www.uspto.gov
`
`UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`United States Patent and TrademarkOffice
`Address: COMMISSIONER FOR PATENTS
`P.O. Box 1450
`Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1450
`
`17/841,023
`
`06/15/2022
`
`Min WU
`
`WUYI153-US-NP
`
`4402
`
`Vivacqua Crane
`3101 E Eisenhower Pkwy
`Ann Arbor, MI 48108
`
`DELEON, DARIO ANTONIO
`
`ART UNIT
`
`3763
`
`PAPER NUMBER
`
`NOTIFICATION DATE
`
`DELIVERY MODE
`
`08/03/2023
`
`ELECTRONIC
`
`Please find below and/or attached an Office communication concerning this application or proceeding.
`
`Thetime period for reply, if any, is set in the attached communication.
`
`Notice of the Office communication was sent electronically on above-indicated "Notification Date" to the
`following e-mail address(es):
`
`eofficeaction @appcoll.com
`vcusptomail @ vivacqualaw.com
`
`PTOL-90A (Rev. 04/07)
`
`

`

`Office Action Summary
`
`Application No.
`17/841,023
`Examiner
`DARIO A DELEON
`
`Applicant(s)
`WUetal.
`Art Unit
`3763
`
`AIA (FITF) Status
`Yes
`
`-- The MAILING DATEof this communication appears on the cover sheet with the correspondence address --
`Period for Reply
`
`A SHORTENED STATUTORY PERIOD FOR REPLYIS SET TO EXPIRE 3 MONTHS FROM THE MAILING
`DATE OF THIS COMMUNICATION.
`Extensions of time may be available underthe provisions of 37 CFR 1.136(a). In no event, however, may a reply betimely filed after SIX (6) MONTHSfrom the mailing
`date of this communication.
`If NO period for reply is specified above, the maximum statutory period will apply and will expire SIX (6) MONTHSfrom the mailing date of this communication.
`-
`- Failure to reply within the set or extended period for reply will, by statute, cause the application to become ABANDONED (35 U.S.C. § 133).
`Any reply received by the Office later than three months after the mailing date of this communication, evenif timely filed, may reduce any earned patent term
`adjustment. See 37 CFR 1.704(b).
`
`Status
`
`
`
`1) Responsive to communication(s) filed on 06/15/2022.
`C} A declaration(s)/affidavit(s) under 37 CFR 1.130(b) was/werefiled on
`
`2a)() This action is FINAL. 2b)¥)This action is non-final.
`3)02 An election was madeby the applicant in responseto a restriction requirement set forth during the interview
`on
`; the restriction requirement and election have been incorporated into this action.
`4)\0) Since this application is in condition for allowance except for formal matters, prosecution as to the merits is
`closed in accordance with the practice under Exparte Quayle, 1935 C.D. 11, 453 O.G. 213.
`
`Disposition of Claims*
`1-10 is/are pending in the application.
`)
`Claim(s)
`5a) Of the above claim(s) ___ is/are withdrawn from consideration.
`Cj} Claim(s)
`is/are allowed.
`Claim(s) 1-10 is/are rejected.
`S)
`) © Claim(s)___is/are objected to.
`Cj) Claim(s
`are subjectto restriction and/or election requirement
`)
`S)
`* If any claims have been determined allowable, you maybeeligible to benefit from the Patent Prosecution Highway program at a
`participating intellectual property office for the corresponding application. For more information, please see
`http://Awww.uspto.gov/patents/init_events/pph/index.jsp or send an inquiry to PPHfeedback@uspto.gov.
`
`) )
`
`Application Papers
`10)( The specification is objected to by the Examiner.
`11) The drawing(s) filed on 06/15/2022 is/are: a)() accepted or b)[¥) objected to by the Examiner.
`Applicant may not request that any objection to the drawing(s) be held in abeyance. See 37 CFR 1.85(a).
`Replacement drawing sheet(s) including the correction is required if the drawing(s) is objected to. See 37 CFR 1.121 (d).
`
`Priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119
`12) Acknowledgment is made of a claim for foreign priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a)-(d) or (f).
`Certified copies:
`_—_c)L) None ofthe:
`b)L) Some**
`a)¥) All
`1.4) Certified copies of the priority documents have been received.
