www.uspto.gov
`
`UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`United States Patent and TrademarkOffice
`Address; COMMISSIONER FOR PATENTS
`P.O. Box 1450
`Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1450
`
`16/981,040
`
`09/15/2020
`
`Motohiro MORISHITA
`
`PAND.10PUSO1
`
`4A10
`
`MARKD. SARALINO (PAN)
`RENNER, OTTO, BOISSELLE & SKLAR, LLP
`1621 EUCLID AVENUE
`ISTH FLOOR
`
`CLEVELAND, OH 44115
`
`LEONE, CHRISTOPHER 8
`
`2834
`
`03/28/2022
`
`ELECTRONIC
`
`Please find below and/or attached an Office communication concerning this application or proceeding.
`
`The time period for reply, if any, is set in the attached communication.
`
`Notice of the Office communication was sent electronically on above-indicated "Notification Date" to the
`following e-mail address(es):
`
`ipdocket @rennerotto.com
`
`PTOL-90A (Rev. 04/07)
`
`

`

`
`
`Disposition of Claims*
`1-17 is/are pending in the application.
`)
`Claim(s)
`5a) Of the above claim(s) ___ is/are withdrawn from consideration.
`Cj] Claim(s)
`is/are allowed.
`Claim(s) 1-13 and 15-17 is/are rejected.
`Claim(s) 14 is/are objectedto.
`1) Claim(s
`are subject to restriction and/or election requirement
`)
`* If any claims have been determined allowable, you maybeeligible to benefit from the Patent Prosecution Highway program at a
`participating intellectual property office for the corresponding application. For more information, please see
`http:/Awww.uspto.gov/patents/init_events/pph/index.jsp or send an inquiry to PPHfeedback@uspto.gov.
`
`) ) ) )
`
`Application Papers
`10) The specification is objected to by the Examiner.
`11) The drawing(s)filed on September 15, 2020 is/are: a) accepted or b)[) objected to by the Examiner.
`Applicant may not request that any objection to the drawing(s) be held in abeyance. See 37 CFR 1.85(a).
`Replacement drawing sheet(s) including the correction is required if the drawing(s) is objected to. See 37 CFR 1.121 (d).
`
`Priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119
`12)[¥] Acknowledgment is made of a claim for foreign priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a)-(d)or (f).
`Certified copies:
`c)() None ofthe:
`b)( Some**
`a) All
`1.4) Certified copies of the priority documents have been received.
`2.1) Certified copies of the priority documents have beenreceived in Application No.
`3.1.) 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)).
`* See the attached detailed Office action for a list of the certified copies not received.
`
`Attachment(s)
`
`1)
`
`Notice of References Cited (PTO-892)
`
`Information Disclosure Statement(s) (PTO/SB/08a and/or PTO/SB/08b)
`2)
`Paper No(s)/Mail Date
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
`
`3) (J Interview Summary (PTO-413)
`Paper No(s)/Mail Date
`(Qj Other:
`
`4)
`
`PTOL-326 (Rev. 11-13)
`
`Office Action Summary
`
`Part of Paper No./Mail Date 20220322
`
`Application No.
`Applicant(s)
`16/981,040
`MORISHITAetal.
`
`Office Action Summary Art Unit|AIA (FITF) StatusExaminer
`CHRISTOPHER S LEONE
`2834
`Yes
`
`
`
`-- The MAILING DATEofthis communication appears on the cover sheet with the correspondence address --
`Period for Reply
`
`A SHORTENED STATUTORY PERIOD FOR REPLYIS SET TO EXPIRE 3 MONTHS FROM THE MAILING
`DATE OF THIS COMMUNICATION.
`Extensions of time may be available underthe provisions of 37 CFR 1.136(a). In no event, however, may a reply betimely filed after SIX (6) MONTHSfrom the mailing
`date of this communication.
`If NO period for reply is specified above, the maximum statutory period will apply and will expire SIX (6) MONTHSfrom the mailing date of this communication.
`-
`- Failure to reply within the set or extended period for reply will, by statute, cause the application to become ABANDONED (35 U.S.C. § 133}.
