Office Action 1: Non-Final Rejection (2024-08-05)
Rejection types: Double Patenting

CLAIMS:
WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1\. A laundry treatment apparatus comprising: a cabinet defining an external appearance and having a space therein and an opening formed in a front surface; a housing including a housing body inserted to the space of the cabinet through the opening, and a housing panel fixed to a front surface of the housing body; a tub that is located inside the housing body; a drum that is located inside the tub; a tub support unit including a first support member provided at the housing body, and a second support member protruded from a circumferential surface of the tub at a lower position than a position of the first support member, and a connector having a bar connecting the first support member and the second support member; wherein the first support member comprising: a first bracket arranged at an inner corner of one side of the housing body; a second bracket arranged at an inner corner of another side of the housing body; wherein the first support member and the second support member are located on a vertical axis at a position where the bar is coupled between the first and second members; wherein the first bracket is configured to be separable from the housing body, and the tub and the housing body are configured to be coupled by fixing the separated first bracket to the housing body after the tub being inserted into the housing body.
2\. The laundry treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second bracket is configured to be not separable from the housing body.
3\. The laundry treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first bracket is arranged at an inner corner of the front surface of the housing body; and the second bracket is arranged at an inner corner of a rear surface of the housing body.
4\. The laundry treatment apparatus according to claim 1, further comprises a body separable coupling piece extending from an inner corner of the housing body and disposed below the first bracket and supporting the first bracket; wherein the first bracket is configured to couple to the body separable coupling piece, after the connector being seated on the second bracket.
5\. The laundry treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first bracket includes a pair of first brackets that are provided at a front surface of the housing body, and the second bracket includes a pair of second brackets that are arranged on a rear surface of the housing body.
6\. The laundry treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first bracket includes a pair of first brackets that are provided at a left side surface of the housing body, and the second bracket includes a pair of second brackets that are arranged on a right side surface of the housing body.
7\. The laundry treatment apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the first bracket is configured to be separated from the body separable coupling piece while the tub is inserted into the housing body and then coupled to the body separable coupling piece after the tub being coupled to the housing body.

OFFICE ACTION:
DETAILED 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 1-10 of U.S. Patent No. 11,898,297. Although the claims at issue are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because both sets of claims claim a laundry treatment apparatus comprising: a housing body; a tub; a drum; a first support member; a second support member; a connector having a bar; wherein the first bracket is configured to be separable from the housing body and wherein the tub and the housing body are coupled after the tub being inserted into the housing body; wherein the second bracket is configured to be not separable from the housing body; wherein the brackets are arranged at a surface of the housing body; a body separable coupling piece arranged at a corner of the housing body; a pair of first brackets and a pair of second brackets; and wherein the first bracket is configured to be separated from the body separable coupling piece, while the tub is inserted into the housing body and then coupled to the body separable coupling piece after the tub being coupled to the housing body.
Conclusion


NEXT OFFICE ACTION: DETAILED 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 fails to disclose or make obvious the limitations of claim 1, claiming a laundry treatment apparatus comprising: a cabinet defining an external appearance, a spaced therein, and an opening at a front surface; a housing including a housing body, a housing panel, and a housing cover; a tub; a drum; a first support member provided at the housing body; a second support member below the first support member; a connector having a bar connecting the first and second support members; wherein the first support member comprises: a first bracket arranged at an inner corner of a first side of the housing and a second bracket arranged at an inner corner of a second side of the housing body; wherein the first support member and the second support members are located on a vertical axis at a position wherein the bar is coupled between the first and second members; wherein the first bracket is detachably coupled to the housing body; wherein the first bracket is configured to, based on the tub being inserted into the housing body, detach from the housing body, and wherein the tub and the housing body are configured to be coupled by attaching the detached first bracket to the housing body after the tub is inserted into the housing body.
