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 .
Response to Amendment
In the amendment dated December 16, 2025, claims 1 and 11 were amended. Claims 1-5 and 7-20 are pending.
The amendments to the claims overcome the claim objections.
The double patenting rejection of claims 17-20 over U.S. Pat. 12,201,085 is maintained.
Applicant's arguments with respect to the art rejections over Ingenuity NPL and Ingenuity Manual have been considered but are moot because the new ground of rejection does not rely on any reference applied in the prior rejection of record for any teaching or matter specifically challenged in the argument. In particular, Bellows is relied upon to teach the pivotally coupled foot stands as claimed.
Claim Objections
Claim 1 is objected to because of the following informalities:
At claim 1, lines 25-26: “said two foot stands pivotally coupled” should read “said two foot stands are pivotally coupled”.
Appropriate correction is required.
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.
Claims 1-5, 7-16, and 20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention.
Claim 1 recites “the foot stands are pivotally and outwardly folded out from said bottom horizontal portion of the U-shaped frame at opposite directions to raise said bottom horizontal portion of the U-shaped frame above the ground, wherein said foot stands are pivotally and inwardly folded to overlap with said bottom horizontal portion of the U-shaped frame” in lines 25-30. It is unclear how the foot stands are simultaneously “outwardly folded” and “inwardly folded.” For purposes of examination, this limitation will be interpreted as “the foot stands are configured to be pivotally and outwardly folded out from said bottom horizontal portion of the U-shaped frame at opposite directions to raise said bottom horizontal portion of the U-shaped frame above the ground, wherein said foot stands are configured to be pivotally and inwardly folded to overlap with said bottom horizontal portion of the U-shaped frame.”
Claims 2-5, 7-16, and 20 are also rejected as indefinite through their dependence on a rejected parent claim (details above).
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 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.
Claims 1-5, 7-9, 11-16, and 20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Ingenuity FoldAway Rocking Bassinet video, retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IelI19GcGc, (hereinafter, “Ingenuity NPL”) in view of U.S. Pat. 4,146,938 to Shakas (hereinafter, “Shakas”), U.S. Pub. 2013/0318709 to Bellows et al. (hereinafter, “Bellows”) and CN-207323155 to Wu (hereinafter, “Wu”). Note – screenshots from Ingenuity NPL are attached to the office action dated December 26, 2024 and a copy of Wu is attached to the office action dated September 17, 2025.
Regarding claim 1, Ingenuity NPL discloses a foldable container for pet bathing (see p. 6), comprising: a foldable supporting frame (annotated Figure 1 from p. 6 below) which comprises two pairs of supporting legs (annotated Fig. 1) and at least two extension legs (annotated Fig. 1) detachably coupled to said two pairs of supporting legs respectively (the extension legs are coupled to the supporting legs, and capable of being detached); and a container body (annotated Fig. 1) which is unfolded (pp. 8-15) with an unfolding of said foldable supporting frame (pp. 8-15) to allow said container body to be supported on said foldable supporting frame (pp. 8-15); wherein when said foldable supporting frame (annotated Fig. 1) is unfolded (see annotated Fig. 1) to support said container body thereon (annotated Fig. 1), said extension legs (annotated Fig. 1) are coupled to said supporting legs (annotated Fig. 1) to raise said container body from a ground (annotated Fig. 1); wherein said foldable supporting frame (annotated Fig. 1) further comprises two top supporting arms (annotated Fig. 1) pivotally coupled with each other (see Fig. 1); wherein each of said extension legs (annotated Fig. 1) comprises two foot stands (annotated Fig. 1) and a U-shaped frame (see annotated Fig. 1) having two vertical portions (annotated Fig. 1) and a bottom horizontal portion (annotated Fig. 1) extended between said two vertical portions (see annotated Fig. 1) to define two bottom corners (corners having foot stands, annotated Fig. 1), wherein said two foot stands (annotated Fig. 1) are coupled at the bottom corners of the U-shaped frame respectively (annotated Fig. 1).