`2.2 Certified copies of the priority documents have been received in Application No.
`3.4.) Copies of the certified copies of the priority documents have been receivedin this National Stage
`application from the International Bureau (PCT Rule 17.2(a)).
`* See the attached detailed Office action for a list of the certified copies not received.
`
`Attachment(s)
`
`1)
`
`Notice of References Cited (PTO-892)
`
`2) (J Information Disclosure Statement(s) (PTO/SB/08a and/or PTO/SB/08b)
`Paper No(s)/Mail Date
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
`
`3)
`
`(LJ Interview Summary (PTO-413)
`Paper No(s)/Mail Date
`4) (J Other:
`
`PTOL-326 (Rev. 11-13)
`
`Office Action Summary
`
`Part of Paper No./Mail Date 20230727
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/841,023
`Art Unit: 3763
`
`Page 2
`
`DETAILED ACTION
`
`Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
`
`1.
`
`The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined underthe
`
`first inventorto file provisions of the AIA.
`
`Drawings
`
`2.
`
`The drawings are objected to under 37 CFR 1.83(a). The drawings must show every
`
`feature of the invention specified in the claims. Therefore, the “an indoor unit, an outdoor
`
`unit, a freezing chamberand a thermal insulation layer” must be shownorthe feature(s)
`
`canceled from the claim(s). No new matter should be entered.
`
`Corrected drawing sheets in compliance with 37 CFR 1.121(d) are required in reply to
`
`the Office action to avoid abandonmentof the application. Any amended replacement drawing
`
`sheet should includeall of the figures appearing on the immediate prior version of the sheet,
`
`even if only one figure is being amended. The figure or figure number of an amended drawing
`
`should not be labeled as “amended.”If a drawing figure is to be canceled, the appropriate figure
`
`must be removed from the replacement sheet, and where necessary, the remaining figures must
`
`be renumbered and appropriate changes madeto the brief description of the several views of the
`
`drawings for consistency. Additional replacement sheets may be necessary to show the
`
`renumbering of the remaining figures. 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.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/841,023
`Art Unit: 3763
`
`Page 3
`
`Claim Interpretation
`
`The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(f):
`
`(f) Element in Claim for a Combination. — An elementin a claim for a combination may be expressed
`as a meansor step for performing a specified function without the recital of structure, material, or acts
`in support thereof, and such claim shall be construed to cover the correspondingstructure, material, or
`acts described in the specification and equivalents thereof.
`
`The following is a quotation of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph:
`
`An elementin a claim for a combination may be expressed as a meansor step for performing a
`specified function withoutthe recital of structure, material, or acts in support thereof, and such claim
`shall be construed to cover the corresponding structure, material, or acts described in the specification
`and equivalents thereof.
`
`4.
`
`The claimsin this application are given their broadest reasonable interpretation using the
`
`plain meaning of the claim language in light of the specification as it would be understood by
`
`one of ordinary skill in the art. The broadest reasonable interpretation of a claim element(also
`
`commonly referred to as a claim limitation) is limited by the description in the specification
`
`when 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph,is invoked.
`
`As explained in MPEP § 2181, subsection I, claim limitations that meet the following
`
`three-prong test will be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth
`
`paragraph:
`
`(A)
`
`the claim limitation uses the term “means”or “step” or a term used as a substitute for
`
`“means” that is a generic placeholder(also called a nonce term or a non-structural term
`
`having no specific structural meaning) for performing the claimed function;
`
`(B)
`
`the term “means”or “step” or the generic placeholder is modified by functional language,
`
`typically, but not alwayslinked by the transition word “for” (e.g., “means for”) or another
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`linking word or phrase, such as “configured to” or “so that”; and
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 17/841,023
`Art Unit: 3763
`
`Page 4
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`(C)
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`the term “means”or “step” or the generic placeholderis not modified by sufficient
`
`structure, material, or acts for performing the claimed function.
`
`Use of the word “means”(or “step”) in a claim with functional language creates a
`
`rebuttable presumption that the claim limitation is to be treated in accordance with 35 U.S.C.
`
`112(f) or pre-ATA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph. The presumption that the claim limitation is
`
`interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f or pre-AJA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, is rebutted when
`
`the claim limitation recites sufficient structure, material, or acts to entirely perform the recited
`
`function.