The closest prior art of record is that of U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20110265524 to Kim et al. (Kim).  Kim teaches a laundry treatment apparatus comprising: a housing; a tub that is located inside the housing and that is configured to receive water; a drum that is located inside the tub and that is configured to receive laundry; tub support unit that is configured to connect the tub and the housing and that includes: a first support member that is coupled to the housing, that is configured to support a load of the tub, and that includes a first bracket that is coupled to the housing, a second support member that is located on the tub below the first support member, and a connector that is configured to connect the first support member and the second support member.  Kim does not teach wherein the connector having a bar connecting the first and second support members; wherein the first bracket is detachably coupled to the housing body; wherein the first bracket is configured to, based on the tub being inserted into the housing body, detach from the housing body; and wherein the tub and the housing body are configured to be coupled by attaching the detached first bracket to the housing body after the tub is inserted into the housing body.
The advantage of the current invention over that of the prior art to Kim is that by having the first bracket detachably coupled to the housing along with configuration thereof and the connector including the bar along with configuration thereof, not only is ease of production and manufacturing thereof greatly increased, as well as, service of wearable or deteriorated components made more efficiently, effectively, and economically should said service be necessary through the life of the components thereof, but also vibration may be reduced as the load of the device is more evenly spread over the components thereof thereby increasing a service life of the components therewith.
Since claim 1 is allowed, claims 2-9 which depend thereon are also allowed.
Conclusion

CITED REFERENCE SUMMARIES: Ref US6105403A: Claims:
An automatic vertical axis washer with a clothes basket therein comprising: a housing for enclosing said washer and having a housing top with an opening therein for providing access to said clothes basket; a lid with a lid periphery hinged to said housing at said opening to move between an open position and a closed position; said lid periphery sized to provide a gap between said lid and said housing top when said lid is in said closed position; a lid seal attached to said lid and extending along at least a portion of said lid periphery; and said lid seal engaging said housing top when said lid is closed to substantially reduce said gap between said lid and said housing top.
a housing for enclosing said washer and having a housing top with an opening therein for providing access to said clothes basket;
a lid with a lid periphery hinged to said housing at said opening to move between an open position and a closed position; said lid periphery sized to provide a gap between said lid and said housing top when said lid is in said closed position;
said lid periphery sized to provide a gap between said lid and said housing top when said lid is in said closed position;
a lid seal attached to said lid and extending along at least a portion of said lid periphery; and said lid seal engaging said housing top when said lid is closed to substantially reduce said gap between said lid and said housing top.
An automatic vertical axis washer according to claim 1 wherein said lid comprises a front lid flange and a rear lid flange.
An automatic vertical axis washer according to claim 2 wherein said front lid flange is barbed in shape.
An automatic vertical washer according to claim 2 wherein said lid seal attaches to said front lid flange along at least a portion of said lid periphery.
An automatic vertical axis washer according to claim 2 wherein said lid seal attaches to said rear lid flange along at least a portion of said lid periphery.
An automatic vertical axis washer according to claim 1 wherein said lid seal comprises a front lid seal.
An automatic vertical axis washer according to claim 6 wherein said front lid seal comprises a front lid seal clip and a front lid seal bulb wherein said front seal clip attaches to said front lid seal bulb.
An automatic vertical axis washer according to claim 1 wherein said lid seal comprises a rear lid seal.
An automatic vertical washer according to claim 8 wherein said rear lid seal comprises a rear lid seal clip and a rear lid seal bulb wherein said rear lid seal clip attaches to said rear lid seal bulb.
An automatic vertical axis washer according to claim 1 wherein said lid seal comprises a front lid seal and a rear lid seal.
An automatic vertical axis washer with a clothes basket therein comprising: a housing for enclosing said washer and having a housing top with an opening therein for providing access to said clothes basket; a lid with a lid periphery hinged to said housing at said opening to move between an open position and a closed position; said lid periphery sized to provide a gap between said lid and said housing top when said lid is in said closed position; said lid further comprises a front lid flange and a rear lid flange; a lid seal comprises a front lid seal and a rear lid seal; said front lid seal being attached to said front lid flange along at least a portion of said lid periphery; said rear lid seal being attached to said rear lid flange along at least a portion of said lid periphery; and said front lid seal and rear lid seal engaging said housing top when said lid is closed to substantially reduce said gap between said lid and said housing top.
