CTNF 19/023,678 CTNF 101002 Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status 07-03-aia AIA 15-10-aia The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA. Priority 02-26 AIA Receipt is acknowledged of certified copies of papers required by 37 CFR 1.55. Information Disclosure Statement 06-52 The information disclosure statement (IDS) submitted on 01/16/2025 was filed. The submission is in compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the information disclosure statement is being considered by the examiner. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103 07-06 AIA 15-10-15 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. 07-20-aia AIA 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. 07-21-aia AIA Claim (s) 1, 3-4, 6, and 8-13 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Ohshima (US 20240198673 A1) in view of Jiyosefu et al. (JP H04290568 A) Ohshima discloses the following claimed limitations: Regarding claim 1, Ohshima teaches A liquid discharge head (“head 100”, Figure 1, paragraph [0042]) comprising: a needle valve (131) to open and close a nozzle (“needle valve 131”,Figure 1, paragraph [0044]), a mover (132) coupled to the rear-end member of the needle valve (131) (“piezoelectric element 132”, Figure 1, paragraph [0048]), the mover to move the needle valve, in an axial direction (Paragraphs [0048]-[0049] describes how the “piezoelectric element 132” causes the “needle valve 131” to open and close in the Z direction), between: a closed position at which the needle valve contacts the nozzle to close the nozzle (Paragraph [0057] describes how the “piezoelectric element 132” moves in the negative Z direction which closes the “nozzle hole 102” and stops ink discharging.); and an open position at which the needle valve is separated from the nozzle to open the nozzle (Paragraph [0056] describes how the “piezoelectric element 132” moves in the positive Z direction which causes the “nozzle hole 102” to open and allow ink to be discharged.), an axial center restrictor (136) to restrict a position of an axial center of the leading-end member relative to an axial center of the rear-end member (“bearings 136”, Figures 1 and 9, paragraph [0112]); and an inclination restrictor (137) to restrict an inclination of the leading-end member relative to the rear-end member (“Sealing/positional restraint film 137”, Figure 1, paragraph [0044]). Regarding Claim 6, further comprising: a liquid chamber to store a liquid discharged from the nozzle (“liquid chamber 114”, Figure 1, paragraph [0043]); a mover storage to store the mover (“housing chamber 116”, Figure 1, paragraph [0044]); and a seal to seal a portion between the liquid chamber and the mover storage (“sealing/positional restraint film 137”, Figure 1, Paragraph [0044]), wherein the leading-end member holds the seal (Figure 1 displays the “sealing/positional restraint film 137” is arranged between the “housing member 116” and the “liquid chamber 114” and is in contact/supports the “needle valve 131” as a leading part of the “needle valve 131” is disposed in the “liquid chamber 114”, paragraph [0044]). Regarding Claim 8. The liquid discharge head according to claim 1, further comprising: a liquid chamber to store a liquid discharged from the nozzle (“liquid chamber 114”, Figure 1, paragraph [0043]); a mover storage to store the mover (“housing chamber 116”, Figure 1, paragraph [0044]); a first seal to seal a portion between the liquid chamber and the mover storage (“sealing/positional restraint film 137”, Figure 1, Paragraph [0044]); and a second seal at a leading end of the leading-end member to seal the nozzle, wherein the first seal and the second seal are formed as a single member (“sealing/positional restraint film 137” also seals the “nozzle 102” as it is downstream of the “liquid chamber 114” and can be sealed from the “housing chamber 116” as well, Figure 1). Regarding Claim 9, further comprising: a housing to house the needle valve (“second housing 110b”, Figure 1, paragraph [0051]); a mover storage to store the mover (“housing chamber 116”, Figure 1, paragraph [0044]); a liquid chamber to store a liquid discharged from the nozzle (“liquid chamber 114”, Figure 1, paragraph [0044]); a diaphragm seal having a through hole through which the needle valve is penetrable (“needle-valve fitting hole 137a” of the “sealing/positional restraint film 137”, Figure 14A, paragraph [0247]), wherein the diaphragm seal has: a peripheral portion secured to the housing (“rim 137b” of the “sealing/positional restraint film 137” that is secured to the housing, Figure 14A, paragraph [0247]); and an inner edge portion of the through hole secured between the leading-end member and the rear-end member of the needle valve (“resin layer 137-2” and “metal layer 137-3”, Figure 13A, paragraph [0255] where the “sealing/positional restraint film 137” has layers that are between the top most part of the “needle valve 131” and the most bottom part of the “needle valve 131”), and the diaphragm seal seals a portion between the liquid chamber and the mover storage (“sealing/positional restraint film 137”, Figure 1, Paragraph [0044]). Regarding Claim 10, further comprising: a liquid chamber to store a liquid discharged from the nozzle (“liquid chamber 114”, Figure 1, paragraph [0044]). Regarding Claim 11. The liquid discharge head according to claim 1, further comprising: a housing to house the needle valve and the mover (“second housing 110b” and “third housing 110c” of the “housing 110”, Figure 1, paragraph [0051]); and a nozzle plate detachably attachable to the housing (“nozzle plate 101” is attached to the “third housing 110c” of the “housing 110”, Figure 10, paragraph [0051]). Regarding Claim 13. A liquid discharge apparatus (“printer 800”, Figure 27, paragraph [0215]) comprising: the liquid discharge head according to claim 1 (“head 100”, Figure 1, paragraph [0042]); and a scanner to move the liquid discharge head (“X-direction driver 805”, “Y-direction driver 806”, and “Z-direction driver 807” move the “head holding body 80” along the “X-axis rail 802”, “Y-axis rail 803”, and “Z-axis rail 804”, Figure 28, paragraph [0223]). Ohshima does not teach the following claimed limitations: Regarding claim 1, the needle valve including: a rear-end member; and a leading-end member detachably attached to the rear-end member; and wherein the needle valve further includes: an axial force generator to generate an axial force to abut the leading-end member against the rear-end member. Regarding Claim 3 , wherein the axial center restrictor includes: a fitting hole in the rear-end member; and a fitting portion in the leading-end member, and the fitting portion is fitted into the fitting hole. Regarding Claim 4, wherein the fitting portion includes: an introduction portion having an outer diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the fitting hole; and a final fitting portion having an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of the fitting hole. Regarding claim 10, a connection portion between the leading-end member and the rear-end member of the needle valve in the liquid chamber; and a seal sealing the connection portion. Regarding Claim 12, wherein the axial force generator has one of: a screw structure; a magnet; a shrinking tube; or a bayonet structure. Jiyosefu teaches the following claimed limitations: Regarding claim 1, the needle valve including: a rear-end member (“upper portion 26”, Figure 1, Last paragraph on page 2 and continuing onto page 3); and a leading-end member detachably attached to the rear-end member (“lower portion 28”, Figure 1, Last paragraph on page 2 and continuing onto page 3); and wherein the needle valve further includes: an axial force generator to generate an axial force to abut the leading-end member against the rear-end member (the “lower end 32” of the “upper part 26” is connected to the “female threaded upper part 36” of the “lower part 28” as described in the last paragraph on pg 2 and continuing onto pg 3); Therefore, it would be obvious for someone with ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the liquid discharge head taught by Ohshima to also apply the needle valve including: a rear-end member; and a leading-end member detachably attached to the rear-end member; and wherein the needle valve further includes: an axial force generator to generate an axial force to abut the leading-end member against the rear-end member taught by Jiyosefu, for the purpose of reducing the time required for repair and replacement (Jiyosefu, paragraph 4 on page 1). Regarding Claim 3, wherein the axial center restrictor includes: a fitting hole in the rear-end member; and a fitting portion in the leading-end member, and the fitting portion is fitted into the fitting hole (The last page of paragraph on page 2 continuing on page 3 describes how the “lower portion 28” of the “stem 20” is tubular with an “upper end 36” with a female thread. The “Female threaded upper end 36” of the “lower portion 28” is fitted/threaded to the “threaded lower end 32” of the “upper part 26”). Therefore, it would be obvious for someone with ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the liquid discharge head taught by Ohshima to also apply wherein the axial center restrictor includes: a fitting hole in the rear-end member; and a fitting portion in the leading-end member, and the fitting portion is fitted into the fitting hole taught by Jiyosefu, for the purpose of reducing the time required for repair and replacement (Jiyosefu, paragraph 4 on page 1). Regarding Claim 4, wherein the fitting portion includes: an introduction portion having an outer diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the fitting hole (The “lower end 32” of the “upper portion 26” and the “upper end 36” of the “lower portion 28” are both threaded where the “upper end 36” has the female thread to allow both parts to be threaded together. Therefore, the diameter of the “upper end 36” of the “lower portion 28” is larger than the diameter of the “lower end 32” of the “upper portion 26” to allow the connection to be screwed together.); and a final fitting portion having an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of the fitting hole (The last paragraph on page 2 continuing on page 