`Any reply received by the Office later than three months after the mailing date of this communication, evenif timely filed, may reduce any earned patent term
`adjustment. See 37 CFR 1.704(b).
`
`Status
`
`1) Responsive to communication(s)filed on September 15, 2020.
`C) A declaration(s)/affidavit(s) under 37 CFR 1.130(b) was/werefiled on
`
`2a)L) This action is FINAL. 2b)¥)This action is non-final.
`3)02 An election was madeby the applicant in responseto a restriction requirement set forth during the interview
`on
`; the restriction requirement and election have been incorporated into this action.
`4\0) Since this application is in condition for allowance except for formal matters, prosecution as to the merits is
`closed in accordance with the practice under Exparte Quayle, 1935 C.D. 11, 453 O.G. 213.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/981,040
`Art Unit: 2834
`
`Page 2
`
`DETAILED ACTION
`
`Notice of Pre-AlA or AIA Status
`
`1.
`
`The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first
`
`inventor to file provisions of the AIA.
`
`Specification
`
`2.
`
`The disclosure is objected to because of the following informalities:
`
`e
`
`Improper grammar on P. 8, lines 9-10 “are not necessarily protrude out of the both
`
`ends” should read somethingsimilar to “do not necessarily protrude out both ends”
`
`e
`
`e
`
`=P. 15, line 26 mentions reference 33 while Fig. 5 only has reference 33e
`
`=P. 17, line 22 spiral groove and spiral groove angle should be pluralized
`
`Appropriate correction is required.
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
`
`3.
`
`In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102
`
`and 103 (or as subject to pre-AlA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory
`
`basis for the rejection will not be considered a new ground ofrejection if the prior art relied upon, and
`
`the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
`
`4.
`
`The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the basis
`
`for the rejections under this section made in this Office action:
`
`A person shall be entitled to a patent unless —
`
`(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale,
`or otherwise available to the public before the effectivefiling date of the claimed invention.
`
`5.
`
`Claim(s) 1-4, 12, 13, 15, and 16 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by
`
`Sakai et al. (US 20070052310 A1, hereinafter “Sakai”).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/981,040
`Art Unit: 2834
`
`Page 3
`
`Regarding claim 1, Sakai teaches a motor shaft that has a cylindrical shape (Fig. 12, 452) and
`
`forms a rotational axis (Fig. 12, axis formed by an imaginary line axially through center of shaft) of a
`
`motor (Fig. 6, 413),
`
`the motor shaft comprising: a processing target region (Fig. 12, 400) having a first end (Fig. 12,
`
`top end of 400) closer to a bottom face of the cylindrical shape (Fig. 12, top end of 452) and a second
`
`end (Fig. 12, bottom end of 400) closer to a top face of the cylindrical shape (Fig. 12, bottom end of
`
`452);
`
`FIG. 12
`
`> $58
`
`
`
`a spiral groove (Fig. 12, section of 404 that extends from bottom left to top right corner) at least
`
`one turn of which surrounds an outer circumferential surface (Fig. 12, 453) in the processing target
`
`region (Fig. 12, 400); and a reverse spiral groove (Fig. 12, section of 404 that extends from bottom right
`
`corner to top left corner) surrounding the outer circumferential surface (Fig. 12, 453) in the processing
`
`target region (Fig. 12, 400) in a direction reverse to a direction of the spiral groove, the reverse spiral
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/981,040
`Art Unit: 2834
`
`Page 4
`
`groove intersecting with the spiral groove at at least one point (Fig. 12, 404 the spiral and reversespiral
`
`can be seen to intersect in the center of the “X” formed by 404).
`
`Regarding claim 2, Sakai teaches the motor shaft according to claim 1. Sakai further teaches the
`
`shaft further comprising: a first-end circular groove (Fig. 12, 403 closer to the top of the figure)
`
`surrounding the outer circumferential surface (Fig. 12, 453) at the first end (Fig. 12, top end of 400); and
`
`a second-end circular groove (Fig. 12, 403 closer to the bottom of the figure) surrounding the outer
`
`circumferential surface (Fig. 12, 453) at the second end (Fig. 12, bottom end of 400).
