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 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.
Double Patenting
The nonstatutory double patenting rejection is based on a judicially created doctrine grounded in public policy (a policy reflected in the statute) so as to prevent the unjustified or improper timewise extension of the “right to exclude” granted by a patent and to prevent possible harassment by multiple assignees. A nonstatutory double patenting rejection is appropriate where the conflicting claims are not identical, but at least one examined application claim is not patentably distinct from the reference claim(s) because the examined application claim is either anticipated by, or would have been obvious over, the reference claim(s). See, e.g., In re Berg, 140 F.3d 1428, 46 USPQ2d 1226 (Fed. Cir. 1998); In re Goodman, 11 F.3d 1046, 29 USPQ2d 2010 (Fed. Cir. 1993); In re Longi, 759 F.2d 887, 225 USPQ 645 (Fed. Cir. 1985); In re Van Ornum, 686 F.2d 937, 214 USPQ 761 (CCPA 1982); In re Vogel, 422 F.2d 438, 164 USPQ 619 (CCPA 1970); In re Thorington, 418 F.2d 528, 163 USPQ 644 (CCPA 1969).
A timely filed terminal disclaimer in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(c) or 1.321(d) may be used to overcome an actual or provisional rejection based on nonstatutory double patenting provided the reference application or patent either is shown to be commonly owned with the examined application, or claims an invention made as a result of activities undertaken within the scope of a joint research agreement. See MPEP § 717.02 for applications subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA as explained in MPEP § 2159. See MPEP § 2146 et seq. for applications not subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA . A terminal disclaimer must be signed in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(b).
The filing of a terminal disclaimer by itself is not a complete reply to a nonstatutory double patenting (NSDP) rejection. A complete reply requires that the terminal disclaimer be accompanied by a reply requesting reconsideration of the prior Office action. Even where the NSDP rejection is provisional the reply must be complete. See MPEP § 804, subsection I.B.1. For a reply to a non-final Office action, see 37 CFR 1.111(a). For a reply to final Office action, see 37 CFR 1.113(c). A request for reconsideration while not provided for in 37 CFR 1.113(c) may be filed after final for consideration. See MPEP §§ 706.07(e) and 714.13.
The USPTO Internet website contains terminal disclaimer forms which may be used. Please visit www.uspto.gov/patent/patents-forms. The actual filing date of the application in which the form is filed determines what form (e.g., PTO/SB/25, PTO/SB/26, PTO/AIA /25, or PTO/AIA /26) should be used. A web-based eTerminal Disclaimer may be filled out completely online using web-screens. An eTerminal Disclaimer that meets all requirements is auto-processed and approved immediately upon submission. For more information about eTerminal Disclaimers, refer to www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/applying-online/eterminal-disclaimer.
Claims 21-47 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-26 of U.S. Patent No. 10,556,035 (herein referred to as ‘035).
Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because all of the limitations of the claims in the instant application are met by claims 1-26 in ‘035. More specifically, each claim a scent/drug delivery device that includes one or more cartridges each including one or more chambers containing one or more substances, a housing including one or more transporting channels, a compartment to hold the one or more cartridges, and an opening to allow the one or more substances to dispense to an outer environment from the device. Furthermore, each claim one or more actuator switches operable to move between an open position and a closed position based on an applied signal to selectively control release of at least one substance out of the device to the outer environment to produce the scent/drug; wherein at least one actuator switch of the one or more actuator switches includes magnetically latchable gating structures that are provided with a first magnetic component and a second magnetic component that are coupled in the closed position and uncoupled in the open position. Still further, each claim that the first magnetic component includes a solenoid comprising a solenoid core having a substantially square-loop magnetization loop material, and the second magnetic component is structured to bend or change its translational position upon a change in magnetic field from the solenoid core to actuate the opening or closing of the at least one actuator switch.
As such, the obviousness type double patenting rejection exists.
Claims 21-47 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-23 of U.S. Patent No. 10,556,034 (herein referred to as ‘034).
Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because all of the limitations of the claims in the instant application are met by claims 1-23 in ‘034. More specifically, each claim a scent/drug delivery device that includes one or more cartridges each including one or more chambers containing one or more substances, a housing including one or more transporting channels, a compartment to hold the one or more cartridges, and an opening to allow the one or more substances to dispense to an outer environment from the device. Furthermore, each claim one or more actuator switches operable to move between an open position and a closed position based on an applied signal to selectively control release of at least one substance out of the device to the outer environment to produce the scent/drug; wherein at least one actuator switch of the one or more actuator switches includes magnetically latchable gating structures that are provided with a first magnetic component and a second magnetic component that are coupled in the closed position and uncoupled in the open position. Still further, each claim that the first magnetic component includes a solenoid comprising a solenoid core having a substantially square-loop magnetization loop material, and the second magnetic component is structured to bend or change its translational position upon a change in magnetic field from the solenoid core to actuate the opening or closing of the at least one actuator switch.
As such, the obviousness type double patenting rejection exists.
Claims 21-47 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-39 of U.S. Patent No. 9,907,876 (herein referred to as ‘876).
Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because all of the limitations of the claims in the instant application are met by claims 1-39 in ‘876. More specifically, each claim a scent/drug delivery device that includes one or more cartridges each including one or more chambers containing one or more substances, a housing including one or more transporting channels, a compartment to hold the one or more cartridges, and an opening to allow the one or more substances to dispense to an outer environment from the device. Furthermore, each claim one or more actuator switches operable to move between an open position and a closed position based on an applied signal to selectively control release of at least one substance out of the device to the outer environment to produce the scent/drug; wherein at least one actuator switch of the one or more actuator switches includes magnetically latchable gating structures that are provided with a first magnetic component and a second magnetic component that are coupled in the closed position and uncoupled in the open position. Still further, each claim that the first magnetic component includes a solenoid comprising a solenoid core having a substantially square-loop magnetization loop material, and the second magnetic component is structured to bend or change its translational position upon a change in magnetic field from the solenoid core to actuate the opening or closing of the at least one actuator switch.
As such, the obviousness type double patenting rejection exists.
Claims 21-47 are provisionally rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-10 of copending Application No. 18/936,887 (reference application).
Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because all of the limitations of the claims in the instant application are met by claims 1-10 of the reference application. More specifically, each claim a scent/drug delivery device that includes one or more cartridges each including one or more chambers containing one or more substances, a housing including one or more transporting channels, a compartment to hold the one or more cartridges, and an opening to allow the one or more substances to dispense to an outer environment from the device. Furthermore, each claim one or more actuator switches operable to move between an open position and a closed position based on an applied signal to selectively control release of at least one substance out of the device to the outer environment to produce the scent/drug; wherein at least one actuator switch of the one or more actuator switches includes magnetically latchable gating structures that are provided with a first magnetic component and a second magnetic component that are coupled in the closed position and uncoupled in the open position. Still further, each claim that the first magnetic component includes a solenoid comprising a solenoid core having a substantially square-loop magnetization loop material, and the second magnetic component is structured to bend or change its translational position upon a change in magnetic field from the solenoid core to actuate the opening or closing of the at least one actuator switch. As such, the obviousness type double patenting rejection exists.
This is a provisional nonstatutory double patenting rejection because the patentably indistinct claims have not in fact been patented.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to KEVIN C JOYNER whose telephone number is (571)272-2709. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Friday 8:00AM-4:30PM.
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/KEVIN JOYNER/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1799