3 describes how there is a “sleeve 34” that is above the “threaded lower end 32” of the “upper portion 26”). Therefore, it would be obvious for someone with ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the liquid discharge head taught by Ohshima to also apply wherein the fitting portion includes: an introduction portion having an outer diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the fitting hole; and a final fitting portion having an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of the fitting hole taught by Jiyosefu, for the purpose of manufacturing preference and a better connection between the two parts. Regarding claim 10, a connection portion between the leading-end member and the rear-end member of the needle valve in the liquid chamber (The “lower end 32” of the “upper part 26” is connected to the “female threaded upper part 36” of the “lower portion 28” as described in the last paragraph on page 2 and continuing onto page 3); and a seal sealing the connection portion (The threading method of the “lower end 32” and the “female threaded upper part 36” acts as a seal and seals the “upper part 26” and “lower portion 28” together.). Therefore, it would be obvious for someone with ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the liquid discharge head taught by Ohshima to also apply a connection portion between the leading-end member and the rear-end member of the needle valve in the liquid chamber; and a seal sealing the connection portion by Jiyosefu, for the purpose of reducing the time required for repair and replacement (Jiyosefu, paragraph 4 on page 1). Regarding Claim 12, wherein the axial force generator has one of: a screw structure; a magnet; a shrinking tube; or a bayonet structure (The “lower end 32” of the “upper portion 26” and the “upper end 36” of the “lower portion 28” are both threaded where the “upper end 36” has the female thread to allow both parts to be threaded together.). Therefore, it would be obvious for someone with ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the liquid discharge head taught by Ohshima to also apply wherein the fitting portion includes: an introduction portion having an outer diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the fitting hole; and a final fitting portion having an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of the fitting hole taught by Jiyosefu, for the purpose of manufacturing preference . Allowable Subject Matter 12-151-08 AIA 07-43 12-51-08 Claim s 2, 5, and 7 objected to as being dependent upon a rejected base claim, but would be allowable if rewritten in independent form including all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims. 13-03-01 AIA The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter: Regarding Claim 2 , the reason for the indication of allowable subject matter in claim 2 is the inclusion of “wherein the inclination restrictor includes: a first seat surface on the rear-end member and perpendicular to the axial direction; and a second seat surface on the leading-end member and perpendicular to the axial direction, and the axial force generator generates the axial force to cause the second seat surface to contact with the first seat surface.” Regarding Claim 5 , the reason for the indication of allowable subject matter in claim 5 is the inclusion of “wherein each of the axial center restrictor and the inclination restrictor includes a tapered surface portion on each of the rear-end member and the leading-end member, the tapered surface portion widens toward the nozzle in a cross-section parallel to the axial direction, and the axial force generator generates the axial force to cause the tapered surface portion on the leading-end member to contact with the tapered surface portion on the rear-end member.” Regarding Claim 7 , the reason for the indication of allowable subject matter in claim 7 is the inclusion of “wherein the leading-end member holds the seal at a position closer to a leading-end side than the axial center restrictor and the inclination restrictor in the axial direction.” Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to NATASHA DEPHENIA QUINN whose telephone number is (571)272-6375. 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If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000. /N.D.Q./Examiner, Art Unit 2853 /KRISTAL FEGGINS/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2853 Application/Control Number: 19/023,678 Page 2 Art Unit: 2853 Application/Control Number: 19/023,678 Page 4 Art Unit: 2853 Application/Control Number: 19/023,678 Page 5 Art Unit: 2853 Application/Control Number: 19/023,678 Page 6 Art Unit: 2853 Application/Control Number: 19/023,678 Page 7 Art Unit: 2853 Application/Control Number: 19/023,678 Page 8 Art Unit: 2853 Application/Control Number: 19/023,678 Page 9 Art Unit: 2853 Application/Control Number: 19/023,678 Page 10 Art Unit: 2853 Application/Control Number: 19/023,678 Page 11 Art Unit: 2853 Application/Control Number: 19/023,678 Page 12 Art Unit: 2853 Application/Control Number: 19/023,678 Page 13 Art Unit: 2853
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