DETAILED ACTION
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Claim Status
Claims 1-20 are currently being examined.
Specification
The Specification has not been checked to the extent necessary to determine the presence of all possible minor errors. Applicant’s cooperation is requested in correcting any errors of which applicant may become aware in the specification. MPEP § 608.01
Nonstatutory 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 claims at issue 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); and 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 a nonstatutory double patenting ground provided the reference application or patent either is shown to be commonly owned with this application, or claims an invention made as a result of activities undertaken within the scope of a joint research agreement. A terminal disclaimer must be signed in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(b).
The USPTO internet Web site contains terminal disclaimer forms which may be used. Please visit http://www.uspto.gov/forms/. The filing date of the application will determine what form 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 http://www.uspto.gov/patents/process/file/efs/guidance/eTD-info-I.jsp.
Claims 1-20 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over Claims 1-20 of U.S. Patent No. 11,912,511. Although the conflicting claims are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because the '511 patent discloses the following with respect to the Applicant’s claims:
1. A gripper comprising: (See Claim 1)
a pair of opposing gripping jaws; (See Claim 1)
a gripper coupler disposed on one of the pair of gripping jaws; and (See Claim 1)
a transport attachment releasably coupled to the gripper coupler by an attachment coupler. (See Claim 1)
2. The gripper of claim 1, wherein the gripper coupler comprises a projection that is retractable and extendable. (See Claim 2)
3. The gripper of claim 2, wherein the attachment coupler comprises a recess in the transport attachment. (See Claim 3)
4. The gripper of claim 2, wherein the projection is movable by a drive arranged in the gripper. (See Claim 4)
5. The gripper of claim 1, wherein the gripper coupler comprises a movable projection that is mechanically preloaded. (See Claim 5)
6. The gripper of claim 5, wherein the movable projection is configured to engage a recess of the attachment coupler without a counterforce. (See Claim 6)
7. The gripper of claim 1, wherein the gripper coupler comprises an electromagnet. (See Claim 7)
8. The gripper of claim 7, wherein the attachment coupler comprises a partially ferromagnetic counter member. (See Claim 8)
9. The gripper of claim 1, wherein the gripper coupler comprises a chuck. (See Claim 9)
10. The gripper of claim 9, wherein the attachment coupler comprises a receiving opening for the chuck. (See Claim 10)
11. The gripper of claim 1, wherein the gripper coupler comprises a damper. (See Claim 11)
12. The gripper of claim 11, wherein the attachment coupler comprises an anchor for the damper. (See Claim 12)
13. The gripper of claim 1, further comprising a drop table disposed below the pair of gripping jaws. (See Claim 1)
14. A transport system, comprising: (See Claim 13)
a plurality of transport attachments with different contact surfaces; (See Claim 13)
a storage device configured to store the plurality of transport attachments; and (See Claim 13)
a gripper comprising: (See Claim 13)
a pair of opposing gripping jaws; and (See Claim 13)
a gripper coupler disposed on one of the pair of gripping jaws, (See Claim 13)
wherein an attachment coupler of one of the plurality of transport attachments is releasably coupled to the gripper coupler. (See Claim 13)
15. The transport system of claim 14, wherein the storage device is configured to release an interaction between the gripper coupler and the attachment coupler. (See Claim 14)
16. The transport system of claim 14, wherein the gripper coupler comprises a projection that is retractable and extendable, (See Claim 15)
the attachment coupler comprises a corresponding recess in the transport attachment and the projection is one of: (See Claim 16)
movable by a drive arranged in the gripper; and (See Claim 16)
mechanically preloaded and configured to engage a recess of the attachment coupler without a counterforce. (See Claim 16)
17. The transport system of claim 14, wherein the gripper coupler comprises an electromagnet, and (See Claim 17)
wherein the attachment coupler comprises a partially ferromagnetic counter member. (See Claim 17)
18. The transport system of claim 14, wherein the gripper coupler comprises a chuck, an (See Claim 18)
wherein the attachment coupler comprises a corresponding receiving opening for the chuck. (See Claim 18)
19. The transport system of claim 14, wherein the gripper coupler comprises a damper, and (See Claim 19)
wherein the attachment coupler comprises a corresponding anchor for the damper. (See Claim 19)
20. A method for operating a gripper, the method comprising: (See Claim 20)
determining a first transport attachment of a plurality of transport attachments to use for moving a piece good by the gripper, (See Claim 20)
the gripper comprising a pair of opposing gripping jaws and a gripper coupler disposed on a first one of the pair of gripping jaws; (See Claim 20)
determining the first transport attachment is currently stored in a storage device; and (See Claim 20)
coupling the first transport attachment to the first gripping jaw via a releasable coupling between an attachment coupler of the first transport attachment and the gripper coupler. (See Claim 20)
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to Applicant's disclosure because the prior art references contain subject matter that relates to one or more of Applicant’s claim limitations.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to THOMAS RANDAZZO whose telephone number is (313)446-4903. The examiner can normally be reached between 9:00am and 4:00pm ET Monday through Thursday and between 9:00am and 11:00am ET on Friday.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner's supervisor, Jacob Scott, can be reached on 571-270-3415. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
Information regarding the status of published or unpublished applications may be obtained from the Patent Center. Unpublished application information in the Patent Center is available to registered users. To file and manage patent submissions in the Patent Center, visit: https://patentcenter.uspto.gov. Visit https://www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/patent-center for more information about the Patent Center and https://www.uspto.gov/patents/docx for information about filing in DOCX format. For additional questions, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000.
/THOMAS RANDAZZO/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3655 September 25, 2026