`
`Absence of the word “means”(or “step”) in a claim creates a rebuttable presumption that
`
`the claim limitation is not to be treated in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 112(f or pre-ATA 35
`
`U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph. The presumption that the claim limitation is not interpreted under
`
`35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, is rebutted when the claim
`
`limitation recites function withoutreciting sufficient structure, material or acts to entirely
`
`perform the recited function.
`
`Claim limitations in this application that use the word “means”(or “step”) are being
`
`interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AJA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, exceptas
`
`otherwise indicated in an Office action. Conversely, claim limitations in this application that do
`
`not use the word “means”(or “step”) are not being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-
`
`AJA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, except as otherwise indicated in an Office action.
`
`5.
`
`This application includes one or more claim limitations that do not use the word “means,”
`
`but are nonetheless being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth
`
`paragraph, becausethe claim limitation(s) uses a generic placeholderthat is coupled with
`
`functional language withoutreciting sufficient structure to perform the recited function and the
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 17/841,023
`Art Unit: 3763
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`Page 5
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`generic placeholderis not preceded by a structural modifier. Such claim limitation(s) is/are:
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`“liquid driving module”in claim 7.
`
`A review of the specification showsthat the following appears to be the corresponding
`
`structures described in the specification for the 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-ATA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth
`
`paragraphlimitations the liquid driving module 421 has a driving motor.
`
`Becausethis/these claim limitation(s) is/are being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f or
`
`pre-AIJA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph,it/they is/are being interpreted to cover the
`
`corresponding structure described in the specification as performing the claimed function, and
`
`equivalents thereof.
`
`If applicant does not intend to havethis/these limitation(s) interpreted under 35 U.S.C.
`
`112(f) or pre-AJTA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, applicant may:
`
`(1) amend the claim
`
`limitation(s) to avoid it/them being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AJA 35 U.S.C. 112,
`
`sixth paragraph(e.g., by reciting sufficient structure to perform the claimed function); or (2)
`
`present a sufficient showing that the claim limitation(s) recite(s) sufficient structure to perform
`
`the claimed function so as to avoid it/them being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA
`
`35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph.
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
`
`The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b):
`(b) CONCLUSION. —Thespecification shall conclude with one or more claimsparticularly 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-ATA), second paragraph:
`The specification shall conclude with one or more claimsparticularly pointing out and distinctly
`claiming the subject matter which the applicant regardsas his invention.
`
`Claims 3 and 7-8 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-ATA),
`
`second paragraph,as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly
`
`

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`Application/Control Number: 17/841,023
`Art Unit: 3763
`
`Page 6
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`claim the subject matter which the inventoror a joint inventor(or for applications subject
`
`to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention.
`
`A broad rangeor limitation together with a narrow rangeorlimitation that falls within the
`
`broad range or limitation (in the same claim) may be consideredindefinite if the resulting claim
`
`does not clearly set forth the metes and boundsofthe patent protection desired. See MPEP §
`
`2173.05(c). In the present instance, claim 3 recites the broad recitation a stirring mechanism, and
`
`the claim also recites the stirring mechanism includes a motor fixedly connectedto the liquid
`
`storage tank, and the motorhasa rotating shaft extending to interior of the liquid storage tank
`
`and connected with a runner whichis the narrower statement of the range/limitation. The
`
`claim(s) are considered indefinite because there is a question or doubt as to whetherthe feature
`
`introduced by such narrowerlanguageis (a) merely exemplary of the remainderof the claim, and
`
`therefore not required, or (b) a required feature of the claims.
`
`A broad rangeor limitation together with a narrow rangeorlimitation that falls within the
`
`broad range or limitation (in the same claim) may be considered indefinite if the resulting claim
`
`does not clearly set forth the metes and boundsofthe patent protection desired. See MPEP §
`
`2173.05(c). In the present instance, claim 7 recites the broad recitation a liquid driving module,
`
`and the claim also recites the liquid driving module has a propeller, the propeller is located in the
`
`inner cavity of the quick-freezing box to drive the sodium chloride solution to flow whichis the
`
`narrower statementof the range/limitation. The claim(s) are considered indefinite because there
`
`is a question or doubt as to whetherthe feature introduced by such narrower languageis (a)
`
`merely exemplary of the remainder of the claim, and therefore not required, or (b) a required
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`feature of the claims.