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Ingenuity NPL Annotated Figure 1
Ingenuity NPL does not expressly disclose the container body is waterproof and the container body for containing a liquid for the pet bathing, and said container body has a drain port formed at a bottom of said container body.
Shakas teaches a similar foldable container that is capable of use for pet bathing (Abstract, Fig. 1) comprising a foldable supporting frame and a container body supported on the foldable supporting frame (Fig. 1). Shakas teaches that the container body is made from a flexible sheet material that is waterproof (see col. 2, ll. 30-38). Shakas teaches that this material permits the container to hold water to allow the container to be used for bathing (col. 2, ll. 10-11; col. 2, ll. 35-38; col. 3, ll. 48-58). Shakas teaches that the bottom wall of the container has a drain port at a central area (drain opening 18, Fig. 1). Shakas teaches that a drain pipe (tube 19, Fig. 1) is connected to the drain port for allowing the water to flow out said container body (Fig. 1; col. 2, ll. 37-41). Shakas further teaches that having a structure that can double as a baby bassinet and bathtub helps to reduce cost and space (p. 3, ll. 53-66).
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was filed to have modified the container of Ingenuity NPL such that the container body is made from a waterproof material and includes a drain port at a central area of the bottom wall and a drain pipe connected to the drain port as taught by Shakas for the purpose of containing water to use for bathing, as recognized by Shakas (see e.g., col. 2, ll. 35-38).
Ingenuity NPL as modified by Shakas does not expressly disclose said two foot stands pivotally coupled at the bottom corners of the U-shaped frame respectively wherein the foot stands are pivotally and outwardly folded out from said bottom horizontal portion of the U-shaped frame at opposite directions to raise said bottom horizontal portions of the U-shaped frame above the ground, wherein said foot stands are pivotally and inwardly folded to overlap with said bottom horizontal portion of the U-shaped frame.
Bellows teaches a similar foldable supporting frame having two extension legs (see Fig. 1), each extension leg having two vertical portions (leg segments 108A, 108B, 110A, 110B, Fig. 1) and a horizontal bottom portion (foot portion 108C, 110C, Fig. 1) to form a U-shaped frame (see Fig. 1). Bellows teaches two foot stands (adjustable foot 168, Fig. 1) at each of the U-shaped frames (see Fig. 1). Bellows teaches the two foot stands (adjustable foot 168, Fig. 1) are coupled at the bottom corners of the U-shaped frame (see Fig. 1). Bellows teaches the foot stands (adjustable foot 168) are configured to be pivotally and outwardly folded out from the bottom horizontal portion at opposite directions to raise the bottom horizontal portion above the ground (see Figs. 6-7; paras. [0042]-[0043]). Bellows teaches that the two foot stands (adjustable foot 168) are configured to be pivotally and inwardly folded to overlap with the bottom horizontal portion (see Fig. 5; para. [0042]). Bellows further teaches that this adjustable foot stand configuration permits the foldable container to go from a rocking position to a stationary configuration (paras. [0042]-[0043]). Bellows further teaches that the foot stands provide multiple stabilizing contact points against the ground (para. [0043]).
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was filed to have modified the foldable container of Ingenuity NPL/Shakas to add foot stands that are pivotally connected and capable of being inwardly and outwardly folded as taught by Bellows for the purpose of allowing the foldable container to go from a rocking configuration to a stationary configuration and to have multiple stabilizing contact points against the ground, as taught by Bellows (paras. [0042]-[0043]), or to permit the height of the foldable container to be adjusted.
Ingenuity NPL appears to show a plurality of linkage members (see pivot point along supporting legs between top folding arms and folding arms). However, Ingenuity NPL does not clearly expressly disclose a plurality of linkage members pivotally coupled to said top supporting arms for linking said top supporting arms with said supporting legs, such that when said top supporting arms are pivotally moved, said supporting legs are concurrently folded toward each other through said linkage members to fold said foldable supporting frame.
