Office Action 1: Notice of Allowance (2025-04-17)

CLAIMS:
CLAIMS

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1\. A clothes treating apparatus comprising:
a cabinet including an air inlet and an air outlet;
a tub inside the cabinet;
a drum rotatable inside the tub; a base partitioning inside of the cabinet to form an air flow path including the air inlet and the air outlet, the base being positioned above the tub;
a heat exchanger on the base;
a supply duct forming a first supply flow path configured to guide air passed through the heat exchanger to the drum and a second supply flow path configured to guide air passed through the heat exchanger to the air outlet;
a discharge duct forming a first discharge flow path configured to guide air passed through the drum to the heat exchanger and a second discharge flow path
configured to guide air entered the inside of the cabinet through the air inlet to the heat exchanger;a first damper configured to be movable between a first position of opening the first supply flow path and closing the second supply flow path and a second position of closing the first supply flow path and opening the second supply flow
path; anda second damper configured to be movable between a third position of opening the first discharge flow path and closing the second discharge flow path and a fourth position of closing the first discharge flow path and opening the second discharge flow path.

2\. The clothes treating apparatus of claim 1,further comprising:
a first driving motor configured to control a movement of the first damper; and a second driving motor configured to control a movement of the second damper.

3\. The clothes treating apparatus of claim 2, wherein:
the first driving motor is configured to move the first damper to the first position or the second position; and
the second driving motor is configured to move the second damper to the third position or the fourth position.

4\. The clothes treating apparatus of claim 1, wherein based on the first damper being at the first position, the second damper is
controlled to be at the third position, andbased on the first damper being at the second position, the second damper is controlled to be at the fourth position.

5\. The clothes treating apparatus of claim 4, wherein
based on the first damper being at the first position and the second damper being at the third position, the supply duct and the discharge duct form a first circulation flow path of guiding air passed through the heat exchanger to the drum and guiding air passed through the drum to the heat exchanger.

6\. The clothes treating apparatus of claim 4, wherein based on the first damper being at the second position and the second damper being at the fourth position, the supply duct and the discharge duct form a second circulation flow path of guiding air passed through the heat exchanger to the air outlet and guiding air entered the inside of the cabinet through the air inlet to the
heat exchanger.

7\. The clothes treating apparatus of claim 1, wherein the supply duct is in a front side of the base, and the discharge duct is in a rear side of the base.

8\. The clothes treating apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a fan configured to move air,
wherein the base includes a fan accommodating portion configured to

accommodate the fan.

9\. The clothes treating apparatus of claim 8, wherein the fan accommodating portion is in a front side of the base and connected to the supply
duct.

10\. The clothes treating apparatus of claim 1, wherein the heat exchanger includes:
an evaporator configured to lower temperature of surrounding air; and a condenser configured to raise temperature of surrounding air.

11\. The clothes treating apparatus of claim 10, wherein the base includes a partition wall partitioning the base to form a connecting flow path of guiding air guided by the discharge duct to the supply duct, and
the evaporator and the condenser are at one side of the partition wall to be on the connecting flow path.

12\. The clothes treating apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a filter configured to filter foreign materials included in air, wherein
the filter is at upstream of the evaporator and the condenser on the connecting flow path and configured to filter the foreign materials included in air entering the evaporator and the condenser.

13\. The clothes treating apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a
compressor on the base, and configured to compress a refrigerant,wherein the compressor is at another side of the partition wall to be outside the connecting flow path.

14\. The clothes treating apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cabinet is a first
cabinet, the air inlet is a first air inlet, and the air outlet is a first air outlet,the clothes treating apparatus further comprising a second cabinet positioned on the first cabinet, the second cabinet including a second air inlet corresponding to

the first air outlet and a second air outlet corresponding to the first air inlet.

15\. The clothes treating apparatus of claim 14, wherein, based on inside of the drum of the first cabinet being dried, the first damper is at the first position and
the second damper is at the third position, andbased on inside of the second cabinet being dried, the first damper is at the second position and the second damper is at the fourth position.

16\. The clothes treating apparatus of claim 14, wherein a washing
operation of the first cabinet and a drying operation of the second cabinet are performed simultaneously. 5 10 15 20 25 30

