Office Action 2: Notice of Allowance (2025-02-26)

CLAIMS:
IN THE CLAIMS:

The text of all pending claims, (including withdrawn claims) is set forth below. Cancelled and not entered claims are indicated with claim number and status only. The claims as listed below show added text with underlining, and deleted text with and/or double brackets \[\[ \]\]. The status of each claim is indicated with one of (original), (currently amended), (cancelled), (withdrawn), (new), (previously presented), or (not entered).

1\. (Currently Amended) A washing machine comprising:
a housing;
a drum rotatably disposed inside the housing;
a driving motor;
a driving shaft configured to transfer a rotational force from the driving motor to the drum; and
a driving shaft flange configured to connect the driving shaft to the drum,
wherein the driving shaft flange comprises:a first surface;
a second surface substantially parallel to the first surface;-the first surface and the second surface spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance in a vertical direction of the drum;: and an extension portion formed perpendicular to the first surface and the second surface, and connecting the first surface to the second surface, and
wherein an edge of the first surface, an edge of the second surface, and an edge of the extension portion are substantially aligned in the vertical direction of the drum.

2\. (Original) The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the first surface, the second surface, and the extension portion are in an H-beam form having an 'H' shape such that at least a portion of a cross section of the driving shaft flange along an extending direction of the driving shaft is in the 'H' shape.

3\. (Original) The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the edge of the first surface, the edge of the second surface, and the edge of the extension portion are forming an 'H' shape.

4\. (Original) The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the extension portion has a plurality of extension portions, and
wherein each of the plurality of extension portions is spaced apart along a radial direction of the drum.

5\. (Original) The washing machine according to claim 4, wherein the driving shaft flange further includes:
a central portion into which the driving shaft is inserted; and
an arm member formed to extend along the radial direction of the drum with respect to the central portion and coupled to a bottom surface of the drum.

6\. (Currently Amended) The washing machine according to claim 5, wherein the first surface, the plurality of extension portions, and the second surface are disposed on the central portion and the arm member along anextending direction of the driving shaft, respectively.

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 .
Office Action is in response to Applicant’s amendments/remarks filed 1/31/25.  Claims 1 and 6 were amended.  Claims 1-6 are presently pending and are presented for examination.
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments, see page 1 of remarks, filed 1/31/25, with respect to the rejections of claims 1-6 under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) have been fully considered and are persuasive.  The rejections of claims 1-6 under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) have been withdrawn.
Applicant’s arguments, see page 1 of remarks, filed 1/31/25, with respect to the rejections of claims 1-6 on the grounds of nonstatutory double patenting have been fully considered and are persuasive.  The rejections of claims 1-6 on the grounds of nonstatutory double patenting have been withdrawn.
Terminal Disclaimer
The terminal disclaimer filed on 1/31/25 disclaiming the terminal portion of any patent granted on this application which would extend beyond the expiration date of US Patent No. 11,898,298 has been reviewed and is accepted.  The terminal disclaimer has been recorded.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-6 are allowed.
The following is an examiner’s statement of reasons for allowance:
Applicant’s reply filed 1/31/25 overcomes the rejections of claims 1-6 under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) and the grounds of nonstatutory double patenting.  See the attached PTO-892 for a list of the closest prior art made of record, for example: US Pub. 2013/0327098 to Bae et al., US Pub. 2017/0356115 to Choi et al., US Pat. 7,841,800 to Gracia Bobed, US Pub. 2008/0196452 to Bae et al.  No available prior art is able to teach/disclose all features of the claimed driving shaft flange comprising first surface, second surface, and extension portion in the specifically claimed configuration and in combination with all other claim features defined by the washing machine of independent claim 1. Upon a comprehensive search no available prior art was able to teach or fairly suggest, singly or in combination, all features of the washing machine defined by independent claim 1.  For at least the above reasons, independent claim 1 (and therefore claims 2-6 depending therefrom) are in condition for allowance.
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 accordance with the foregoing, claims 1 and 6 have been amended. Claims 1-6 are pending and under consideration.
Claim Re
j
ections -
35 USC
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Claims 1-6 are 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.
Regarding claim 1, we believe there is sufficient antecedent basis for the vertical
direction of the drum in line 16. For example, claim 1 recites as below and recites "a vertical direction of the drum."
a second surface substantially parallel to the first surface, the first surface and
the second surface spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance in
a
vertical direction of the drum,
and
an extension portion formed perpendicular to the first surface and the second
surface, and connecting the first surface to the second surface, and
wherein an edge of the first surface, an edge of the second surface, and an edge of the extension portion are substantially aligned in
the vertical direction of the drum.
Regarding claim 6, appropriate correction has been made.
Withdrawal of the rejections is respectfully requested.
Double Patentin
g
Claims 1-6 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-4 of U.S. Patent No. 11,898,298 (hereinafter "US'298").
The Terminal Disclaimer has been filed concurrently with this amendment.
Withdrawal of the rejections is respectfully requested.
There being no further outstanding objections or rejections, it is submitted that the application is in condition for allowance.
Finally, if there are any formal matters remaining after this response, the Examiner is requested to telephone the undersigned to attend to these matters.
If there are any additional fees associated with this filing, please charge the same to Deposit Account No. 19-3935.
Respectfully submitted,


