`
`UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`United States Patent and Trademark Office
`Address: COMMISSIONER FOR PATENTS
`PO. Box 1450
`Alexandria1 Virginia 22313-1450
`www.uspto.gov
`
`NOTICE OF ALLOWANCE AND FEE(S) DUE
`
`23364
`
`7590
`
`03/24/2014
`
`BACON & THOMAS , PLLC
`625 SLATERS LANE
`FOURTHFLOOR
`ALEXANDRIA, VA 22314-1176
`
`SZPIRA, JULIE ANN
`
`3731
`
`DATE MAILED: 03/24/2014
`
`11/984,129
`
`11/14/2007
`
`Takeshi Matsusaka
`
`MATS3048/REF
`
`5571
`
`TITLE OF INVENTION: Hair removing apparatus
`
`
`
`
`
`APPLN. TYPE
`
`ENTITY STATUS
`
`ISSUE FEE DUE
`
`PUBLICATION FEE DUE
`
`PREV. PAID ISSUE FEE
`
`TOTAL FEE(S) DUE
`
`DATE DUE
`
`nonprovisional
`
`UNDISCOUNTED
`
`$960
`
`$0
`
`$0
`
`$960
`
`06/24/2014
`
`THE APPLICATION IDENTIFIED ABOVE HAS BEEN EXAMINED AND IS ALLOWED FOR ISSUANCE AS A PATENT.
`PROSECUTION ON THE MERITS IS CLOSED. THIS NOTICE OF ALLOWANCE IS NOT A GRANT OF PATENT RIGHTS.
`THIS APPLICATION IS SUBJECT TO WITHDRAWAL FROM ISSUE AT THE INITIATIVE OF THE OFFICE OR UPON
`PETITION BY THE APPLICANT. SEE 37 CFR 1.313 AND MPEP 1308.
`
`THE ISSUE FEE AND PUBLICATION FEE (IF REQUIRED) MUST BE PAID WITHIN THREE MONTHS FROM THE
`MAILING DATE OF THIS NOTICE OR THIS APPLICATION SHALL BE REGARDED AS ABANDONED.
`THIS
`STATUTORY PERIOD CANNOT BE EXTENDED.
`SEE 35 U.S.C. 151. THE ISSUE FEE DUE INDICATED ABOVE DOES
`NOT REFLECT A CREDIT FOR ANY PREVIOUSLY PAID ISSUE FEE IN THIS APPLICATION.
`IF AN ISSUE FEE HAS
`PREVIOUSLY BEEN PAID IN THIS APPLICATION (AS SHOWN ABOVE), THE RETURN OF PART B OF THIS FORM
`WILL BE CONSIDERED A REQUEST TO REAPPLY THE PREVIOUSLY PAID ISSUE FEE TOWARD THE ISSUE FEE NOW
`DUE.
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`HOW TO REPLY TO THIS NOTICE:
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`I. Review the ENTITY STATUS shown above. If the ENTITY STATUS is shown as SMALL or MICRO, verify whether entitlement to that
`entity status still applies.
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`"Change in Entity Status (from status indicated above)".
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`fees.
`
`II. PART B - FEE(S) TRANSMITTAL, or its equivalent, must be completed and returned to the United States Patent and Trademark Office
`(USPTO) with your ISSUE FEE and PUBLICATION FEE (if required). If you are charging the fee(s) to your deposit account, section "4b"
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`
`III. All communications regarding this application must give the application number. Please direct all communications prior to issuance to
`Mail Stop ISSUE FEE unless advised to the contrary.
`
`IMPORTANT REMINDER: Utility patents issuing on applications filed on or after Dec. 12, 1980 may require payment of
`maintenance fees. It is patentee's responsibility to ensure timely payment of maintenance fees when due.
`
`PTOL—85 (Rev. 02/11)
`
`Page 1 of 3
`
`

