DETAILED ACTION
Claims 1-14 are pending.
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 Objections
Claims 1-14 are objected to because of the following informalities:
In all of the claims, it is suggested that claims be amended for more clarity, such as using an active voice instead of a passive voice, using semicolons to sperate limitations, and/or using colons and semicolons to separate limitations.
In claim 1, line 1, “Modular” should be changed to --A modular--.
In claim 1, lines 15-16, “a sliding chamber inside which it is slidable along said second axis, and is retained, a plug coupled with a second spring” should be changed to –a sliding chamber inside which a plug is retained and slidable along said second axis, said plug coupled with a second spring--.
In claim 1, line 25, “the latter” should be changed to --said plug—to specifically name the claimed structure for clarity.
In claims 2-14, in the preambles, “Antifreeze valve” should be changed to --The antifreeze valve--.
In claim 2, lines 2-3, it is suggested that “substantially parallel to” be changed to --substantially along--, for example, to more accurately depict the applicant’s device, because “parallel” is typically interpreted as being distinctly different from aligning/overlapping axes.
In claim 2, line 4, “the latter” should be changed to --said liner element-- to specifically name the claimed structure for clarity.
In claim 2, line 6, “in said plug a blind hole” should be changed to --in said plug, a blind hole-- (i.e. add a comma).
In claim 3, line 3, it is suggested that “substantially parallel to” be changed to --substantially along--, for example, to more accurately depict the applicant’s device, because “parallel” is typically interpreted as being distinctly different from aligning/overlapping axes.
In claim 3, line 5, “said annular abutment protrusion and said annular abutting protrusion being” should be changed to --said annular abutment protrusion, and said annular abutting protrusion being-- (i.e. add a comma) to separate limitations.
In claim 9, lines 6-7, “a chamber being further obtained inside which” should be changed to --a chamber is provided and inside which--.
In claim 10, line 2, “on the same axis with respect to said second axis” should be changed to --on the second axis--.
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 1-14 are rejected (wherein claims 2, 4-5, 8-9, and 11-14) 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.
In claim 1, lines 25 and 26, it is unclear which of the outlets antecedently introduced – the outlet 27 of the pipe portion 12 or the outlet 19 of the cartridge body 33 – the two recitations of “said outlet” refer to. As understood, the recitations refer to the outlet 19 of the cartridge body, and the recitations should be amended to distinguish from the outlet 27 of the pipe portion.
In claim 3, line 2, it is unclear which of the outlets antecedently introduced – the outlet 27 of the pipe portion 12 or the outlet 19 of the cartridge body 33 – the recitation of “said outlet” refers to. As understood, the recitation refers to the outlet 19 of the cartridge body, and the recitation should be amended to distinguish from the outlet 27 of the pipe portion 12.
In claim 6, second to last line, it is unclear which of the chambers antecedently introduced – the chamber 38 in the housing portion 13 or the sliding chamber 31 in the liner element 34 – the recitation “said chamber” refers to. As understood, the recitation refers to the chamber 38 of the cartridge body, and the recitation should be amended to distinguish from the sliding chamber 31.
In claim 7, lines 2 and 4, it is unclear which of the outlets antecedently introduced – the outlet 27 of the pipe portion 12 or the outlet 19 of the cartridge body 33 – the recitations of “said outlet” refer to. As understood, the recitations refer to the outlet 27 of the pipe portion 12, and the recitations should be amended to distinguish from the outlet 19 of the cartridge body 33.
In claim 10, line 5, it is unclear which of the chambers antecedently introduced – the chamber 38 in the housing portion 13 or the sliding chamber 31 in the liner element 34 – the recitation “said chamber” refers to. As understood, the recitation refers to the chamber 38 of the cartridge body, and the recitation should be amended to distinguish from the sliding chamber 31.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-14 would be allowable if rewritten or amended to overcome the rejection(s) under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), 2nd paragraph, and claim objections set forth in this Office action.
The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter: the prior art fails to disclose or render obvious, in combination with the other limitations recited, the cartridge comprising the liner element separate from a cartridge body on which the outlet and cartridge opening are provided/”obtained”.
Regarding claim 1, Caleffi (US 2022/0163131) discloses in Figs. 1-10 modular structure antifreeze valve, intended to be installed along a pipe of a conditioning circuit in which an operating fluid circulates, comprising a valve body on which a pipe portion 14 is obtained to put said antifreeze valve in fluid connection with said pipe of said conditioning circuit, said pipe portion 14 having an inlet 12 and an outlet 13, which are reversible, for said operating fluid and extending substantially along a first axis, and comprising a housing portion 18b inside which a thermostat valve 20 is housed removably, said housing portion 18b extending substantially along a second axis, wherein said thermostat valve 20 includes a thermostat element 21 that is coupled at a first side thereof with a first spring 22, wherein said thermostat valve 20 comprises a pre-assembled cartridge (comprising liner element 24 and plug 25 like the applicant’s cartridge 28 comprising cartridge body 33, liner element 34, and plug 23), said thermostat element 21 being removably coupled at a second side thereof with said cartridge (comprising liner element 24 and plug 25 like the applicant’s cartridge 28 comprising cartridge body 33, liner element 34, and plug 23), which comprises an outlet 27 and a cartridge opening (the top of element 24, which is closed by cap 24e) are obtained, on the same axis with respect to said second axis, and inside which a liner element 24 is arranged, which is locked in position, defining a sliding chamber inside which it is slidable along said second axis, and is retained, a plug 25 coupled with a second spring 23, in turn housed inside said sliding chamber, said second spring 23 being configured to exert an action on said plug 25, along said second axis, so as to position said plug 25 in a drainage position, for a temperature of said operating fluid below a set limit temperature, in which said opening 27 is open, thus enabling said operating fluid to be drained, and wherein said thermostat element 20 is configured so as to expand, for a temperature of said operating fluid above or the same as said limit temperature, along said second axis, exerting in this manner an action on said plug 25 that is able to overcome the action of said second spring 23 and position said plug 25 in a closed position in which said outlet 27 is closed by said plug 25, the latter 25 comprising a seal 29 suitable for ensuring an hermetic closure of said outlet 27 when said plug 25 is in said closing position.
Caleffi lacks the cartridge comprising the liner element separate from a cartridge body on which the outlet and cartridge opening are provided/”obtained”.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Examiner Jonathan Waddy, whose telephone number is 571-270-3146. The examiner can normally be reached on Monday-Friday (10:00AM-6:00PM EST).
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisors can be reached by phone. Kenneth Rinehart can be reached at 571-272-4881 or Craig Schneider can be reached at 571-272-3607. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/J. W./
Examiner, Art Unit 3753
/KENNETH RINEHART/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 3753
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