CITED REFERENCE SUMMARIES: Ref US2939305A: [content unavailable]
Ref US3040552A: [content unavailable]
Ref US3091107A: Claims:
A VERTICAL AXIS CLOTHES WASHING MACHINE COMPRISING: (A) LIQUID AND CLOTHES CONTAINING MEANS INCLUDING A RELATIVELY LARGE ROTATABLY MOUNTED FIRST CLOTHES RECEPTACLE; (B) MEANS FOR ROTATING SAID FIRST RECEPTACLE AT HIGH SPEED FOR THE REMOVAL OF LIQUID FROM CLOTHES; (C) AGITATOR MOUNTING MEANS EXTENDING UPWARDLY INTO SAID FIRST RECEPTACLE AND ADAPTED TO RECEIVE A RELATIVELY LARGE FIRST AGITATOR WHICH MAY BE REMOVABLY SECURED ON SAID AGITATOR MOUNTING MEANS FOR MOVEMENT THEREWITH; (D) MEANS FOR PROVIDING A MOTION TO SAID AGITATOR MOUNTING MEANS WHICH EFFECTS A WASHING ACTION BY AN AGITATOR SECURED THEREON; (E) RECEPTACLE MOUNTING MEANS FOR A RELATIVELY SMALL SECOND CLOTHES RECEPTACLE, SAID RECEPTACLE MOUNTING MEANS BEING SECURED TO SAID FIRST RECEPTACLE AND POSITIONED IN SAID FIRST RECEPTACLE ABOUT SAID AGITATOR
Ref US5373715A: Claims:
A rotatable wash basket for use with an automatic washer, said wash basket comprising: an integral plastic body, said integral plastic body further including: a generally cylindrical outerwall defining a vertical axis and further having an upper end open for receiving clothes for wash treatment and a lower end, and a base having an outer edge integral with said lower end of said generally cylindrical outerwall, said base forming a cavity; and an annular core assembly disposed within said cavity of said base such that said annular core assembly is encapsulated and interlocked within said base such that the stiffness of said base is increased, said annular core assembly further having means for rigidly interconnecting with a drive shaft for rotating said wash basket.
an integral plastic body, said integral plastic body further including: a generally cylindrical outerwall defining a vertical axis and further having an upper end open for receiving clothes for wash treatment and a lower end, and a base having an outer edge integral with said lower end of said generally cylindrical outerwall, said base forming a cavity; and
a generally cylindrical outerwall defining a vertical axis and further having an upper end open for receiving clothes for wash treatment and a lower end, and
a base having an outer edge integral with said lower end of said generally cylindrical outerwall, said base forming a cavity; and
an annular core assembly disposed within said cavity of said base such that said annular core assembly is encapsulated and interlocked within said base such that the stiffness of said base is increased, said annular core assembly further having means for rigidly interconnecting with a drive shaft for rotating said wash basket.
A rotatable wash basket according to claim 1, wherein said annular core assembly further comprises: an annular core member; and a hub member disposed centrally within said annular core member such that said annular core member is interlocked with said hub member, said hub member further having means for rigidly connecting with said drive shaft for rotating said wash basket.
an annular core member; and
a hub member disposed centrally within said annular core member such that said annular core member is interlocked with said hub member, said hub member further having means for rigidly connecting with said drive shaft for rotating said wash basket.
A rotatable wash basket according to claim 2, wherein said hub member further comprises: a generally cylindrical hollow portion having an axis aligned with said vertical axis, and having a top end and a bottom end; and a substantially rectangular hollow portion intersecting said generally cylindrical hollow portion and having an open bottom corresponding to said lower end of said generally cylindrical hollow portion such that said generally cylindrical hollow portion and said substantially rectangular hollow portion define an interior cavity of said hub member having an open top end and open bottom end and further having a lower portion having a substantially rectangular cross-section and an upper portion having a substantially circular cross-section, said interior cavity further including means for rigidly interconnecting with said drive shaft.
a generally cylindrical hollow portion having an axis aligned with said vertical axis, and having a top end and a bottom end; and
a substantially rectangular hollow portion intersecting said generally cylindrical hollow portion and having an open bottom corresponding to said lower end of said generally cylindrical hollow portion such that said generally cylindrical hollow portion and said substantially rectangular hollow portion define an interior cavity of said hub member having an open top end and open bottom end and further having a lower portion having a substantially rectangular cross-section and an upper portion having a substantially circular cross-section, said interior cavity further including means for rigidly interconnecting with said drive shaft.