`

`PART B - FEE(S) TRANSMITTAL
`
`Complete and send this form, together with applicable fee(s), to: Mail Mail Stop ISSUE FEE
`Commissioner for Patents
`PO. Box 1450
`Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1450
`or m (571)-273-2885
`
`through 5 should be completed where
`INSTRUCTIONS: This form should be used for transmitting the ISSUE FEE and PUBLICATION FEE (if required). Blocks 1
`ap ropriate. All further correspondence including the Patent, advance orders and notification of maintenance fees will be mailed to the current correspondence address as
`indicated unless corrected below or directed otherwise in Block 1, by (a) specifying a new correspondence address; and/or (b) indicating a separate "FEE ADDRESS" for
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`CURRENT CORRESPONDENCE ADDRESS (Note: Use Block 1 for any change ofaddFESS)
`
`03/24/2014
`7590
`23364
`BACON & THOMAS, PLLC
`625 SLATERS LANE
`FOURTH FLOOR
`
`ALEXANDRIA, VA 22314-1176
`
`Note: A certificate of mailin can only be used for domestic mailings of the
`Fee(s) Transmittal. This certi icate cannot be used for any other accompanying
`apers. Each additional paper, such as an assignment or formal drawing, must
`gave its own certificate of mailing or transmission.
`Certificate of Mailing or Transmission
`I hereby certify that this Fee(s) Transmittal is being deposited with the United
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`addressed to the Mail Stop ISSUE FEE address above, or being facsimile
`transmitted to the USPTO (571) 273—2885, on the date indicated below.
`
`(Date)
`
`(DEPWSW)
`(Signature)
`
`APPLICATION NO.
`
`FILING DATE
`
`
`
`
`
` F {ST NAMED INVENTOR
`
`ATTORNEY DOCKET NO.
`
`CONFIRMATION NO.
`
`11/984,129
`
`11/14/2007
`
`Takeshi Matsusaka
`
`MATS3048/REF
`
`5571
`
`TITLE OF INVENTION: Hair removing apparatus
`
`APPLN. TYPE
`
`ENTITY STATUS
`
`ISSUE FEE DUE
`
`PUBLICATION FEE DUE
`
`PREV. PAID ISSUE FEE
`
`TOTAL FEE(S) DUE
`
`DATE DUE
`
`nonprovisional
`
`UNDISCOUNTED
`
`SZPIRA, JULIE ANN
`
`$960
`
`3731
`
`1. Change of correspondence address or indication of "Fee Address" (37
`CFR 1.363).
`
`3 Chan e of correspondence address (or Change of Correspondence
`Address orm PTO/SB/ 122) attached.
`
`3 "Fee Address" indication (or "Fee Address" Indication form
`PTO/SB/47; Rev 03—02 or more recent) attached. Use of a Customer
`Vumber is required.
`
`
`
`$0
`
`$0
`
`$960
`
`06/24/2014
`
`606— 133000
`
`2. For printing on the patent front page, list
`(1) The names of up to 3 registered patent attorneys
`or agents OR, alternatively,
`(2) The name of a single firm (having as a member a
`registered attorney or agent) and the names of up to
`2 registered patent attorneys or agents. If no name is
`listed, no name will be printed.
`
`2
`
`3
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`3. ASSIGNEE NAME AND RESIDENCE DATA TO BE PRINTED ON THE PATENT (print or type)
`If an assignee is identified below, the document has been filed for
`PLEASE NOTE: Unless an assignee is identified below, no assignee data will appear on the patent.
`recordation as set forth in 37 CFR 3.11. Completion of this form is NOT a substitute for filing an assignment.
`(A) NAME OF ASSIGNEE
`(B) RESIDENCE: (CITY and STATE OR COUNTRY)
`
`Please check the appropriate assignee category or categories (will not be printed on the patent) :
`
`'3 Individual
`
`'3 Corporation or other private group entity '3 Government
`
`4a. The following fee(s) are submitted:
`3 Issue Fee
`
`4b. Payment of Fee(s): (Please first reapply any previously paid issue fee shown above)
`3 A check is enclosed.
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`3 Publication Fee (No small entity discount permitted)
`3 Advance Order — # of Copies
`
`5. Change in Entity Status (from status indicated above)
`3 Applicant certifying micro entity status. See 37 CFR 1.29
`
`3 Applicant asserting small entity status. See 37 CFR 1.27
`
`3 Applicant changing to regular undiscounted fee status.
`
`
`
`3 Payment by credit card. Form PTO—2038 is attached.
`3 The Director is hereby authorized to charge the required fee(s), any deficiency, or credits any
`overpayment, to Deposit Account Number
`(enclose an extra copy of this form).
`
`VOTE: Absent a valid certification of Micro Entity Status (see forms PTO/SB/ 15A and 15B), issue
`fee payment in the micro entity amount will not be accepted at the risk of application abandonment.
`VOTE: If the application was previously under micro entity status, checking this box will be taken
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`VOTE: Checking this box will be taken to be a notification of loss of entitlement to small or micro
`entity status, as applicable.
`
`NOTE: This form must be signed in accordance with 37 CFR 1.31 and 1.33. See 37 CFR 1.4 for signature requirements and certifications.
`
`Authorized Signature
`
`Typed or printed name
`
`
`Date
`
`Registration No.
`
`PTOL—85 Part B (10—13) Approved for use through 10/31/2013.
`
`OMB 0651—0033
`
`US. Patent and Trademark Office; US. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`
`Page 2 of 3
`
`

