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 .
Election/Restrictions
Applicant's election with traverse of Claims 1-3, 5-11, 13-16 in the reply filed on 08/28/2026 is acknowledged. Applicants remark regarding the restriction is found persuasive and as such, the restriction of 04/28/2026 is withdrawn.
Claims 1-16 hereby are pending and considered for examination.
Drawings
The drawings are objected to as failing to comply with 37 CFR 1.84(p)(5) because they do not include the following reference sign(s) mentioned in the description:
Paragraph 41 recites reference numeral 310 and 320 but the drawings fail to associate any structure with these reference numeral.
Paragraph 43 recites reference numeral 333 but the drawings fail to associate any structure with this reference numeral.
Paragraph 51 recites reference numeral 344 but the drawings fail to associate any structure with this reference numeral.
Paragraph 58 recites reference numeral 430 but the drawings fail to associate any structure with this reference numeral.
Corrected drawing sheets in compliance with 37 CFR 1.121(d) are required in reply to the Office action to avoid abandonment of the application. Any amended replacement drawing sheet should include all of the figures appearing on the immediate prior version of the sheet, even if only one figure is being amended. Each drawing sheet submitted after the filing date of an application must be labeled in the top margin as either “Replacement Sheet” or “New Sheet” pursuant to 37 CFR 1.121(d). 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 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.
Claim 1-16 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 limitation " the support segment dimensioned to rest upon the lower retaining ring" in b-iv. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim. All the dependent claims inherit the same issue. Further correction and or clarification is required.
Claim 6 recites the limitation " the support segment dimensioned to rest upon the lower retaining ring" in b-iv. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim. All the dependent claims inherit the same issue. Further correction and or clarification is required.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claim 1-16 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, set forth in this Office action.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
Robert (US 2147755) discloses a siphon And theftproof gas tank cover comprising a spiral structure placed within a cylindrical outer shell.
Davito (US 20150306952) discloses anti-siphon device with an upper cylindrical member and a lower cylindrical member.
Lamprecht (US 20100206873) discloses anti-siphon device with an upper cylindrical member and a lower cylindrical member
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to SANJIDUL ISLAM whose telephone number is (571)272-7670. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Friday 8:30 -5:00.
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/SANJIDUL ISLAM/Examiner, Art Unit 3736
