DETAILED ACTION
Drawings
Figures 1 and 2 should be designated by a legend such as --Prior Art-- because only that which is old is illustrated. See MPEP § 608.02(g). Corrected drawings in compliance with 37 CFR 1.121(d) are required in reply to the Office action to avoid abandonment of the application. The replacement sheet(s) should be labeled “Replacement Sheet” in the page header (as per 37 CFR 1.84(c)) so as not to obstruct any portion of the drawing figures. If the changes are not accepted by the examiner, the applicant will be notified and informed of any required corrective action in the next Office action. The objection to the drawings will not be held in abeyance.
Claim Objections
Claim 9 is objected to because of the following informalities: line 4, “two the first zipper cloths” should be “two of the first zipper cloths”. Appropriate correction is required.
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 5 and 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.
Regarding claim 5, it is misdescriptive to state that the receiving space is “annular in shape”. The receiving space disclosed in the drawings is a polygonal or circular shape in cross-section. There is no showing of an annular shaped receiving space.
Regarding claim 9, in the last line, “the main zipper teeth” lacks antecedence.
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
Lindokken discloses a luggage case (102) including a first shell (116, 118) and a second shell (116, 118) and an opening zip assembly (128) selectively joining the first and second shell (116, 118). A first expansion zip (130) is attached to a first shell (116) and a first side of the opening zip assembly (128). A second expansion zip (132) is attached to a second shell (118) and a second side of the opening zip assembly (128). A first reinforcing structure (190) is attached to and between the first expansion zip (130) and the first side of the opening zip assembly (128). A second reinforcing structure (190) is attached to and between the second expansion zip assembly (132) and the second side of the opening zip assembly (128).
Jacobsen discloses a safety device for a piece of luggage includes a first outside zipper (1) and a second inside zipper (2). The two zippers (1, 2) are superposed in the immediate proximity of one another, such that the teeth (1a, 2a) of the zippers (1, 2) touch under the action of external pressure on the outside zipper (1) by a tip (P) or a pointed tool, by keeping the teeth of the outside zipper (1) from dislocating downward under the pressure of the tip or the pointed tool (P).
Chen discloses a fastener tape, a slide fastener, a skin product, and a method of forming the fastener tape are provided. The method includes forming fabric tapes made from high-melting warp yarns and weft yarns. The fabric tapes each include an outer connecting portion and an inner connecting portion. Fastener teeth are sewn to an outer side of the inner connecting portion through a sewing thread. The inner connecting portion includes an teeth sewing region. A low-melting component is provided in at least the teeth sewing region, and the low-melting component thermally welds the high-melting sewing thread, warp yarns, and weft yarns to form a hardened structure. The method further includes heating, after the fastener teeth are sewn to the fabric tapes, the fabric tapes for bending and shaping, such that the low-melting component thermally welds the sewing thread, the warp yarns, and the weft yarns.
Meersschaert discloses a luggage case includes a shell and a continuous closure structure, the continuous closure structure including a protective cover and separately or additionally an expansion zipper. The continuous closure assembly of the continuous closure structure includes a first strip portion and a second strip portion connected along a common outer edge. The second strip portion overlays a portion of the first strip portion. The expansion zipper assembly of the continuous closure structure includes a central webbing portion having zipper teeth on opposing sides, and a gusset member secured between the shell and the central webbing portion.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-4 and 6-8 are allowed. The prior art fail to disclosea retractable enclosure zipper, comprising: a first zipper cloth, a second zipper cloth, a retractable cloth, and a support structure; wherein the first zipper cloth is arranged with first zipper teeth, and the second zipper cloth is arranged with second zipper teeth; an end of the retractable cloth is connected to the first zipper cloth, and another end of the retractable cloth is connected to the second zipper cloth; the support structure is disposed close to the first zipper teeth and is disposed on an inner side of the retractable cloth; the support structure comprises a supporting cloth and a support member; the supporting cloth and the retractable cloth enclose to define a receiving space, and the support member is disposed in the receiving space; a width of the support member is greater than or equal to a width of a combination of the first zipper teeth and the second zipper teeth when engaged, for supporting the first zipper teeth, the second zipper teeth, and the retractable cloth.
Claims 5 and 9 would be allowable if rewritten to overcome the rejection(s) under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), 2nd paragraph, set forth in this Office action and to include all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to JACK W LAVINDER whose telephone number is (571)272-7119. The examiner can normally be reached Mon-Friday 9-4pm (EST).
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JACK W. LAVINDER
Primary Patent Examiner
Art Unit 3677
/JACK W LAVINDER/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3677
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