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 .
Response to Amendment
This office action is in response to the amendment filed 08/06/2026. As directed by the amendment- claims 1 and 2 are amended. Applicant’s amendments to the Claims, Specification, and Drawings have overcome each and every objection and rejection previously set forth in the non-final office action mailed 06/03/2026.
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments, see remarks, filed 08/06/2026, with respect to the rejection(s) of the claim(s) under 102 and 103 have been fully considered and are persuasive due to the amendments. Therefore, the rejection has been withdrawn. However, upon further consideration, a new ground(s) of rejection is made in view of JPS4912421.
Drawings
The drawings were received on 08/06/2026. These drawings are accepted.
Specification
The amendment to the specification was received on 08/06/2026 and is accepted.
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.
Claim(s) 1, 2, 4, and 6-14 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by JPS4912421.
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Annotated Figure 4 from JPS4912421.
Regarding claim 1, JPS4912421 discloses:
A valve comprising:
an adaptor 8 (see translation paragraph 0003)
a first port 2 (see translation paragraph 0003)
a second port 3 (see translation paragraph 0003)
a fluid path (4) extending between the first port (2) and the second port 3 (see translation paragraph 0003)
a plunger (9) situated in the fluid path between the first port (2) and the second port (3), the plunger (9) selectively and linearly movable between a closed position blocking the fluid path (4) and an open position (see translation paragraph 0003)
a valve seat assembly (5, 6) in the fluid path 4 (see translation paragraph 0003)
the valve seat assembly (5, 6) comprising:
a gasket (6) and a frame (5) having a seat 5 (see translation paragraph 0003)
wherein the gasket (6) is separate from the adaptor (8) and the seat (5) and is in contact with both interposed between the adaptor (8) and the seat 5 (see Figure 4)
wherein the adaptor (8) has a first aperture having a first diameter and wherein the gasket (6) has a second aperture having a second diameter (see Figure 4)
wherein the first diameter is larger than the second diameter (see Figure 4)
wherein in the open position the plunger (9) is detached from the gasket (6) to enable a flow of a fluid through the second aperture and along the fluid path 4 (see Figure 3; see translation paragraph 0003)
wherein in the closed position the plunger (9) abuts the gasket (6) to prevent the flow of the fluid through the second aperture and along the fluid path 4 (see translation paragraph 0003; see Figure 4)
wherein the seat (5) comprises a seat surface
wherein a protrusion (see annotated figure above) projects from the seat surface and imbeds itself into the gasket 6 (see translation paragraph 0003; see Figure 4)
Regarding claim 2, JPS4912421 discloses:
wherein the protrusion (see annotated figure above) comprises at least one of: an edge, an annular edge, a circular edge, a rim, an annular rim, and a circular rim (see Figure 4)
Regarding claim 4, JPS4912421 discloses:
wherein the protrusion (see annotated figure above) is formed in the surface of the seat 5 (see Figure 4)
Regarding claim 6, JPS4912421 discloses:
wherein: a first portion (see annotated figure above) of the surface of the seat (5) and a first portion (see annotated figure above) of the surface of the gasket (6) are each substantially perpendicular to an axis defined by linear movement of the plunger 9 (see Figure 4)
the first portion (see annotated figure above) of the surface of the seat (5) abuts the first portion (see annotated figure above) of the surface of the gasket 6 (see Figure 4)
Regarding claim 7, JPS4912421 discloses:
wherein: the first portion (see annotated figure above) of the surface of the seat (5) is flat (see Figure 4)
wherein the first portion (see annotated figure above) of the surface of the gasket (6) is flat (see Figure 4)
Regarding claim 8, JPS4912421 discloses:
wherein the first portion (see annotated figure above) of the surface of the seat (5) is substantially parallel to the first portion (see annotated figure above) of the surface of the gasket 6
Regarding claim 9, JPS4912421 discloses:
wherein: a second portion (see annotated figure above) of the surface of the seat (5) is different from the first portion (see annotated figure above) of the surface of the seat 5
a second portion (see annotated figure above) of the surface of the gasket (6) is different from the first portion (see annotated figure above) of the surface of the gasket 6
the second portion (see annotated figure above) of the surface of the seat (5) and the second portion (see annotated figure above) of the surface of the gasket (6) are each substantially perpendicular to the axis (see Figure 4)
the second portion (see annotated figure above) of the surface of the seat (5) abuts the second portion (see annotated figure above) of the surface of the gasket 6 (see Figure 4)
Regarding claim 10, JPS4912421 discloses:
wherein: the second portion (see annotated figure above) of the surface of the seat (5) is flat (see Figure 4)
wherein the second portion (see annotated figure above) of the surface of the gasket (6) is flat (see Figure 4)
Regarding claim 11, JPS4912421 discloses:
wherein the second portion (see annotated figure above) of the surface of the seat (5) is substantially parallel to the second portion (see annotated figure above) of the surface of the gasket 6 (see Figure 4)
Regarding claim 12, JPS4912421 discloses:
wherein the protrusion (see annotated figure above) is interposed between the first portion (see annotated figure above) of the surface of the seat (5) and the second portion (see annotated figure above) of the surface of the seat 5 (see Figure 4)
Regarding claim 13, JPS4912421 discloses:
wherein the protrusion (see annotated figure above) and the first portion (see annotated figure above) of the surface of the seat (5) and the second portion (see annotated figure above) of the surface of the seat (5) have rotational symmetry about the axis (see Figure 1)
Regarding claim 14, JPS4912421 discloses:
wherein the first portion (see annotated figure above) of the surface of the seat (5) and the first portion (see annotated figure above) of the surface of the gasket (6) and the second portion (see annotated figure above) of the surface of the seat (5) and the second portion (see annotated figure above) of the surface of the gasket (6) are substantially parallel to one another
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
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.
