Prosecution Insights
Last updated: September 17, 2026
Application No. 18/885,174

MOBILE INFRARED AND NEGATIVE OXYGEN ION EXPOSURE CHAMBER

Non-Final OA §103
Filed
Sep 13, 2024
Priority
Jun 28, 2024 — CN 202410856872.1
Examiner
MOON, MATTHEW RYAN
Art Unit
Tech Center
Assignee
Henan Qianpeng Biopharmaceutical Co. Ltd.
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
58%
Grant Probability
Moderate
1-2
OA Rounds
1y 1m
Est. Remaining
99%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 58% of resolved cases
58%
Career Allowance Rate
190 granted / 330 resolved
-2.4% vs TC avg
Strong +60% interview lift
Without
With
+60.3%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
3y 1m
Avg Prosecution
45 currently pending
Career history
369
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
2.7%
-37.3% vs TC avg
§103
44.8%
+4.8% vs TC avg
§102
16.8%
-23.2% vs TC avg
§112
29.2%
-10.8% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 330 resolved cases

Office Action

§103
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 Interpretation The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(f): (f) Element in Claim for a Combination. – An element in a claim for a combination may be expressed as a means or step for performing a specified function without the recital of structure, material, or acts in support thereof, and such claim shall be construed to cover the corresponding structure, material, or acts described in the specification and equivalents thereof. The following is a quotation of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph: An element in a claim for a combination may be expressed as a means or step for performing a specified function without the recital of structure, material, or acts in support thereof, and such claim shall be construed to cover the corresponding structure, material, or acts described in the specification and equivalents thereof. The claims in this application are given their broadest reasonable interpretation using the plain meaning of the claim language in light of the specification as it would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. The broadest reasonable interpretation of a claim element (also commonly referred to as a claim limitation) is limited by the description in the specification when 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, is invoked. As explained in MPEP § 2181, subsection I, claim limitations that meet the following three-prong test will be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph: (A) the claim limitation uses the term “means” or “step” or a term used as a substitute for “means” that is a generic placeholder (also called a nonce term or a non-structural term having no specific structural meaning) for performing the claimed function; (B) the term “means” or “step” or the generic placeholder is modified by functional language, typically, but not always linked by the transition word “for” (e.g., “means for”) or another linking word or phrase, such as “configured to” or “so that”; and (C) the term “means” or “step” or the generic placeholder is not modified by sufficient structure, material, or acts for performing the claimed function. Use of the word “means” (or “step”) in a claim with functional language creates a rebuttable presumption that the claim limitation is to be treated in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph. The presumption that the claim limitation is interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, is rebutted when the claim limitation recites sufficient structure, material, or acts to entirely perform the recited function. Absence of the word “means” (or “step”) in a claim creates a rebuttable presumption that the claim limitation is not to be treated in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph. The presumption that the claim limitation is not interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, is rebutted when the claim limitation recites function without reciting sufficient structure, material or acts to entirely perform the recited function. Claim limitations in this application that use the word “means” (or “step”) are being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, except as otherwise indicated in an Office action. Conversely, claim limitations in this application that do not use the word “means” (or “step”) are not being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, except as otherwise indicated in an Office action. This application includes one or more claim limitations that use the word “means,” and are being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, because the claim limitation(s) uses a generic placeholder that is coupled with functional language without reciting sufficient structure to perform the recited function and the generic placeholder is not preceded by a structural modifier. Such claim limitation(s) is/are: “means for generating infrared radiation (IR)” in claim 1, “means for generating negative oxygen ions” in claim 1. Because this/these claim limitation(s) is/are being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, it/they is/are being interpreted to cover the corresponding structure described in the specification as performing the claimed function, and equivalents thereof. In this case, the corresponding structures of “means for generating infrared radiation (IR)” as recited in claim 5 include: an infrared lamp arranged on the underside of the top plate assembly.; and the corresponding structures of “means for generating negative oxygen ions” as recited in claim 3 include: an annular anion-emitting needle assembly attached to an interior side of the top plate assembly and an anion emission controller electrically connected to the annular anion-emitting needle assembly. If applicant does not intend to have this/these limitation(s) interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, applicant may: (1) amend the claim limitation(s) to avoid it/them being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph (e.g., by reciting sufficient structure to perform the claimed function); or (2) present a sufficient showing that the claim limitation(s) recite(s) sufficient structure to perform the claimed function so as to avoid it/them being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph. 