OFFICE ACTION:
Reasons for Allowance
Claims 1-16 are allowed.
The following is an examiner’s statement of reasons for allowance:  The prior art of record fails to teach or reasonably suggest the clothes treating apparatus of independent claim 1 comprising, inter alia, a base partitioning inside of a cabinet to form an air flow path including the air inlet and the air outlet, the base being positioned above a tub; a heat exchanger on the base; a supply duct forming a first supply flow path configured to guide air passed through the heat exchanger to the drum and a second supply flow path configured to guide air passed through the heat exchanger to the air outlet; a discharge duct forming a first discharge flow path configured to guide air passed through the drum to the heat exchanger and a second discharge flow path
configured to guide air entered the inside of the cabinet through the air inlet to the heat exchanger; a first damper configured to be movable between a first position of opening the first supply flow path and closing the second supply flow path and a second position of closing the first supply flow path and opening the second supply flow path; and
a second damper configured to be movable between a third position of opening the first discharge flow path and closing the second discharge flow path and a fourth position of closing the first discharge flow path and opening the second discharge flow path.
Such novel and non-obvious configuration provides numerous advantages not contemplated by the prior art of record, such as a clothes treating apparatus capable of converting a flow path to circulate an airflow passing through a heat exchanger of a heat pump inside a cabinet or to circulate the airflow inside another cabinet positioned on the cabinet, which is not contemplated by the prior art.
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.”



