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 .
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments with respect to claim(s) 1-14 have been considered but are moot because the new ground of rejection does not rely on any reference applied in the prior rejection of record for any teaching or matter specifically challenged in the argument.
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) 1-2, 5-6, 8-9, 12, and 13 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over SUGIYAMA et al. (USPGPUB 2014/0203486) and further in view of Fukatsu et al. (USPGPUB 2011/0221115).
Regarding claim 1, SUGIYAMA et al. disclose a post-processing device comprising:
a loading section (see Figure 2) on which a bundle of recording media (SB) subjected to folding processing is loaded;
a pushing section (215) that moves in a thickness direction of the bundle of recording media, comes into contact with a surface of the bundle of recording media (see Figure 5), and pushes the bundle of recording media to form a folded portion (see paragraph [0069]); and
a rotating section (230) that starts an operation (see paragraph [0069]) from a stopped state (see Figure 4) after the pushing section moves to a predetermined position (see Figure 4), and sandwiches and rotates the folded portion of the bundle of recording media pushed by the pushing section to form a fold in the bundle of recording media (see Figures 5-6).
However, they do not disclose a rotating section that starts an operation from a stopped state after the pushing section moves to a predetermined position where the bundle of recording media folded by the pushing section comes into contact with the rotating section. Fukatsu et al. disclose a rotating section that starts an operation from a stopped state after the pushing section moves to a predetermined position where the bundle of recording media folded by the pushing section comes into contact with the rotating section (see Figure 8). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the device disclosed by SUGIYAMA et al. by including a rotating section that starts an operation from a stopped state after the pushing section moves to a predetermined position where the bundle of recording media folded by the pushing section comes into contact with the rotating section, as disclosed by Fukatsu et al., with a reasonable expectation of success for the purpose of providing improved folding for stiff sheet bundles (see paragraph [0007]).
Regarding claim 2, SUGIYAMA et al. in view of Fukatsu et al. disclose the post-processing device according to claim 1. Furthermore, Fukatsu et al. disclose a device wherein the predetermined position is determined on the basis of an amount of movement of the pushing section from an initial position (see paragraph [0041] and Figure 8). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the device disclosed by SUGIYAMA et al. by including a device wherein the predetermined position is determined on the basis of an amount of movement of the pushing section from an initial position, as disclosed by Fukatsu et al., with a reasonable expectation of success for the purpose of providing improved folding for stiff sheet bundles (see paragraph [0007]).
Regarding claim 5, SUGIYAMA et al. disclose the post-processing device according to claim 1,
wherein the pushing section stops at the predetermined position and then starts the operation together with the rotating section (see paragraph [0069]).
Regarding claim 6, SUGIYAMA et al. in view of Fukatsu et al. disclose the post-processing device according to claim 5. Furthermore, Fukatsu et al. discloses a device wherein the pushing section moves to the predetermined position, and stops by the surface of the bundle of recording media coming into contact with the rotating section in the stopped state, and thereafter the movement of the pushing section and the operation of the rotating section are started (see Figure 8). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the device disclosed by SUGIYAMA et al. by including a device wherein the pushing section moves to the predetermined position, and stops by the surface of the bundle of recording media coming into contact with the rotating section in the stopped state, and thereafter the movement of the pushing section and the operation of the rotating section are started, as disclosed by Fukatsu et al., with a reasonable expectation of success for the purpose of providing improved folding for stiff sheet bundles (see paragraph [0007]).
Regarding claim 8, SUGIYAMA et al. disclose an image forming system comprising:
an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium (see paragraph [0052]); and
the post-processing device according to claim 1 that executes post-processing on the recording medium on which the image forming apparatus forms the image (see paragraph [0051]).
Regarding claim 9, SUGIYAMA et al. disclose an image forming system comprising:
an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium (see paragraph [0052]); and
the post-processing device according to claim 2 that executes post-processing on the recording medium on which the image forming apparatus forms the image (see paragraph [0051]).
Regarding claim 12, SUGIYAMA et al. disclose image forming system comprising:
an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium (see paragraph [0052]); and
the post-processing device according to claim 5 that executes post-processing on the recording medium on which the image forming apparatus forms the image (see paragraph [0051]).
Regarding claim 13, SUGIYAMA et al. disclose an image forming system comprising:
an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium (see paragraph [0052]); and
the post-processing device according to claim 6 that executes post-processing on the recording medium on which the image forming apparatus forms the image (see paragraph [0051]).
