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 § 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) 1-7 and 10-12 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Mesnard 2021/0310592.
In regard to claim 1, Mesnard discloses an assembly ring (10, fig. 2) for a pipe connection system, wherein the assembly ring (10) has a supporting ring (22) and a functional ring (12), characterized in that wherein the supporting ring (22) has at least one holding element (32A) for the functional ring (12) and in that the functional ring (12) is mounted rotatably in the
holding element (32A).
In regard to claim 2, characterized in that wherein the functional ring (12) is composed of a different material from the supporting ring (22, 24 is non-metal and 12 is metal).
In regard to claim 3, characterized in that wherein the at least one holding element (32A) has a U-shaped profile.
In regard to claim 4, characterized in that wherein the functional ring (12) has a holding
collar (15) and a sealing portion (112B).
In regard to claim 5, characterized in that wherein the functional ring (12) has a support
portion (15 or 112B).
In regard to claim 6, characterized in that wherein the supporting ring (22) has at least
one clamping element (30D).
In regard to claim 7, characterized in that wherein the supporting ring (22) has at least
one first assembly element (30C) for fixing to a first pipe 101A.
In regard to claim 10, characterized in that wherein the at least one clamping element (30D) simultaneously forms the at least one holding element (30D”).
In regard to claim 11, characterized in that wherein the functional ring (12) is a sealing
element (surfaces 112B and 112C act as a sealing element by drawing together surfaces 101A, 102A).
In regard to claim 12, characterized in that wherein the functional ring 12 has at least one,
preferably two radially inwardly projecting, elastically deformable fingers (the bottoms of surfaces 112B and 112C have notches, thereby creating fingers between the notches, as best seen in fig. 8).
Claim(s) 1, 3-8 and 11 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Prevot et al. 10,612,705.
In regard to claim 1, Prevot et al. discloses an assembly ring for a pipe connection system, wherein the assembly ring has a supporting ring (28) and a functional ring (12), characterized in that wherein the supporting ring (28) has at least one holding element (134) for the functional ring (12) and in that the functional ring (12) is mounted rotatably in the
holding element (134).
In regard to claim 3, characterized in that wherein the at least one holding element (134) has a U-shaped profile.
In regard to claim 4, characterized in that wherein the functional ring (12) has a holding
collar (12) and a sealing portion (12D).
In regard to claim 5, characterized in that wherein the functional ring (12) has a support
portion (12C).
In regard to claim 6, characterized in that wherein the supporting ring (28) has at least
one clamping element (133).
In regard to claim 7, characterized in that wherein the supporting ring (28) has at least
one first assembly element (138) for fixing to a first pipe 2A.
In regard to claim 8, characterized in that wherein the supporting ring (28) has at least
one second assembly element (40 ) for fixing to a second pipe 1A.
In regard to claim 11, characterized in that wherein the functional ring (12) is a sealing
Element (12C and 12D draw surfaces 2A and 1A together to create a seal).
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 9 and 13-15 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.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. Oi, Rigollet ‘731, Rigollet ‘755, Vosgeois, Prevot, Wu, Drivon, Jacquelin, Cottle, Zinbi, Prevot ‘060, Kashyap, Planchet and Akremi disclose similar couplings that are common and well known in the art.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to DAVID E. BOCHNA whose telephone number is (571)272-7078. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Friday 8:00-5:30.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Matthew Troutman can be reached at (571) 270-3654. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/DAVID BOCHNA/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3679
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