CITED REFERENCE SUMMARIES: Ref US20140238087A1: Claims:
A laundry treating apparatus comprising: a first cabinet having a first receiving space to receive laundry; a second cabinet having a second receiving space to receive laundry, the second cabinet being separated from the first cabinet; a partition wall located at an upper part of the second receiving space to divide an interior of the second cabinet; a discharge unit to discharge air from the first receiving space and air from the second receiving space; and a supply unit comprising a supply duct to selectively supply air to the first receiving space and the second receiving space and a supply fan provided in the partition wall such that the supply fan is located in the second cabinet to move air from the second receiving space to the supply duct.
a first cabinet having a first receiving space to receive laundry;
a second cabinet having a second receiving space to receive laundry, the second cabinet being separated from the first cabinet;
a partition wall located at an upper part of the second receiving space to divide an interior of the second cabinet;
a discharge unit to discharge air from the first receiving space and air from the second receiving space; and
a supply unit comprising a supply duct to selectively supply air to the first receiving space and the second receiving space and a supply fan provided in the partition wall such that the supply fan is located in the second cabinet to move air from the second receiving space to the supply duct.
The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the supply duct comprises: a heating channel provided in the first cabinet to heat air, the heating channel having a first discharge port and a second discharge port to discharge the heated air; a first supply channel connected between the first discharge port and the first receiving space; a second supply channel to allow the second discharge port and the second receiving space to communicate with each other therethrough; and an exhaust channel connected between the second receiving space and the heating channel, the supply fan being provided in the exhaust channel.
a heating channel provided in the first cabinet to heat air, the heating channel having a first discharge port and a second discharge port to discharge the heated air;
a first supply channel connected between the first discharge port and the first receiving space;
a second supply channel to allow the second discharge port and the second receiving space to communicate with each other therethrough; and
an exhaust channel connected between the second receiving space and the heating channel, the supply fan being provided in the exhaust channel.
The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the supply duct further comprises: a suction port provided at the exhaust channel to introduce air from the first cabinet to the heating channel; a first supply damper to selectively open and close the suction port and the exhaust channel; and a second supply damper to selectively open and close the first discharge port and the second discharge port.
a suction port provided at the exhaust channel to introduce air from the first cabinet to the heating channel;
a first supply damper to selectively open and close the suction port and the exhaust channel; and
a second supply damper to selectively open and close the first discharge port and the second discharge port.
The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the discharge unit comprises: a duct body provided in the first cabinet to allow the first receiving space to communicate with an outside of the first cabinet therethrough; a first connection channel connected between the duct body and the second receiving space to guide air from the duct body to the second receiving space; and a second connection channel connected between the duct body and the second receiving space to guide air from the second receiving space to the duct body.
a duct body provided in the first cabinet to allow the first receiving space to communicate with an outside of the first cabinet therethrough;
a first connection channel connected between the duct body and the second receiving space to guide air from the duct body to the second receiving space; and
a second connection channel connected between the duct body and the second receiving space to guide air from the second receiving space to the duct body.
The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the discharge unit further comprises: a first exhaust damper to selectively open any one selected from between the first connection channel and the duct body; and a second exhaust damper to selectively open any one selected from between the second connection channel and the duct body.
a first exhaust damper to selectively open any one selected from between the first connection channel and the duct body; and
a second exhaust damper to selectively open any one selected from between the second connection channel and the duct body.
The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the discharge unit further comprises an exhaust fan provided in the duct body such that the exhaust fan is located between the first receiving space and the first connection channel to move air from the first receiving space to the duct body.
The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the discharge unit further comprises a dehumidification unit located between the exhaust fan and the first connection channel to dehumidify air discharged from the first receiving space.
The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the partition wall comprises: a first connection channel fixing hole to allow the first connection channel to communicate with the second receiving space therethrough; a second connection channel fixing hole to allow the second connection channel to communicate with the second receiving space therethrough; an exhaust channel fixing hole to allow the exhaust channel to communicate with the second receiving space therethrough; and a supply channel fixing hole to allow the second supply channel to communicate with the second receiving space therethrough.
a first connection channel fixing hole to allow the first connection channel to communicate with the second receiving space therethrough;
a second connection channel fixing hole to allow the second connection channel to communicate with the second receiving space therethrough;
an exhaust channel fixing hole to allow the exhaust channel to communicate with the second receiving space therethrough; and
a supply channel fixing hole to allow the second supply channel to communicate with the second receiving space therethrough.
The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 8 , further comprising a diffusion unit provided below the partition wall to diffuse air introduced into the second receiving space through at least one selected from between the first connection channel and the second supply channel in the second receiving space.
The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein the diffusion unit comprises: a diffusion plate provided below the supply channel fixing hole; and a plurality of spacers provided along an outer circumference of the diffusion plate at intervals such that the diffusion plate is spaced apart from the supply channel fixing hole by a predetermined distance.
a diffusion plate provided below the supply channel fixing hole; and
a plurality of spacers provided along an outer circumference of the diffusion plate at intervals such that the diffusion plate is spaced apart from the supply channel fixing hole by a predetermined distance.
The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein the diffusion unit comprises: a diffusion plate provided below the first connection channel fixing hole; and a plurality of spacers provided along an outer circumference of the diffusion plate at intervals such that the diffusion plate is spaced apart from the first connection channel fixing hole by a predetermined distance.
a diffusion plate provided below the first connection channel fixing hole; and
a plurality of spacers provided along an outer circumference of the diffusion plate at intervals such that the diffusion plate is spaced apart from the first connection channel fixing hole by a predetermined distance.
The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein the diffusion unit comprises: a diffusion plate provided below the partition wall; a spacer provided to surround the first connection channel fixing hole, the second connection channel fixing hole, the exhaust channel fixing hole, and the supply channel fixing hole such that the diffusion plate is spaced apart from the partition wall by a predetermined distance; an exhaust channel connection pipe formed through the diffusion plate such that the exhaust channel connection pipe is connected to the exhaust channel fixing hole; a connection channel connection pipe formed through the diffusion plate such that the connection channel connection pipe is connected to the second connection channel fixing hole; and a plurality of supply holes formed through the diffusion plate.
a diffusion plate provided below the partition wall;
a spacer provided to surround the first connection channel fixing hole, the second connection channel fixing hole, the exhaust channel fixing hole, and the supply channel fixing hole such that the diffusion plate is spaced apart from the partition wall by a predetermined distance;
an exhaust channel connection pipe formed through the diffusion plate such that the exhaust channel connection pipe is connected to the exhaust channel fixing hole;
a connection channel connection pipe formed through the diffusion plate such that the connection channel connection pipe is connected to the second connection channel fixing hole; and
a plurality of supply holes formed through the diffusion plate.
