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 .
Priority
Receipt is acknowledged of certified copies of papers required by 37 CFR 1.55.
Information Disclosure Statement
The IDS filed on June 18, 2025 is hereby acknowledged and has been placed of record. Please find attached a signed copy of the IDS.
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 6, 8-11 and 13-16 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 6, on lines 2-3, the introduction of “a second liquid outflow point of the at least one first fluidic oscillator” is unclear. If there is a “second” liquid outflow point, it seems that there should also be a “first” thereof. However, no “first liquid outflow point of the at least one first fluidic oscillator” is positively recited in the chain of claims which includes claim 6.
Regarding claim 8, on lines 2-3, the introduction of “a third liquid outflow point of the at least one second fluidic oscillator” is unclear. If there is a “third” liquid outflow point, it seems that there should also be a “first” and a “second” thereof. However, no “first liquid outflow point of the at least one second fluidic oscillator” and no “second liquid outflow point of the at least one second fluidic oscillator” are positively recited in the chain of claims which includes claim 8.
Further, regarding claim 8, on line 3, the introduction of “at least one first liquid outlet of the housing” is unclear. What is the relationship between this newly-introduced “at least one first liquid outlet...”, as compared with the “multiplicity of liquid outlets” of the “housing” introduced in claim 1?
Further, regarding claim 8, on line 4, the introduction of “a fourth liquid outflow point of the at least one second fluidic oscillator” is unclear for essentially the same reason(s) set forth above with respect to the introduction of “a third liquid outflow point of the at least one second fluidic oscillator” in claim 8.
Further, regarding claim 8, on lines 4-5, the introduction of “at least one second liquid outlet of the housing” is unclear. What is the relationship between this newly-introduced “at least one second liquid outlet...”, as compared with the “multiplicity of liquid outlets” of the “housing” introduced in claim 1?
Regarding claim 9, on lines 2-3, the introduction of “a fifth liquid outflow point of the at least one third fluidic oscillator” is unclear. If there is a “fifth” liquid outflow point, it seems that there should also be a “first”, a “second”, a “third” and a “fourth” thereof. However, no “first liquid outflow point of the at least one third fluidic oscillator”, no “second liquid outflow point of the at least one third fluidic oscillator”, no “third liquid outflow point of the at least one third fluidic oscillator” and no “fourth liquid outflow point of the at least one third fluidic oscillator” are positively recited in the chain of claims which includes claim 9.
Further, regarding claim 9, on line 3, the introduction of “at least one third liquid outlet of the housing” is unclear. What is the relationship between this newly-introduced “at least one third liquid outlet...”, as compared with the “multiplicity of liquid outlets” of the “housing” introduced in claim 1? Also, if there is “at least one third liquid outlet...”, it seems that there should also be a “first” and a “second” thereof. However, no “at least one first liquid outlet of the housing” and no “at least one second liquid outlet of the housing” are positively recited in the chain of claims which includes claim 9.
Further, regarding claim 9, on line 4, the introduction of “a sixth liquid outflow point of the at least one third fluidic oscillator” is unclear for essentially the same reason(s) set forth above with respect to the introduction of “a fifth liquid outflow point of the at least one third fluidic oscillator” in claim 9.
Further, regarding claim 9, on lines 4-5, the introduction of “at least one fourth liquid outlet of the housing” is unclear for essentially the same reason(s) set forth above with respect to the introduction of “at least one third liquid outlet of the housing” in claim 9.
Regarding claim 10, on line 3, the introduction of “at least one third fluidic oscillator” is unclear. What is the relationship between this newly-introduced “at least one third fluidic oscillator”, as compared with the “at least one third fluidic oscillator” introduced in claim 4?
Regarding claim 11, on line 2, the introduction of “a second liquid outflow point of the at least one first fluidic oscillator” is unclear. If there is a “second” liquid outflow point, it seems that there should also be a “first” thereof. However, no “first liquid outflow point of the at least one first fluidic oscillator” is positively recited in the chain of claims which includes claim 11.