`
`Regarding claim 3, Sakai teaches a motor shaft that has a cylindrical shape (Fig. 12, 452) and
`
`forms a rotational axis (Fig. 12, axis formed by an imaginary line axially through center of shaft) of a
`
`motor (Fig. 6, 413), the motor shaft comprising: a processing target region (Fig. 12, 400) having a first
`
`end (Fig. 12, top of 400) closer to a bottom face of the cylindrical shape (Fig. 12, top of 452) anda
`
`second end closer (Fig. 12, bottom of 400) to a top face (Fig. 12, bottom of 452) of the cylindrical shape;
`
`a Spiral groove (Fig. 12, section of 404 that extends from bottom left to top right corner) at least one
`
`turn of which surrounds an outer circumferential surface (Fig. 12, 453) of the cylindrical shape between
`
`the first end and the second end; and atleast one ofa first-end circular groove (Fig. 12, 403 closer to top
`
`of the figure) and a second-end circular groove (Fig. 12, 403 closer to bottom of the figure) the first-end
`
`circular groove being provided at thefirst end (Fig. 12, top of 400) and surrounding the outer
`
`circumferential surface (Fig. 12, 453), the second-end circular groove being provided at the second end
`
`(Fig. 12, bottom of 400) and surrounding the outer circumferential surface (Fig. 12, 453).
`
`Regarding claim 4, Sakai teaches the motor shaft according to claim 1. Sakai further teaches
`
`wherein the spiral groove (Fig. 12, section of 404 that extends from bottom left to top right corner)
`
`comprises a plurality of spiral grooves.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/981,040
`Art Unit: 2834
`
`Page 5
`
`Regarding claim 12, Sakai teaches the motor shaft according to claim 2. Sakai further teaches
`
`wherein the spiral groove is continuous with the first-end circular groove and the second-end circular
`
`groove(Fig. 12, notice how spirals 404 extend continuously into the grooves 403 at the edges).
`
`Regarding claim 13, Sakai teaches the motor shaft according to claim 2. Sakai further teaches
`
`wherein at least one of the first-end circular groove and the second-end circular groove has a groove
`
`width longer than a widthof the spiral groove (Fig. 12, notice the width of 403 is greater than the width
`
`of the grooves 404).
`
`Regarding claim 15, Sakai teachesa rotor (Fig. 12, 550), comprising: the motor shaft according
`
`to claim 1 (see earlier in this Office Action) and a plastic magnet (Fig. 6, 454) fixed to the processing
`
`target region (Fig. 6, 400) of the motor shaft (“The permanent magnet 454 is formedby injection
`
`molding a composite material produced by mixing magnetic powder with thermoplastic resin such as
`
`polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) and poly acetal (POM)”, [0065]).
`
`FIG. 6
`
`
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/981,040
`Art Unit: 2834
`
`Page 6
`
`Regarding claim 16, Sakai teaches a motor (Fig. 6, 413), including the rotor according to claim 15
`
`(see above).
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
`
`6.
`
`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 ordinaryskill in the art to which the
`claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention
`was made.
`
`7.
`
`Claim 5-7 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Sakai in view of
`
`Toshima (US 4748354 A).
`
`Regarding claim 5, Sakai teaches the motor shaft according to claim 1.
`
`Sakai does not teach wherein an inner wall of the spiral groove has a bottom, the bottom being
`
`closest to a center ofa circle of the cylindrical shape and being V-shaped.
`
`Toshima teachesa rotor groove wherein an inner wall (Fig. 1, V-shaped part of 8) of the groove
`
`(Fig. 1, 8) has a bottom (Fig. 1, center point of 8), the bottom being closest to a center of a circle of the
`
`cylindrical shape (look at 3 in Fig. 1 and whereit corresponds toin Fig. 5 to see howthis pointis the
`
`closest to the center of the round rotor) and being V-shaped.
`
`Pann.