Wu teaches a similar foldable container comprising a foldable supporting frame (Figs. 1, 3). Wu teaches the foldable supporting frame comprises two pairs of supporting legs (legs 21, 23, Fig. 1), two top supporting arms (arms 11, 13, Fig. 1), and two folding arms (arms 31, 33, Fig. 1). Wu teaches a plurality of linkage members (connecting rods 50, Figs. 1, 3) pivotally coupled to the top supporting arms for linking the top supporting arms and the supporting legs (see Figs. 1, 3; p. 4, ll. 32-39 of attached translation). Wu teaches that the supporting legs, the folding arms, and the top supporting arms are concurrently folded toward each other through the linkage members to fold the foldable supporting frame (see Figs. 1, 3; p. 4, ll. 32-39). Wu teaches that the linkage members improve the efficiency of folding an unfolding the foldable supporting frame (p. 4, ll. 32-39).
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was filed to have modified the foldable container of Ingenuity NPL/Shakas/Bellows to have a plurality of linkage members pivotally coupled to the top supporting arms for linking the top supporting arms with the supporting legs, such that the supporting legs, top supporting arms, and folding arms are concurrently folded toward each other through the linkage members as taught by Wu for the purpose of improving the efficiency of the folding of the foldable supporting frame, as recognized by Wu (p. 4, ll. 32-39).
Regarding claim 2, Ingenuity NPL further discloses said container body (annotated Fig. 1) comprises a surrounding wall (annotated Fig. 1), a bottom wall (annotated Fig. 1) connected to said surrounding wall (annotated Fig. 1), and a handle (p. 13) connected to a top of said bottom wall (see p. 13) within said container body (annotated Fig. 1; p. 13).
Ingenuity NPL as modified by Shakas already includes said drain port (Shakas, opening 18, Fig. 1) is provided adjacent to said handle at a central area of said bottom wall (the proposed modification would have the drain port of Shakas adjacent to the handle of Ingenuity NPL), wherein said foldable container further comprises a drain pipe (Shakas, tube 17, Fig. 1) connected to said drain port (Shakas, Fig. 1) for allowing the water to flow out said container body (Shakas, see Fig. 1; col. 2, ll. 37-41).
Regarding claim 3, Ingenuity NPL further discloses by a single pulling operation on said handle (pp. 7-9, 20), said bottom wall of said container body (annotated Fig. 1) is pulled upwardly by said handle (see p. 13) and starts to be folded with the folding of said foldable supporting frame (pp. 7-9, 20), so as to switch said container body (annotated Fig. 1) and said foldable supporting frame (annotated Fig. 1) from an unfolded mode (p. 6) to a folded mode (p. 7).
Regarding claim 4, Ingenuity NPL further discloses wherein said surrounding wall (annotated Fig. 1) comprises an edge which is a top edge (annotated Fig. 1) mounted to said two top supporting arms (see annotated Fig. 1), so as to hang said container body (annotated Fig. 1) at said two top supporting arms (annotated Fig. 1) and retain said bottom wall of said container body (annotated Fig. 1) at a raised position in the unfolded mode (p. 6) to allow a user to wash the pet in a standing position (container is capable of being used to wash a pet in a standing position in the unfolded mode, see e.g., p. 6).
Regarding claim 5, Ingenuity NPL further discloses said handle (see p. 13) is protruded from said bottom wall of said container body (see p. 13) and is exposed in said container body when said container body is in said unfolded mode (see p. 13).
Regarding claim 7, Ingenuity NPL as modified by Shakas already includes when said handle is pulled (Ingenuity NPL, p. 13), said bottom wall of said container body is pulled upward by said handle (Ingenuity NPL, pp. 7-9, 13, 20), so as to be flipped out of said surrounding wall (Ingenuity NPL, see e.g., p. 7) and to retain said handle on top of said container body (Ingenuity NPL, see e.g., p. 7) while said drain pipe (Shakas, tube 19) is positioned between two portions of said bottom wall (Ingenuity NPL annotated Fig. 1; see also pp. 7-9, 20; as the two portions of the bottom wall fold, the drain pipe arranged on the bottom surface of one of the two portions of the bottom wall would be positioned between the two portions of the bottom wall).