a lid with a lid periphery hinged to said housing at said opening to move between an open position and a closed position; said lid periphery sized to provide a gap between said lid and said housing top when said lid is in said closed position; said lid further comprises a front lid flange and a rear lid flange;
said lid further comprises a front lid flange and a rear lid flange;
a lid seal comprises a front lid seal and a rear lid seal; said front lid seal being attached to said front lid flange along at least a portion of said lid periphery; said rear lid seal being attached to said rear lid flange along at least a portion of said lid periphery; and said front lid seal and rear lid seal engaging said housing top when said lid is closed to substantially reduce said gap between said lid and said housing top.
said front lid seal being attached to said front lid flange along at least a portion of said lid periphery;
said rear lid seal being attached to said rear lid flange along at least a portion of said lid periphery; and
said front lid seal and rear lid seal engaging said housing top when said lid is closed to substantially reduce said gap between said lid and said housing top.
An automatic vertical axis washer according to claim 11 wherein said front lid flange is barbed in shape.
An automatic vertical axis washer according to claim 11, further comprising: said front lid seal having a front lid seal clip and a front lid seal bulb wherein said front lid seal clip attaches to said front lid seal bulb; and said rear lid seal having a rear lid seal clip and a rear lid seal bulb wherein said rear lid seal clip attaches to said rear seal lid bulb.
said front lid seal having a front lid seal clip and a front lid seal bulb wherein said front lid seal clip attaches to said front lid seal bulb; and
said rear lid seal having a rear lid seal clip and a rear lid seal bulb wherein said rear lid seal clip attaches to said rear seal lid bulb.
An automatic vertical axis washer according to claim 13, further comprising: said front lid seal clip being attached to said front lid flange along at least a portion of said lid periphery; and said rear lid seal clip being attached to said rear lid flange along at least a portion of said lid periphery.
said front lid seal clip being attached to said front lid flange along at least a portion of said lid periphery; and
said rear lid seal clip being attached to said rear lid flange along at least a portion of said lid periphery.
An automatic vertical axis washer with a clothes basket therein comprising: a housing for enclosing said washer and having a housing top with an opening therein for providing access to said clothes basket; a lid with a lid periphery hinged to said housing at said opening to move between an open position and a closed position; said lid periphery sized to provide a gap between said lid and said housing top when said lid is in said closed position; said lid further comprises a front lid flange and a rear lid flange; a lid seal comprises a front lid seal and a rear lid seal; said front lid seal comprises a front lid seal clip and a front lid seal bulb wherein said front lid seal clip attaches to said front lid seal bulb; said rear lid seal comprises a rear lid seal clip and a rear lid seal bulb wherein said rear lid seal clip attaches to said rear lid seal bulb; said front lid seal clip being attached to said front lid flange along at least a portion of said lid periphery; said rear lid seal clip being attached to said rear lid flange along at least a portion of said lid periphery; and said front lid seal and rear lid seal engaging said housing top when said lid is closed to substantially reduce said gap between said lid and said housing top.
a lid seal comprises a front lid seal and a rear lid seal; said front lid seal comprises a front lid seal clip and a front lid seal bulb wherein said front lid seal clip attaches to said front lid seal bulb; said rear lid seal comprises a rear lid seal clip and a rear lid seal bulb wherein said rear lid seal clip attaches to said rear lid seal bulb; said front lid seal clip being attached to said front lid flange along at least a portion of said lid periphery; said rear lid seal clip being attached to said rear lid flange along at least a portion of said lid periphery; and said front lid seal and rear lid seal engaging said housing top when said lid is closed to substantially reduce said gap between said lid and said housing top.
said front lid seal comprises a front lid seal clip and a front lid seal bulb wherein said front lid seal clip attaches to said front lid seal bulb;
said rear lid seal comprises a rear lid seal clip and a rear lid seal bulb wherein
said rear lid seal clip attaches to said rear lid seal bulb;
said front lid seal clip being attached to said front lid flange along at least a portion of said lid periphery;
said rear lid seal clip being attached to said rear lid flange along at least a portion of said lid periphery; and
An automatic vertical axis washer according to claim 15, wherein said front lid flange is barbed in shape.
An automatic vertical axis washer according to claim 15, wherein said front lid clip and said rear lid clip are rigid, whereby both firmly affix to said lid without additional fasteners.