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`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/981,040
`Art Unit: 2834
`
`Page 7
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date of
`
`the claimed invention, to modify the spiral groove of Sakai to have the shape taught by Toshima.
`
`This would have the advantageof balancing structural support of the groove while ensuring the
`
`groove covers a large surface area which would improve the groove’s ventilation capabilities (“Thus, the
`
`area of the ventilation groove 8 shownin FIG. 1 becomesthe largest in the spaces which can be selected
`
`by considering the allowable stress and the area necessarily becomeslarger than that obtainable in the
`
`U shaped or other configured ventilation grooves of conventional construction, so that the ventilation
`
`capacity of the ventilation groove 8 is also rendered the largest and the cooling effect of the groove 8
`
`becomesthe largest as well”, col. 3, 6-19). Additionally, this increased surface area would improve the
`
`ability of the grooves to keep a magnet mounted on the target area from moving around by having
`
`increase contact with said magnet.
`
`Regarding claim 6, Sakai teaches the motor shaft according to claim 1.
`
`Sakai does not teach wherein the spiral grooveis a cut groove having an uppermostportion, the
`
`uppermost portion being radially most distant from a center of a circle of the cylindrical shape and being
`
`in agreement with the outer circumferential surface.
`
`Toshima teaches a rotor groove wherein the grooveis a cut groove having an uppermostportion
`
`(Fig. 1, outer edges of 8), the uppermost portion being radially most distant from a centerof a circle of
`
`the cylindrical shape (notice 3 in Fig. 1 and whereit corresponds to in Fig. 5 to see howthis pointis
`
`farthest from the round rotor) and being in agreementwith the outer circumferential surface (Fig. 1,
`
`outer edge of 8 meets with bottom of 6 which is the outer edgeof3).
`
`It would have been obvious to one ofordinaryskill in the art, before the effective filing date of
`
`the claimed invention, to modify the spiral groove of Sakai to have the shape taught by Toshima.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/981,040
`Art Unit: 2834
`
`Page 8
`
`This would have the advantageof balancing structural support of the groove while ensuring the
`
`groove covers a large surface area which would improve the groove’s ventilation capabilities (“Thus, the
`
`area of the ventilation groove 8 shownin FIG. 1 becomes the largest in the spaces which can be selected
`
`by considering the allowable stress and the area necessarily becomeslarger than that obtainable in the
`
`U shaped or other configured ventilation grooves of conventional construction, so that the ventilation
`
`capacity of the ventilation groove 8 is also rendered the largest and the cooling effect of the groove 8
`
`becomesthe largest as well”, col. 3, 6-19). Additionally, this increased surface area would improve the
`
`ability of the grooves to keep a magnet mounted on the target area from moving around by having
`
`increase contact with said magnet.
`
`Regarding claim 7, Sakai teaches the motor shaft according to claim 1.
`
`Sakai does not teach wherein the spiral groove has a groove depth shorter than a groove width.
`
`Toshima teachesa rotor groove where the groove depthis short than the groove width(Fig. 1,
`
`width of “V” 8 is greater than its depth).
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date of
`
`the claimed invention, to modify the spiral groove of Sakai to have the shape taught by Toshima.
`
`This would have the advantageof balancing structural support of the groove while ensuring the
`
`groove covers a large surface area which would improve the groove’s ventilation capabilities (“Thus, the
`
`area of the ventilation groove 8 shownin FIG. 1 becomes the largest in the spaces which can be selected
`
`by considering the allowable stress and the area necessarily becomeslarger than that obtainable in the
`
`U shaped or other configured ventilation grooves of conventional construction, so that the ventilation
`
`capacity of the ventilation groove 8 is also rendered the largest and the cooling effect of the groove 8
`
`becomesthe largest as well”, col. 3, 6-19). Additionally, this increased surface area would improve the
`
`ability of the grooves to keep a magnet mounted on the target area from moving around by having
`
`increase contact with said magnet.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/981,040
`Art Unit: 2834
`
`Page 9
`
`8.
`
`Claim 8-10 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Sakai in view of Cross
`
`(US 20220052578 A1).
