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 § 102
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.
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 1-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being clearly anticipated by a Dometic/Sealand Vacuum Generator (VG2) (Called VG2) as seen at “Dometic Sealand Vacuum Generator VG2 Parts.pdf” and also at the youtube video about the VG2 at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ni3VfKGAkHY (VG2 Video) which shows the valve details and the date of availability of July 5,2018 for the VG2 device.
Re claims 1-20, VG2 discloses a valve body with flow channels and flow direction with one way valves (duckbill valves) as seen in the video (VG2 Video) at least at 1:04. Interlocking connections are seen in the video and the parts schematic, interlocking portions and projections are seen in the pipe threads and details. A waste flow channel inside the connections and pipes is seen as well at least in parts numbered 15 and 19 of the parts diagram. At least one duckbill valve is seen in the video and the parts lists and diagram. Fixed and moving portions of connections are seen in the pipe connections in the video as well as the method of removal and assembly.
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Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. See https://environmentalmarine.com/content/pdfs/sw-vacuum-pump.pdf for more details of similar pump parts.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to TIMOTHY D COLLINS whose telephone number is (571)272-6886. The examiner can normally be reached M-Th 5am-2pm.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, TC Director Joseph Thomas can be reached at (571)272-8004. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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TIMOTHY D. COLLINS
Supervisory Patent Examiner
Art Unit 3644
/TIMOTHY D COLLINS/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 3644