An automatic vertical axis washer according to claim 15, wherein said front lid bulb and said rear lid bulb are flexible, whereby both act to substantially reduce said gap between said lid and said automatic vertical axis washer.
Ref US20040083770A1: Claims:
A washing machine comprising: a housing; an outer tub mounted in the housing for storage of washing water; and a heater assembly having a heater designed to be detachably inserted to an inside of the outer tub from an outside of the outer tub for heating the washing water.
an outer tub mounted in the housing for storage of washing water; and
a heater assembly having a heater designed to be detachably inserted to an inside of the outer tub from an outside of the outer tub for heating the washing water.
The washing machine as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the heater assembly includes; a cavity formed in a bottom surface of the outer tub, and the heater disposed in an inside of the cavity through a side wall of the cavity.
a cavity formed in a bottom surface of the outer tub, and
the heater disposed in an inside of the cavity through a side wall of the cavity.
The washing machine as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the heater assembly includes an opening formed in the side wall of the cavity for permitting pass of the heater.
The washing machine as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the cavity is formed in a periphery of a bottom surface of the outer tub.
The washing machine as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the cavity extends perpendicular to a radial direction of the outer tub.
The washing machine as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the cavity includes a sloped bottom surface.
The washing machine as claimed in claim 6 , wherein the slope has an angle of 3°˜5°.
The washing machine as claimed in claim 6 , wherein the cavity includes a drain hole formed in a low part of the sloped bottom surface for draining the washing water to an outside of the washing machine.
The washing machine as claimed in claim 6 , wherein the heater is inserted from a lower part to a higher part of the sloped bottom surface.
The washing machine as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the heater includes; a heating part in the cavity for generating heat, and a terminal part electrically connected to the heating part for applying power to the heating part.
a heating part in the cavity for generating heat, and
a terminal part electrically connected to the heating part for applying power to the heating part.
The washing machine as claimed in claim 6 , wherein the heating part includes a plurality of bends on the same plane.
The washing machine as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the heater further includes a closing part for closing the cavity.
The washing machine as claimed in claim 12 , wherein the closing part includes; a finish member between the heating part and the terminal part for closing the cavity from outside of the cavity, and an elastic member between the heating part and the finish plate for being press fit into the opening of the cavity.
a finish member between the heating part and the terminal part for closing the cavity from outside of the cavity, and
an elastic member between the heating part and the finish plate for being press fit into the opening of the cavity.
The washing machine as claimed in claim 13 , wherein the closing part further includes a pressure applying mechanism for expanding the elastic member.
The washing machine as claimed in claim 14 , wherein the pressure applying mechanism includes; a pressure applying plate being disposed to contact with elastic member, a screw connected to the pressure applying plate and projected through the elastic member and the finish member, and a nut on the screw for fastening the pressure applying plate so that the pressure applying plate applies pressure to the elastic member.
a pressure applying plate being disposed to contact with elastic member,
a screw connected to the pressure applying plate and projected through the elastic member and the finish member, and
a nut on the screw for fastening the pressure applying plate so that the pressure applying plate applies pressure to the elastic member.
The washing machine as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the heater assembly includes; bosses on the bottom surface of the cavity, and a bracket fastened to the bosses for supporting the heater to be spaced with a distance away from the bottom surface.
bosses on the bottom surface of the cavity, and
a bracket fastened to the bosses for supporting the heater to be spaced with a distance away from the bottom surface.
The washing machine as claimed in claim 16 , wherein the bosses and the bracket are fastened with an insulating material inserted therebetween for prevention of heat transmission from the heater to the bosses.
A heater assembly in a washing machine comprising: a cavity formed in a bottom surface of an outer tub of the washing machine, the outer tub storing washing water; and a heater disposable to an inside of the cavity through a side wall of the cavity, wherein the heater heats the washing water, and is designed to be detachably inserted into an inside of the outer tub from an outside of the outer tub.
a cavity formed in a bottom surface of an outer tub of the washing machine, the outer tub storing washing water; and
a heater disposable to an inside of the cavity through a side wall of the cavity,
wherein the heater heats the washing water, and is designed to be detachably inserted into an inside of the outer tub from an outside of the outer tub.