Claim(s) 3-4, 10 and 11 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over SUGIYAMA et al. (USPGPUB 2014/0203486) in view of Fukatsu et al. (USPGPUB 2011/0221115) as applied to claims 1-2, 5-6, 8-9, 12, and 13 above, and further in view of HIDAKA et al. (USPGPUB 2014/0206518).
Regarding claim 3, SUGIYAMA et al. in view of Fukatsu et al. disclose the post-processing device according to claim 2. However, they do not disclose a device wherein the amount of movement is determined on the basis of the number of loaded recording media and a basis weight of the recording media. HIDAKA et al. disclose a device wherein the amount of movement is determined on the basis of the number of loaded recording media and a basis weight of the recording media (see paragraph [0177]). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the device disclosed by SUGIYAMA et al. in view of Fukatsu et al. by including a device wherein the amount of movement is determined on the basis of the number of loaded recording media and a basis weight of the recording media, as disclosed by HIDAKA et al., with a reasonable expectation of success for the purpose of providing controls based on sheet weight and the number of sheets (see paragraph [0177]).
Regarding claim 4, SUGIYAMA et al. in view of Fukatsu et al. in view of HIDAKA et al. disclose the post-processing device according to claim 3. Furthermore, Fukatsu et al. disclose a device wherein the pushing section starts the operation after the amount of movement is determined (see paragraph [0041] and Figure 8). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the device disclosed by SUGIYAMA et al. in view of Fukatsu et al. in view of HIDAKA et al. by including a device wherein the pushing section starts the operation after the amount of movement is determined, as disclosed by Fukatsu et al., with a reasonable expectation of success for the purpose of providing improved folding for stiff sheet bundles (see paragraph [0007]).
Regarding claim 10, SUGIYAMA et al. disclose an image forming system comprising:
an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium (see paragraph [0052]); and
the post-processing device according to claim 3 that executes post-processing on the recording medium on which the image forming apparatus forms the image (see paragraph [0051]).
Regarding claim 11, SUGIYAMA et al. disclose an image forming system comprising:
an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium (see paragraph [0052]); and
the post-processing device according to claim 4 that executes post-processing on the recording medium on which the image forming apparatus forms the image (see paragraph [0051]).
Claim(s) 7 and 14 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over SUGIYAMA et al. (USPGPUB 2014/0203486) in view of Fukatsu et al. (USPGPUB 2011/0221115) as applied to claims 1-2, 5-6, 8-9, 12, and 13 above, and further in view of OSADA et al. (USPGPUB 2016/0313687).
Regarding claim 7, SUGIYAMA et al. in view of Fukatsu et al. disclose the post-processing device according to claim 5. However, they do not disclose a device wherein in a case of forming the fold in the bundle of recording media, a pushing speed at which the pushing section pushes the bundle of recording media is faster than a rotation speed at which the rotating section sandwiches and rotates the folded portion of the bundle of recording media. OSADA et al. disclose a device wherein in a case of forming the fold in the bundle of recording media, a pushing speed at which the pushing section pushes the bundle of recording media is faster than a rotation speed at which the rotating section sandwiches and rotates the folded portion of the bundle of recording media (see paragraph [0130]). Therefore, it would have been obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the device disclosed by SUGIYAMA et al. in view of Fukatsu et al. by including a device wherein in a case of forming the fold in the bundle of recording media, a pushing speed at which the pushing section pushes the bundle of recording media is faster than a rotation speed at which the rotating section sandwiches and rotates the folded portion of the bundle of recording media, as disclosed by OSADA et al., with a reasonable expectation of success for the purpose of providing timing to prevent errors in the bundling process (see paragraph [0130]).
Regarding claim 14, SUGIYAMA et al. disclose an image forming system comprising:
an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium (see paragraph [0052]); and
the post-processing device according to claim 7 that executes post-processing on the recording medium on which the image forming apparatus forms the image (see paragraph [0051]).
Conclusion
Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a).
A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the mailing date of this final action.
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to MICHAEL COLLINS whose telephone number is (571)272-8970. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Friday.
Examiner interviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video conferencing using a USPTO supplied web-based collaboration tool. To schedule an interview, applicant is encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR) at http://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Jacob Scott can be reached at (571) 270-3415. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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M.K.C.
8/14/2026
/MICHAEL COLLINS/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3655
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