Regarding claim 14, on line 2, the introduction of “a fifth liquid outflow point of the at least one third fluidic oscillator” is unclear. If there is a “fifth” liquid outflow point, it seems that there should also be a “first”, a “second”, a “third” and a “fourth” thereof. However, no “first liquid outflow point of the at least one third fluidic oscillator”, no “second liquid outflow point of the at least one third fluidic oscillator”, no “third liquid outflow point of the at least one third fluidic oscillator” and no “fourth liquid outflow point of the at least one third fluidic oscillator” are positively recited in the chain of claims which includes claim 14.
Further, regarding claim 14, on lines 2-3, the introduction of “at least one third liquid outlet of the housing” is unclear. What is the relationship between this newly-introduced “at least one third liquid outlet...”, as compared with the “multiplicity of liquid outlets” of the “housing” introduced in claim 1? Also, if there is “at least one third liquid outlet...”, it seems that there should also be a “first” and a “second” thereof. However, no “at least one first liquid outlet of the housing” and no “at least one second liquid outlet of the housing” are positively recited in the chain of claims which includes claim 14.
Further, regarding claim 14, on lines 3-4, the introduction of “a sixth liquid outflow point of the at least one third fluidic oscillator” is unclear for essentially the same reason(s) set forth above with respect to the introduction of “a fifth liquid outflow point of the at least one third fluidic oscillator” in claim 14.
Further, regarding claim 14, on line 4, the introduction of “at least one fourth liquid outlet of the housing” is unclear for essentially the same reason(s) set forth above with respect to the introduction of “at least one third liquid outlet of the housing” in claim 14.
Regarding claim 15, on line 2, the introduction of “a fifth liquid outflow point of the at least one third fluidic oscillator” is unclear. If there is a “fifth” liquid outflow point, it seems that there should also be a “first”, a “second”, a “third” and a “fourth” thereof. However, no “first liquid outflow point of the at least one third fluidic oscillator”, no “second liquid outflow point of the at least one third fluidic oscillator”, no “third liquid outflow point of the at least one third fluidic oscillator” and no “fourth liquid outflow point of the at least one third fluidic oscillator” are positively recited in the chain of claims which includes claim 15.
Further, regarding claim 15, on lines 2-3, the introduction of “at least one third liquid outlet of the housing” is unclear. What is the relationship between this newly-introduced “at least one third liquid outlet...”, as compared with the “multiplicity of liquid outlets” of the “housing” introduced in claim 1? Also, if there is “at least one third liquid outlet...”, it seems that there should also be a “first” and a “second” thereof. However, no “at least one first liquid outlet of the housing” and no “at least one second liquid outlet of the housing” are positively recited in the chain of claims which includes claim 15.
Further, regarding claim 15, on lines 3-4, the introduction of “a sixth liquid outflow point of the at least one third fluidic oscillator” is unclear for essentially the same reason(s) set forth above with respect to the introduction of “a fifth liquid outflow point of the at least one third fluidic oscillator” in claim 15.
Further, regarding claim 15, on line 4, the introduction of “at least one fourth liquid outlet of the housing” is unclear for essentially the same reason(s) set forth above with respect to the introduction of “at least one third liquid outlet of the housing” in claim 15.
Regarding claim 16, on line 2, the introduction of “a fifth liquid outflow point of the at least one third fluidic oscillator” is unclear. If there is a “fifth” liquid outflow point, it seems that there should also be a “first”, a “second”, a “third” and a “fourth” thereof. However, no “first liquid outflow point of the at least one third fluidic oscillator”, no “second liquid outflow point of the at least one third fluidic oscillator”, no “third liquid outflow point of the at least one third fluidic oscillator” and no “fourth liquid outflow point of the at least one third fluidic oscillator” are positively recited in the chain of claims which includes claim 16.
Further, regarding claim 16, on lines 2-3, the introduction of “at least one third liquid outlet of the housing” is unclear. What is the relationship between this newly-introduced “at least one third liquid outlet...”, as compared with the “multiplicity of liquid outlets” of the “housing” introduced in claim 1? Also, if there is “at least one third liquid outlet...”, it seems that there should also be a “first” and a “second” thereof. However, no “at least one first liquid outlet of the housing” and no “at least one second liquid outlet of the housing” are positively recited in the chain of claims which includes claim 16.
Further, regarding claim 16, on lines 3-4, the introduction of “a sixth liquid outflow point of the at least one third fluidic oscillator” is unclear for essentially the same reason(s) set forth above with respect to the introduction of “a fifth liquid outflow point of the at least one third fluidic oscillator” in claim 16.
