Office Action 1: Non-Final Rejection (2024-07-22)
Rejection types: Double Patenting

CLAIMS:
WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1\. A laundry treating system comprising: a first treating apparatus that includes a first cabinet 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 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 lower frame coupled to the first cabinet; and a control panel configured to communicate with the first treating apparatus and the second treating apparatus, wherein the control panel is positioned between a first front panel of the first cabinet and a second front panel of the second cabinet and the control panel is coupled to the lower frame.
2\. The laundry treating system of claim 1, wherein the first cabinet includes first opposing side panels at opposing lateral sides of the first cabinet, wherein the lower frame includes lateral end portions that are respectively coupled to the first opposing side panels of the first cabinet, the first opposing side panels of the first cabinet respectively facing to the lateral end portions of the lower frame.
3\. The laundry treating system of claim 2, wherein the first cabinet includes a first front panel and the second cabinet includes a second cabinet, wherein the lower frame is coupled to the first front panel.
4\. The laundry treating system of claim 3, wherein the lower frame includes a main frame face extending transversely across the first cabinet and defining an interior of the first cabinet that is separate from the control panel.
5\. The laundry treating system of claim 4, wherein the lower frame further includes: an upper extension portion extending toward the control panel from an upper end of the main frame face; and a top coupling portion protruding upward from the upper extension portion and being coupled to a bottom of the first front panel.
6\. The laundry treating system of claim 5, wherein the control panel has a front face and a top face connected to the front face, wherein the top face of the control panel is inserted between the upper extension portion of the lower frame and the first front panel, wherein the top face defines a coupling portion receiving groove that is opened toward the lower frame, wherein the top coupling portion of the lower frame is inserted into the coupling portion receiving groove of the control panel.
7\. The laundry treating system of claim 4, wherein the lower frame includes lateral extension portions that respectively extend forward from the lateral end portions of the lower frame and are coupled to the control panel.

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 .
Double Patenting
The nonstatutory double patenting rejection is based on a judicially created doctrine grounded in public policy (a policy reflected in the statute) so as to prevent the unjustified or improper timewise extension of the “right to exclude” granted by a patent and to prevent possible harassment by multiple assignees. A nonstatutory double patenting rejection is appropriate where the conflicting claims are not identical, but at least one examined application claim is not patentably distinct from the reference claim(s) because the examined application claim is either anticipated by, or would have been obvious over, the reference claim(s). See, e.g., In re Berg, 140 F.3d 1428, 46 USPQ2d 1226 (Fed. Cir. 1998); In re Goodman, 11 F.3d 1046, 29 USPQ2d 2010 (Fed. Cir. 1993); In re Longi, 759 F.2d 887, 225 USPQ 645 (Fed. Cir. 1985); In re Van Ornum, 686 F.2d 937, 214 USPQ 761 (CCPA 1982); In re Vogel, 422 F.2d 438, 164 USPQ 619 (CCPA 1970); In re Thorington, 418 F.2d 528, 163 USPQ 644 (CCPA 1969).
A timely filed terminal disclaimer in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(c) or 1.321(d) may be used to overcome an actual or provisional rejection based on nonstatutory double patenting provided the reference application or patent either is shown to be commonly owned with the examined application, or claims an invention made as a result of activities undertaken within the scope of a joint research agreement. See MPEP § 717.02 for applications subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA  as explained in MPEP § 2159. See MPEP § 2146 et seq. for applications not subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA . A terminal disclaimer must be signed in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(b).
The filing of a terminal disclaimer by itself is not a complete reply to a nonstatutory double patenting (NSDP) rejection. A complete reply requires that the terminal disclaimer be accompanied by a reply requesting reconsideration of the prior Office action. Even where the NSDP rejection is provisional the reply must be complete. See MPEP § 804, subsection I.B.1. For a reply to a non-final Office action, see 37 CFR 1.111(a). For a reply to final Office action, see 37 CFR 1.113(c). A request for reconsideration while not provided for in 37 CFR 1.113(c) may be filed after final for consideration. See MPEP §§ 706.07(e) and 714.13.
The USPTO Internet website contains terminal disclaimer forms which may be used. Please visit www.uspto.gov/patent/patents-forms. The actual filing date of the application in which the form is filed determines what form (e.g., PTO/SB/25, PTO/SB/26, PTO/AIA /25, or PTO/AIA /26) should be used. A web-based eTerminal Disclaimer may be filled out completely online using web-screens. An eTerminal Disclaimer that meets all requirements is auto-processed and approved immediately upon submission. For more information about eTerminal Disclaimers, refer to www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/applying-online/eterminal-disclaimer.
Claims 1-7 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-7 of U.S. Patent No. 11,519,117. Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because the patented claims are a subgenus of the pending genus claims with any differences being considered obvious.
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

