore, indefinite. Claim 2 depends from claim 1. Claim 1 requires “a second chamber” (line 2). Therefore, it is not clear if claim 2 is merely referring to the singular second chamber of claim 1 or if claim 2 is referring to different chambers. For purposes of examination, claim 2 will be construed as if it is written as: “the
Claim 4 recites the limitation "the first mounting port" in line 3). There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim. It is not clear if claim 4 should be amended to depend from claim 2 (instead of claim 1), or if claim 4 should be amended to change “the first mounting port” to “a first mounting port.” For purposes of examination, claim 4 will be construed as if it depends from claim 2, not claim 1.
With regard to claim 6, the phrase “in a position-limited way” (line 3) renders the claim confusing and, therefore, indefinite. It is not clear what is being required by “position-limited way.” The scope of the phrase is not known. The examiner suggests deleting “in a position-limited way.”
With regard to claim 11, the phrase “in a position-limited way” (line 4) renders the claim confusing and, therefore, indefinite. It is not clear what is being required by “position-limited way.” The scope of the phrase is not known. The examiner suggests deleting “in a position-limited way.”
With regard to claim 12, the phrase “in a position-limited way” (line 5) renders the claim confusing and, therefore, indefinite. It is not clear what is being required by “position-limited way.” The scope of the phrase is not known. The examiner suggests deleting “in a position-limited way.”
With regard to claim 15, the phrase “in a position-limited way” (line 11) renders the claim confusing and, therefore, indefinite. It is not clear what is being required by “position-limited way.” The scope of the phrase is not known. The examiner suggests deleting “in a position-limited way.”
Dependent claims 3, 13, 16, 17, and 18 are rejected for being dependent upon a rejected claim.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112d
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(d):
(d) REFERENCE IN DEPENDENT FORMS.—Subject to subsection (e), a claim in dependent form shall contain a reference to a claim previously set forth and then specify a further limitation of the subject matter claimed. A claim in dependent form shall be construed to incorporate by reference all the limitations of the claim to which it refers.
The following is a quotation of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, fourth paragraph:
Subject to the following paragraph [i.e., the fifth paragraph of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112], a claim in dependent form shall contain a reference to a claim previously set forth and then specify a further limitation of the subject matter claimed. A claim in dependent form shall be construed to incorporate by reference all the limitations of the claim to which it refers.
Claim 14 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(d) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, 4th paragraph, as being of improper dependent form for failing to further limit the subject matter of the claim upon which it depends, or for failing to include all the limitations of the claim upon which it depends.
Claim 14 depends from claim 1 and claim 11 and merely restates that “the fluid assembly cooperates and is connected with the drive assembly” (claim 14, line 4) what is in the preamble of claim 11.
Applicant may cancel the claim(s), amend the claim(s) to place the claim(s) in proper dependent form, rewrite the claim(s) in independent form, or present a sufficient showing that the dependent claim(s) complies with the statutory requirements.
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.
(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 1-4 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by CN114151577 (hereinafter “Leonuri”) (as evidenced by Translation).
With regard to claim 1, Leonuri discloses a fluid assembly (see Figs 1-18), comprising a main housing (1), a pump assembly (91) and a valve assembly (2), wherein the main housing (1) has a first chamber (17) and a second chamber (16), which are spaced from each other (see annotated Fig 4); and at least part of the pump assembly (91) is arranged in the first chamber (17) in a sealed manner (page 6, lines 42-43; “in a sealed manner” is met because pump is installed inside chamber 17 which prevents leaks by being inside chamber), the valve assembly (2) comprises a valve core (2 “valve core 2” page 6, line 3), and at least part of the valve core (2) is arranged in the second chamber (16) (page 5, lines 28-37) in a sealed manner (page 6, lines 27-29).