`
`Claim 8 is rejected based on dependency from a rejected claim.
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 17/841,023
`Art Unit: 3763
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`Page 7
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`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
`
`6.
`
`In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C.
`
`102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the
`
`statutory basis (1.e., changing from AIAto pre-AIA)for the rejection will not be considered a
`
`new ground ofrejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection,
`
`would be the same undereither status.
`
`7.
`
`The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which formsthe basis for all obviousness
`
`rejections set forth in this Office action:
`
`A patentfor a claimed invention may notbe obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed inventionis not
`identically disclosed as set forth in section 102,if the differences between the claimed invention and the
`prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obviousbefore the effective
`filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed
`invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the mannerin which the invention was made.
`
`8.
`
`The factual inquiries for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35
`
`U.S.C. 103 are summarized as follows:
`
`1. Determining the scope and contents of the priorart.
`
`2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claimsat issue.
`
`3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinentart.
`
`4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or
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`non-obviousness.
`
`Claim 1 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Hanet al
`
`(CN 206905399 U) in view of Ferry (US 3435630 A), Choi et al (KR 100385897 B1) and
`
`Nelson (US 4406138 A).
`
`Regarding claim 1, Han teaches a quick-freezing equipment(instant freezer, paragraph
`
`0022 and figure 1), comprising: an outdoor unit (outdoor machine, paragraph 0022 and figure 1)
`
`

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`Application/Control Number: 17/841,023
`Art Unit: 3763
`
`Page 8
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`internally provided with a compressor (compressor 1, figure 1) and a condenser (condenser2,
`
`figure 1); an indoor unit (indoor machine, figure 1) internally provided with an expansion
`
`assembly (expansion valve 8) and an evaporator (evaporator 9), wherein the compressor
`
`(compressor 1, figure 1), the condenser (condenser2, figure 1), the expansion assembly
`
`(expansion valve 8) and the evaporator (evaporator 9) are successively connected via a
`
`refrigerant pipeline (via pipeline 14, figure 1).
`
`Han teaches the invention as described above butfail to teach a quick-freezing device
`
`comprising a liquid storage tank and a quick-freezing box, wherein the liquid storage tank is
`
`configured to store a first salt solution, the quick-freezing box is located inside the liquid storage
`
`tank and configured to store a sodium chloride solution, the quick-freezing box is connected with
`
`a circulating pipe.
`
`However, Ferry teaches a quick-freezing device (apparatus 10) comprising a liquid
`
`storage tank (solution compartment32, figures 2-3) and a quick-freezing box (tank 12, figure 1),
`
`wherein the liquid storage tank (solution compartment32, figures 2-3) is configured to store a
`
`first salt solution (salt water delivered to tank 12 from solution compartment 32, col 3 lines 3-4
`
`and lines 32-37), the quick-freezing box (tank 12, figure 1) is located inside the liquid storage
`
`tank (solution compartment 32 is positioned in the tank 12, col 3 lines 32-35) and configured to
`
`store a sodium chloride solution (salt water, col 3 lines 1-5), the quick-freezing box is connected
`
`with a circulating pipe (via being circulated through tube 42, col 3 lines 29-32 and 60-70).
`
`Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person skilled in the art before the effective
`
`filing date to modify the equipmentin the teachings of Han to include a quick-freezing device
`
`comprising a liquid storage tank and a quick-freezing box, wherein the liquid storage tank is
`
`configured to store a first salt solution, the quick-freezing box is located inside the liquid storage
`
`

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`Application/Control Number: 17/841,023
`Art Unit: 3763
`
`Page 9
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`tank and configured to store a sodium chloride solution, the quick-freezing box is connected with
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`a circulating pipe in view of the teachings of Ferry to quick freeze the foods placed within the
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`tank.
`
`The combined teachings teach the invention as described abovebutfail to teach both
`
`endsof the circulating pipe are communicated with an inner cavity of the liquid storage tank, the
`
`circulating pipe is provided with a heat exchange componentlocated within the quick-freezing
`
`box.
