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 .
The text of those sections of Title 35, U.S. Code not included in this action can be found in a prior Office action.
Terminal Disclaimer
The terminal disclaimer filed on 04/27/2026 disclaiming the terminal portion of any patent granted on this application which would extend beyond the expiration date of U.S. Patent No. 12,270,498 has been reviewed and is accepted. The terminal disclaimer has been recorded.
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 1-9 are rejected 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.
Claim 1 recites “the outer seal member” which lacks antecedent basis and unclear if the claim intended to initially introduce an outer seal member earlier in the claim or not. For examination purposes, the limitation will be interpreted as “ an outer seal member”.
Claim 3 recites “an outer seal member” which is unclear if this is the same or different from the outer seal member in claim 1. For examination purposes, the limitation will be interpreted as “ the outer seal member”.
All dependent claims of these claims are rejected under 112th second paragraph by virtue of their dependency. Thus, claims 2 and 4-9 are rejected under 112th second paragraph.
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.
Claims 1-7 and 9 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Ciccone et al. (US 2018/0256878 A1, hereinafter “Ciccone”).
The following contains an alternative interpretation of Ciccone in view of the amendments to claim 1 filed on 04/27/2026.
In regard to claim 1, Ciccone discloses a tube coupling (Fig. 3H shows a tube coupling) configured to connect and couple two tubes that are configured to cause a fluid to flow inside the two tubes (Fig. 3H, the tube coupling is configured to connect and couple two tubes at 61 and 62 and the tubes are for transferring a fluid flow), the tube coupling comprising:
a male connector (Fig. 3H, male connector at 6 which inserts into female connector at 4) including a first pipe (Fig. 3H, first pipe at 62) configured to cause the fluid to flow inside the first pipe (Fig. 3H, 62 allows fluid flow), and an insertion part having a protruding shape (Fig. 3H, insertion part at 23 which has a protruding shape), the insertion part protruding in an axial direction that is an insertion direction (Fig. 3H, 23 protrudes in an axial direction that is in an insertion direction); and
a female connector (Fig. 3H, female connector at 4) including a second pipe (Fig. 3H, at 61) configured to cause the fluid to flow inside the second pipe (Fig. 3H, second pipe at 61 allows fluid to flow inside), and an insertion receiving part having a recessed shape (Fig. 3H, part at 10 and 66 defines an insertion receiving part having a recessed shape to receive the male connector), the insertion receiving part being recessed in the axial direction (Fig. 3H, the insertion receiving part is recessed in the axial direction), the insertion receiving part being coupled to the insertion part when the insertion part is inserted into the insertion receiving part in the insertion direction (Fig. 2H shows the insertion receiving part being coupled to the insertion part when the insertion part is inserted into the insertion receiving part in the insertion direction), wherein
the insertion part includes:
a first spring (Fig. 3H, first spring at 59),
a first pressing member being biased in the axial direction by the first spring when the male connector is not inserted into the female connector (Fig. 3H, first pressing member at 50/60 which is biased by 59 when the male connector is not inserted into the female connector as shown),
a first seal member being disposed around the first pressing member (Fig. 3H, gasket of 50/60 below 15/22 is disposed around 50/60), and
a first outer peripheral member supporting the first spring in the axial direction (Fig. 3H, portion at 15/22 defines a first outer peripheral member of the insertion part that extends to the open end at 13),
when the first pressing member is biased by the first spring, the first outer peripheral member is caused to abut on the first seal member (Fig. 3H, when 50/60 is biased by 59, 15/22 is caused to abut the gasket as shown), and a flow path between the first pipe and the second pipe is in a closed state (Fig. 3H shows when a flow path between the first pipe and the second pipe is in a closed state), and
when the first spring is compressed, the first outer peripheral member is separated from the first seal member, and the flow path is in an opened state (Fig. 2H shows when 59 is compressed, the outer peripheral member is separated from the first seal member and the flow path is in an open state),
the insertion receiving part includes:
a second spring (Fig. 3H, spring 54),
a second outer peripheral member (Fig. 3H, at 49/55), the second outer peripheral member being biased outward in the axial direction by the second spring when the male connector is not inserted into the female connector (Fig. 3H, 49/55 is biased outward in the axial direction by the second spring 54 when the male connector is not inserted into the female connector as shown);
a second pressing member (See image below, indicated second pressing member), the second pressing member being caused to abut on the first pressing member when the male connector is inserted into the female connector (See image below and Fig. 2H, indicated second pressing member is caused to abut the first pressing member when the male connector is inserted), and
a second seal member being disposed around the second pressing member (See image below, indicated second seal member disposed around the second pressing member), wherein
when the second outer peripheral member is biased by the second spring, the second outer peripheral member is caused to abut on the second seal member, and the flow path is in the closed state (See image below, when 49/55 is biased by 54, the second outer peripheral member abuts the second seal member and the flow path is in the closed state),
when the second outer peripheral member is not biased by the second spring, the second outer peripheral member is separated from the second seal member, and the flow path is in the opened state (See image below and Fig. 2H, when the second outer peripheral member is not biased by the 54 and is biased by the first outer peripheral member, the second outer peripheral member is separated from the second seal member and the flow path is in the open state),
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the first outer peripheral member has a first taper in which an inner diameter of the first outer peripheral member tapers in the insertion direction (See image below, indicate first taper has an inner diameter of the first outer peripheral member that tapers in the insertion direction towards the female connector),
the first outer peripheral member has a second taper in which an inner diameter of the first outer peripheral member tapers in the insertion direction (See image below, indicated second taper has an inner diameter of the first outer peripheral member that tapers in the insertion direction towards the female connector),
the second taper being inward of the first taper with respect to the insertion direction (See image below, the second taper is inward relative to the first taper with respect to the insertion direction), and
the second taper abuts on the first seal member in the closed state (See image below, at least a corner of the second taper abuts the first seal member in the closed state shown. See https://www.dictionary.com/browse/abut that defines abut to including “to be adjacent” and/or “touch or join at the edge or border”, which in this case, the edge of the second taper is at least adjacent and/or borders the first seal member.), and
the second taper is tapered at a greater angle relative to the insertion direction than the first taper (See image below and Fig. 2H, the second taper is inclined at a greater angle relative to the insertion direction than the first taper as shown), and
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wherein in the opened state, an outer seal member is in contact with the first outer peripheral member (See image below, shows in the opened state, indicated outer seal member is in contact with the first outer peripheral member).