NEXT 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

CITED REFERENCE SUMMARIES: Ref DE699238301: [content unavailable]
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Ref US11519117: Claims:
1. A laundry treating system comprising:
a first treating apparatus that includes a first front panel and a first drum, the first drum being positioned in the first treating apparatus and configured to receive first laundry;
a second treating apparatus that includes a second front panel and a second drum, the second drum being positioned in the second treating apparatus and configured to receive second laundry, the second treating apparatus being positioned beneath the first treating apparatus and supporting the first treating apparatus; and
a control panel that is positioned between the first front panel and the second front panel, wherein the control panel is configured to communicate with the first treating apparatus and the second treating apparatus,
wherein the first treating apparatus includes a lower frame that is positioned behind the control panel and coupled to the control panel to thereby fix the control panel to the first treating apparatus.
2. The laundry treating system of claim 1, wherein the first treating apparatus includes first opposing side panels at opposing lateral sides of the first treating apparatus,
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.
3. The laundry treating system of claim 1, wherein the lower frame includes a main frame face extending transversely across the first treating apparatus and defining an interior of the first treating apparatus that is separate from the control panel.
4. The laundry treating system of claim 3, wherein the main frame face defines a connection hole,
the apparatus further comprising a signal connection line that electrically connects the first treating apparatus with the control panel and passes through the connection hole.
5. The laundry treating system of claim 3, wherein the lower frame further includes:
an upper extension portion extending toward the control panel from an upper end of the main frame face; and
a top coupling portion protruding upward from the upper extension portion and being coupled to a bottom of the first front panel.
6. The laundry treating system of claim 5, wherein the control panel has a front face and a top face connected to the front face,
wherein the top face of the control panel is inserted between the upper extension portion of the lower frame and the first front panel, wherein the top face defines a coupling portion receiving groove that is opened toward the lower frame,
wherein the top coupling portion of the lower frame is inserted into the coupling portion receiving groove of the control panel.
7. The laundry treating system of claim 5, wherein the first front panel includes a lower bending portion that extends toward the lower panel from a lower end of the first front panel,
wherein the top coupling portion of the lower frame includes a panel insertion portion that penetrates the lower bending portion of the first front panel.
8. The laundry treating system of claim 7, wherein at least a portion of the panel insertion portion of the lower frame extends toward the first front panel in an inclined manner such that an upper end of the panel insertion portion is closer to the first front panel than a lower end of the panel insertion portion.
9. The laundry treating system of claim 7, wherein the upper extension portion of the lower frame is positioned below the first front panel and spaced away from the first front panel,
wherein the top coupling portion of the lower frame further includes an ascending extension portion extending toward the lower bending portion of the first front panel from the upper extension portion of the lower frame,
wherein the panel insertion portion of the lower frame extends from an upper end of the ascending extension portion.
10. The laundry treating system of claim 7, wherein the top coupling portion of the lower frame further includes a top support configured to support the lower bending portion of the first front panel,
wherein the panel insertion portion of the lower frame is positioned at the top support and penetrates the lower bending portion of the first front panel.
11. The laundry treating system of claim 10, wherein the top support of the lower frame includes a top support face that is positioned above the upper extension portion of the lower frame and spaced away from the upper extension portion of the lower frame, wherein the top support face is positioned in parallel with the lower bending portion of the first front panel to thereby support the lower bending portion of the first front panel,
wherein the panel insertion portion of the lower frame extends from the top support face of the lower frame.
12. The laundry treating system of claim 11, wherein the top support of the lower frame further includes a top connection portion that connects the top support face with the upper extension portion.
13. The laundry treating system of claim 12, wherein the panel insertion portion of the lower frame is disposed at a front end of the top support face, wherein at least a portion of the panel insertion portion of the lower frame extends toward the first front panel in an inclined manner such that an upper end of the panel insertion portion is closer to the first front panel than a lower end of the panel insertion portion.
14. The laundry treating system of claim 2, wherein the lower frame includes lateral extension portions that respectively extend toward the first front panel from the lateral end portions of the lower frame and are coupled to the control panel.
15. The laundry treating system of claim 14, wherein the lateral extension portions include:
a first lateral extension portion positioned at a first lateral side of the lower frame; and
a second lateral extension portion positioned at a second lateral side of the lower frame that is opposite to the first lateral side of the lower frame,
wherein the first lateral extension portion includes a hook inserting portion,
wherein the control panel includes a lateral hook that is inserted into the hook inserting portion,
wherein the second lateral extension portion includes a through hole that is coupled to a penetrating member that passes through the control panel to thereby couple the control panel to the second lateral extension portion.
16. The laundry treating system of claim 5, wherein the main frame face of the lower frame includes a convex portion that is convex toward the control panel.
17. The laundry treating system of claim 16, wherein the convex portion includes a top of the main frame face,
wherein the upper extension portion of the lower frame extends from the convex portion.
18. The laundry treating system of claim 1, wherein the control panel is electrically wired to the first treating apparatus and the second treating apparatus.
19. The laundry treating system of claim 7, the panel insertion portion of the lower frame includes (i) a vertical portion that extends vertically upward from the upper extension portion, and (ii) an inclined portion that extends from the vertical portion and is inclined toward the first front panel.
20. The laundry treating system of claim 2, wherein the second treating apparatus includes second opposing side panels that are positioned to correspond with the first opposing side panels of the first treating apparatus.