The factual inquiries for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35 U.S.C. 103 are summarized as follows:
1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art.
2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue.
3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art.
4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or nonobviousness.
This application currently names joint inventors. In considering patentability of the claims the examiner presumes that the subject matter of the various claims was commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the claimed invention(s) absent any evidence to the contrary. Applicant is advised of the obligation under 37 CFR 1.56 to point out the inventor and effective filing dates of each claim that was not commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the later invention in order for the examiner to consider the applicability of 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(C) for any potential 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) prior art against the later invention.
Claim(s) 3 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over JPS4912421 in view of Aoyama (U.S. 2012/0097881).
Regarding claim 3, JPS4912421 discloses the invention as essentially claimed, but fails to disclose wherein the protrusion projects at least 0.2 millimetres from the surface of the seat.
Aoyama teaches a valve seat assembly wherein a protrusion projects at least 0.2 millimetres from a surface of a seat (see paragraph 0077).
At the time the invention was effectively filed, it would have been an obvious matter of design choice to a person of ordinary skill in the art to provide wherein the protrusion projects at least 0.2 millimetres from the surface of the seat, as taught by Aoyama, because Applicant has not disclosed that having wherein the protrusion projects at least 0.2 millimetres from the surface of the seat, provides an advantage, is used for any particular purpose, or solves any stated problem, beyond increasing retention, which would happen at any given projection.
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was effectively filed to have modified JPS4912421 to provide wherein the protrusion projects at least 0.2 millimetres from the surface of the seat, as taught by Aoyama, because such a modification would have been considered a mere design consideration.
Claim(s) 5 and 15 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over JPS4912421 in view of Fujita et al. (U.S. 2016/0115845).
Regarding claim 5, JPS4912421 discloses the invention as essentially claimed, but fails to disclose wherein: the protrusion comprises an end pointing toward the gasket; the protrusion tapers toward the end at an obtuse angle; and the obtuse angle is between 105 and 150 degrees.
Fujita teaches a sealing interface wherein: a protrusion (303) comprises an end pointing toward a gasket 109 (see Figure 9); the protrusion (303) tapers toward the end at an obtuse angle (see Figure 9); and the obtuse angle is between 105 and 150 degrees (see Figure 9).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was effectively filed to have modified JPS4912421to provide wherein: the protrusion comprises an end pointing toward the gasket; the protrusion tapers toward the end at an obtuse angle; and the obtuse angle is between 105 and 150 degrees, as taught by Fujita. Doing so would further attach the protrusion into the gasket.
Regarding claim 15, JPS4912421 discloses the invention as essentially claimed, but fails to disclose wherein: a second protrusion projects from the seat surface and imbeds itself into the gasket; and the second protrusion is different from the protrusion.
Fujita teaches a sealing interface wherein: a second protrusion (32) projects from a seat surface and imbeds itself into a gasket 9 (see paragraph 0051; see Figures 3 and 4); and the second protrusion (32) is different from a protrusion 31 (see Figures 3 and 4; see paragraph 0051).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time the invention was effectively filed to have modified JPS4912421 to provide wherein: a second protrusion projects from the seat surface and imbeds itself into the gasket; and the second protrusion is different from the protrusion, as taught by Fujita. Doing so would provide further adhesion between the gasket and valve seat.
Conclusion
Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). 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 KELSEY E CARY whose telephone number is (571)272-9427. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Friday 9:30am-5:30pm.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisors, Craig Schneider can be reached at (571)-272-3607 or Kenneth Rinehart can be reached at 571-272-4881.. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/KELSEY E CARY/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3753
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