Regarding claim 8, Ingenuity NPL as modified by Shakas already includes when said handle is pulled (Ingenuity NPL, p. 13), said bottom wall of said container body is pulled upward by said handle (Ingenuity NPL, pp. 7-9, 13, 20), so as to be flipped out of said surrounding wall (Ingenuity NPL, see e.g., p. 7) and to retain said handle on top of said container body (Ingenuity NPL, see e.g., p. 7) while said drain pipe (Shakas, tube 19) is positioned between two portions of said bottom wall (Ingenuity NPL annotated Fig. 1; see also pp. 7-9, 20; as the two portions of the bottom wall fold, the drain pipe arranged on the bottom surface of one of the two portions of the bottom wall would be positioned between the two portions of the bottom wall), and also cause said two top supporting arms (Ingenuity NPL, annotated Fig. 1) to pivotally move downward toward a bottom side of said handle (Ingenuity NPL, pp. 7-9, 20), so as to fold up both of said container body (Ingenuity NPL, annotated Fig. 1) and said foldable supporting frame (Ingenuity NPL, annotated Fig. 1) in said folded mode (Ingenuity NPL, pp. 7-9, 20).
Regarding claim 9, Ingenuity NPL further discloses an operation switch (annotated Fig. 2) arranged on said foldable supporting frame (annotated Fig. 1) to operate said foldable supporting frame (annotated Fig. 1) between a folded mode (pp. 7-8) in which said foldable supporting frame and said container body are folded (pp. 7-8), and an unfolded mode (pp. 6, 15) in which said foldable supporting frame is unfolded (pp. 6, 15) to support said container body for containing a liquid (pp. 6, 15).
Regarding claim 11, Ingenuity NPL further discloses upper ends of said vertical portions (annotated Fig. 1) of said extension legs (annotated Fig. 1) are detachably coupled to bottom ends (annotated Fig. 1) of said supporting legs (annotated Fig. 1).
Regarding claim 12, Ingenuity NPL further discloses said foldable supporting frame (annotated Fig. 1) further comprises two folding arms (annotated Figs. 1, 2), wherein said two folding arms (annotated Figs. 1, 2) are pivotally connected with each other, wherein said two folding arms (annotated Figs 1, 2) and said supporting legs (annotated Fig. 1) are pivotally rotated with each other (annotated Fig. 1; pp. 9-14).
Ingenuity NPL as modified by Wu already includes through said linkage members (Wu, connecting rods 50), said top supporting arms (Ingenuity NPL, annotated Fig. 1), said supporting legs (Ingenuity NPL, annotated Fig. 1), and said folding arms (Ingenuity NPL, annotated Fig. 1) are concurrently and pivotally folded in order to fold said foldable supporting frame (Wu, see Fig. 3; p. 4, ll. 32-39).
Regarding claim 13, Ingenuity NPL further discloses said foldable supporting frame (annotated Fig. 1) is driven to fold by a folding of said container body (see e.g., pp. 7-9, 13, 20), wherein said foldable supporting frame (annotated Fig. 1) is maintained at said unfolded mode (p. 6) by a support of said operation switch (see annotated Figs. 1, 2), such that when said operation switch (annotated Fig. 2) is actuated to release said support of said foldable supporting frame (see e.g., pp. 7-10), and said foldable supporting frame is moved from said unfolded mode (p. 6) to said folded mode (pp. 7-9, 20).
Regarding claim 14, Ingenuity NPL further discloses said foldable supporting frame (annotated Fig. 1) further comprises a pivot shaft (annotated Fig. 2 from p. 10 below), wherein each of said supporting legs (annotated Fig. 1) is pivotally connected to each of said folding arms (annotated Fig. 2) about said pivot shaft (annotated Fig. 2), wherein when said folding arm is rotated (see Fig. 2), said supporting leg is driven by said folding arm to rotate about said pivot shaft (see Fig. 2).