`
`However, Choi teaches both endsof the circulating pipe (both sides of conduit 28,
`
`figure 1) are communicated with an inner cavity of the liquid storage tank (communicating with
`
`the inner portion of tank 2, figure 1), the circulating pipe (28) is provided with a heat exchange
`
`component(heat exchanger 30, figure 1) located within the quick-freezing box.
`
`Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person skilled in the art before the effective
`
`filing date to modify the equipment in the combined teachings to include both endsofthe
`
`circulating pipe are communicated with an inner cavity of the liquid storage tank, the circulating
`
`pipe is provided with a heat exchange componentlocated within the quick-freezing box in view
`
`of the teachings of Choi for the temperature of the refrigerant in the tank to remain constant.
`
`The combinedteachings teach the invention as described above but fail to teach the
`
`refrigerant pipeline is provided with a heat exchange pipe, the heat exchange pipe passes through
`
`the liquid storage tank and is located between the expansion assembly and the evaporator.
`
`However, Nelson teaches the refrigerant pipeline (line 52, figure 1) is provided with a
`
`heat exchange pipe (heat exchanger48, figure 1), the heat exchange pipe (heat exchanger 48,
`
`figure 1) passes through the liquid storage tank (through tank 24, figure 1, corresponding to
`
`

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`Application/Control Number: 17/841,023
`Art Unit: 3763
`
`Page 10
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`solution compartment 32, figures 2-3 of Ferry) and is located between the expansion assembly
`
`(expansion valve 48, figure 1) and the evaporator (evaporator section 6, figure 1).
`
`Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person skilled in the art before the effective
`
`filing date to modify the equipment in the combined teachings to include the refrigerant pipeline
`
`is provided with a heat exchangepipe, the heat exchange pipe passes through the liquid storage
`
`tank and is located between the expansion assembly and the evaporator in view of the teachings
`
`of Nelson to further cool the water in the storage tank.
`
`Further, it is understood, claim 1 includes an intended userecitation, for example
`
`“ ..configured to...”. The applicant is reminded that a recitation with respect to the manner which
`
`a claimed apparatus is intended to be does not differentiate the claimed apparatus fromaprior art
`
`apparatus satisfying the structural limitations of the claims, as is the case here. While features of
`
`an apparatus mayberecited either structurally or functionally, the claims are directed to an
`
`apparatus must be distinguished from the prior art in terms of structure rather than function.
`
`Claim 2 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Hanet al
`
`(CN 206905399 U), Ferry (US 3435630 A), Choi et al (KR 100385897 B1), Nelson (US
`
`4406138 A) in view of Yamazaki et al (US 20040050527 A1).
`
`Regarding claim 2, the combined teachings teach the invention as described above but
`
`fail to teach wherein the heat exchange pipeis of a spiral coil structure and hasat least one
`
`copper pipes with a diameter not greater than 6mm.
`
`However, Yamazaki teaches wherein the heat exchangepipe (heat exchanger A, figure
`
`2) is of a spiral coil structure (spiral, paragraph 0039) and hasat least one copper pipes (copper
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 17/841,023
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`Page 11
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`tube, paragraph 0039) with a diameter not greater than 6mm (diameter of 5-30mm, paragraph
`
`0039).
`
`Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person skilled in the art before the effective
`
`filing date to modify the equipmentin the combined teachings to include wherein the heat
`
`exchangepipeis of a spiral coil structure and hasat least one copper pipes with a diameter not
`
`greater than 6mm in view of the teachings of Yamazakito increase direct heat transfer efficiency
`
`to maintain temperatures at a predetermined value.
`
`Claim 3 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Hanet al
`
`(CN 206905399 U), Ferry (US 3435630 A), Choi et al (KR 100385897 B1), Nelson (US
`
`4406138 A), Yamazakiet al (US 20040050527 A1) in view of Peng et al (CN 206989525 U).
`
`Regarding claim 3, the combined teachings teach the invention as described above but
`
`fail to teach wherein the liquid storage tank is connected with a stirring mechanism.
`
`However, Peng teaches wherein the liquid storage tank (tank 5) is connected with a
`
`stirring mechanism (salt water stirring device, paragraph 0017 and figure 2)
`
`Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person skilled in the art before the effective
`
`filing date to modify the equipmentin the combined teachings to include wherein the liquid
`
`storage tank is connected with a stirring mechanism in view of the teachings of Peng to maintain
`
`a continuous flow of brine.
