Office Action 1: Non-Final Rejection (2024-05-22)
Rejection types: 103 - Obviousness, 112 - Written Description/Enablement

CLAIMS:
WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1\. A laundry treating apparatus comprising:
a cabinet including:

a top panel and a bottom panel connecting the first side panel and the second side panel to each other and defining top and bottom surfaces of the cabinet, respectively; and
a first rear panel connecting the first side panel, the second side panel, and the top panel to each other and defining a rear surface of the cabinet; and
a second real panel connecting the first side panel and the second side panel to each other, wherein the second rear panel is positioned below the first rear panel,
a first base including:
a front panel fixed to the first side panel, the second side panel, the top panel, and
the bottom panel and defining a front surface of the cabinet; and
a laundry inlet extending through the front panel;
a first chamber fixed to the front panel and disposed inside the cabinet, wherein the first chamber has a laundry receiving space defined therein communicating with the laundry inlet;
a second base including:
a front frame disposed between the front panel and the second rear panel;
a top frame extending from the front frame toward the second rear panel and spaced apart from a bottom surface of the first chamber;
a first side frame spaced apart from the first side panel; and
a second side frame spaced apart from the second side panel;
a second chamber defined by the front frame, the top frame, the first side frame, the second side frame, the bottom panel, and the second rear panel;
a receiving body disposed inside the second chamber and supported on the bottom panel, wherein when the second rear panel is removed from the cabinet and thus the second chamber is opened, the receding body is able to be withdrawn out of the second chamber;
a supply unit received in the receiving body and disposed inside the second chamber to supply at least one of air or moisture to the first chamber; and

a thermal insulator including a foam plastic inserted into a foam space defined between the cabinet, the first base, the first chamber, and the second base.

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 .
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.
Claim 1 is 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 the limitation receding body in line 26.  There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action:
A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made.
The factual inquiries for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35 U.S.C. 103 are summarized as follows:
1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art.
2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue.
3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art.
4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or nonobviousness.
Claim(s) 1 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Park (US 2012/020425 cited in IDS), and further in view of Moon (US 2009/0255141 cited in IDS).
Regarding claim 1, Park figures 1 and 4-7 teach a laundry treating apparatus comprising:
a cabinet (7 outer cabinet) including:
a first side panel (71 side cabinet left) and a second side panel (71 side cabinet right) opposite to each other;
a top panel (75 top side cabinet);
a first rear panel (731 upper side rear panel) connecting the first side panel, the second side panel, and the top panel to each other and defining a rear surface of the cabinet; and
a second real panel (733 unit portion cabinet) connecting the first side panel and the second side panel to each other, wherein the second rear panel is positioned below the first rear panel,
a first base (assembly of 1, 11, 13, and 17) including:
a front panel (2 door) fixed to the first side panel, the second side panel, the top panel, and the bottom panel and defining a front surface of the cabinet; and
a laundry inlet extending through the front panel;
a first chamber (3 inner cabinet) fixed to the front panel and disposed inside the cabinet, wherein the first chamber has a laundry receiving space defined therein communicating with the laundry inlet;
a second base (assembly of 17, 13, 11, and 19) including:
a front frame (17 front frame) disposed between the front panel and the second rear panel;
a top frame (13 side frame) extending from the front frame toward the second rear panel and spaced apart from a bottom surface of the first chamber;
a first side frame (11 body frame right)spaced apart from the first side panel; and
a second side frame (11 body frame left) spaced apart from the second side panel;
a second chamber (6 supply unit portion) defined by the front frame, the top frame, the first side frame, the second side frame, the bottom panel, and the second rear panel;
a supply unit (61 air supply unit) received in the receiving body and disposed inside the second chamber to supply at least one of air or moisture to the first chamber.[0046-99]
Park is silent to a bottom panel connecting the first side panel and the second side panel to each other and defining a bottom surfaces of the cabinet.
It would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to provide a bottom panel in the apparatus of Park to mount the 61 air supply unit to the apparatus.[0046]
Park is silent to a thermal insulator including a foam plastic inserted into a foam space defined between the cabinet, the first base, the first chamber, and the second base.
However, Park teaches an air gap forming portion for thermal insulation of the inner cabinet will be described. The air gap forming portion forms an air layer between the inner cabinet 3 and the outer cabinet 7 for thermal insulation of the inner cabinet 3 from an outside of the laundry treating apparatus. Park further teaches the use of a foamed mold for thermal insulation.[0096-98]
Therefore, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the present invention to provide a thermal insulator including a foam plastic inserted into a foam space defined between the cabinet, the first base, the first chamber, and the second base as Park suggests this to be an obvious modification.
