Office Action 2: Final Rejection (2025-02-03)
Rejection types: 112 - Written Description/Enablement

CLAIMS:
AMENDMENTS TO THE CLAIMS

This listing of claims replaces all prior versions, and listings, of claims in the application:

What is claimed is:

1\. (Currently amended) A washing machine without an external drum, comprising:a washing drum which is provided inside the washing machine, the washing drum is provided with an opening for placing and removing laundry, wherein a front end of the washing drum is smaller in diameter than a rear end, and the washing drum is in the shape of a truncated cone;
drain holes are provided on the washing drum;and
a valve for opening or closing all drain holes is provided on the washing drum and located at a corresponding position of a drain hole;
wherein a bevel is provided between a rear end and the side wall of the washing drum, and the drain holes are distributed on the bevel; the valve is at least one sealing ring connected with a locking device for opening or closing the drain holes; and
wherein the locking device is mounted on a spindle of the washing drum by a bearing and is configured to move in an axial direction along the spindle;the locking device is also provided with a locking shaft, which is set in a tilted track; the track is connected to a movement driver.

2\. (Cancelled)

3\. (Cancelled)

4\. (Currently Amended) The washing machine without an external drum of The washing machine without an external drum of , wherein a water inlet mechanism is provided; the water inlet mechanism comprises a water valve provided on the washing drum; a water
channel is provided in the water valve and move in the radial direction to connect the inner wall of the washing drum and the water pipe; during filling water, the water pipe pushes the water valve to move toward the inner wall of the washing drum and connects the water pipe to the inner wall by the water channel; after filing,
the water valve moves outwards to close the water channel.

5\. (Cancelled)

6\. (Currently Amended) A washing machine without an external drum, comprising:a washing drum which is provided inside the washing machine, the washing drum is provided with an opening for placing and removing laundry, wherein a front end of the washing drum is smaller in diameter than a rear end, and the washing drum is in the shape of a truncated cone;
drain holes are provided on the washing drum; and
a valve for opening or closing all drain holes is provided on the washing drum and located at a corresponding position of a drain hole;
wherein a bevel is provided between a rear end and the side wall of the washing drum, and the drain holes are distributed on the bevel; the valve is at least one sealing ring connected with a locking device for opening or closing the drain holes; and
wherein the at least one sealing ring is pivotally installed on the rear end of the washing drum and is connected to a reset spring; the locking device comprises at least a clasp movably mounted on the rear end of the washing drum; when locked, the clasp locks the sealing ring in position to close the drain holes.

7\. (Currently Amended) The washing machine without an external drum of The washing machine without an external drum of wherein the drain holes are divided into several groups and set along the bevel;

locking device.

8\. (Currently Amended) The washing machine without an external drum of The washing machine without an external drum of wherein the locking device provides a slide-to-close device for pushing the sealing ring to close the drain holes; the slide-to-close device moves in parallel to a washing drum shaft of the washing drum; a plate is provided for pushing the sealing ring to the drain holes.

9\. (Currently Amended) The washing machine without an external drum of The washing machine without an external drum of further comprising:
a collision block contacted with the clasp to unlock the sealing ring from the clasp; wherein the collision block is L-shaped.

10\. (Currently Amended) A washing machine without an external drum, comprising:a washing drum which is provided inside the washing machine, the washing drum is provided with an opening for placing and removing laundry, wherein a front end of the washing drum is smaller in diameter than a rear end, and the washing drum is in the shape of a truncated cone;
drain holes are provided on the washing drum; and
a valve for opening or closing all drain holes is provided on the washing drum and located at a corresponding position of a drain hole;
wherein a bevel is provided between a rear end and the side wall of the washing drum, and the drain holes are distributed on the bevel; the valve is at least one sealing ring connected with a locking device for opening or closing the drain holes; and
wherein a water inlet mechanism including a positioning device for aligning the washing drum with the water inlet
mechanism and a filling control device is provided, and; during water filling, the positioning device aligns an outlet of the filling control device with at least one of the drain holes of the washing drum.

11\. (Currently amended) The washing machine without an external drum of The washing machine without an external drum of wherein the positioning device, including a block, is configured to move in parallelto awashing drum shaft of the washing drum ; when locking the washing drum, the block contacts with one of the washing drum, the sealing ring, or the clasp to stop the washing drum from rotating.

12\. (Currently Amended) The washing machine without an external drum of The washing machine without an external drum of wherein the filling control device comprises a water tank which can move in parallel to the washing drum, and the water tank connects to a water supply by a water pipe.

13\. (Currently amended) The washing machine without an external drum of The washing machine without an external drum of wherein the water tank slides along two rails, one of the rails is provided with an inclined section ; rolling shafts are provided and roll along the rails; the water tank inclines to align a water outlet with the bevel while the water tank slides to the inclined section of the rail.

