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 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 1-10 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.
The claims are generally narrative and indefinite, failing to conform with current U.S. practice. They appear to be a literal translation into English from a foreign document and are replete with grammatical and idiomatic errors. Some examples are: (please note this may not be an all-inclusive list and applicant must review all claims for clarity).
Claim 1, “the support is arranged on a side of the machine case in a vertically moving mode via the lifting device”. It is unclear what is meant by “arranged” in a “moving mode”. Is it moving or not? It appears from the drawings that the support (406, 405, 407, 404, 403) is attached to the top of the machine case such that the machine case is configured to move at least vertically.
Claim 1 recites, “which is used to heat the anticorrosive material”. First there is a lack of antecedent basis for the anticorrosive material, second the terms “is used to” imply positive method steps of using. Similarly see “which is used to spray the anticorrosive material”. It is further unclear if the anticorrosive material is then required by the claim. Further see claim 4.
In general the claims recite locations of elements but fail to connect how those elements work together to form the machine thus missing essential elements.
Claim 2 recites, “the housing is installed out of heat exchange tubes” it is unclear what this means.
Claim 2 recites, “right conveying cylinder” and “left conveying cylinder”.
Claim 10 recites, “a closed door”. It is unclear what is meant by “closed” since a door can always be opened.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-10 might 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 claims may be allowable assuming the machine comprises the anticorrosive spray material (i.e. a positive limitation of the anticorrosive spray material) and a detailing of how the listed elements function together (i.e. grinding roll configured to descale, the fan and first conveying tube configured to collect debris, etc.).
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
The prior art of record is noted as it pertains to machines for applying antifouling treatment to boat surfaces. For instance:
TW I341876 B teaches a machine having a roller (3) and a heated anticorrosive spray (see description).
Yan (LU 602642 B1) teaches an anticorrosive machine including a grinding roller, hood, and spraying device.
LI (CN 223571059 U) teaches a spraying robot to apply an anticorrosive coating.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to MAGDALENA TOPOLSKI whose telephone number is (571)270-3568. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 9-5.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Joshua Huson can be reached at 5712705301. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/MAGDALENA TOPOLSKI/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3642
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