The heater assembly as claimed in claim 18 , further comprising an opening formed in the side wall of the cavity for permitting pass of the heater.
The heater assembly as claimed in claim 18 , wherein the cavity is formed in a periphery of a bottom surface of the outer tub.
The heater assembly as claimed in claim 20 , wherein the cavity extends perpendicular to a radial direction of the outer tub.
The heater assembly as claimed in claim 18 , wherein the cavity includes a sloped bottom surface.
The heater assembly as claimed in claim 22 , wherein the slope has an angle of 3°˜5°.
The heater assembly as claimed in claim 22 , wherein the cavity includes a drain hole formed in a low part of the sloped bottom surface for draining the washing water to an outside of the washing machine.
The heater assembly as claimed in claim 22 , wherein the heater is inserted from a lower part to a higher part of the sloped bottom surface.
The heater assembly as claimed in claim 18 , wherein the heater includes; a heating part in the cavity for generating heat, and a terminal part electrically connected to the heating part for applying power to the heating part.
The heater assembly as claimed in claim 26 , wherein the heating part includes a plurality of bends on the same plane.
The heater assembly as claimed in claim 26 , wherein the heater includes a closing part for closing the cavity.
The washing machine as claimed in claim 28 , wherein the closing part includes; a finish member between the heating part and the terminal part for closing the cavity from outside of the cavity, and an elastic member between the heating part and the finish plate for being press fit into the opening of the cavity.
The heater assembly as claimed in claim 29 , wherein the closing part further includes a pressure applying mechanism for expanding the elastic member.
The heater assembly as claimed in claim 30 , wherein the pressure applying mechanism includes; a pressure applying plate being disposed to contact with the elastic member, a screw connected to the pressure applying plate and projected through the elastic member and the finish member, and a nut on the screw for fastening the pressure applying plate so that the pressure applying plate applies pressure to the elastic member.
a pressure applying plate being disposed to contact with the elastic member,
The heater assembly as claimed in claim 18 , further comprising; bosses on the bottom surface of the cavity, and a bracket fastened to the bosses for supporting the heater to be spaced with a distance away from the bottom surface.
The washing machine as claimed in claim 32 , wherein the bosses and the bracket are fastened with an insulating material inserted therebetween for prevention of heat transmission from the heater to the bosses.
Ref US20090133198A1: Claims:
A method of controlling both a first laundry treating device having a first tub and an adjacent second laundry treating device having a second tub, comprising: supplying water to the first tub; and supplying water to the second tub, wherein the water supplying steps are performed simultaneously, or in an alternating fashion.
supplying water to the first tub; and
supplying water to the second tub, wherein the water supplying steps are performed simultaneously, or in an alternating fashion.
The method of claim 1 , wherein information on operation of the first laundry treating device and the second laundry treating device is input before the steps of supplying water to the first and second tubs is performed.
The method of claim 2 , wherein an order for performing the step of supplying water to the first tub and the step of supplying water to the second tub is decided according to a predetermined algorithm.
The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of supplying water to the second tub is performed after the step of supplying water to the first tub is finished.
The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of supplying water to the first tub and the step of supplying water to the second tub are initially performed simultaneously.
The method of claim 5 , wherein the steps of supplying water to the first and second tubs are performed simultaneously until a sufficient amount of water has been supplied to the first tub, and wherein the step of supplying water to the second tub is thereafter performed alone until a sufficient amount of water has been supplied to the second tub.
The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of supplying water to the first tub is performed alone until a predetermined condition occurs and is then stopped, wherein the step of supplying water to the second tub is then subsequently performed atone until a sufficient amount of water is supplied to the second tub and is then stopped, and wherein the step of supplying water to the first tub is subsequently resumed until a sufficient amount of water is supplied to the first tub.
The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of supplying water to the first tub and the step of supplying water to the second tub are each performed alone in an alternating fashion until a sufficient amount of water has been supplied to both the first and second tubs.
The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of supplying water to the first tub is first performed alone until a predetermined condition occurs, wherein subsequently the steps of supplying water to the first and second tubs are performed simultaneously.
The method of claim 9 , wherein the steps of supplying water to the first and second tub
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