DETAILED ACTION
The communication dated 7/29/2026 has been entered and fully considered.
Claims 1-11 are currently pending.
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 .
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.
Election/Restrictions
Applicant’s election without traverse of Group I in the reply filed on 7/29/2026 is acknowledged.
Claim 11 is withdrawn from further consideration pursuant to 37 CFR 1.142(b) as being drawn to a nonelected invention, there being no allowable generic or linking claim. Election was made without traverse in the reply filed on 7/29/2026.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action:
A person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claims 1-10 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Zaccone et al. U.S. Publication 2007/0107471 (henceforth referred to as Zaccone).
As for claim 1, Zaccone teaches a tub ring (Fig. 2: part 100) for a washing machine (Fig. 1: part 10) that incorporates a tub (Fig. 1: part 30), the tub ring comprising: a generally circular outer wall adapted to fit around the top of the tub, a concentric inner wall opposing the outer wall, and a circular surface disposed between and approximately perpendicular to the outer wall and the inner wall (paragraphs [0023]-[0029]; Figs. 2-5), wherein the outer wall, inner wall and the circular surface cooperate to form a channel (Fig. 3: part 110); and a water outlet (Fig. 3: part 142) that protrudes through the outer wall into the channel at an angle relative to the inner wall, such that when water is delivered to the water outlet, a stream of water is directed at least partially around the channel before falling into the tub (paragraphs [0025]-[0026]; Fig. 3).
As for claims 2 and 7, Zaccone further teaches that the tub ring further comprises a barrier wall (Fig. 3: part 148) disposed generally concentrically between the outer wall and the inner wall.
As for claims 3 and 8, Zaccone further teaches that the inner wall includes a portion that is slanted inward toward a center of the tub from which water is directed into the tub (Fig. 2).
As for claims 4 and 9, Zaccone further teaches one or more diverters (Fig. 3: part 146) disposed on at least one of the circular surface and the inner wall within the channel that is configured to redirect the path of the water into the tub.
As for claims 5 and 10, Zaccone further teaches that the water outlet concurrently diverts water to opposite directions around the tub ring (Fig. 3; water entering a circular channel as depicted would have no preference to flow either clockwise or counterclockwise).
As for claim 6, Zaccone teaches a washing machine (Fig. 1: part 10) comprising: a housing (Fig. 1: part 12); a tub (Fig. 1: part 30) secured in the housing; a wash bucket (Fig. 1: part 32) that is concentrically nested inside the tub; and a tub ring (Fig. 2: part 100) that comprises: a generally circular outer wall adapted to fit around the top of the tub, a concentric inner wall opposing the outer wall, and a circular surface disposed between and approximately perpendicular to the outer wall and the inner wall (paragraphs [0023]-[0029]; Figs. 2-5), wherein the outer wall, inner wall and the circular surface cooperate to form a channel (Fig. 3: part 110); and a water outlet (Fig. 3: part 142) that protrudes through the outer wall into the channel at an angle relative to the inner wall, such that when water is delivered to the water outlet, a stream of water is directed at least partially around the channel before falling into the tub (paragraphs [0025]-[0026]; Fig. 3).
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to LEVON J SHAHINIAN whose telephone number is (571)270-1384. The examiner can normally be reached M-F: 9:30am-6:00pm.
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/LEVON J SHAHINIAN/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1711