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With regard to claim 2, (as far as it is definite and understood) Leonuri discloses that the first chamber (17) has a first mounting port (port/entrance toward chamber 17 at Fig 4, top, see annotated Figs), the second chamber (16) has a second mounting port (port is by 33 in Fig 5, see annotated Figs), and the first mounting port (see annotated Fig 4) and the second mounting port (see annotated Fig 5) are arranged at different sides of the main housing (1) (compare Figs 4 and 5) respectively; and the main housing (1) further comprises a communication channel (19), and the first chamber (17) is in communication with the second chamber (16) through the communication channel (19) (see Figs 4-5 and page 7, lines 1-2).
With regard to claim 3, Leonuri discloses that the main housing (1) further comprises a first orifice (see opening in annotated Fig 5), a second orifice (see opening in annotated Fig 5) and a plurality of flow channels (11-15), and wherein the first orifice (see opening in annotated Fig 5) and the second orifice (see opening in annotated Fig 5) each is in communication with the first chamber (17) (via 19, see Fig 5), the plurality of flow channels (11-15) are arranged at an outer circumferential side of a wall portion of the second chamber (16) (see Fig 5 and compare with Fig 4), one of the first orifice and the second orifice (see opening in annotated Fig 5) is in communication with any or some of the flow channels (11-15) through the communication channel (19), and the valve core (2) is configured to open and/or close the flow channels (11-15) (page 5, line 44 to page 6, line 2).
With regard to claim 4, (as far as it is definite and understood) Leonuri discloses that the main housing (1) comprises a first end (end near 17 in Fig 4, see annotated Fig 4) and a second end (end near 11-15 in Fig 5, see annotated Fig 5) which are oppositely arranged in a height direction of the main housing (1) (one is at top and other is on bottom, compare Figs 4-5), the first mounting port (see annotated Fig 4) of the first chamber (17) is located at the first end (see annotated Fig 4), and the second mounting port (see annotated Fig 5) of the second chamber (16) is located at the second end (see annotated Fig 5).
Claims 1, 11, 14, and 15 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by EP 3904689 (hereinafter “Jensen”).
With regard to claim 1, Jensen discloses a fluid assembly (see Figs 1-18) comprising a main housing (8), a pump assembly (“ The centrifugal pump” [0047], 14+110) and a valve assembly (24, para [0027]), wherein the main housing (8) has a first chamber (portion of 8 above 46, see annotated Fig) and a second chamber (44) which are spaced from each other, at least part of the pump assembly (rotor 110) is arranged in the first chamber (portion above 46 within 8) in a sealed manner (by connection of 46 to 8, see Fig 3), the valve assembly (24) comprises a valve core (24) and at least part of the valve core (24) is arranged in the second chamber (44) in a sealed manner (by sealing 70, see para [0031]).
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With regard to claim 11, Jensen discloses a drive assembly (2+112) for cooperating and being connected with the fluid assembly according to claim 1 (see above with respect to claim 1), wherein the drive assembly comprises a first housing (4), a stator assembly (112) and a motor (2), both of the stator assembly (112) and the motor (2) are connected to the first housing (8) (see Fig 3) in a position-limiting manner (because 2 and 112 are contained with 8, see Fig 3), the pump assembly (“ The centrifugal pump” [0047], 14+110) comprises a rotor assembly (110), the rotor assembly comprises a magnetic assembly (para [0006]: “permanent magnetic rotor”), at least part of the magnetic assembly is located in a magnetic field range of the stator assembly (112) in an operating state (see para [0006]), and the motor (2) is in transmission connection with the valve core (24) (see abstract, motor drives impeller which rotates valve).
With regard to claim 14, (which depends from claim 1 and claim 11), Jensen discloses a fluid control apparatus (110-14-24; see Figs 1-18) according to claim 1 (see above with respect to claim 1 with Jensen) and the drive assembly according to claim 11 (see above with respect to claim 11), wherein the fluid assembly (110+14+24) cooperates and is connected with the drive assembly (drive 2+112 cooperates with fluid assembly 110+14+24 by the drive 2 driving impeller; and connected to by being within housing together, see Fig 3).