A rotatable wash basket according to claim 3, wherein said hub member is metallic.
A rotatable wash basket according to claim 3, further comprising a plurality of external axial ribs.
A rotatable wash basket according to claim 3, further comprising a flange portion intersecting said bottom end of said generally cylindrical hollow portion of said hub member, said flange including a plurality of holes extending therethrough.
A rotatable wash basket according to claim 3 wherein said generally cylindrical hollow portion of said hub member further comprises an upper portion having a plurality of angularly spaced holes radially extending through said generally cylindrical hollow portion.
A rotatable wash basket according to claim 2, wherein said annular core member having an integral annular body further comprises: a plurality of surfaces defining said integral annular body, said plurality of surfaces further comprising: a first annular surface formed along said hub having an upper and lower end; a second annular surface substantially perpendicular to said vertical axis of said cylindrical member and extending outward from said lower end of said first annular surface toward said outer edge of said base; and a third annular surface interconnected with said second annular surface and extending at an acute angle upward and inward to said upper end of said first annular surface such that said first annular surface, said second annular surface and said third annular surface interconnect for forming a substantially triangular radial cross-section of said annular core member.
a plurality of surfaces defining said integral annular body, said plurality of surfaces further comprising: a first annular surface formed along said hub having an upper and lower end; a second annular surface substantially perpendicular to said vertical axis of said cylindrical member and extending outward from said lower end of said first annular surface toward said outer edge of said base; and a third annular surface interconnected with said second annular surface and extending at an acute angle upward and inward to said upper end of said first annular surface such that said first annular surface, said second annular surface and said third annular surface interconnect for forming a substantially triangular radial cross-section of said annular core member.
a first annular surface formed along said hub having an upper and lower end;
a second annular surface substantially perpendicular to said vertical axis of said cylindrical member and extending outward from said lower end of said first annular surface toward said outer edge of said base; and
a third annular surface interconnected with said second annular surface and extending at an acute angle upward and inward to said upper end of said first annular surface such that said first annular surface, said second annular surface and said third annular surface interconnect for forming a substantially triangular radial cross-section of said annular core member.
A rotatable wash basket as claimed in claim 8 wherein said base encapsulating said annular core member further comprises: a first wall disposed below and interlocked with said second annular surface; and a second wall disposed above and interlocked with said third annular surface such that a vertical downward force applied to said outer edge of said base is opposed by placing said first wall in compression and said second wall in tension for eliminating bending and increased base rigidity.
a first wall disposed below and interlocked with said second annular surface; and
a second wall disposed above and interlocked with said third annular surface such that a vertical downward force applied to said outer edge of said base is opposed by placing said first wall in compression and said second wall in tension for eliminating bending and increased base rigidity.
A rotatable wash basket as claimed in claim 8 wherein said annular core member further comprises: a plurality of angularly spaced radial ribs extending from said third annular surface for enhancing interlocking between said annular core member and said base; a plurality of core holes extending into said third annular surface for reducing material usage in fabrication said annular core member and for enhancing interlocking between said annular core member and said base; and a plurality of positioning bosses disposed at the outermost point of said angularly spaced radial extensions for positioning said annular core member during said plastic wash basket fabrication.
a plurality of angularly spaced radial ribs extending from said third annular surface for enhancing interlocking between said annular core member and said base;
a plurality of core holes extending into said third annular surface for reducing material usage in fabrication said annular core member and for enhancing interlocking between said annular core member and said base; and