The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the second cabinet is provided below the first cabinet to support the first cabinet, the second receiving space comprises a drawer configured to be drawn from the second cabinet, and the drawer is provided with a rack to space laundry from a bottom of the drawer by a predetermined distance.
the second cabinet is provided below the first cabinet to support the first cabinet,
the second receiving space comprises a drawer configured to be drawn from the second cabinet, and
the drawer is provided with a rack to space laundry from a bottom of the drawer by a predetermined distance.
The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 13 , wherein the rack comprises: a rack body provided in the drawer; a protruding part protruding from the rack body toward at least one selected from between the second connection channel fixing hole and the supply channel fixing hole; a plurality of rack body through holes formed through the rack body; and a body support part provided at the rack body to space the rack body from a bottom of the drawer by a predetermined distance.
a rack body provided in the drawer;
a protruding part protruding from the rack body toward at least one selected from between the second connection channel fixing hole and the supply channel fixing hole;
a plurality of rack body through holes formed through the rack body; and
a body support part provided at the rack body to space the rack body from a bottom of the drawer by a predetermined distance.
The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 5 , further comprising a damper drive unit to rotate the first exhaust damper and the second exhaust damper such that the first connection channel and the second connection channel are simultaneously opened or closed.
The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 15 , wherein the damper drive unit comprises: a damper motor to rotate any one selected from between the first exhaust damper and the second exhaust damper; and a power transmission unit to transmit rotational force of the damper motor to the other selected from between the first exhaust damper and the second exhaust damper.
a damper motor to rotate any one selected from between the first exhaust damper and the second exhaust damper; and
a power transmission unit to transmit rotational force of the damper motor to the other selected from between the first exhaust damper and the second exhaust damper.
The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 16 , wherein the power transmission unit comprises: a first bar fixed to the first exhaust damper such that the first bar is rotated along with the first exhaust damper by the damper motor; a second bar rotatably coupled to the first bar; and a third bar connected between the second bar and the second exhaust damper.
a first bar fixed to the first exhaust damper such that the first bar is rotated along with the first exhaust damper by the damper motor;
a second bar rotatably coupled to the first bar; and
a third bar connected between the second bar and the second exhaust damper.
The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 16 , wherein the power transmission unit comprises: a first gear provided at any one selected from between the first exhaust damper and the second exhaust damper such that the first gear is rotated by the damper motor; and a second gear provided at the other selected from between the first exhaust damper and the second exhaust damper such that the second gear is coupled to the first gear.
a first gear provided at any one selected from between the first exhaust damper and the second exhaust damper such that the first gear is rotated by the damper motor; and
a second gear provided at the other selected from between the first exhaust damper and the second exhaust damper such that the second gear is coupled to the first gear.
The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the first exhaust damper is driven by the damper drive unit to open the first connection channel, and the second exhaust damper closes the second connection channel due to weight such that the second connection channel opens as pressure in the second receiving space increases.
the first exhaust damper is driven by the damper drive unit to open the first connection channel, and
the second exhaust damper closes the second connection channel due to weight such that the second connection channel opens as pressure in the second receiving space increases.
The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 5 , further comprising a sensor to sense positions of the first exhaust damper and the second exhaust damper.
Ref US20140238088A1: Claims:
A laundry treating apparatus comprising: a first cabinet having a first receiving space to receive laundry; a second cabinet having a second receiving space to receive laundry, the second cabinet being separated from the first cabinet; a partition wall located at an upper part of the second receiving space to divide an interior of the second cabinet; a supply unit to selectively supply air to the first receiving space and the second receiving space; a discharge unit comprising an exhaust duct to discharge air in the first receiving space out of the first cabinet and a suction fan provided in the partition wall such that the suction fan is located in the second cabinet to suction air from the second receiving space such that the air from the second receiving space moves to the exhaust duct.
a first cabinet having a first receiving space to receive laundry;
a second cabinet having a second receiving space to receive laundry, the second cabinet being separated from the first cabinet;
a partition wall located at an upper part of the second receiving space to divide an interior of the second cabinet;
a supply unit to selectively supply air to the first receiving space and the second receiving space;
a discharge unit comprising an exhaust duct to discharge air in the first receiving space out of the first cabinet and a suction fan provided in the partition wall such that the suction fan is located in the second cabinet to suction air from the second receiving space such that the air from the second receiving space moves to the exhaust duct.
The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the exhaust duct comprises: a duct body provided in the first cabinet to allow the first receiving space to communicate with an outside of the first cabinet therethrough; a first connection channel connected between the duct body and the second receiving space to guide air from the duct body to the second receiving space; and a second connection channel connected between the duct body and the second receiving space, the suction fan being provided in the second connection channel.
a duct body provided in the first cabinet to allow the first receiving space to communicate with an outside of the first cabinet therethrough;
a first connection channel connected between the duct body and the second receiving space to guide air from the duct body to the second receiving space; and
a second connection channel connected between the duct body and the second receiving space, the suction fan being provided in the second connection channel.
The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the discharge unit further comprises an exhaust fan provided in the duct body such that the exhaust fan is located between the first receiving space and the first connection channel to move air from the first receiving space to the duct body.
The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the discharge unit further comprises: a first exhaust damper to open any one selected from between the first connection channel and the duct body; and a second exhaust damper to open any one selected from between the second connection channel and the duct body.
a first exhaust damper to open any one selected from between the first connection channel and the duct body; and
a second exhaust damper to open any one selected from between the second connection channel and the duct body.
The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the discharge unit further comprises a dehumidification unit located between the exhaust fan and the first connection channel to dehumidify air discharged from the first receiving space.
The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 5 , further comprising a drive unit having a first rotary shaft to rotate the first receiving space and a second rotary shaft to rotate the exhaust fan.
The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the supply unit comprises: a heating channel provided in the first cabinet to heat air, the heating channel having a first discharge port and a second discharge port to discharge the heated air; a first supply channel connected between the first discharge port and the first receiving space; a second supply channel to allow the second discharge port and the second receiving space to communicate with each other therethrough; and a supply damper to selectively open the first discharge port and the second discharge port.
a heating channel provided in the first cabinet to heat air, the heating channel having a first discharge port and a second discharge port to discharge the heated air;
a first supply channel connected between the first discharge port and the first receiving space;
a second supply channel to allow the second discharge port and the second receiving space to communicate with each other therethrough; and
a supply damper to selectively open the first discharge port and the second discharge port.
The laundry treating apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the partition wall comprises: a first connection channel fixing hole to allow the first connection channel to communicate with the second receiving space therethrough; a second connection channel fixing hole to allow the suction fan to communicate with the second receiving space therethrough; and a supply channel fixing hole to allow the second s
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