`

`
`
`UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`APPLICATION NO.
`
`FILING DATE
`
`
`
`
`F {ST NAMED INVENTOR
`
`UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`United States Patent and Trademark Office
`Address: COMMISSIONER FOR PATENTS
`PO. Box 1450
`Alexandria1 Virginia 22313-1450
`www.uspto.gov
`
`ATTORNEY DOCKET NO.
`
`CONFIRMATION NO.
`
`11/984,129
`
`11/14/2007
`
`Takeshi Matsusaka
`
`MATS3048/REF
`
`5571
`
`23364
`
`7590
`
`03/24/2014
`
`BACON & THOMAS , PLLC
`625 SLATERS LANE
`FOURTHFLOOR
`ALEXANDRIA, VA 22314-1176
`
`SZPIRA, JULIE ANN
`
`3731
`
`DATE MAILED: 03/24/2014
`
`Determination of Patent Term Adjustment under 35 U.S.C. 154 (b)
`
`(application filed on or after May 29, 2000)
`
`The Patent Term Adjustment to date is 1148 day(s). If the issue fee is paid on the date that is three months after the
`mailing date of this notice and the patent issues on the Tuesday before the date that is 28 weeks (six and a half
`months) after the mailing date of this notice, the Patent Term Adjustment will be 1148 day(s).
`
`If a Continued Prosecution Application (CPA) was filed in the above—identified application, the filing date that
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`
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`(PAIR) WEB site (http://pair.uspto.g0V).
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`Any questions regarding the Patent Term Extension or Adjustment determination should be directed to the Office of
`Patent Legal Administration at (571)—272—7702. Questions relating to issue and publication fee payments should be
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`
`PTOL—85 (Rev. 02/11)
`
`Page 3 0f 3
`
`

`

`OMB Clearance and PRA Burden Statement for PTOL-85 Part B
`
`The Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995 requires Federal agencies to obtain Office of Management and
`Budget approval before requesting most types of information from the public. When OMB approves an agency
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`1320.5(b).
`
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`enforcement agency, if the USPTO becomes aware of a violation or potential violation of law or regulation.
`
`