Park is silent to a receiving body disposed inside the second chamber and supported on the bottom panel, wherein when the second rear panel is removed from the cabinet and thus the second chamber is opened, the receiving body is able to be withdrawn out of the second chamber, and a supply unit received in the receiving body and disposed inside the second chamber to supply at least one of air or moisture to the first chamber.
Moon  is directed towards a laundry treating apparatus wherein figures 1-4 teach mechanism compartment 110 are mounted on a base plate 200, the base plate 200 being removed completely from the clothes-treating apparatus. The components inside the mechanism compartment 120 may include an air supply device, and a moisture supply device. The air supply device, for supplying hot air to the accommodating space 110 to dry the clothes inside the accommodating space, may include a heat exchanger 23, a compressor 22 and the ventilation duct 24. The components constituting the air supply device may be mounted on a base plate 200 that may be removable from the mechanism compartment 120. [0038-39]
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the present invention to provide a receiving body which is able to be withdrawn from the second chamber to access the air supply device.
Conclusion


NEXT OFFICE ACTION: DETAILED ACTION
Reasons for Allowance
The following is an examiner’s statement of reasons for allowance: Park (US 2012/020425 cited in IDS) in view of Choi (US 2014/0238086 cited in IDS) fails to teach or suggest the claimed invention.
Park figures 1 and 4-7 teach a laundry treating apparatus comprising:
a cabinet (7 outer cabinet) including:
a first side panel (71 side cabinet left) and a second side panel (71 side cabinet right) opposite to each other;
a top panel (75 top side cabinet);
a first rear panel (731 upper side rear panel) connecting the first side panel, the second side panel, and the top panel to each other and defining a rear surface of the cabinet; and
a second real panel (733 unit portion cabinet) connecting the first side panel and the second side panel to each other, wherein the second rear panel is positioned below the first rear panel,
a first base (assembly of 1, 11, 13, and 17) including:
a front panel (2 door) fixed to the first side panel, the second side panel, the top panel, and the bottom panel and defining a front surface of the cabinet; and
a laundry inlet extending through the front panel;
a first chamber (3 inner cabinet) fixed to the front panel and disposed inside the cabinet, wherein the first chamber has a laundry receiving space defined therein communicating with the laundry inlet;
a second base (assembly of 17, 13, 11, and 19) including:
a front frame (17 front frame) disposed between the front panel and the second rear panel;
a top frame (13 side frame) extending from the front frame toward the second rear panel and spaced apart from a bottom surface of the first chamber;
a first side frame (11 body frame right)spaced apart from the first side panel; and
a second side frame (11 body frame left) spaced apart from the second side panel;
a second chamber (6 supply unit portion) defined by the front frame, the top frame, the first side frame, the second side frame, the bottom panel, and the second rear panel;
a supply unit (61 air supply unit) received in the receiving body and disposed inside the second chamber to supply at least one of air or moisture to the first chamber.[0046-99]
Park is silent to a bottom panel connecting the first side panel and the second side panel to each other and defining a bottom surfaces of the cabinet.
It would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to provide a bottom panel in the apparatus of Park to mount the 61 air supply unit to the apparatus.[0046]
Choi is directed towards a laundry treatment apparatus wherein figure 3 teaches the moving hanger MH includes a hanger bar 51 having receiving grooves 511, in each of which a hook H of a clothes hanger 200 is received, and a support bar 53 to support opposite ends of the hanger bar 51.[0059] Choi further teaches the power conversion unit 55 may include a shaft coupling part 551 coupled to the rotary shaft 567, a rotary arm 553 extending from the shaft coupling part 551 in a direction perpendicular to the rotary shaft 567, a slot insertion part 555 provided at one end of the rotary arm 553 such that the slot insertion part 555 is rotated about the rotary shaft 567, and a slot 557 provided at the hanger bar 51 such that the slot insertion part 555 is received in the slot 557.[0068]
Although, Park teaches an air gap forming portion for thermal insulation of the inner cabinet will be described. The air gap forming portion forms an air layer between the inner cabinet 3 and the outer cabinet 7 for thermal insulation of the inner cabinet 3 from an outside of the laundry treating apparatus. Park further teaches the use of a foamed mold for thermal insulation.[0096-98]
However, Park in view of Choi fails to teach or suggest a foam plastic inserted into a foam space, defined between the cabinet, the first base, the first chamber, the support frame and the support body. The aforementioned limitations reduce vibration and noise while improving insulation effectiveness.
