DETAILED ACTION
Election/Restrictions
Applicant's election with traverse of Group I, claims 21-29, in the reply filed on 5/20/26 is acknowledged. The traversal is on the ground(s) that a search burden is not increased in particular given the overlap in claim scope between the claimed methods. This is not found persuasive because the claimed method do indeed differ between groups, in particular elected Group I that recites a diaphragm to decrease water usage, which is significantly different than modifying and using pressure tubing to decrease water usage.
The requirement is still deemed proper and is therefore made FINAL.
Claims 30-40 are withdrawn from further consideration pursuant to 37 CFR 1.142(b), as being drawn to a nonelected invention, there being no allowable generic or linking claim. Applicant timely traversed the restriction (election) requirement in the reply filed on 5/20/26.
Claim Interpretation
The claim term “wash wheel” is not an established term in the art and the disclosure does not precisely define the term. The wash wheel is represented as element 116 in fig. 9. Although the figure does not depict a precise structure of the wash wheel, it is interpreted to be a defined volume underneath the wash tank. Nothing in the disclosure suggests that it is wheel (a device rotating about an axis).
The claim term “water level” is interpreted to refer to an amount (volume) of water, not a height of a water surface (see para. 66).
Claim 21 refers to a sump. Since the sump and wash wheel are separately claimed they are assumed to be different, distinct structural components. The wash wheel is depicted in fig. 9 (element 116); the sump is not depicted in the figures. Even though the wash wheel generally appears to have a sump-like structure, the claimed sump is interpreted to be a separate component.
In claim 21, while the routing/pumping and the recirculating both require water to be conveyed from the wash tank and then back into the wash tank, the two steps are interpreted to be separate and distinct in the matter or path of water flow. The claimed method requires both routing/pumping and recirculating that are different operations.
In claim 21 the term “spray kit” is interpreted consistent as disclosed in para. 57, the spray kit being a collection of components.
In claim 21, the nozzle penetrating through the window in interpreted to mean that the nozzle passes through the window, in particular a portion in which light passes through. It is not interpreted to suggest that the nozzle may penetrate through a frame, gasket, surrounding structure, or the like of a window. It is interpreted to mean that the nozzle penetrates the viewing portion itself.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b):
(b) CONCLUSION.—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph:
The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention.
Claims 21-29 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor (or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention.
Claim 21 recites the limitation "the pressure". There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
In claim 21, the phrase “a door of the wash tank door” cannot be understood.
Claim 22 recites the limitation "the wash machine tank". There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Remaining claims are rejected due to their dependency on a rejected claim.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 21-29 would be allowable if rewritten or amended to overcome the rejection(s) under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), 2nd paragraph, set forth in this Office action.
The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter: The closest prior art of record is KR20060036746A by Kim et al. Kim teaches a diaphragm 62 at a bottom of a wash tub that is inflated and thereby decreases the volume of water used for a wash cycle; the diaphragm deflates at the end of the wash cycle. However, Kim does not teach that the diaphragm is added to a bottom of a “wash wheel” (as interpreted above); rather, it is at the bottom of the tub (wash tank). Kim also does not teach routing/pumping water and recirculating water steps as recited in claim 21. KR0150659B1 by Jung also teaches using a diaphragm to decrease an amount of water used in a wash cycle, but Jung’s diaphragm is located at a side of the tub. Furthermore, while routing, pumping, and recirculating wash water back to a wash tank (tub) was well-known in the art, the prior art of record does not teach the separately claimed routing/pumping and recirculating steps, and does not teach a nozzle of a spray kit that penetrates through a window of a wash machine door.
Conclusion
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/SPENCER E. BELL/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1711
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