`
`Claim 4 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Hanet al
`
`(CN 206905399 U), Ferry (US 3435630 A), Choi et al (KR 100385897 B1), Nelson (US
`
`4406138 A) in view of Alva (US 20210337836 A1).
`
`

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`Application/Control Number: 17/841,023
`Art Unit: 3763
`
`Page 12
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`Regarding claim 4, the combined teachings teach the invention as described above but
`
`fail to teach wherein the circulating pipe is connected with a driving pump, the driving pumpis
`
`located at an inlet end of the circulating pipe.
`
`However, Alva teaches wherein the circulating pipe (liquid transmission means114,
`
`paragraph 0043 and figure 1) is connected with a driving pump (with pump 112, figure 1), the
`
`driving pump (112) is located at an inlet end (inlet 116, figure 1) of the circulating pipe (of 114,
`
`figure 1).
`
`Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person skilled in the art before the effective
`
`filing date to modify the equipmentin the combined teachings to include wherein the circulating
`
`pipe is connected with a driving pump, the driving pumpis located at an inlet end of the
`
`circulating pipe in view ofthe teachings of Alvato circulate a stream of the freezing solvent at
`
`the inlet end.
`
`Claim 5 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Hanet al
`
`(CN 206905399 U), Ferry (US 3435630 A), Choi et al (KR 100385897 B1), Nelson (US
`
`4406138 A), Alva (US 20210337836 A1) in view of Park et al (KR 101729222 B1).
`
`Regarding claim 5, the combined teachings teach the invention as described above but
`
`fail to teach wherein the inlet end of the circulating pipe is communicated with a lowerpart of
`
`the inner cavity of the liquid storage tank, an outlet end of the circulating pipe is communicated
`
`with an upperpart of the inner cavity of the liquid storage tank, the inlet end and the outlet end
`
`of the circulating pipe are respectively located on two opposite sides of the liquid storage tank.
`
`However, Park teaches wherein the inlet end (inlet entering brine pump 32 for
`
`circulating water, paragraph 0031) of the circulating pipe (circulating pipe where brine pump 32
`
`

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`Application/Control Number: 17/841,023
`Art Unit: 3763
`
`Page 13
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`for circulating water in the brine tank 31 is located, figure 1 and paragraph 0031) is
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`communicated with a lowerpart (lower cavity of brine tank 31, figure 1) of the inner cavity of
`
`the liquid storage tank (communicates with the lower cavity of brine tank 31, figure 1), an outlet
`
`end (leaving evaporator 32, figure 1) of the circulating pipe is communicated with an upperpart
`
`(upper portion of tank 31, figure 1) of the inner cavity of the liquid storage tank (communicating
`
`with the upper portion of brine tank 31, as shown on figure 1), the inlet end (inlet entering brine
`
`pump32 for circulating water, paragraph 0031) and the outlet end (leaving evaporator 32, figure
`
`1) of the circulating pipe are respectively located on two opposite sides of the liquid storage tank
`
`(located at opposite sides of brine tank 31, figure 1).
`
`Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person skilled in the art before the effective
`
`filing date to modify the equipmentin the combined teachings to include wherein the inlet end of
`
`the circulating pipe is communicated with a lowerpart of the inner cavity of the liquid storage
`
`tank, an outlet end of the circulating pipe is communicated with an upperpart of the inner cavity
`
`of the liquid storage tank, the inlet end and the outlet end of the circulating pipe are respectively
`
`located on two opposite sides of the liquid storage tank in view of the teachings of Park to
`
`maintain brine temperature in the brine tank.
`
`Claims6 and7is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Han
`
`et al (CN 206905399 U), Ferry (US 3435630 A), Choi et al (KR 100385897 B1), Nelson (US
`
`4406138 A)in view of Penget al (CN 206989525 U).
`
`Regarding claim 6, the combined teachings teach the invention as described above but
`
`fail to teach wherein the heat exchange componentis configured as a heat exchange coil, the heat
`
`exchangecoil is located at a lower part of an inner cavity of the quick-freezing box.