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Ingenuity NPL Annotated Figure 2
Regarding claim 15, Ingenuity NPL further discloses a switch rod (annotated Fig. 2) disposed at an end of one of said folding arms (annotated Fig. 2), wherein in said unfolded mode (p. 6), said switch rod (annotated Fig. 2) is supported by said operation switch (annotated Fig. 2) to limit a movement between said two folding arms of said foldable support frame (see p. 6).
Regarding claim 16, Ingenuity NPL further discloses said foldable supporting frame (annotated Fig. 1) further comprises a rotating rod (rod forming pivot point between folding arms at the operation switch, see annotated Fig. 2), wherein said two folding arms (annotated Fig. 2) are pivotally connected to each other about said rotating rod (see Fig. 2).
Regarding claim 20, Ingenuity NPL further discloses a mattress (pp. 4, 13-14) disposed in said container body (pp. 4, 13-14), wherein said handle (p. 13) is connected to said mattress (p. 13).
Claim 10 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Ingenuity NPL in view of Shakas, Bellows, and Wu, and in further view of U.S. Pub. 2015/0208822 to Troutman (hereinafter, “Troutman”).
Regarding claim 10, Ingenuity NPL further discloses said container body (annotated Fig. 1) is detachably connected to said two top supporting arms (see annotated Fig. 1; see also p. 19 – one of ordinary skill in the art would understand “machine washable” as requiring the container body be detachable), wherein each of said two top supporting arms (annotated Fig. 1) comprises a rod body in a U-shaped configuration (see annotated Fig. 1), wherein said container body (annotated Fig. 1) is folded when said two top supporting arms of said foldable supporting frame are folded towards each other (see e.g., pp. 9-11).
Ingenuity NPL as modified by Shakas does not expressly disclose the rod body having a fixing cavity extending along said U-shaped configuration of said rod body, wherein said edge of said surrounding wall of said container body is received in said fixing cavity of each of said two top supporting arms to detachably mount said container body to said foldable supporting frame, wherein said edge of said surrounding wall of said container body comprises a fixing rib and an edge sleeve, wherein said fixing rib is received in said edge sleeve and is extended into said fixing cavity of said rod body to install said edge sleeve in said fixing cavity of said rod body and sandwich said edge sleeve between said fixing rib and said rod body.
Troutman teaches a foldable container (play yard 10, Fig. 1) comprising a foldable supporting frame (frame 22, Fig. 2) and a container body (enclosure 23, Fig. 1) arranged on the foldable supporting frame (para. [0021]). Troutman teaches the surrounding wall of the container body (enclosure 23) comprises an edge (see annotated Fig. 14 below) that is detachably mounted to curved supporting arms of the frame (posts 14, 114, Figs. 2, 14). Troutman teaches each of the supporting arms (posts 14, 114) comprises a rod body (annotated Fig. 14) having a fixing cavity (channel 172, Fig. 14). Troutman teaches the edge of the surrounding wall (annotated Fig. 14) comprises an edge sleeve (annotated Fig. 14) and a fixing rib (corner bead 70, Fig. 14) received in the edge sleeve (see annotated Fig. 14; para. [0040]). Troutman teaches that the fixing rib and edge sleeve are extended into the fixing cavity of the rod body to detachably mount the container body to the foldable supporting frame (para. [0040]). Troutman teaches that this arrangement advantageously permits the posts to be exposed rather than the container body (para. [0036]) and does not require an additional fastening structure (para. [0040]).
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Troutman Annotated Figure 14
It would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was filed to have modified the foldable container of Ingenuity NPL/Shakas/Bellows/Wu to attach the container body to the frame via a rod body with a fixing cavity on the top supporting arms that receive a fixing rib and an edge sleeve of the container body as taught by Troutman for the purpose of securing the container body to the frame such that the supporting arms are exposed without an additional fastening structure, as recognized by Troutman (see paras. [0036], [0040]) and/or because the proposed modification is a simple substitution of one known fastening arrangement for another that is known in the art for the intended purpose of securing a container body to a foldable frame and would only produce the predictable results of securing the container body to the foldable frame (see MPEP 2143(B)).