Conclusion
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 US20120240425A1: Claims:
A laundry treating apparatus comprising: an outer cabinet which forms an exterior of the laundry treating apparatus; an inner cabinet provided in the outer cabinet for providing a space for holding clothes; a frame for supporting an outside circumferential surface of the inner cabinet and fixedly securing the outer cabinet thereto; a supply unit portion for supplying hot air or steam to an inside of the inner cabinet, selectively; and an air gap forming portion for forming an air gap between the inner cabinet and the outer cabinet.
an outer cabinet which forms an exterior of the laundry treating apparatus;
an inner cabinet provided in the outer cabinet for providing a space for holding clothes;
a frame for supporting an outside circumferential surface of the inner cabinet and fixedly securing the outer cabinet thereto;
a supply unit portion for supplying hot air or steam to an inside of the inner cabinet, selectively; and
an air gap forming portion for forming an air gap between the inner cabinet and the outer cabinet.
The laundry treating apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the air gap forming portion includes side air gaps for spacing a predetermined distance between an outside circumferential surface of the inner cabinet and the outer cabinet.
The laundry treating apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the air gap forming portion includes a rear side air gap for spacing a predetermined distance between a rear side of the inner cabinet and the outer cabinet.
The laundry treating apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the air gap forming portion includes a top side air gap for spacing a predetermined distance between a top side of the inner cabinet and the outer cabinet.
The laundry treating apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the frame includes; a body frame provided in a height direction of the inner cabinet, side frames provided both side direction of the inner cabinet to connect the body frames, and a rear side frame provided to a rear side direction of the inner cabinet to connect the body frames.
a body frame provided in a height direction of the inner cabinet,
side frames provided both side direction of the inner cabinet to connect the body frames, and
a rear side frame provided to a rear side direction of the inner cabinet to connect the body frames.
The laundry treating apparatus as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the air gap forming portion includes side air gaps for spacing a predetermined distance between an outside circumferential surface of the inner cabinet and the outer cabinet, and the side air gap is provided by air gap frames projected from the side frames to an outside circumferential direction of the inner cabinet, respectively.
the side air gap is provided by air gap frames projected from the side frames to an outside circumferential direction of the inner cabinet, respectively.
The laundry treating apparatus as claimed in claim 6 , wherein the air gap forming portion includes a rear side air gap for spacing a predetermined distance between a rear side of the inner cabinet and the outer cabinet, and the rear side air gap is provided by an air gap boss which is projected from a rear side of the inner cabinet and supported on the rear side frame.
the rear side air gap is provided by an air gap boss which is projected from a rear side of the inner cabinet and supported on the rear side frame.
The laundry treating apparatus as claimed in claim 7 , further comprising a top frame provided to a top side of the body frame, and the air gap forming portion includes a top side air gap for spacing a predetermined distance between a top side of the inner cabinet and the outer cabinet, wherein the top side air gap is provided by an air gap bracket provided to the top side of top frame and the inner cabinet.
the air gap forming portion includes a top side air gap for spacing a predetermined distance between a top side of the inner cabinet and the outer cabinet, wherein the top side air gap is provided by an air gap bracket provided to the top side of top frame and the inner cabinet.
- 12 . (canceled)
The laundry treating apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the inner cabinet comprises an upper body and a lower body, wherein the upper body includes an upper rib extended toward the lower body and the lower body includes a lower rib provided to be in contact with the upper rib.
wherein the upper body includes an upper rib extended toward the lower body and the lower body includes a lower rib provided to be in contact with the upper rib.
The laundry treating apparatus as claimed in claim 13 , wherein the upper rib further includes a rib receiving portion for receiving the lower rib.
The laundry treating apparatus as claimed in claim 13 , further comprising a cover portion for covering a coupling surface of the upper body and the lower body and preventing hot air or steam from leaking.
The laundry treating apparatus as claimed in claim 15 , wherein the cover portion is detachable from the upper rib or the lower rib.
The laundry treating apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a strength reinforcing portion for reinforcing strength of the outer cabinet.
The laundry treating apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the air gap forming portion insulates the inner cabinet thermally.
Ref US20090255141A1: [content unavailable]
Ref US2012020425: Claims:
A precoder selection method of a terminal in a multiple antenna system, the method characterized by comprising: performing channel estimation for reference signals of a serving base station and another base station; determining a minimum singular value using the channel estimation result; and in a case where a full feedback cooperative scheme is used, feeding back a table of the determined minimum singular value to the base station.
performing channel estimation for reference signals of a serving base station and another base station;
determining a minimum singular value using the channel estimation result; and
in a case where a full feedback cooperative scheme is used, feeding back a table of the determined minimum singular value to the base station.
