DETAILED ACTION
The Response filed 17 August 2026 has been entered. Claims 1-5, 7-15, and 17-20 remain pending. Claims 6 and 16 have been canceled.
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 Arguments
Applicant’s arguments, see pg. 11 of the Response, filed 17 August 2026, with respect to the prior art rejections have been fully considered and are persuasive. The prior art rejections of the claims have been withdrawn, because, as the applicant indicates, independent claims 1 and 11 have been amended to include the allowable subject matter previously indicated in claims 6 and 16, respectively. However, the amendments have not overcome the previous 112 rejections, which are reiterated below, along with suggested amendments to overcome the rejections.
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 1-5, 7-15, and 17-20 are rejected (wherein claims 2-5, 7-10, 12-15, and 17-20 inherit their rejections due to their dependencies) 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.
In claim 1, lines 10-11, it appears inconsistent with the rest of the disclosure that “one of the two second latching portions [43] and the second receiving portion [41] cooperatively form the third through slot [416].” As understood, the third through slot 416 is formed by two fourth side plates 414 and a third bottom plate 412, like claim 2 describes the formation of the first receiving portion 11 by three similar plates 112, 114. It is suggested that “one of the two second latching portions and the second receiving portion cooperatively form the third through slot” be deleted because it’s not necessary for allowance.
In claim 1, lines 14-15, it appears inconsistent with the rest of the disclosure that “one of the two second latching portions [43] are configured to be accommodated in the first through slot [116].” As understood, the second latching portions 43 are accommodated in the first receiving groove 137. It is suggested that in the recitation of “one of the two second latching portions are configured to be accommodated in the first through slot,” change “the first through slot” to --the first receiving groove--.
Claim 1 recites the limitation "the second receiving groove" in line 17. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim. As understood, the recitation refers to at least one of the second receiving grooves 437, which are each formed between a respective latching portion 43 and the second receiving portion 41. It is suggested that “the second receiving groove” be antecedently introduced under the introduction of the connecting member, like the introduction of the first receiving groove under the introduction of the first structural member.
In claim 11, lines 13-14, it appears inconsistent with the rest of the disclosure that “one of the two second latching portions [43] and the second receiving portion [41] cooperatively form the third through slot [416].” As understood, the third through slot 416 is formed by two fourth side plates 414 and a third bottom plate 412, like claim 2 describes the formation of the first receiving portion 11 by three similar plates 112, 114. It is suggested that “one of the two second latching portions and the second receiving portion cooperatively form the third through slot” be deleted because it’s not necessary for allowance.
In claim 11, lines 18-19, it appears inconsistent with the rest of the disclosure that “one of the two second latching portions [43] are configured to be accommodated in the first through slot [116].” As understood, the second latching portions 43 are accommodated in the first receiving groove 137. It is suggested that in the recitation of “one of the two second latching portions are configured to be accommodated in the first through slot,” change “the first through slot” to --the first receiving groove--.
Claim 11 recites the limitation "the second receiving groove" in lines 21-22. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim. As understood, the recitation refers to at least one of the second receiving grooves 437, which are each formed between a respective latching portion 43 and the second receiving portion 41. It is suggested that “the second receiving groove” be antecedently introduced under the introduction of the connecting member, like the introduction of the first receiving groove under the introduction of the first structural member.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-5, 7-15, and 17-20 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 prior art fails to disclose or render obvious, in combination with the other limitations recited in claims 1 and 11, the liquid collecting assembly comprising the claimed structures of the connecting member and its connection to the first and second structural member, to which the connecting member is slidably connected, so when the liquid collecting assembly is in an extended state, at least a portion of the second structural member protrudes from an end of the connecting member, and at least a portion of the connecting member protrudes from an end of the first structural member, and when the liquid collecting assembly is in a retracted state, at least a portion of the second structural member is accommodated in the connecting member, and at least a portion of the connecting member is accommodated in the first structural member.
It is suggested that the claims be amended as explicitly indicated in the 112 rejections to be in condition for allowance.
Conclusion
THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. 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 Examiner Jonathan Waddy, whose telephone number is 571-270-3146. The examiner can normally be reached on Monday-Friday (10:00AM-6:00PM EST).
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisors can be reached by phone. Kenneth Rinehart can be reached at 571-272-4881 or Craig Schneider can be reached at 571-272-3607. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/J. W./
Examiner, Art Unit 3753
/KEVIN F MURPHY/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3753
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