With regard to claim 15, Jensen discloses a method (method inherent in apparatus shown) for manufacturing a fluid control apparatus, comprising the steps of: forming at least part of a fluid assembly, comprising: providing a main housing (8), wherein the main housing (8) has a first chamber (chamber in 8 above 46) and a second chamber (44) (see annotated Fig 3) spaced from each other; arranging at least part of a pump assembly (14/110) in the first chamber (chamber formed by 8 above 46) in a sealed manner (sealed by connection of 46 to 8, see Fig 3), wherein the pump assembly comprises a rotor assembly (110); and arranging at least part of a valve core (24) of a valve assembly in the second chamber (44, see Fig 3) in a sealed manner (by sealing 70, see para [0031]); providing a drive assembly (2+112), wherein the drive assembly comprises a first housing (4), a stator assembly (112) and a motor (2), and both of the stator assembly (112) and the motor (2) are connected to the first housing (4) in a position-limited manner (because 2 and 112 are contained with 8, see Fig 3); and connecting the fluid assembly to the drive assembly (see Fig 3 showing connection of 8+14+110+110 fluid assembly to 2+112 drive assembly), so that at least part of a magnetic assembly of the rotor assembly (para [0006]: “permanent magnetic rotor”) is located in a magnetic field range of the stator assembly (112) in the operating state (see para [0006]), and the motor (2) is in transmission connection with a valve core shaft (30) of the valve assembly (24) (met because “transmission connection” is broadly recited and as motor 2 turns, movement is transmitted to valve assembly 24 rotating on shaft 30; para [0028]).
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.
This application currently names joint inventors. In considering patentability of the claims the examiner presumes that the subject matter of the various claims was commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the claimed invention(s) absent any evidence to the contrary. Applicant is advised of the obligation under 37 CFR 1.56 to point out the inventor and effective filing dates of each claim that was not commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the later invention in order for the examiner to consider the applicability of 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(C) for any potential 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) prior art against the later invention.
Claims 5, 6, 11, 14, 16, 17, and 18 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over CN114151577 (hereinafter “Leonuri”) in view of U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2017/0082117 (“Zhou”).
With regard to claim 5, Leonuri discloses all the claimed features with the exception of disclosing wherein the pump assembly comprises a rotor assembly, the fluid assembly further comprises an isolation sleeve, and the isolation sleeve is located on at least part of an outer circumferential side of the rotor assembly and is connected to the main housing in a sealed manner.
Leonuri discloses a pump assembly (91), but is silent as to its features.
Zhou teaches that it is known in the art to modify a fluid assembly with a pump assembly (Fig 1), to include a pump that comprises a rotor assembly (14, para [0037]), the fluid assembly further comprises an isolation sleeve (12, para [0037]), and the isolation sleeve (12) is located on at least part of an outer circumferential side of the rotor assembly (14) and is connected to the main housing in a sealed manner (Sealed via O-ring shown in Fig 2) (see paras [0009] [0022] [0041] and see annotated Figs).
It would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to utilize a pump assembly with a rotor assembly and isolation sleeve, as taught by Zhou, in place of the pump assembly of Leonuri, since the pump assemblies are known equivalents and the use of which would be known to one of ordinary skill in the art.
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With regard to claim 6 (which depends from claim 5), the combination of Leonuri and Zhou discloses that the rotor assembly (14) comprises an impeller assembly (14-1) (para [0042]) and a positioning shaft (shown, but not labeled in Fig 7, see annotated Fig 7 identifying the positioning shaft), an end of the positioning shaft is connected to the main housing (see annotated Fig 2; connected at least via being clamped between 17 and 5/8/3) in a position-limited way (as best understood, in a way that minimizes unwanted movement as is shown in Fig 2), the impeller assembly (14-1) is arranged outside the positioning shaft (see annotated figs), and at least part of the impeller assembly (14-1) is located in the first chamber (in chamber within 17 and 3 that holds the pump).