`
`Regarding claim 8, Sakai teaches the motor shaft according to claim 1.
`
`Sakai does not teach wherein the spiral grooveis inclined at 45 degrees with respect to the
`
`rotational axis.
`
`Cross teachesa rotor with a spiral groove (Fig. 7, 48) wherein the spiral grooveis inclined at 45
`
`degrees with respect to the rotational axis (“Typically, the helix angle is within a range of 5° to 85°
`
`relative to the rotating axis of the rotor is used. More preferably it is within the range 30° to 60° and
`
`most preferably within the range 30° to 45°”, [0077]).
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date of
`
`the claimed invention, to modify the spiral groove of Sakai to be inclined at 45 degreesrelative to the
`
`rotational axis as taught by Cross.
`
`This would have the advantage of making the groove contact with the supported magnet even
`
`between the axial and circumferential directions, thereby distributing the additional structural support
`
`created by the grooves evenly between the twodirections.
`
`Regarding claim 9, Sakai teaches the motor shaft according to claim 1.
`
`Sakai does not teach wherein the spiral grooveis inclined at 45 degrees or more with respect to
`
`the rotational axis.
`
`Cross teachesa rotor with a spiral groove (Fig. 7, 48) wherein the spiral grooveis inclined at 45
`
`degrees or more with respect to the rotational axis (“Typically, the helix angle is within a range of 5° to
`
`85° relative to the rotating axis of the rotor is used. More preferably it is within the range 30° to 60° and
`
`most preferably within the range 30° to 45°”, [0077]).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/981,040
`Art Unit: 2834
`
`Page 10
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date of
`
`the claimed invention, to modify the spiral groove of Sakai to be inclined at 45 degrees or morerelative
`
`to the rotational axis as taught by Cross.
`
`This would have the advantageof increasing the groove contactin the circumferential direction
`
`relative to the axial direction, thereby providing additional structural support in the circumferential
`
`direction.
`
`Regarding claim 10, Sakai teaches the motor shaft according to claim 1.
`
`Sakai does not teach wherein the spiral grooveis inclined at less than 45 degrees with respect to
`
`the rotational axis.
`
`Cross teachesa rotor with a spiral groove (Fig. 7, 48) wherein the spiral grooveis inclined at less
`
`than 45 degrees with respect to the rotational axis (“Typically, the helix angle is within a range of 5° to
`
`85° relative to the rotating axis of the rotor is used. More preferably it is within the range 30° to 60° and
`
`most preferably within the range 30° to 45°”, [0077]).
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date of
`
`the claimed invention, to modify the spiral groove of Sakai to be inclined at less than 45 degreesrelative
`
`to the rotational axis as taught by Cross.
`
`This would have the advantageof increasing the groove contactin the axial direction relative to
`
`the circumferential direction, thereby providing additional structural support in the axial direction.
`
`9.
`
`Claim 11 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Sakai in view of Siess et
`
`al. (US 20040046466 A1, hereinafter “Siess”).
`
`Regarding claim 11, Sakai teaches the motor shaft according to claim 1.
`
`Sakai does not teach wherein the spiral groove includes a wall configuredtofill the spiral groove
`
`at predetermined spacings, and the wall has an uppermost portion, the uppermost portion being
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/981,040
`Art Unit: 2834
`
`Page 11
`
`radially most distant from a center of a circle of the cylindrical shape and being in agreement with the
`
`outer circumferential surface.
`
`Siess teaches a rotor with a spiral groove (Fig. 1, 25) wherein the spiral groove includes a wall
`
`(Fig. 1, 27) configuredto fill the spiral groove at predetermined spacings(Fig. 1, 26), and the wall has an
`
`uppermostportion (Fig. 1, outer most circumferential portion of 27), the uppermost portion being
`
`radially most distant from a center of a circle of the cylindrical shape (the outer most circumferential
`
`portion is by definition farthest from the center of the circle) and being in agreementwith the outer
`
`circumferential surface (“The enveloping flux return structure 18 consists of an integral tubular body
`
`into which circumferential slots 25 are cut. The slots 25 define respective rings 35”, [0016] the slots are
`
`cut in, so wall 27 is the same depth as the outer circumferential surface of the rotor 18).
