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 .
DETAILED ACTION
This is responsive to the claims filed 10/6/2025. Claims 1 – 9 are pending in this application.
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 – 9 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Danish Patent Document to Fiack et al. (DK 3011209).
Regarding claim 1, Fiack et al. disclose a check valve with over-ride (Fig. 1 – 3) comprising: a housing (14, 16, Fig. 1) containing an outlet and a poppet (90, Fig. 1) above a valve seat (102, Fig. 1); said housing having a lower section (26, Fig. 1) below the valve seat with at least one inlet opening; and a foot (94, Fig. 1) extending from the poppet through the lower section to below a lower portion of the lower section; wherein at least one of gravity and fluid above the poppet assist in sealing the poppet to the valve seat in a check valve configuration (Fig. 3) when pressure at the outlet is greater than pressure at the at least one inlet opening in the check valve configuration; a flow configuration (Fig. 1) where pressure at the outlet is less than pressure at the at least one inlet opening thereby at least assisting in pulling the poppet upwardly off of the valve seat for fluid flow to proceed from the at least one inlet opening through the valve seat and out the outlet; and an over-ride configuration where the foot contacts a surface below the lower portion of the housing thereby pushing the poppet upwardly off the valve seat permitting fluid to pass from a direction of the outlet through the at least one inlet opening when pressure at the at least one inlet opening is less than pressure at the outlet.
Regarding claim 2, examiner is interpreting the element 18 disclosed by Fiack et al. as the lance.
Regarding claim 3, Fiack et al. disclose the element 18 is used in a pressure washing apparatus used to unload a fluid container.
Regarding claim 4, Fiack et al. disclose the element 94 is located in an opening of the flange 20.
Regarding claim 5, Fiack et al. disclose a plurality of openings (28, Fig. 1).
Regarding claims 6 - 9, examiner is interpreting the element 84 disclosed by Fiack et al. as the stop as it limits the movement of the poppet. Examiner maintains the guide sleeve 84 is axially aligned with the poppet and valve seat within the housing.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. US Patent to Junier (4,813,817) and US Patent to Dome (1,421,184) both disclosing check valves.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to UMASHANKAR VENKATESAN whose telephone number is (571)270-5602. The examiner can normally be reached Monday - Friday 9:30 AM - 6:00 PM.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner' s supervisors Craig Schneider can be reached at (571) 272-3607 or Ken Rinehart can be reached at (571) 272-4881. The fax phone number for the organization where this application is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/UMASHANKAR VENKATESAN/
Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3753
