Office Action 2: Notice of Allowance (2024-10-31)

CLAIMS:
Amendments to the Claims

Listing of Claims:

Serial No. : 18/396,439 1179US-C1Cl(19LWW255USO2C1C1)

1\. (Currently Amended) A stack-type laundry treating system comprising:
a first treating apparatus that includes a first cabinet having a first front panel and a first drum, the first drum being positioned in the first cabinet and configured to receive first laundry;
a second treating apparatus that includes a second cabinet having a second front panel and a second drum, the second drum being positioned in the second cabinet and configured to receive second laundry, the second cabinet being positioned beneath the first cabinet and supporting the first cabinet;

a control panel positioned between \[\[a\]\]the first front panel and \[\[a\]\]the second front panel ;and
a lower frame that is positioned behind the control panel and extends in a width direction of the first cabinet and the second cabinet,
wherein the lower frame defines a connection hole,
wherein the control panel is configured to receive a signal connection line, the signal connection line passing through the connection hole and then being connected to the control panel, and
wherein the control panel is electrically wired to the first treating apparatus, and the second treating apparatus is coupled to the lower frame.

2 - 7. (Canceled)36

8\. (New) The stack-type laundry treating system of claim 1, wherein one end of the signal connection line that passes through the connection hole includes a connection jack that is connected to the control panel.
Serial No. : 18/396,439 1179US-C1C1(19LWW255USO2C1C1)

9\. (New) The stack-type laundry treating system of claim 8, wherein the control panel is configured to, based on the connection jack being connected to the control panel, be inserted between the first front panel and the second front panel.

10\. (New) The stack-type laundry treating system of claim 1, further comprising an upper frame that is located at an upper portion of a front face of the second cabinet and coupled to a lower portion of a front face of the first cabinet based on the first treating apparatus being stacked on the second treating apparatus.

11\. (New) The stack-type laundry treating system of claim 10, wherein the first cabinet includes an insulating connection member made of an insulating material,
wherein the insulating connection member is located at the lower portion of the front face of the first cabinet, and
wherein the upper frame is coupled to the insulating connection member such that the first treating apparatus and the second treating apparatus are fastened while being electrically insulated.

12\. (New) The stack-type laundry treating system of claim 1, wherein the control panel includes:
an input unit configured to input an operation command of the first treating apparatus and the second treating apparatus, and
a display configured to indicate states of the first treating apparatus and the second treating apparatus.

13\. (New) The stack-type laundry treating system of claim 1, wherein the control panel is located at a front of a lower part of the first cabinet.

14\. (New) The stack-type laundry treating system of claim 1, wherein the second front panel includes:
Serial No. : 18/396,439 1179US-C1C1(19LWW255USO2C1C1)

an upper end bending portion extending rearward from an upper end of a front face of the second front panel, and
an upper end fastening portion extending upward from a rear end of the upper end bending portion and coupled to a lower part of the first cabinet.

15\. (New) The stack-type laundry treating system of claim 14, wherein the second cabinet includes second opposing side panels disposed at opposing lateral sides of the second treating apparatus, and
wherein the upper end bending portion is disposed above an upper end of the second opposing side panel.

16\. (New) The stack-type laundry treating system of claim 1, wherein the first cabinet includes first opposing side panels disposed at opposing lateral sides of the first treating apparatus,
wherein a lower end of the first front panel is disposed above an upper end of the first opposing side panel, and
wherein the lower frame covers an open front lower part of the first cabinet.

17\. (New) The stack-type laundry treating system of claim 16, wherein the lower frame includes lateral end portions that are respectively coupled to the first opposing side panels of the first treating apparatus, the first opposing side panels of the first treating apparatus respectively facing to the lateral end portions of the lower frame.

18\. (New) The stack-type laundry treating system of claim 17, wherein the lower frame includes lateral extension portions extending forward from sides of the lower frame.

19\. (New) The stack-type laundry treating system of claim 18, wherein the lateral extension portions are downwardly spaced apart from the lower end of the first front panel.
Serial No. : 18/396,439 1179US-C1C1(19LWW255USO2C1C1)

20\. (New) The stack-type laundry treating system of claim 18, wherein lateral side faces of the control panel are coupled to the lateral extension portions of the lower frame.

21\. (New) The stack-type laundry treating system of claim 1, wherein the first front panel includes a lower bending portion that extends rearward from a lower end of the first front panel, and wherein the lower frame includes:an upper extension portion extending forward from an upper end of the lower frame, and
a top coupling portion protruding upward from the upper extension portion and being coupled to the lower bending portion.

22\. (New) The stack-type laundry treating system of claim 21, wherein the control panel has a front face and a top face connected to the front face, and
wherein the top face of the control panel is inserted between the upper extension portion of the lower frame and the lower bending portion of the first front panel.

23\. (New) The stack-type laundry treating system of claim 22, wherein the top face defines a coupling portion receiving groove that is opened toward the lower frame, and
wherein the top coupling portion of the lower frame is inserted into the coupling portion receiving groove of the control panel.

24\. (New) The stack-type laundry treating system of claim 1, wherein the lower frame includes a main frame face extending transversely across the first cabinet and the second cabinet and defining an interior of the stack-type laundry treating system that is separate from the control panel.

25\. (New) The stack-type laundry treating system of claim 24, wherein the main frame face of the lower frame includes a convex portion that is convex toward the control panel, and
wherein the connection hole is spaced apart from the convex portion.

OFFICE 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 .
Reasons for Allowance
The following is an examiner’s statement of reasons for allowance:
The prior art does not appear to teach the claimed stack-type laundry treating system as claimed with the stacked first and second treating apparatus having a cabinet and front panel; a control panel positioned between the front first panel and the second front panel and a lower frame positioned behind the control panel, defining a connection hole, and wherein the control panel is electrically wired to the first treating apparatus, and the second treating apparatus is coupled to the lower frame.
Any comments considered necessary by applicant must be submitted no later than the payment of the issue fee and, to avoid processing delays, should preferably accompany the issue fee.  Such submissions should be clearly labeled “Comments on Statement of Reasons for Allowance.”
Conclusion

APPLICANT REBUTTAL: REMARKS
In response to the Office Action of July 22, 2024, Applicant asks that the application be allowed in view of the amendments above and the following remarks. Claims 1 and 8-25 are pending, with claim 1 being independent. Claims 2-7 have been cancelled without prejudice or disclaimer of subject matter. Claim 1 has been amended. Claims 8-25 have been newly added. No new subject matter has been added.
Non-Statutory Obviousness-t
yp
e Double Patenting
Claims 1-7 were rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting over claims 1-7 of U.S. Patent No. 11/519,117. Applicant traverses the rejection but, in an effort to advance prosecution, submits a terminal disclaimer in compliance with 37 C.F.R. § 1.321(c) with this reply.
Applicant respectfully requests reconsideration and withdrawal of the nonstatutory double patenting rejection.
New Claims
Claims 8-25 depend from independent claim 1. Thus, new dependent claims 8-25 are allowable for at least the reason of that dependency.
Conclusion