`
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`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date of
`
`the claimed invention, to modify the spiral of Sakai to have a partially filled bridge portion as taught by
`
`Siess.
`
`This would have the advantageof allowing for more precise placement of the rotor in the
`
`housing (“The enveloping flux return structure divided into rings in the region of the micromotor is
`
`continuous in the region of the pump housing. Because of the integrity of pump housing and enveloping
`
`flux return structure, a particularly exact centering of the pump housing relative to the micromotor is
`
`achieved. The assembly and the demands of precision made thereon are simplified”, [0007)).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/981,040
`Art Unit: 2834
`
`Page 12
`
`10.
`
`Claim 17 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Sakai in view of
`
`Takahashi et al. (US 20200153298 A1, hereinafter “Takahashi”.
`
`Regarding claim 17, Sakai teaches the motor according to claim 16.
`
`Sakai does not teach the motor being used in a blower.
`
`Takahashi teachesa rotor for an electric motor to be used in a blower (“As the rotor 2 of the
`
`motor 1 rotates, the impeller 504 attached to the shaft 11 rotates and blows air outdoors. During
`
`cooling operation of the air conditioning apparatus 500, heat discharged when refrigerant compressed
`
`by the compressor 509 is condensedin a condenser (notillustrated) is discharged outdoors by the
`
`outdoor fan 10 blowingair’, [0117]).
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, before the effective filing date of
`
`the claimed invention, to modify the motor of Sakai by incorporating the motor into a blower as taught
`
`by Takahashi.
`
`This would have the advantageof incorporating the device into a commercially desirable
`
`application.
`
`Allowable Subject Matter
`
`11.
`
`Claim 14 objected to as being dependent upon a rejected base claim, but would be allowable if
`
`rewritten in independent form including all of the limitations of the base claim and anyintervening
`
`claims. The following are reasons for allowance.
`
`Regarding claim 14, Sakai teaches the motor shaft according to claim 2.
`
`Sakai does not teach further comprising a circular groove configured to be connected to a
`
`retaining ring used for fixation of a bearing, wherein at least one of the first-end circular groove and the
`
`second-end circular groove has a groove width longer than a width of the circular groove.
`
`Yamamotoet al. (US 20130285482 A1, hereinafter “Yamamoto”) teaches a rotor shaft (Fig. 37,
`
`150), comprising a circular groove (Fig. 37, 1a) configured to be connected to a retaining ring used for
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/981,040
`Art Unit: 2834
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`Page 13
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`fixation of a bearing (Fig. 38, 410) (“FIG. 38 is a front view of the rotor obtained by assembling an E ring
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`and a bearing to the shaft shownin FIG. 37”, [0059]).
`
`
`
` ~
`y
`:
`hoy
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` anneAMee
`wh Ree
`SS
`aes
`
`
`
`BS2:satin
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`
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`However, Yamamoto does not teach wherein at least one of the first-end circular groove and
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`the second-end circular groove has a groove width longer than a width of the circular groove. For this
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`reason, the prior art has failed to anticipate or render obvious claim 14.
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 16/981,040
`Art Unit: 2834
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`Page 14
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`12.
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`The prior art made of record and notrelied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's
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`disclosure. Fleischmann et al. (EP 2945260 A2) teaches a rotor with cut spiral and reverse spiral grooves.
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`
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`Conclusion
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`13.
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`Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner
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`should be directed to CHRISTOPHER S LEONE whose telephone number is (571)272-4039. The examiner
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`If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor,
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`Quyen Leung can be reached on 571-272-8188. The fax phone number for the organization wherethis
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`application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 16/981,040
`Art Unit: 2834
`
`Page 15
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`questions, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like
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`assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA)or
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`
`/CHRISTOPHER S LEONE/
`Examiner, Art Unit 2834
`
`/QUYEN P LEUNG/
`Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 2834
`
`