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`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/841,023
`Art Unit: 3763
`
`Page 14
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`However, Peng teaches wherein the heat exchange component (heat exchanger7, figures
`
`1-2) is configured as a heat exchangecoil (coil shaped heat exchanger, figures 1-2), the heat
`
`exchangecoil (7) is located at a lower part (figures 1-2) of an inner cavity (within tank 5, figures
`
`1-2) of the quick-freezing box (located at a lower portion within tank 5, figures 1-2).
`
`Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person skilled in the art before the effective
`
`filing date to modify the equipmentin the combined teachings to include wherein the heat
`
`exchange componentis configured as a heat exchangecoil, the heat exchangecoil is located at a
`
`lowerpart of an inner cavity of the quick-freezing box in view ofthe teachings of Peng for water
`
`temperature control.
`
`Further, it is understood, claim 6 includes an intended use recitation, for example
`
`“ ..configured to...”. The applicant is reminded that a recitation with respect to the manner which
`
`a claimed apparatus is intended to be does not differentiate the claimed apparatus from a prior art
`
`apparatus satisfying the structural limitations of the claims, as is the case here. While features of
`
`an apparatus mayberecited either structurally or functionally, the claims are directed to an
`
`apparatus must be distinguished from the prior art in terms of structure rather than function.
`
`Regarding claim 7, the combined teachings teach wherein the quick-freezing box (tank 5
`
`of Peng) is connected with a liquid driving module (motor6, figure 2 of Peng).
`
`Claim 8 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Hanet al
`
`(CN 206905399 U), Ferry (US 3435630 A), Choi et al (KR 100385897 B1), Nelson (US
`
`4406138 A), Peng et al (CN 206989525 U) in view of Horn (US 5076210 A).
`
`Regarding claim 8, the combined teachings teach the invention as described above but
`
`fail to teach wherein the quick-freezing device further includes a food material box, the food
`
`

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`Application/Control Number: 17/841,023
`Art Unit: 3763
`
`Page 15
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`material box is configured to store food materials and made of a wire gauze, the food material
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`box is capable of being placed in the inner cavity of the quick-freezing box andhasa lifting
`
`handle.
`
`However, Horn teaches wherein the quick-freezing device (figure 1) further includes a
`
`food material box (cages 17, figure 1), the food material box (cages 17, figure 1) is configured to
`
`store food materials (comprising of fish cages 17, col 3 line 1 and figure 1) and made of a wire
`
`gauze (fish cages 17 is interpreted to be contain wire material), the food material box is capable
`
`of being placed in the inner cavity of the quick-freezing box (inner cavity of tank 12,
`
`corresponding to tank 12 of Ferry) and hasa lifting handle (handle 48, figure 1).
`
`Therefore, it would have been obvious to a person skilled in the art before the effective
`
`filing date to modify the equipmentin the combined teachings to include wherein the quick-
`
`freezing device further includes a food material box, the food material box is configured to store
`
`food materials and made of a wire gauze, the food material box is capable of being placed in the
`
`inner cavity of the quick-freezing box and hasa lifting handle in view of the teachings of Horn
`
`for the storage of food items within the box.
`
`Further, it is understood, claim 8 includes an intended userecitation, for example
`
`“ ..configured to...”. The applicant is reminded that a recitation with respect to the manner which
`
`a claimed apparatus is intended to be does not differentiate the claimed apparatus from a prior art
`
`apparatus satisfying the structural limitations of the claims, as is the case here. While features of
`
`an apparatus mayberecited either structurally or functionally, the claims are directed to an
`
`apparatus must be distinguished from the prior art in terms of structure rather than function.
`
`

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`Application/Control Number: 17/841,023
`Art Unit: 3763
`
`Page 16
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`Claim 9 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Hanet al
`
`(CN 206905399 U), Ferry (US 3435630 A), Choi et al (KR 100385897 B1), Nelson (US
`
`4406138 A) in view of Koike et al (US 20220412622 A1).
`
`Regarding claim 9, the combined teachings teach the invention as described above but
`
`fail to teach wherein the refrigerant pipeline is provided with a bypass pipe, the heat exchange
`
`pipe is disposed on the bypass pipe, the bypass pipe and the refrigerant pipeline are both
`
`provided with stop valves.
`
`However, Koike teaches wherein the refrigerant pipeline (liquid pipe 402, figure 1) is
`
`provided with a bypass pipe (bypass pipe 608, figure 1), the heat exchange pipe (cooler 603,
`
`figure 1)