`

`
`
`.
`.
`.
`Notice of Allowability
`
`Application No.
`11/984,129
`'
`533;;ersz RA
`
`Applicant(s)
`MATSUSAKA ET AL.
`'
`AIA (First Inventor to
`97%?“
`File) Status
`No
`
`-- The MAILING DA TE of this communication appears on the cover sheet with the correspondence address--
`All claims being allowable, PROSECUTION ON THE MERITS IS (OR REMAINS) CLOSED in this application.
`If not included
`herewith (or previously mailed), a Notice of Allowance (PTOL-85) or other appropriate communication will be mailed in due course. THIS
`NOTICE OF ALLOWABILITY IS NOT A GRANT OF PATENT RIGHTS. This application is subject to withdrawal from issue at the initiative
`of the Office or upon petition by the applicant. See 37 CFR 1.313 and MPEP 1308.
`
`1. IX This communication is responsive to the amendment filed 2/6/2012.
`
`[I A declaration(s)/affidavit(s) under 37 CFR 1.130(b) was/were filed on
`
`2. I] An election was made by the applicant in response to a restriction requirement set forth during the interview on
`requirement and election have been incorporated into this action.
`
`3. IX The allowed claim(s) is/are 1 3 6 9 and 11-13. As a result of the allowed claim(s), you may be eligible to benefit from the Patent
`I».
`Prosecution Highway program at a participating intellectual property office for the corresponding application. For more information,
`
`please see htt' ://www.us ‘to. ov/ atents/init events/r h/indexIsr or send an inquiry to PPeredback us f0.CfOV.
`
`; the restriction
`
`4. IX Acknowledgment is made of a claim for foreign priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a)-(d) or (f).
`
`Certified copies:
`
`a) IX A”
`
`b) [I Some
`
`*c) D None of the:
`
`1. [Z Certified copies of the priority documents have been received.
`
`2. I] Certified copies of the priority documents have been received in Application No.
`
`
`
`3. El Copies of the certified copies of the priority documents have been received in this national stage application from the
`International Bureau (PCT Rule 17.2(a)).
`
`* Certified copies not received:
`
`Applicant has THREE MONTHS FROM THE “MAILING DATE” of this communication to file a reply complying with the requirements
`noted below. Failure to timely comply will result in ABANDONMENT of this application.
`THIS THREE-MONTH PERIOD IS NOT EXTENDABLE.
`
`5. I] CORRECTED DRAWINGS ( as “replacement sheets”) must be submitted.
`
`I] including changes required by the attached Examiner’s Amendment / Comment or in the Office action of
`Paper No./Mai| Date
`.
`Identifying indicia such as the application number (see 37 CFR 1.84(c)) should be written on the drawings in the front (not the back) of
`each sheet. Replacement sheet(s) should be labeled as such in the header according to 37 CFR 1.121(d).
`
`6. I] DEPOSIT OF and/or INFORMATION about the deposit of BIOLOGICAL MATERIAL must be submitted. Note the
`attached Examiner’s comment regarding REQUIREMENT FOR THE DEPOSIT OF BIOLOGICAL MATERIAL.
`
`Attachment(s)
`1. I] Notice of References Cited (PTO-892)
`
`2. I] Information Disclosure Statements (PTO/SB/08),
`Paper No./Mai| Date
`3. I] Examiner‘s Comment Regarding Requirement for Deposit
`of Biological Material
`4. I] Interview Summary (PTO-413),
`Paper No./Mai| Date
`
`/THOMAS MCEVOY/
`
`Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3731
`
`5. El Examiner‘s Amendment/Comment
`
`6. [Z Examiner‘s Statement of Reasons for Allowance
`
`7. I] Other
`
`.
`
`/J. A. S./
`
`Examiner, Art Unit 3731
`March 10, 2014
`
`
`
`
`US. Patent and Trademark Office
`
`PTOL-37 (Rev. 08-13)
`
`Notice of Allowability
`
`Part of Paper No./Mai| Date 20140310
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 11/984,129
`
`Page 2
`
`Art Unit: 3731
`
`1.
`
`The present application is being examined under the pre-AIA first to invent
`
`provisions.
`
`DETAILED ACTION
`
`Receipt is acknowledged of applicant's amendment filed 2/6/2012. Claims 1,3,6,9
`
`and 11-13 are pending and an action on the merits is as follows.
`
`Allowable Subject Matter
`
`Claims 1, 3, 6, 9 and 11-13 allowed.
`
`The following is an examiner’s statement of reasons for allowance: The prior art
`
`2.
`
`3.
`
`does not disclose or fairly suggest a motivation to combine a hair remover apparatus
`
`inter alia, wherein the apparatus has a bubble retention member that encloses the
`
`apparatus to retain soap bubbles therein. The bubble retention member is at a leading
`
`side of a movement direction of the one or more rotatable cylinders, and disposed in a
`
`retreated position. The apparatus further comprises a wiper member at a trailing side of
`
`the rotatable cylinders. The arrangement of the wiper member, the bubble retention
`
`member and the rotating cylinders allow for bubbles to be collected from the bubble
`
`collection plate and remain at the trailing side of the movement direction of the hair
`
`removal unit.
`
`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
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 11/984,129
`
`Page 3
`
`Art Unit: 3731
`
`Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the
`
`examiner should be directed to Julie Szpira whose telephone number is (571) 270-
`
`3866. The examiner can normally be reached on Monday-Friday, 1OAM-6PM.
`
`If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, please contact
`
`the examiner’s supervisor, Tom Hughes, at (571) 272-4357. The fax phone number for
`
`the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571 -273-8300.
`
`If there are any inquiries that are not being addressed by first contacting the
`
`Examiner or the Supervisor, you may send an email inquiry to:
`
`TC37GO___,\IVorkgmup___D___Inquiries@uspto.gov.
`
`Information regarding the status of an application may be obtained from the
`
`Patent Application Information Retrieval (PAIR) system. Status information for
`
`published applications may be obtained from either Private PAIR or Public PAIR.
`
`Status information for unpublished applications is available through Private PAIR only.
`
`For more information about the PAIR system, see http://pair-direct.uspto.gov. Should
`
`you have questions on access to the Private PAIR system, contact the Electronic
`
`Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a
`
`USPTO Customer Service Representative or access to the automated information
`
`system, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272—1000.
`
`/J. A. S./
`
`Examiner, Art Unit 3731
`
`March 10, 2014
`
`/THOMAS MCEVOY/
`
`Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3731
`
`