Further, regarding claim 16, on line 4, the introduction of “at least one fourth liquid outlet of the housing” is unclear for essentially the same reason(s) set forth above with respect to the introduction of “at least one third liquid outlet of the housing” in claim 16.
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.
Claims 1-16 are rejected, as well as the claims can be understood, under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Garrels et al., US Patent Application Publication No. 2022/0064929.
As to claim 1, Garrels shows (see Fig. 74) and describes (see paragraph [0215]) a shower (1400), comprising a housing (any, and all structural elements through which water is confined to flow with respect to what is shown in Fig. 74, and expressly or implicitly set forth in paragraph [0215]) having a liquid inlet (wherever liquid enters in an upstream region clearly implied by the device shown in Fig. 74) for a liquid and a multiplicity of liquid outlets (those shown in the right side portion of Fig. 74) for the liquid; at least one first fluidic oscillator (1404) having a first liquid inflow point (the implicitly-included location defined by 1404 where water first enters 1404), which is connected to the liquid inlet; and at least one second fluidic oscillator (either of 1402 shown in Fig. 74, and described in paragraph [0215]) having a second liquid inflow point (the clearly-represented inflow point of whichever of oscillators 1402, as shown in Fig. 74, is chosen for application to the “at least one second fluidic oscillator”), to which the liquid is configured to be supplied from the at least one first fluidic oscillator, and from which the liquid is configured to be conducted to at least one of the liquid outlets (see again, Fig. 74).
As to claim 2, Garrels shows the shower according to claim 1, and wherein the at least one first fluidic oscillator and the at least one second fluidic oscillator are arranged in a series connection (see again, Fig. 74).
As to claim 3, Garrels shows the shower according to claim 1, and wherein the at least one second fluidic oscillator is connected to a first liquid outflow point (the clearly-represented outflow point of oscillator 1404, as shown in Fig. 74, which communicates with whichever oscillator 1402 is chosen for application to the “at least one second fluidic oscillator”) of the at least one first fluidic oscillator.
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As to claim 4, Garrels shows the shower according to claim 1, and further comprising at least one third fluidic oscillator (the other of the oscillators 1402 shown in Fig. 74, which is not applied to the “at least one second fluidic oscillator” of claim 1) having a third liquid inflow point (the clearly-represented inflow point of the oscillator 1402, as shown in Fig. 74, applied to the “at least one third fluidic oscillator” above), to which the liquid is configured to be supplied from the at least one first fluidic oscillator, and from which the liquid is configured to be conducted to at least one of the liquid outlets (see again, Fig. 74).
As to claim 5, Garrels shows the shower according to claim 4, and wherein the at least one first fluidic oscillator and the at least one third fluidic oscillator are arranged in a series connection (see again, Fig. 74).
As to claim 6, Garrels shows the shower according to claim 4, and wherein the at least one third fluidic oscillator is connected to a “second” liquid outflow point (the clearly-represented outflow point of oscillator 1404, as shown in Fig. 74, which communicates with whichever oscillator 1402 is chosen for application to the “at least one third fluidic oscillator”) of the at least one first fluidic oscillator.
As to claim 7, Garrels shows the shower according to claim 4, and wherein the at least one second fluidic oscillator and the at least one third fluidic oscillator are arranged in a parallel connection (see again, Fig. 74).
As to claim 8, Garrels shows the shower according to claim 1, and wherein the liquid is configured to be conducted from a “third” liquid outflow point (a chosen one of the two clearly-represented outflow points of whichever oscillator 1402 is chosen for application to the “at least one second fluidic oscillator”) of the at least one second fluidic oscillator to at least one first liquid outlet (see again, Fig. 74) of the housing and from a “fourth” liquid outflow point (the other of the two clearly-represented outflow points not applied to the “third...” above, of whichever oscillator 1402 is chosen for application to the “at least one second fluidic oscillator”) of the at least one second fluidic oscillator to at least one second liquid outlet (see again, Fig. 74) of the housing.