14\. (Original) The washing machine without an external drum of claim 12, wherein the water supply comprises a detergent dispenser, an inlet of the detergent dispenser connects to the water pipe, and an outlet of the detergent dispenser connects to the water tank.

15\. (Currently amended) The washing machine without an external drum of The washing machine without an external drum of wherein the water pipe of the water supply connects to a heater .

16\. (Currently Amended) The washing machine without an external drum of The washing machine without an external drum of further comprising: a water basin i positioned under the washing drum for receiving the water discharged from the drain holes .

OFFICE ACTION:
DETAILED ACTION
Claim Objections
Claim 4 is objected to because of the following informalities: “move” should be “moves” in line 4.  Appropriate correction is required.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b):
(b)  CONCLUSION.—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly 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-AIA ), second paragraph:
The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention.
Claims 1, 4, and 6-16 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.
Claim 1 recites a valve for opening or closing all drain holes that is at a corresponding position of a drain hole.  It is unclear how the valve could open and close all drain holes while being at a corresponding position of only one drain hole.  It is assumed to state “a corresponding position of the drain holes.”
Claim 1 recites the limitation a rear end in line 9.  There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim because it is unclear if it refers to the previously recited rear end.  It is assumed to refer to “the rear end.”
Claim 1 recites the limitation the side wall.  There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 4 recites the limitation a radial direction.  There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
In claim 4 it is unclear what the radial direction is relative to.
Claim 4 recites the limitation the water pipe.  There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 6 recites a valve for opening or closing all drain holes that is at a corresponding position of a drain hole.  It is unclear how the valve could open and close all drain holes while being at a corresponding position of only one drain hole.  It is assumed to state “a corresponding position of the drain holes.”
Claim 6 recites the limitation a rear end in line 10.  There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim because it is unclear if it refers to the previously recited rear end.  It is assumed to refer to “the rear end.”
Claim 6 recites the limitation the side wall.  There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 10 recites a valve for opening or closing all drain holes that is at a corresponding position of a drain hole.  It is unclear how the valve could open and close all drain holes while being at a corresponding position of only one drain hole.  It is assumed to state “a corresponding position of the drain holes.”
Claim 10 recites the limitation a rear end in line 10.  There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim because it is unclear if it refers to the previously recited rear end.  It is assumed to refer to “the rear end.”
Claim 10 recites the limitation the side wall.  There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
In claim 12, it is unclear what portion of the washing drum the water tank moves in parallel to.  It is assumed to move in parallel to an axial direction of the washing drum.
Claim 13 recites the limitation a water outlet.  There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim because it is unclear if it refers to the water outlet recited in claim 10.  Claim 13 is assumed to refer to “the water outlet of the filling control device.”
Remaining claims are rejected due to their dependency on a rejected claim.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1, 4, and 6-16 would be allowable if rewritten or amended to overcome the rejection(s) under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), 2nd paragraph, set forth in this Office action.
The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter:  As to claim 1, the prior art of record does not teach or suggest the claimed washing machine, either alone or in obvious combination.  In particular, the prior art of record does not teach a washing machine without an external drum/tub having the claimed drain holes, valve, and locking device.  The particular combination of claimed features would not haven obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time the application was filed.  As to claim 6, the prior art of record does not teach or suggest the claimed washing machine, either alone or in obvious combination.  In particular, the prior art of record does not teach a washing machine without an external drum/tub having the claimed drain holes, valve, and locking device.  The particular combination of claimed features would not haven obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time the application was filed.  As to claim 10, the prior art of record does not teach or suggest the claimed washing machine, either alone or in obvious combination.  In particular, the prior art of record does not teach a washing machine without an external drum/tub having the claimed drain holes, valve, and water inlet mechanism.  The particular combination of claimed features would not haven obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time the application was filed.
Conclusion
Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a).
A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the date of this final action.