a plurality of positioning bosses disposed at the outermost point of said angularly spaced radial extensions for positioning said annular core member during said plastic wash basket fabrication.
A rotatable wash basket according to claim 2, wherein said annular core member is plastic and is molded around said hub member.
A rotatable wash basket according to claim 1, wherein said annular core assembly further comprises: a plurality of surfaces defining an integral annular body, said plurality of surfaces further comprising: a first annular surface having an upper and lower end; a second annular surface substantially perpendicular to said vertical axis of said cylindrical outerwall and extending outward from said lower end of said first annular surface toward said outer edge of said base; and a third annular surface interconnected with said second annular surface and extending at an acute angle upward and inward to said upper end of said first annular surface such that said first annular surface, said second annular surface and said third annular surface interconnect forming a substantially triangular radial cross-section of said annular core assembly.
a plurality of surfaces defining an integral annular body, said plurality of surfaces further comprising: a first annular surface having an upper and lower end; a second annular surface substantially perpendicular to said vertical axis of said cylindrical outerwall and extending outward from said lower end of said first annular surface toward said outer edge of said base; and a third annular surface interconnected with said second annular surface and extending at an acute angle upward and inward to said upper end of said first annular surface such that said first annular surface, said second annular surface and said third annular surface interconnect forming a substantially triangular radial cross-section of said annular core assembly.
a first annular surface having an upper and lower end;
a second annular surface substantially perpendicular to said vertical axis of said cylindrical outerwall and extending outward from said lower end of said first annular surface toward said outer edge of said base; and
a third annular surface interconnected with said second annular surface and extending at an acute angle upward and inward to said upper end of said first annular surface such that said first annular surface, said second annular surface and said third annular surface interconnect forming a substantially triangular radial cross-section of said annular core assembly.
A rotatable wash basket as claimed in claim 12 wherein said base encapsulating said annular core assembly further comprises: a first wall disposed below and interlocked with said second annular surface; and a second wall disposed above and interlocked with said third annular surface such that a vertical downward force applied to said outer edge of said base is opposed by placing said first wall in compression and said second wall in tension for eliminating bending and increased base rigidity.
A rotatable wash basket for use with an automatic washer, said wash basket comprising: an integral plastic body, said integral plastic body further including: a generally cylindrical outerwall defining a vertical axis and further having an upper end open for receiving clothes for wash treatment and a lower end, and a base for forming a bottom of said generally cylindrical outerwall and having an outer edge integral with said lower end of said generally cylindrical outerwall said base forming a cavity; and a combined core member disposed centrally within said cavity of said base, such that said combined core member is encapsulated and interlocked within said base such that the stiffness of said base is increased, said combined core member having means for rigidly interconnecting with a drive shaft for rotating said wash basket.
an integral plastic body, said integral plastic body further including: a generally cylindrical outerwall defining a vertical axis and further having an upper end open for receiving clothes for wash treatment and a lower end, and a base for forming a bottom of said generally cylindrical outerwall and having an outer edge integral with said lower end of said generally cylindrical outerwall said base forming a cavity; and
a base for forming a bottom of said generally cylindrical outerwall and having an outer edge integral with said lower end of said generally cylindrical outerwall said base forming a cavity; and
a combined core member disposed centrally within said cavity of said base, such that said combined core member is encapsulated and interlocked within said base such that the stiffness of said base is increased, said combined core member having means for rigidly interconnecting with a drive shaft for rotating said wash basket.
A rotatable wash basket according to claim 14, wherein said combined core member further comprises: an interior cavity disposed centrally within said combined core member and having an open top end and open bottom end and further having a lower portion having a substantially rectangular cross-section and an upper portion having a substantially circular cross-sections said interior cavity including said means for rigidly connecting with said drive shaft.
