Validity Search Report

Transcription

1 Validity Search Report Patent examiner: Carolina Gómez Lagerlöf Our ref: Date of search: 21 April 2016 Your ref: Test ref 013 Your guide through the patents of the world. P.O. Box 5055, SE Stockholm, Sweden Phone , Fax interpat@prv.se,

2 Validity Search The aim of a Validity search is to uncover prior art that may invalidate or limit the scope of a granted patent. The search is focused on prior art filed before the priority date of said patent. The report contains categorized citations (1, 2 or 3) together with comments on relevant documents. The patent references contain links to original documents on Espacenet, where legal status and patent family information is also available. Due to the Copy Right law the non patent literature documents (NPL), if any, will only be presented with bibliographic data in the electronic report. The complete references will be sent by mail. Please note that the patent examiner does not discuss the validity of the patent. The search is based on the national Swedish law practice, harmonized to the EPC Regulations. Scope of the search The search has focused on the following: The search is based on US The search is made with the respect to patent documentation which has been filed before and Non-Patent Literature (NPL) which has been published before Search history Used keywords and classes: IPC classes: A63H33/04.Building blocks, strips, or similar building parts A63H33/06 to be assembled without the use of additional elements A63H33/08 provided with complementary holes, grooves, or protuberances, e.g. dovetails A63H33/10 to be assembled by means of additional non-adhesive elements A63H3/12 Perforated strips or the like assembled by rods, bolts, or the like CPC classes: A63H 33/04. Building blocks, strips, or similar building parts A63H 33/042.. {Mechanical, electrical, optical, pneumatic or hydraulic arrangements;motors} A63H 33/044.. {Buildings} A63H 33/10.. to be assembled by means of additional non-adhesive elements A63H 33/ {with clip or snap mechanism} A63H 33/ {using screws, bolts, nails, rivets, clamps}} 2(6)

3 Search words (truncations are not included, for the sake of clarity): Connector, straw, construction, building, toy Summary of the result The patent examiner s comments: The search has revealed documents with similar connectors as the claimed connectors of US The most relevant documents are marked with 1. If there are any questions regarding the result, please do not hesitate to contact the examiner. The following databases have been used: EPODOC World Patent Index (WPI) Full-text English, German and French Fulltext NPL Result The following documents are considered to be relevant. They are categorized according to the codes: 1 = Document of particular interest 2 = Document defining general state of the art 3 = Document referred to for other reasons v 3(6)

4 Patent Literature - overview Aspect Patent number Applicant Class Relevance Connector US A MAGIC MOLD CO A63H 1 Connector AU719889B OAKMOORE PTY A63H 1 Connector WO A1 HOBACK J F A63H 2 Patent literature - details Follow the links in the patent numbers to original documents on Espacenet, where legal status and patent family information (INPADOC) is also available (in the left-hand menu). 1 Aspect Relevance Patent number Class Connector 1 US A A63H33/06; A63H33/08; A63H33/10 Applicant MAGIC MOLD CORP Title [retrieved from database] Hub connector for tubes in toy construction set - includes lugs arranged to be received within tubular structural elements e.g. plastics straws Comments [Publication date: :00 Oldest priority date: ] A hub-like connector for use in a construction toy set for joining linear tubular structural elements which comprises a plurality of connecting lugs. See claims and the drawings. 2 Aspect Relevance Patent number Class Connector 1 AU719889B A63H33/10 Applicant OAKMOORE PTY LTD 4(6)

5 Title [retrieved from database] Toy container assembly includes some joined containers that retain beverages and toy building elements for fixing straws together Comments [Publication date: :00 Oldest priority date: ] A toy building element including a a body portion, and at least one spigot capable of operative engagement with the socket like portion of the other element. Preferably the fit between the spigot and the socket is an interference fit (see page 2, lines 6-26). See also fig 1 and 3. 3 Aspect Relevance Patent number Class Connector 2 WO A1 A63H33/06 Applicant HOBACK J F Title [retrieved from database] Flexible modular construction system comprising connectors with central hub and flexible arms with laterally expansible and contractible distal receiving end Comments [Publication date: :00 Oldest priority date: ] Connectors haveing a central hub supporting at least two flexible arms attached to the hub. See the claims and fig 1 and 2. PRV InterPat aims to carry out all requests accurately and thoroughly, but due to the extensive amount of information involved we cannot guarantee that the results are always exhaustive. PRV InterPat is bound to observe professional secrecy with regard to every search request, as well as the search result. This directive is supported by chapter 31, 12 of the Swedish Secrecy Act (2009:400). Documentation is delivered exclusively to the client, and may not be cited as a hindrance to novelty in a subsequent application. Please note that PRV retains all material sent in, including models. 5(6)

6 6(6)