The method of claim 1, characterized in that determining the minimum singular value using the channel estimation result comprises: determining a coefficient matrix of a nulling filter of a receive end nulling or reducing a signal of the another base station; and determining the minimum singular value using a multiplication of a channel estimation matrix for the reference signals of the serving base station and another base station and the coefficient matrix of the nulling filter.
determining a coefficient matrix of a nulling filter of a receive end nulling or reducing a signal of the another base station; and
determining the minimum singular value using a multiplication of a channel estimation matrix for the reference signals of the serving base station and another base station and the coefficient matrix of the nulling filter.
The method of claim 1, characterized by further comprising: in a case where a reduced feedback cooperative scheme is used, selecting a code word combination to be used by the serving base station among the determined minimum singular values; and feeding back the selected code word combination to the base station.
in a case where a reduced feedback cooperative scheme is used, selecting a code word combination to be used by the serving base station among the determined minimum singular values; and
feeding back the selected code word combination to the base station.
The method of claim 3, characterized in that the code word combination comprises a minimum singular value when a code word used by the another base station is worst selected among all code words available by the serving base station, and an index of a code word maximizing the minimum singular value.
The method of claim 1, characterized by further comprising, in a case where a cooperative scheme is not used, feeding back, to the serving base station, an index of a code word maximizing the minimum singular value when a code word used by the another base station is worst selected among all code words available by the serving base station, among the determined minimum singular values.
A precoder selection method of a base station in a multiple antenna system, the method characterized by comprising: receiving setting information from a terminal; in a case where a cooperative scheme is used, exchanging the setting information with setting information of another base station; in a case where the cooperative scheme is used, selecting a code word minimizing errors for the entire system based on the setting information and the setting information of the another base station; and in a case where the cooperative scheme is not used, selecting a code word minimizing errors for the entire system based on the setting information.
receiving setting information from a terminal;
in a case where a cooperative scheme is used, exchanging the setting information with setting information of another base station;
in a case where the cooperative scheme is used, selecting a code word minimizing errors for the entire system based on the setting information and the setting information of the another base station; and
in a case where the cooperative scheme is not used, selecting a code word minimizing errors for the entire system based on the setting information.
The method of claim 6, characterized in that the setting information comprises at least one of a minimum singular value table and an index for the minimum singular value table.
An apparatus of a terminal of selecting a code word in a multiple antenna system, the apparatus characterized by comprising: a channel estimator for performing channel estimation for reference signals of a serving base station and another base station; a minimum singular value calculator for determining a minimum singular value using the channel estimation result; and a transmitter for, in a case where a full feedback cooperative scheme is used, feeding back a table of the determined minimum singular value to the base station.
a channel estimator for performing channel estimation for reference signals of a serving base station and another base station;
a minimum singular value calculator for determining a minimum singular value using the channel estimation result; and
a transmitter for, in a case where a full feedback cooperative scheme is used, feeding back a table of the determined minimum singular value to the base station.
The apparatus of claim 8, characterized in that the minimum singular value calculator determines the minimum singular value using the channel estimation result, by determining a coefficient matrix of a nulling filter of a receive end nulling or reducing a signal of another base station, and determining the minimum singular value using a multiplication of a channel estimation matrix for the reference signals of the serving base station and another base station and the coefficient matrix of the nulling filter.
The apparatus of claim 8, characterized in that, in a case where a reduced feedback cooperative scheme is used, the minimum singular value calculator selects a code word combination to be used by the serving base station among the determined minimum singular values, and feeds back the selected code word combination to the base station.
feeds back the selected code word combination to the base station.
The apparatus of claim 10, characterized in that the code word combination comprises a minimum singular value when a code word used by the another base station is worst selected among all code words available by the serving base station, and an index of a code word maximizing the minimum singular value.
The apparatus of claim 8, characterized in that, in a case where a cooperative scheme is not used, the minimum singular value calculator selects an index of a code word maximizing the minimum singular value when a code word used by the another base station is worst selected among all code words available by the serving base station, among the determined minimum singular values, and wherein the transmitter feeds back the index of the code word to the serving base station.
wherein the transmitter feeds back the index of the code word to the serving base station.