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In regard to claim 2, Ciccone discloses the tube coupling according to Claim 1, wherein the first pressing member and the second pressing member have respective outer diameters that taper from the first seal member to the second seal member (See image below, the first and second pressing members have respective outer diameters that taper from the first seal member to the second seal member).
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In regard to claim 3, Ciccone discloses the tube coupling according to Claim 1, wherein the female connector further includes:
an annular member surrounding both of the first outer peripheral member and the second outer peripheral member (See image below, indicated annular member is at least an annular part of the female connector which both the first and second peripheral members are at least inserted into the annular member, therefore, the annular member is reasonably considered as surrounding both the first and second outer peripheral members), and
the outer seal member configured to perform sealing between the second outer peripheral member and the annular member (See image below, the outer seal member seals at least between the second outer peripheral member and the annular member such that it prevents at least one path for fluid to leak and contact the annular member).
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In regard to claim 4, Ciccone discloses the tube coupling according to Claim 1, wherein in the closed state,
a first portion of the first taper abuts on the first seal member (See image above for claim 1, the first taper can be divided into first and second portions such that the first portion abuts the first seal member),
a second portion of the first taper is spaced apart from the first pressing member (See image above for claim 1, a second portion of the first taper can be interpreted as spaced apart from the first pressing member since they are separate parts),
the second portion of the first taper being immediately behind the first seal member relative to the insertion direction (See image above for claim 1, the second portion of the first taper can be reasonably interpreted as immediately behind the first seal member relative to the insertion direction), and
the first outer peripheral member and the first pressing member are both in direct contact with the first seal member (See images above for claim 1, the first outer peripheral member and the first pressing member are both in direct contact with the first seal member).
In regard to claim 5, Ciccone discloses the tube coupling according to Claim 1, wherein the first spring is connected to the first pressing member (Fig. 3H, 59 is connected to 50/60 as shown such that 50/60 is at least connected within 59).
In regard to claim 6, Ciccone discloses the tube coupling according to Claim 1, wherein the second spring is connected to the second pressing member (Fig. 3H, the second spring 54 is at least indirectly connected to the second pressing member similar to the applicant’s invention).
In regard to claim 7, Ciccone discloses the tube coupling according to Claim 1, wherein in the closed state, the first seal member is in contact with the first taper (Fig. 3H and see image above for claim 1, the first seal member is in contact with the first taper).
In regard to claim 9, Ciccone discloses the tube coupling according to Claim 3, wherein in the closed state, the outer seal member is in contact with the second outer peripheral member (See image above for claim 3, in the closed state, the outer seal member is in contact with the second outer peripheral member).
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
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.
Claim 8 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Ciccone et (US 2018/0256878 A1).
Ciccone discloses the tube coupling according to Claim 1, but does not expressly disclose wherein in the closed state, the first seal member is in contact with the second taper (See image above for claim 1, it appears the corner of the second taper may be in contact with the first seal member, however, the drawings do not definitively show direct contact with the edge of the second taper with the first seal member).
It would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified the connection between the first seal member and the second taper of Ciccone to try contacting the first seal member with the edge of the second taper with a reasonable expectation of success because there are a finite number of solutions which is either with contact or without contact. See MPEP 2143(I)(E). In this case, a person of ordinary skill in the art would reasonably consider having the first seal member contact the second taper since O-rings are known to be elastic and deform in contact to surrounding surfaces and conform to the shape of the surrounding surfaces in order to provide a seal and prevent leakages. Since the first seal member of Ciccone is very close to the second taper and the drawings do not show the deformation of the O-ring, in reality, the first seal member would at least deform to conform around the surrounding surfaces it is in contact with in order to provide an effective seal. Additionally, a person of ordinary skill in the art would reasonably consider having an O-ring that conforms and contacts both the first taper and the second taper since this would allow for a larger surface area for sealing instead of just the first taper and provide enhanced sealing effect.
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments filed 04/27/2026 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive.
In response to applicant’s arguments that claim 10 is not rejected as being anticipated by Ciccone and claim 1 is not anticipated by Ciccone, however, the Examiner respectfully disagree because applicant rolled up only dependent claim 10 which previously depended on claim 3 and without the limitations of claim 3 also rolled up, claim 1 introduces antecedent issues under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) which the scope of claim 1 is unclear. Additionally, aside from the limitations of claim 10, the applicant included other changes to the scope of claim 1 that was not previously examined or considered. See the updated rejected above that includes rejections under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) and an alternative interpretation of Ciccone in light of applicant’s amendments that discloses all the features of claim 1. Therefore, applicant’s arguments are unpersuasive.
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 William S. Choi whose telephone number is (571)272-8223. The examiner can normally be reached Mon - Fri 9:30-5:30.
Examiner interviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video conferencing using a USPTO supplied web-based collaboration tool. To schedule an interview, applicant is encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR) at http://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Matthew Troutman can be reached at (571) 270-3654. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/WILLIAM S. CHOI/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3679
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