As to claim 9, Garrels shows the shower according to claim 4, and wherein the liquid is configured to be conducted from a “fifth” liquid outflow point (a chosen one of the two clearly-represented outflow points of whichever oscillator 1402 is chosen for application to the “at least one third fluidic oscillator”) of the at least one third fluidic oscillator to at least one “third” liquid outlet (see again, Fig. 74) of the housing and from a “sixth” liquid outflow point (the other of the two clearly-represented outflow points not applied to the “fifth...” above, of whichever oscillator 1402 is chosen for application to the “at least one third fluidic oscillator”) of the at least one third fluidic oscillator to at least one “fourth” liquid outlet (see again, Fig. 74) of the housing.
As to claim 10, Garrels shows the shower according to claim 4, and wherein the at least one first fluidic oscillator, the at least one second fluidic oscillator or the at least one third fluidic oscillator is/are formed in at least one liquid conduit of the shower (all of the fluidic oscillators represented in Fig. 74, as applied above, are implicitly located within a conduit element, since the water flowing therethrough must be confined to flow into and out of each of the fluidic oscillators).
As to claim 11, Garrels shows the shower according to claim 5, and wherein the at least one third fluidic oscillator is connected to a “second” liquid outflow point (the clearly-represented outflow point of oscillator 1404, as shown in Fig. 74, which communicates with whichever oscillator 1402 is chosen for application to the “at least one third fluidic oscillator”) of the at least one first fluidic oscillator.
As to claim 12, Garrels shows the shower according to claim 5, and wherein the at least one second fluidic oscillator and the at least one third fluidic oscillator are arranged in a parallel connection (see again, Fig. 74).
As to claim 13, Garrels shows the shower according to claim 6, and wherein the at least one second fluidic oscillator and the at least one third fluidic oscillator are arranged in a parallel connection (see again, Fig. 74).
As to claim 14, Garrels shows the shower according to claim 5, and wherein the liquid is configured to be conducted from a “fifth” liquid outflow point (a chosen one of the two clearly-represented outflow points of whichever oscillator 1402 is chosen for application to the “at least one third fluidic oscillator”) of the at least one third fluidic oscillator to at least one “third” liquid outlet (see again, Fig. 74) of the housing and from a “sixth” liquid outflow point (the other of the two clearly-represented outflow points not applied to the “fifth...” above, of whichever oscillator 1402 is chosen for application to the “at least one third fluidic oscillator”) of the at least one third fluidic oscillator to at least one “fourth” liquid outlet (see again, Fig. 74) of the housing.
As to claim 15, Garrels shows the shower according to claim 6, and wherein the liquid is configured to be conducted from a “fifth” liquid outflow point (a chosen one of the two clearly-represented outflow points of whichever oscillator 1402 is chosen for application to the “at least one third fluidic oscillator”) of the at least one third fluidic oscillator to at least one “third” liquid outlet (see again, Fig. 74) of the housing and from a “sixth” liquid outflow point (the other of the two clearly-represented outflow points not applied to the “fifth...” above, of whichever oscillator 1402 is chosen for application to the “at least one third fluidic oscillator”) of the at least one third fluidic oscillator to at least one “fourth” liquid outlet (see again, Fig. 74) of the housing.
As to claim 16, Garrels shows the shower according to claim 7, and wherein the liquid is configured to be conducted from a “fifth” liquid outflow point (a chosen one of the two clearly-represented outflow points of whichever oscillator 1402 is chosen for application to the “at least one third fluidic oscillator”) of the at least one third fluidic oscillator to at least one “third” liquid outlet (see again, Fig. 74) of the housing and from a “sixth” liquid outflow point (the other of the two clearly-represented outflow points not applied to the “fifth...” above, of whichever oscillator 1402 is chosen for application to the “at least one third fluidic oscillator”) of the at least one third fluidic oscillator to at least one “fourth” liquid outlet (see again, Fig. 74) of the housing.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. US Patent to Bauer, US Patent Application Publications to Wintering et al., Ye et al., Kolekar, Tomac, Bernstein, Leavitt et al., Nakashima et al. and Matsumoto et al., and Foreign Patent Publication to Wang et al., are cited as of interest.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to DARREN W GORMAN whose telephone number is (571)272-4901. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Thursday 6:30-4:30.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Arthur Hall can be reached at (571)270-1814. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/DARREN W GORMAN/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3752
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