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 .
This Final Office action is in response to the Amendment filed on 4/22/2026.
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 text of those sections of Title 35, U.S. Code not included in this action can be found in a prior Office action.
Claim(s) 1-3, 6-7, 9-10, 14, and 24-27 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by USP 3161265 to Matsch et al (hereinafter Matsch).
Matsch discloses (Claim 1). A vacuum adiabatic body, comprising: a first plate 10 including a first plate body and a first flange bent from the first plate body; a second plate 12 including a second plate body and a second flange bent from the second plate body; and a vacuum space provided between the first plate 10 and the second plate 12, wherein the first flange includes a first bent part that extends inward with respect to the vacuum space, and a second bent part bent from the first bent part, and wherein the second flange includes a bent part 22a that extends outward with respect to the vacuum space (see below annotated copy);
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(Claim 2). The vacuum adiabatic body of claim 1, wherein the first bent part of the first flange extends in a direction closer to the second plate 12; (Claim 3). The vacuum adiabatic body of claim 1, wherein the bent part 22a of the second flange extends in a direction away from the second plate 12; (Claim 6). The vacuum adiabatic body of claim 1, wherein a first direction in which the second bent part of the first flange extends is different from a second direction in which the bent part 22a of the second flange extends; (Claim 7). The vacuum adiabatic body of claim 1, wherein the first bent part of the first flange extends in a direction closer to the second plate body 12, and wherein the bent part 22a of the second flange extends in a direction away from the first plate body; (Claim 9). The vacuum adiabatic body of claim 1, wherein the first bent part extends closer to the second plate body, and the second bent part extends along an extension direction of the first plate body from the first bent part; (Claim 10). The vacuum adiabatic body of claim 9, wherein the first bent part is bent at a first bent angle from the first plate body, and the second bent part is bent at a second bent angle from the first bent part, and wherein each of the first bent angle and the second bent angle is greater than 0 degrees and less than 180 degrees; (Claim 14). The vacuum adiabatic body of claim 1, further comprising a conductive resistance sheet 24 coupled to the first flange of the first plate 10 and the second flange of the second plate 12 by a sealing; (Claim 24). A vacuum adiabatic body, comprising (such as shown in Fig. 4): a first plate 10 including a first plate body and a first flange bent from the first plate body; a second plate 12 including a second plate body and a second flange bent from the second plate body; and a vacuum space provided between the first plate 10 and the second plate 12, wherein the first flange includes a first inner extension, and a second inner extension 20a bent from the first inner extension, and wherein the second flange includes a first outer extension, and a second outer extension 22a bent from the first outer extension and extending in a direction different from an extension direction of the second inner extension (see below annotated copy);
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(Claim 25). The vacuum adiabatic body of claim 24, wherein an extension direction of the first inner extension is parallel to an extension direction of the first outer extension; (Claim 26). The vacuum adiabatic body of claim 24, further comprising a conductive resistance sheet 24 coupled to the second inner extension and the second outer extension; (Claim 27). The vacuum adiabatic body of claim 14, wherein the conductive resistance sheet 24 is coupled to the second bent part 20a of the first flange and the bent part 22a of the second flange.
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.
The text of those sections of Title 35, U.S. Code not included in this action can be found in a prior Office action.
The factual inquiries for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35 U.S.C. 103 are summarized as follows:
1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art.
2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue.
3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art.
4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or nonobviousness.
Claim(s) 1-3, 5-7, 9-10, 14-15 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over USP 2065608 to Munters in view of USP 2000882 to Comstock.
Munters discloses (Claim 1). A partial vacuum adiabatic body, comprising (such as shown in Fig. 4): a first plate 8 including a first plate body and a first flange bent from the first plate body; a second plate 14 including a second plate body and a second flange bent from the second plate body; and a partial vacuum space (defined by insulating container 2) provided between the first plate 8 and the second plate 14, wherein the first flange includes a first bent part 9 that extends inward with respect to the partial vacuum space, and a second bent part bent from the first bent part, and wherein the second flange includes a bent part that extends outward with respect to the partial vacuum space (see below annotated copy);
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(Claim 2). The partial vacuum adiabatic body of claim 1, wherein the first bent part of the first flange extends in a direction closer to the second plate 14; (Claim 3). The vacuum adiabatic body of claim 1, wherein the bent part of the second flange extends in a direction away from the second plate 14; (Claim 5). The partial vacuum adiabatic body of claim 1, wherein the first bent part and the second bent part of the first flange are provided at a position extending further along an extension direction of the first plate body compared to a position of the second flange; (Claim 6). The partial vacuum adiabatic body of claim 1, wherein a first direction in which the second bent part of the first flange extends is different from a second direction in which the bent part of the second flange extends; (Claim 7). The partial vacuum adiabatic body of claim 1, wherein the first bent part of the first flange extends in a direction closer to the second plate body 14, and wherein the bent part of the second flange extends in a direction away from the first plate body 8; (Claim 9). The partial vacuum adiabatic body of claim 1, wherein the first bent part extends closer to the second plate body, and the second bent part extends along an extension direction of the first plate body from the first bent part; (Claim 10). The partial vacuum adiabatic body of claim 9, wherein the first bent part is bent at a first bent angle from the first plate body, and the second bent part is bent at a second bent angle from the first bent part, and wherein each of the first bent angle and the second bent angle is greater than 0 degrees and less than 180 degrees; (Claim 14). The partial vacuum adiabatic body of claim 1, further comprising a conductive resistance sheet 15 coupled to the first flange of the first plate 8 and the second flange of the second plate 14 by a sealing; (Claim 15). The partial vacuum adiabatic body of claim 14, wherein the sealing comprises a first sealing provided on the first flange and a second sealing provided on the second flange, and wherein the conductive resistance sheet comprises: a first coupling surface coupled to the first flange and on which the first sealing is provided; and a second coupling surface coupled to the second flange and on which the second sealing is provided, the second coupling surface extending in a second direction different from a first direction that in which the first coupling surface extends.
The differences being that Munters fails to clearly disclose limitations in claim 1 of a vacuum space provided between the first plate and the second plate such that the entire adiabatic body is vacuum, instead of a partial vacuum adiabatic body defined by the insulating container 2.
However, Comstock shows that it is well known in the art to provide an entire adiabatic body of an insulating housing with vacuum.
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, in view of Comstock, to modify Munters to include the limitations in claim 1 of a vacuum adiabatic body having a vacuum space provided between the first plate and the second plate with a reasonable expectation of success in order to increase the overall versatility of the vacuum adiabatic body.
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments filed 4/22/2026 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive. In response to applicant’s arguments on pages 13 that Matsch fails to disclose the claimed first flange including a first bent part that extends inward with respect to the vacuum space, and a second bent part bent from the first bent part, and the claimed second flange includes a bent part that extends outward with respect to the vacuum space, as recited in independent claim 1, the examiner respectfully take the position that the claim language fails to provide adequate structural limitations in defining applicant’s invention in order to distinguish from the prior art of record. As stated in the above rejection, Matsch meets all the limitations recited in the claim.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 16, and 20-23 are allowed.
Conclusion
Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a).
A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the mailing date of this final action.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to HANH VAN TRAN whose telephone number is (571)272-6868. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Friday 9:00-5:30.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, DANIEL TROY can be reached at (571)270-3742. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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HVT
May 27, 2026
/HANH V TRAN/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3637
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