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. 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. 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. Claim(s) 1, 11 and 15 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Drazic (DE 202022101884) in view of Joy (US 3,271,786), Guo (CN 109984900), Jeon (KR 20100129934A) and Schaffert (US 2016/0138258). Regarding claim 1, Drazic discloses (Fig. 1-2) a mobile (“mobile construction”, paragraph [0023]) infrared (“infrared heater” paragraph [0019]) exposure chamber, the chamber comprising: a base plate assembly (floor 1e) having four corners; four enclosure plates (walls 1b,1c,1d,1f) arranged about the base plate assembly to form an enclosure (see Fig. 1), one of the enclosure plates having an opening for entering the enclosure (opening of plate 1c having door 18); a top plate assembly (plate 1a) in contact with a top edge of each of the enclosure plates (see Fig. 2); means for generating infrared radiation (IR) (infrared radiator 17). Drazic does not disclose four support columns each having a top end, a bottom end and four surfaces extending therebetween, two adjacent surfaces of which being reversibly joined to two enclosure plates and the bottom end of each support column being reversibly attached to a single one of the four corners of the base plate assembly. However, Joy teaches (Fig. 1-3) a portable sauna comprises four support columns (columns 21) each having a top end, a bottom end and four surfaces extending therebetween (see Fig. 1), two adjacent surfaces of which being reversibly joined to two enclosure plates and the bottom end of each support column being reversibly attached to a single one of the four corners of the base plate assembly (reversible attachment via screws, Col. 3 lines 62-66). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the device of Drazic to include four support columns each having a top end, a bottom end and four surfaces extending therebetween, two adjacent surfaces of which being reversibly joined to two enclosure plates and the bottom end of each support column being reversibly attached to a single one of the four corners of the base plate assembly, as taught by Joy, for the purpose of providing a stable and reversibly attachable structure for the cabin so that therapy can be safely provided and portability improved. Modified Drazic does not disclose the chamber is a negative oxygen ion exposure chamber and includes means for generating negative oxygen ions, wherein the chamber is configured to operate at a concentration of at least 10,000 negative oxygen ions per cubic meter of internal volume of the enclosure. However, Guo teaches (Fig. 1) a chamber that is a negative oxygen ion exposure chamber (page 2 paragraph 3) and includes means for generating negative oxygen ions (negative ion generator 5, where the ions include oxygen ions, page 2 paragraph 3). Regarding “the chamber is configured to operate at a concentration of at least 10,000 negative oxygen ions per cubic meter of internal volume of the enclosure”, Guo does not disclose the specific ion/cubic meter value of the ions, however, Jeon teaches (Fig. 1) a chamber configured to operate at a concentration of at least 10,000 negative anions per cubic meter of internal volume of the enclosure (1-2 million ions per cubic meter of volume, page 5 paragraph 5). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the chamber of modified Drazic to include a negative oxygen ion exposure chamber and includes means for generating negative oxygen ions, as taught by Guo, for the purpose of promoting the metabolism of the human body, improving the immunity of the human body, enhancing the function of the human body, and also relax the body and improve sleep (page 2 paragraph 7 Guo), and to further modify the negative oxygen ion generator to operate at a concentration of at least 10,000 negative oxygen ions per cubic meter of internal volume of the enclosure, as taught by Jeon, for the purpose of providing sufficient concentration to vitamize the air and improve therapeutic outcome (page 5 paragraph 5 Jeon). Furthermore, therefore one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention would find it obvious to try to a concentration of at least 10,000 for the purpose of improving recovery of user, since discovering the optimum value only involves routine skill in the art. See In re Aller, 220 F.2d 454, 456, 105 USPQ 233, 235 (CCPA 1955). Modified Drazic discloses wherein the base plate assembly includes two fixed wheels (rollers 6 Drazic), but does not disclose one removeable swiveling wheel configured for moving the chamber in a desired direction. However, Schaffert teaches (Figs. 17A-20) a portable shed comprising at least one removable swiveling wheel (wheels 602a-d, disclosed to be caster wheels and thus swivelable, paragraph [0076], which are also removaeable, see paragraph [0078]). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the base plate assembly of modified Drazic to include one removeable swiveling wheel configured for moving the chamber in a desired direction, as taught by Schaffert, for the purpose of improving transportability of the chamber as well as to improve securement when at the correct location by making navigation wheels removable. Regarding claim 11, modified Drazic discloses two legs (lateral members 614 of wheels of Schaffert) attached to an underside of the base plate assembly (attached to removable wheels and thus attached to underside of base plate assembly) to reduce movement of the chamber after installation (capable of reducing movement when the wheels are moved upwardly so they no longer touch the ground which is achieved by hand crank 608, paragraph [0081] Schaffert). Regarding claim 15, modified Drazic discloses a massage chair (massage chair 2 Drazic) mounted on the base plate assembly in the interior of the chamber (paragraph [0025] Drazic). Claim(s) 2 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Drazic (DE 202022101884) in view of Joy (US 3,271,786), Guo (CN 109984900), Jeon (KR 20100129934A) and Schaffert (US 2016/0138258), and further in view of Shim (KR 20230147320). Regarding claim 2, modified Drazic discloses enclosure plates, but does not disclose at least one of the enclosure plates includes on an inner surface thereof an electric heating layer and a solid anion layer configured such that the solid anion layer covers the electric heating layer and is exposed to the interior of the chamber. However, Shim (Figs. 1-5) at least one of the enclosure plates (wall comprising comprising wall portion 200 and heating board 100) includes on an inner surface thereof an electric heating layer (heat transfer layer 30) and a solid anion layer (finishing layer 40 made of material that emits negative ions, i.e. red clay, see paragraph [0069]) configured such that the solid anion layer covers the electric heating layer and is exposed to the interior of the chamber (see Fig. 4 and paragraph [0042]). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the at least one enclosure plate of modified Drazic to include on an inner surface thereof an electric heating layer and a solid anion layer configured such that the solid anion layer covers the electric heating layer and is exposed to the interior of the chamber, as taught by Shim, for the purpose of allowing for emission of far-infrared rays and negative ions that are beneficial to the human body, and has deodorizing and antibacterial functions (paragraph [0047] Shim). Claim(s) 3-4 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Drazic (DE 202022101884) in view of Joy (US 3,271,786), Guo (CN 109984900), Jeon (KR 20100129934A) and Schaffert (US 2016/0138258), and further in view of Wang (CN 110755752). Regarding claim 3, modified Drazic discloses the means for generating negative oxygen ions includes an anion-emitting needle assembly (“needle negative ion generator”, page 2 paragraph 3 Guo) attached to an interior side of the top plate assembly (see Fig. 1 Guo) and an anion emission controller (control circuit board of Guo to control the anion emitting needle that is mounted in chair, page 2 paragraphs 2 and 5 Guo), electrically connected to the anion-emitting needle assembly, but does not disclose the anion-emitting needle assembly is annular shaped. However, Wang teaches (Figs. 1-5) an anion-emitting needle assembly (anion generator 52 that includes negative ion emitting needles 524) that is annular shaped (see ring shape structure in Fig. 5). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the shape of the anion emitting needle assembly of modified Drazic to be annular shaped, as taught by Wang, as it has been held, absent evidence of criticality, that changes in shape are a matter of obvious design choice and thus one of ordinary skill would found it obvious for the shape of the assembly to be annular for the purpose of reducing material required in manufacturing the assembly. See In re Dailey, 357 F.2d 669, 149 USPQ 47 (CCPA 1966). Regarding claim 4, modified Drazic discloses a first cabinet assembly (control panel 13) removably fixed to the base plate assembly along one of the enclosure plates (fixed to enclosure plate (side wall) and thus removably fixed to base plate due to base plate being removably connected to enclosure plate as taught by Schaffert), wherein the anion emission controller is housed within the first cabinet assembly (control panel 13 of Guo contains circuit board to control the anion emitting needle that is mounted in chair, page 2 paragraphs 2 and 5 Guo). Claim(s) 5-7 and 12 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Drazic (DE 202022101884) in view of Joy (US 3,271,786), Guo (CN 109984900), Jeon (KR 20100129934A) and Schaffert (US 2016/0138258), Wang (CN 110755752), and Lee (US 6,965,097), and further in view of Cha (KR 20110097433 A). Regarding claim 5, modified Drazic discloses a means for generating IR arranged on the underside of the top plate assembly, but does not disclose the means for generating IR comprises an infrared lamp arranged on the underside of the top plate assembly. However, Cha teaches (Figs. 1-5) a means for generating IR that comprises an infrared lamp (infrared lamp 150) arranged on the underside of the top plate assembly (arranged on underside of top ring 100. While ring 100 is not a “top plate”, one of ordinary skill would recognize that providing the infrared lamp above a user on the underside of the top surface of the device would provide for providing the lamp on the underside of the top plate assembly because modified Drazic discloses the ceiling/top surface of the device is the top plate assembly. Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the means for generating IR of modified Drazic to include an infrared lamp arranged on the underside of the top plate assembly, as taught and suggested by Cha, for the purpose of providing a linear path for the infrared radiation to travel directly to the user so that therapy to a user is optimized. Regarding claim 6, modified Drazic discloses an infrared lamp and an annular anion emitting needle assembly, but does not disclose the annular anion-emitting needle assembly is arranged concentrically around the infrared lamp. However, Cha teaches positioning the infrared lamp (150) between anion generator (120). One of ordinary skill would recognize that because the modified Drazic reference discloses the anion generator is annular shaped that the infared lamp would be positioned between the anion generator (as taught by Cha), and thus would arrive at the claimed configuration of the annular anion-emitting needle assembly is arranged concentrically around the infrared lamp. Thus, the limitation is comprehended by the combination of references. Regarding claim 7, modified Drazic discloses a second cabinet assembly (housing of central controller 20 of Drazic, see Fig. 1) housing an infrared control unit (controller 20 Drazic) that is electrically connected to the infrared lamp (paragraph [0030] Drazic). Regarding claim 12, modified Drazic discloses an air guide located between the annular anion-emitting needle assembly and the infrared lamp (gaps formed between needles of needles assembly and lamp of the combined reference, see Fig. 5 of Wang and Fig. 4 Cha), the air guide for evenly distributing negative ions generated by the annular anion-emitting needle assembly and heat generated by the infrared lamp (gaps between enable even distribution and thus comprehend the claim language). Claim(s) 8 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Drazic (DE 202022101884) in view of Joy (US 3,271,786), Guo (CN 109984900), Jeon (KR 20100129934A) and Schaffert (US 2016/0138258), and Shim (KR 1020230147320), and further in view of Lipponen (US 2009/0019634). Regarding claim 8, modified Drazic discloses an electric heating layer, but does not disclose one or more photovoltaic panels for supplying electricity to the electric heating layer, wherein the one or more photovoltaic panels are mounted on an outer surface of the top plate assembly or mounted on an outer surface of the enclosure plates. However, Lipponen discloses (Fig. 1-2) a massage device comprising a heating layer (heating device 11) and one or more photovoltaic panels (solar panels, paragraph [0035]) for supplying electricity to the electric heating layer (paragraph [0035]), wherein the one or more photovoltaic panels are mounted on an outer surface of the top plate assembly or mounted on an outer surface of the enclosure plates (mounted on outer surface of cabinet and thus must be mounted on outer surface of top plate assembly or enclosure plates of modified Drazic, paragraph [0035]). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the chamber of modified Drazic to include one or more photovoltaic panels for supplying electricity to the electric heating layer, wherein the one or more photovoltaic panels are mounted on an outer surface of the top plate assembly or mounted on an outer surface of the enclosure plates, as taught by Lipponen, for the purpose of providing a renewable source of energy and allow for chamber to operate without use of batteries (paragraph [0035] Lipponen). Claim(s) 9 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Drazic (DE 202022101884) in view of Joy (US 3,271,786), Guo (CN 109984900), Jeon (KR 20100129934A) and Schaffert (US 2016/0138258) and Shim (KR 1020230147320), and further in view of Wang (CN 215308219, hereinafter Wang ‘219). Regarding claim 9, modified Drazic discloses the electric heating layer is a far-infrared heating plate (electric heating layer 30 of Shim generates far-infrared when it heats the substrate 40, and thus is a far-infrared heating plate, see paragraph [0079] Shim), but does not disclose the solid anion layer comprises tourmaline. However, Wang ‘219 teaches (Fig. 1-2) a chamber comprising a solid anion layer (negative ion coating, page 2 paragraph 10) that comprises tourmaline (page 2 paragraph 10). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the anion layer of modified Drazic to be tourmaline, as taught by Wang ‘219, for the purpose of providing a well known source of negative ions that can be used for sterilization and better health of a user (page 2 paragraph 10 Wang). Claim(s) 10 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Drazic (DE 202022101884) in view of Joy (US 3,271,786), Guo (CN 109984900), Jeon (KR 20100129934A) and Schaffert (US 2016/0138258), Wang (CN 110755752, hereinafter Wang ‘752), and Lee (US 6,965,097), and Cha (KR 20110097433 A), and further in view of Duncan (US 2023/0149677). Regarding claim 10, modified Drazic discloses first and second cabinets, but does not disclose an anion detection unit, and a third cabinet assembly that houses a power supply interface and an anion detection unit. However, Guo further teaches (Fig. 1) an anion detection unit (oxygen detection sensor 10) that measures oxygen anions. Duncan teaches (Fig. 1-3) a cabinet (housing 102) that houses a power supply interface (power source 120) and an sensor unit (sensor 118). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the chamber of modified Drazic to include an anion detection unit, as taught by Guo, for the purpose of providing feedback to the controller so that operation of the ion generator can be modified accordingly, and to further modify the chamber of modified Drazic to include a third cabinet assembly that houses a power supply interface and an anion detection unit, as taught by Duncan, for the purpose enabling the sensor to be used in the context of the chamber or as a stand-alone device for use in another context, such as a room or office (paragraph [0016] Duncan). Claim(s) 13 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Drazic (DE 202022101884) in view of Joy (US 3,271,786), Guo (CN 109984900), Jeon (KR 20100129934A) and Schaffert (US 2016/0138258), and further in view of Kim (KR 100581764). Regarding claim 13, modified Drazic discloses a top plate assembly, but does not disclose the top plate assembly includes one or more air duct openings connected to an air duct and blower for regulating temperature inside the chamber. However, Kim teaches (Fig. 1-2) a chamber comprising a top plate assembly (top plate 100) comprising an air duct opening (opening of vent 200) connected to an air duct (vent 200) and a blower (fan 230) for regulating temperature inside the chamber (page 4 paragraph 1). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the top plate assembly of modified Drazic to include one or more air duct openings connected to an air duct and blower for regulating temperature inside the chamber, as taught by Kim, for the purpose of allowing the temperature can be controlled or quickly ventilated so that user comfort and therapy is optimized (page 4 paragraph 1 Kim). Claim(s) 14 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Drazic (DE 202022101884) in view of Joy (US 3,271,786), Guo (CN 109984900), Jeon (KR 20100129934A) and Schaffert (US 2016/0138258), and further in view of Arnold (US 2021/0177694) and Long (US 2024/0050271). Regarding claim 14, modified Drazic discloses the opening for entering the chamber comprises a door (door 18 of Drazic), but does not disclose the door is a tempered glass door and also does not disclose the do is mounted on a motorized rail. However, Arnold teaches (Fig. 1) a sauna comprising a door (door 106) made of tempered glass (paragraph [0026]). Long further teaches (Fig. 1-3) a treatment chamber comprising a door (door 20) mounted on a motorized rail (rail 203013 and motor 204003 that form a driving mechanism for locking/unlocking door, paragraph [0075]). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the door of modified Drazic to be made of tempered glass as taught by Arnold, for the purpose of providing a transparent door so an outside user can see inside in case of emergency and that can withstand the elements within the chamber, and to further modify the chamber of modified Drazic such that the door is mounted on a motorized rail, as taught by Long, for the purpose of improving the intelligence and safety performance of the chamber by allowing for timed opening/closing of the door based on length of user session (paragraph [0075] Long). Conclusion The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure: Lee (US 6,965,097) discloses a sauna having a cabinet housing a controller. Durfee (US 10,010,477) discloses a sauna having infrared lamps. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to MATTHEW R MOON whose telephone number is (571)272-2554. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Thursday 7:30am-5:30pm. Examiner interviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video conferencing using a USPTO supplied web-based collaboration tool. To schedule an interview, applicant is encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR) at http://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice. If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Timothy Stanis can be reached at 571-272-5139. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300. Information regarding the status of published or unpublished applications may be obtained from Patent Center. Unpublished application information in Patent Center is available to registered users. To file and manage patent submissions in Patent Center, visit: https://patentcenter.uspto.gov. Visit https://www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/patent-center for more information about Patent Center and https://www.uspto.gov/patents/docx for information about filing in DOCX format. For additional questions, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000. /MATTHEW R MOON/Examiner, Art Unit 3785 /TIMOTHY A STANIS/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 3785
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Prosecution Timeline

Sep 13, 2024
Application Filed
Aug 28, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §103 (current)

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Prosecution Projections

1-2
Expected OA Rounds
58%
Grant Probability
99%
With Interview (+60.3%)
3y 1m (~1y 1m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
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