With regard to claim 11, Leonuri discloses all the claimed features with the exception of disclosing a drive assembly for cooperating and being connected with the fluid assembly according to claim 1, wherein the drive assembly comprises a first housing, a stator assembly and a motor, both of the stator assembly and the motor are connected to the first housing in a position-limiting manner, the pump assembly comprises a rotor assembly, the rotor assembly comprises a magnetic assembly, at least part of the magnetic assembly is located in a magnetic field range of the stator assembly in an operating state, and the motor is in transmission connection with the valve core.
Leonuri discloses a pump assembly (91), but is silent as to its features.
Zhou teaches that it is known in the art to modify a fluid assembly with a pump assembly and drive assembly (Figs 1-2), to include a drive assembly (motor assembly 8, para [0039], Figs 1, 2, and 5) for cooperating and being connected to a fluid assembly (pump head 17, fluid channels 20, 21), wherein the drive assembly (8) comprises a first housing (3+ body of 8-1, see annotated Fig 2), a stator assembly (8-2) and a motor (8-5, 8-6 are both parts of motor, see para [0039]), both of the stator assembly (8-2) and the motor (8-5, 8-6) are connected to the first housing (3 and walls of 8-1) in a position-limiting manner (“position-limiting manner” is met because stator and motor are within the first housing, thus limiting the position), the pump assembly comprises a rotor assembly (14-2), the rotor assembly (14-2) comprises a magnetic assembly, at least part of the magnetic assembly is located in a magnetic field range of the stator assembly (8-2) in an operating state.
It would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to utilize a pump assembly with a drive assembly, as taught by Zhou, in place of the pump assembly (which necessarily has something to drive it) of Leonuri, since the pump/drive assemblies are known equivalents and the use of which would be known to one of ordinary skill in the art. When substituting the assembly of Zhou in place of 91 in Leonuri, the motor of Zhou would be in, as so broadly recited, transmission connection with the valve core of Leonuri (valve 2) because the components of the pump/drive assembly cooperate with the valve core, at least via transmission of fluid)
With regard to claim 14, (which depends from claim 1 and claim 11), the combination discloses a fluid control apparatus (see Leonuri) according to claim 1 (see above with respect to claim 1 with Leonuri) and the drive assembly according to claim 11 (see above with respect to claim 11), wherein the fluid assembly cooperates and is connected with the drive assembly (motor assembly 8, para [0039], Figs 1, 2, and 5; and see pump head 17, fluid channels 20, 21).
With regard to claims 16, 17, and 18, Leonuri discloses all the claimed features with the exception of disclosing wherein the pump assembly comprises a rotor assembly, the fluid assembly further comprises an isolation sleeve, and the isolation sleeve is located on at least part of an outer circumferential side of the rotor assembly and is connected to the main housing in a sealed manner.
Leonuri discloses a pump assembly (91), but is silent as to its features.
Zhou teaches that it is known in the art to modify a fluid assembly with a pump assembly (Fig 1), to include a pump that comprises a rotor assembly (14, para [0037]), the fluid assembly further comprises an isolation sleeve (12, para [0037]), and the isolation sleeve (12) is located on at least part of an outer circumferential side of the rotor assembly (14) and is connected to the main housing in a sealed manner (Sealed via O-ring shown in Fig 2) (see paras [0009] [0022] [0041] and see annotated Figs).
It would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to utilize a pump assembly with a rotor assembly and isolation sleeve, as taught by Zhou, in place of the pump assembly of Leonuri, since the pump assemblies are known equivalents and the use of which would be known to one of ordinary skill in the art.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 7-10 are objected to as being dependent upon a rejected base claim, but would be allowable if rewritten in independent form including all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims.
Claims 12 and 13 would be allowable if rewritten 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 and to include all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2013/0294928 discloses a pump and motor assembly.
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/JESSICA CAHILL/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3753