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 17-20 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1, 15, 17, and 18 of U.S. Pat. 12,201,085 (“the ‘085 patent”). The claims of the instant application and the claims of the ‘085 patent are compared in the table below.
Instant Application
The ‘085 Patent
17. A foldable container for pet bathing, comprising:
a foldable supporting frame; and
a container body which is waterproof and unfolded with an unfolding of said foldable supporting frame to allow said container body to be supported on said foldable supporting frame for containing a liquid for the pet bathing,
wherein said container body comprises a surrounding wall, a bottom wall connected to said surrounding wall, and a handle connected to a top of said bottom wall within said container body, wherein said bottom wall has a drain port provided adjacent to said handle at a central area of said bottom wall, wherein said foldable container further comprises a drain pipe connected to said drain port for allowing the water to flow out said container body; and
an operation switch arranged on said foldable supporting frame to operate said foldable supporting frame between a folded mode in which said foldable supporting frame and said container body are folded, and an unfolded mode in which said foldable supporting frame is unfolded to support said container body for containing a liquid;
wherein said operation switch comprises a main body, a slider and a resilient member, wherein said slider is movably disposed on said main body, said resilient member is connected to said main body, and said slider is affixed inside said main body.
“A liquid container for pet bathing” (claim 1, col. 19, l. 58);
“a foldable supporting frame” (claim 1, col. 19, l. 59);
“a container body which is waterproof and unfolded with an unfolding of said foldable supporting frame to allow said container body to be supported on said foldable supporting frame for containing a liquid for the pet bathing” (claim 1, col. 19, ll. 61-65)
“said container body comprises a surrounding wall, a bottom wall connected to said surrounding wall, and a handle connected to a top of said bottom wall within said container body, wherein said bottom wall has a drain port provided adjacent to said handle at a central area of said bottom wall, wherein said foldable container further comprises a drain pipe connected to said drain port for allowing the water to flow out said container body” (claim 1, col. 19, ll. 65-67 and col. 20, ll. 1-6)
“an operation switch arranged on said foldable supporting frame to operate said foldable supporting frame between said folded mode in which said foldable supporting frame and said container body are folded, and said unfolded mode in which said foldable supporting frame is unfolded to support said container body for containing a liquid” (claim 5, col. 20, ll. 64-67 and col. 21, ll. 1-2)
“said operation switch comprises a main body, a slider and a resilient member, wherein said slider is movably disposed on said main body, said resilient member is connected to said main body, and said slider is affixed inside said main body” (claim 15, col. 22, ll. 19-23)
The foldable container according to claim 17, further comprising a pulling strap, wherein said slider further comprises a pulling portion connected to said pulling strap in such a manner that said slider is pressed to compress said resilient member when said pulling strap is pulled
“a pulling strap, wherein said slider further comprises a pulling portion connected to said pulling strap in such a manner that said slider is pressed to compress said resilient member when said pulling strap is pulled” (claim 17, col. 22, ll. 29-33)
The foldable container according to claim 18, wherein one end of said pulling strap is connected to said handle of said container body while the other end of said pulling strap is connected to said pulling portion of said slider.
“one end of said pulling strap is connected to said handle of said container body while the other end of said pulling strap is connected to said pulling portion of said slider” (claim 18, col. 22, ll. 35-37)
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 17-19 would be allowable if the double patenting rejections are overcome.
A statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter can be found in the Office Action dated December 26, 2024, and reproduced herein:
Regarding claim 17, none of Ingenuity NPL, Shakas, Bellows, and Troutman discloses the operation switch comprises a main body, a slider, and a resilient member, wherein the slider is movably disposed on the main body, the resilient member is connected to the main body, and the slider is affixed inside the main body as claimed. It would not have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed limitation to have modified Ingenuity NPL, Shakas, Bellows, and/or Troutman to have such an arrangement.
Claims 18 and 19 are indicated as allowable based on their dependence from claim 17.
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 LAURA E. PARKER whose telephone number is (571)272-6014. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm EST.
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/LAURA E. PARKER/Examiner, Art Unit 3733