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
The amendment filed on 12/30/2025 has been entered. Claim 1 has been amended. Claims 1-2, 4-5, and 7-15 remains pending.
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments with respect to claim 1 under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Rainer (US 20220110336) and ITO (US 20170165738) have been fully considered and are persuasive. Therefore, rejection under Rainer and ITO have been withdrawn.
Applicant's arguments with respect to claim 1 under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by LU (US 20200030995) have been fully considered but they are not persuasive.
Applicant argues with respect to claim-1 that Lu fails to discloses wherein the orientation units each comprise at least one bevel gear as cited in claim-1 and uses different embodiment Fig.8 for failure to disclose bevel gear.
Examiner respectfully maintains that LU does anticipate claim-1 as Fig.8-12 shows multiple embodiments of product handling device especially Fig.9, 10, and 11 Embodiments in which the orientation units each comprise at least one bevel gear (Helical or Spur Gears).
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, 4-5, 7-15 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by LU (US 20200030995).
Regarding claim-1. Lu discloses A product handling device (Fig.10) for the handling of products (objects), comprising:
at least two movers (1720, 1730); and
a coupling unit (1725) which mechanically couples the movers (Fig.10) with one another;
wherein the coupling unit (1725) comprises a support unit (1725) for at least one product (objects) and at least two connection units (1740a, 1740b), which respectively connect the support unit (1725) with at least one of the movers (1720, 1730),
wherein the connection units (1740a, 1740b) and the support unit (1725) are connected to one another within a plane (Fig.10) in which the support unit (1725) is arranged, wherein the connection units (1740a, 1740b) each comprise at least one orientation unit (Fig.10A-C, 11A), the orientation units being coupled with one another, and wherein the orientation units each comprise at least one bevel gear (Helical or Spur Gears which interconnect Fig.9, 10, and 11 Embodiments)
Regarding claim-2. Lu discloses wherein the connection units (1740a, 1740b) are connected to the support unit (1725) in an outer peripheral region of the support unit (Fig.10A-E, 11A).
Regarding claim-4. Lu discloses wherein the orientation units (Fig.10A-C) are connected to one another within the plane (Fig.10A-C, 11A) in which the support unit (1725) is arranged (Fig.10E, since 1740 and 1742 are not offset from one another).
Regarding claim-5. Lu discloses wherein the orientation units (Fig.10A-C) are configured to always align the support unit (1725) parallel to the movers (1720, 1730) (See Fig.10A-C, 11A, [0275]).
Regarding claim-7. Lu discloses wherein orientation units (Fig.10A-C) each comprises at least one bevel wheel (Helical or Spur Gears which interconnect Fig.9, 10, and 11 Embodiments).
Regarding claim-8. LU discloses wherein the bevel wheels are respectively arranged in a corner region of the support unit (See Fig.9, 10, 11).
Regarding claim-9. Lu discloses wherein the bevel gears (screws) connected to one another by a shaft (rod 1740A, 1740B).
Regarding claim-10. Lu discloses further comprising a control unit (160) which is configured, for a transport of the product (objects), in at least one first operation state (Fig.10B), to position at least one of the movers (1730, 1720) below the support unit (1725) in a perpendicular view onto the plane (Fig.10B).
Regarding claim-11. Lu discloses wherein the control unit (160) is configured, in the first operation state (Fig.10B), to position the at least two movers (1730, 1720) beside one another below the support unit (1725) in a perpendicular view onto the plane (Fig.10A-C).
Regarding claim-12. Lu discloses further comprising a control unit (160) which is configured, for a transport of the product (objects), in at least one first operation state (Fig.10B), to position at least one of the movers (1720, 1730) below the support unit (1725) in a perpendicular view onto the plane, wherein for a further treatment of the product (objects), the control unit (160) is configured, in at least one second operation state (Fig.10A, C), to position at least one of the movers (1720, 1730) at least partially beside the support unit in a perpendicular view onto the plane (Fig.10A-C, 11A)
Regarding claim-13. Lu discloses wherein the control unit (160) is configured, in the second operation state (Fig.10A, C), to position the at least two movers (1720, 1730) at least partially beside the support unit (1725) in a perpendicular view onto the plane (Fig.10A-C, 11A).
Regarding claim-14. Lu discloses wherein at least one of the at least two movers (1720, 1730) is supported rotatably relative to the coupling unit (1725) around a rotation axis (See Fig.11A).
Regarding claim-15. Lu discloses A production machine ([0431]) with a product handling device (Fig.10A-C).
Conclusion
THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. 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.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Gene Crawford can be reached at (571)272-6911. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/MA/Examiner, Art Unit 3651
/GENE O CRAWFORD/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 3651
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