an interior cavity disposed centrally within said combined core member and having an open top end and open bottom end and further having a lower portion having a substantially rectangular cross-section and an upper portion having a substantially circular cross-sections said interior cavity including said means for rigidly connecting with said drive shaft.
A rotatable wash basket according to claim 15, wherein said combined core member further comprises: a plurality of surfaces defining an integral annular body, said plurality of surfaces further comprising: a first annular surface defining said interior cavity of said combined core member, said first annular surface further having an upper end and a lower end; a second annular surface substantially perpendicular to said vertical axis of said cylindrical member and extending outward from said lower end of said first annular surface toward said outer edge of said base; and a third annular surface interconnected with said second annular surface and extending at an acute angle upward and inward to said upper end of said first annular surface such that said first annular surface, said second annular surface and said third annular surface interconnect for forming a substantially triangular radial cross-section.
a plurality of surfaces defining an integral annular body, said plurality of surfaces further comprising: a first annular surface defining said interior cavity of said combined core member, said first annular surface further having an upper end and a lower end; a second annular surface substantially perpendicular to said vertical axis of said cylindrical member and extending outward from said lower end of said first annular surface toward said outer edge of said base; and a third annular surface interconnected with said second annular surface and extending at an acute angle upward and inward to said upper end of said first annular surface such that said first annular surface, said second annular surface and said third annular surface interconnect for forming a substantially triangular radial cross-section.
a first annular surface defining said interior cavity of said combined core member, said first annular surface further having an upper end and a lower end;
a third annular surface interconnected with said second annular surface and extending at an acute angle upward and inward to said upper end of said first annular surface such that said first annular surface, said second annular surface and said third annular surface interconnect for forming a substantially triangular radial cross-section.
A rotatable wash basket as claimed in claim 16 wherein said base encapsulating said annular core member further comprises: a first wall disposed above and interlocked with said second annular surface; and a second wall disposed below and interlocked with said third annular surface such that a vertical downward force applied to said outer edge of said base is opposed by placing said first wall in compression and said second wall in tension for eliminating bending and increased base rigidity.
a first wall disposed above and interlocked with said second annular surface; and
a second wall disposed below and interlocked with said third annular surface such that a vertical downward force applied to said outer edge of said base is opposed by placing said first wall in compression and said second wall in tension for eliminating bending and increased base rigidity.
A rotatable wash basket according to claim 16, wherein said combined core member further comprises: a plurality of angularly spaced radial ribs extending from said third annular surface for enhancing interlocking between said combined core member and said base; a plurality of core holes extending into said third annular surface for reducing material usage in fabricating said combined core member and for enhancing interlocking between said combined core member and said base; and a plurality of positioning bosses disposed at the outermost point of said angularly spaced radial extensions for positioning said combined core member during said plastic wash basket fabrication.
a plurality of angularly spaced radial ribs extending from said third annular surface for enhancing interlocking between said combined core member and said base;
a plurality of core holes extending into said third annular surface for reducing material usage in fabricating said combined core member and for enhancing interlocking between said combined core member and said base; and
a plurality of positioning bosses disposed at the outermost point of said angularly spaced radial extensions for positioning said combined core member during said plastic wash basket fabrication.
A rotatable wash basket according to claim 14, wherein said combine
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