An apparatus of a base station of selecting a precoder in a multiple antenna system, the apparatus characterized by comprising: a minimum singular value comparator for receiving setting information from a terminal, and exchanging and comparing with setting information of another base station; and a code word selector for, in a case where a cooperative scheme is used, exchanging the setting information with setting information of another base station, selecting a code word minimizing errors for the entire system based on the setting information and the setting information of the another base station and, in a case where the cooperative scheme is not used, selecting a code word minimizing errors for the entire system based on the setting information.
a minimum singular value comparator for receiving setting information from a terminal, and exchanging and comparing with setting information of another base station; and
a code word selector for, in a case where a cooperative scheme is used, exchanging the setting information with setting information of another base station, selecting a code word minimizing errors for the entire system based on the setting information and the setting information of the another base station and, in a case where the cooperative scheme is not used, selecting a code word minimizing errors for the entire system based on the setting information.
The apparatus of claim 13, characterized in that the setting information comprises at least one of a minimum singular value table and an index for the minimum singular value table.
Ref US20090255141: Claims:
1. A clothes treating apparatus comprising:
a cabinet having an accommodating space where clothes are placed; and a mechanism compartment isolated from the accommodating space by a partition, the mechanism compartment comprising a moisture supply device adapted to supply moisture to the accommodating space and an air supply device adapted to supply dry or heated air to the accommodating space; at least one opening formed at a surface of the mechanism compartment providing access to the interior of the mechanism compartment; and a module disposed in the cabinet, including at least one of the moisture supply device and the air supply device, wherein the module is removable from the cabinet via the at least one opening.
2. The clothes treating apparatus of claim 1, wherein the surface of the mechanism compartment comprises:
a panel that allows the opening to be selectively opened or closed.
3. The clothes treating apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one opening comprises:
a first opening at a first surface of the mechanism compartment and a second opening at a second surface of the mechanism compartment.
4. The clothes treating apparatus of claim 3, wherein the module comprises:
two sub-modules, and wherein the first sub-module is removable through the first opening and the second sub-module is removable through the second opening.
5. The clothes treating apparatus of claim 1, wherein the module includes one or more of the components in the mechanism compartment.
6. The clothes treating apparatus of claim 5, wherein the module is installed in the mechanism compartment, and the mechanism compartment is provided in a lower portion of the cabinet.
7. The clothes treating apparatus of claim 1, wherein the opening is provided at a rear surface of the mechanism compartment.
8. The clothes treating apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a cover adapted to selectively cover the opening.
9. The clothes treating apparatus of claim 1, wherein the module is mounted on a base plate, the base plate being removable from the mechanism compartment.
10. The clothes treating apparatus of claim 9, wherein a guide member is installed on opposing inner surfaces of the mechanism compartment to guide the motion of the base plate toward the opening.
11. The clothes treating apparatus of claim 10, wherein the guide member comprises an insertion groove adapted to receive opposite ends of the base plate.
12. The clothes treating apparatus of claim 11, wherein the base plate comprises at least one roller provided at a lower surface of the base plate.
13. The clothes treating apparatus of claim 10, wherein a guide groove is formed at an upper surface of the guide member in a longitudinal direction and a roller is seated in the guide member and moves along the guide member.
14. The clothes treating apparatus of claim 10, wherein a limiting member is formed at the guide member to limit the insertion depth of the base plate.
15. The clothes treating apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a protrusion adapted to prevent the base plate from separating from the position where the base plate is limited by the limiting member.
16. The clothes treating apparatus of claim 1, wherein the moisture supply device comprises a device adapted to supply steam to the accommodating space, and the air supply device comprises a heat pump including a compressor adapted to compress refrigerant, and a heat exchanger adapted to exchange heat with the refrigerant and air inside the mechanism compartment.
17. A clothes treating apparatus comprising:
a cabinet having an accommodating space where clothes are placed; and a mechanism compartment separated from the accommodating space by a partition, the mechanism compartment comprising a moisture supply device adapted to supply moisture to the accommodating space and an air supply device adapted to supply dry or heated air to the accommodating space; at least one opening formed at a surface of the mechanism compartment providing access to the interior of the mechanism compartment; and a module disposed in the cabinet, including at least one of the moisture supply device and the air supply device, wherein the module is removable from the cabinet via the opening.
18. The clothes treating apparatus of claim 17, wherein the surface of the mechanism compartment includes a panel that allows the opening to be selectively opened or closed.
19. The clothes treating apparatus of claim 17, wherein the at least one opening comprises a first opening at a first surface of the mechanism compartment and a second opening at a second surface of the mechanism compartment.
20. The clothes treating apparatus of claim 19, wherein the module comprises two sub-modules, and wherein the first sub-module is removable through the first opening and the second sub-module is removable through the second opening.