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 .
The substitute specification filed February 24, 2025 has been entered.
The specification is objected to as failing to provide proper antecedent basis for the claimed subject matter. See 37 CFR 1.75(d)(1) and MPEP § 608.01(o). Correction, if not new matter, of the following is required: There is no antecedent basis in the specification for “the inlet port and the outlet port arranged asymmetrically…” as set forth in claim 17, lines 6-8 and claim 27, lines 8-10.
There is no antecedent basis in the specification for “a first plug and a second plug configured to plug the inlet port and the outlet port” as set forth in claim 22, lines 1-2 and such plugs being monolithic as set forth in claim 23.
There is no antecedent basis in the specification for the cap is “configured to be twisted onto the container via threads to mate securely with the container” as set forth in claim 25, lines 2-3.
There is no antecedent basis in the specification for “a container top portion including a flange structure located below the top surface and extending radially outwardly relative to the container outer perimeter” as set forth in claim 27, lines 5-6.
There is no antecedent basis in the specification for “a retaining pin configured to be received below the flange structure and support the container” as set forth in claim 29, lines 1-3.
There is no antecedent basis in the specification for “the container further comprises an air-water separation tank” as set forth in claim 33, lines 1-2.
There is no antecedent basis in the specification for “a retaining pin configured to be received below the flange structure and configured to attach the container to the air-water separation tank” as set forth in claim 34, lines 1-3.
The following is a quotation of the first paragraph of 35 U.S.C. 112(a):
IN GENERAL.—The specification shall contain a written description of the invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and use the same, and shall set forth the best mode contemplated by the inventor or joint inventor of carrying out the invention.
Claims 17-36 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(a) as failing to comply with the written description requirement. The claims contain subject matter which was not described in the specification in such a way as to reasonably convey to one skilled in the relevant art that the inventor or a joint inventor, at the time the application was filed, had possession of the claimed invention. The following subject matter is not disclosed in the parent patent nor the present disclosure, and as such comprises new matter.
In claim 17, lines 6-8 and claim 27, lines 8-10, “the inlet port and the outlet port arranged asymmetrically…”. In claim 22, lines 1-2, “a first plug and a second plug configured to plug the inlet port and the outlet port” such plugs being monolithic as set forth in claim 23. In claim 25, lines 2-3, that the cap is “configured to be twisted onto the container via threads to mate securely with the container”. In claim 27, lines 5-6, “a container top portion including a flange structure located below the top surface and extending radially outwardly relative to the container outer perimeter” as set forth. In claim 29, lines 1-3, “a retaining pin configured to be received below the flange structure and support the container”. In claim 33, lines 1-2, “the container further comprises an air-water separation tank”. In claim 34, lines 1-3, “a retaining pin configured to be received below the flange structure and configured to attach the container to the air-water separation tank”.
Prior Art not relied upon: Please refer to the additional references listed on the attached PTO-892, which, while not relied upon for the claim rejection, these references are deemed relevant to the claimed invention as a whole.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to BRYON P GEHMAN whose telephone number is (571) 272-4555. The examiner can normally be reached on Tuesday through Thursday from 7:30 am to 5:00 pm.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner's supervisor, Orlando Aviles, can be reached on (571) 270-5531. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/BRYON P GEHMAN/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3736
Bryon P. Gehman
Primary Examiner
Art Unit 3736
BPG
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