APPLICANT REBUTTAL: REMARKS/ARGUMENTSClaim Status Summary Claim 4 is objected to (presumably under 37 C.F.R. §1.75) for purported minor informalities.Claims 1, 4, and 6-16 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. §112(b)/Second Paragraph, as being indefinite for purportedly failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter of the invention.Claims 1, 4, 6, 8-13, and 16 are amended in this Paper.Claims 1, 4, and 6-16 remain pending in this application.Claim Objections Claim 4 is objected to (presumably under 37 C.F.R. §1.75) for purported minor informalities.Applicant respectfully disagrees for at least the reasons discussed below.Claim 4 has been amended to recite that a water channel is provided in the water valve and is configured to move in the radial direction of the washing drum to connect the inner wall of the washing drum and a water pipe.Applicant respectfully submits that this claim no longer exhibits non-idiomatic English usage with the recited movement of the water channel.Therefore, for the reasons discussed above, Applicant respectfully submits that the claimed invention are fully enabled and fully descriptive as required under 35 U.S.C. §112 and 37 C.F.R. §1.75; hence, Applicant respectfully requests the Office to withdraw the objection over claim 4 accordingly, and to issue favorable re- consideration.35 U.S.C. 112, Second Paragraph Claims 1, 4, and 6-16 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. §112(b)/Second Paragraph, as being indefinite for purportedly failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter of the invention.The claimed invention has been thoroughly checked over for all inadvertent errors, proper idiomatic English conformity, and proper antecedent basis issues.The subject matter previously presented in claim 4 has been incorporated into independent claim 1. This subject matter has been thoroughly checked to ensure conformance to the objections and rejections raised by the Office in the Final Office Action.Claim 1 now recites that a water channel is provided in the water valve, and the water channel is configured to move in a radial direction of the washing drum to connect an inner wall of the washing drum to a water pipe, supported by the originally filed specification, inter alia, Page 11, Line 21 through Page 12, Line 17.The "rear end" and "side wall" of the washing drum now have explicitly proper antecedent basis in the claimed invention in claims 1, 6, and 10.Claim 4 recites the water channel is provided in the water valve, and is configured to move in a radial direction of the washing drum to connect an inner wall of the washing drum to a water pipe.Claim 4 has been amended to recite that a water channel is provided in the water valve and is configured to move in the radial direction of the washing drum to connect the inner wall of the washing drum to a water pipe.Claims 6 and 10 have also been amended to recite that the valve for opening or closing the drain holes is provided on the washing drum and is located at a corresponding position of the drain hole holes, not a single drain hole as inadvertently recited previously.Claim 12 now recites that the filling control device comprises a water tank configured to move axially parallel to the rotation axis of the washing drum, as properly interpreted by the Office.Claim 13 now recites that the water tank inclines to align the outlet of the filling control device with the bevel, as properly interpreted by the Office.Therefore, for at least the reasons discussed above, Applicant respectfully submits that the claimed invention is definite and particularly points out the subject matter which Applicant regards as the invention as required under 35 U.S.C. §112, Second Paragraph; hence, Applicant respectfully requests the Office to withdraw the rejection over claims 1, 4, and 6-16 accordingly, and to issue favorable re-consideration.Allowable Subject Matter Claims 1, 6, and 10 are indicated as containing allowable subject matter as indicated in the Final Action, Page 4, Line 14 through Page 5, Line 12.Claims 1, 4, and 6-16 have been thoroughly analyzed and Applicant respectfully submits that all clarity issues raised by the Office have been explicitly addressed and conform fully to, at least, 35 U.S.C. §101, §102, §103, and §112.Therefore, for at least the reasons discussed above, Applicant respectfully requests the Office to withdraw all objections and rejections accordingly, and to issue favorable re-consideration of the claimed invention.Conclusion Claims 1, 4, and 6-16 are pending in this application. In view of the reasons stated above, Applicant respectfully submits that the independent claims patentably define the present invention over the citations of record, and Applicant respectfully requests a favorable reconsideration and issuing allowance accordingly. Further, the dependent claims should also be allowable for the same reasons as their respective base claims and further due to the additional features that they recite. Separate and individual consideration of the dependent claims is respectfully requested. Examiner is invited to contact the attorney on record to expedite the prosecution in pursuance of allowance.Respectfully submitted, WPAT, P.C.By / Marc D. Thompson Reg. #58,774 / Marc D. Thompson Registration No. 58,774 By

NEXT OFFICE ACTION: EXAMINER'S AMENDMENT
An examiner’s amendment to the record appears below. Should the changes and/or additions be unacceptable to applicant, an amendment may be filed as provided by 37 CFR 1.312. To ensure consideration of such an amendment, it MUST be submitted no later than the payment of the issue fee.
The following amendments overcome rejections for lack of antecedent basis set forth in the prior Office action that were not corrected in Applicant’s after-final response.  The amendments are consistent with Applicant’s amendment to correct the same lack of antecedent basis in claim 1.
The application has been amended as follows:
In claim 6, line 10, change “a rear end” to “the rear end”.
In claim 6, line 10, change “a rear end” to “the rear end”.
Reasons for Allowance
The following is an examiner’s statement of reasons for allowance:  As to claim 1, the prior art of record does not teach or suggest the claimed washing machine, either alone or in obvious combination. In particular, the prior art of record does not teach a washing machine without an external drum/tub having the claimed drain holes, valve, and locking device. The particular combination of claimed features would not haven obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time the application was filed. As to claim 6, the prior art of record does not teach or suggest the claimed washing machine, either alone or in obvious combination. In particular, the prior art of record does not teach a washing machine without an external drum/tub having the claimed drain holes, valve, and locking device. The particular combination of claimed features would not haven obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time the application was filed. As to claim 10, the prior art of record does not teach or suggest the claimed washing machine, either alone or in obvious combination. In particular, the prior art of record does not teach a washing machine without an external drum/tub having the claimed drain holes, valve, and water inlet mechanism. The particular combination of claimed features would not haven obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time the application was filed.
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