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.
Claims 1-14 are 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.
The claims 1-7 and 9-14 recitations of “thereon” render the exact scope of the claims unclear, as it is unknown exactly which elements are being invoked in each recitation. For example, in the claim 1 recitation of “A post-processing apparatus adapted to cause a document sheet having a document formed thereon…”, it is unknown whether the document should be formed on the previously recited “document sheet” or “post-processing apparatus”. Please review/revise/clarify each recitation of the term.
There is insufficient antecedent basis for multiple limitations in the claims, including: i) claims 1-7 and 10-13 recite the limitation "each chapter"; and ii) claim 8 recites the limitation “the plurality of blades”.
The claims 1-7 recitations of “based on a title setting function provided in document generation software” are unclear. Exactly what software is being invoked, and exactly what determinations/evaluations are made in the “based on” step? Please review/revise/clarify.
The claims 1-7 recitations of “according to chapter title information attached to the document” are unclear. Exactly what is the nature of this chapter title information? Exactly how is it attached to the document? Exactly what determinations/evaluations are made in the “according to” step? Please review/revise/clarify.
The claim 5 recitation of “in accordance with a size of the index sheet” is unclear. Exactly what determinations/evaluations are made in the “in accordance with” step? Please review/revise/clarify.
The claim 6 recitation of “configured to divide a central position of a sheet into two” is unclear. Exactly what structure/configuration is sought? Please review/revise/clarify.
The claim 6 recitation of “an index sheet having a protruding chapter title and a document sheet having a notch formed by the protruding chapter title” is unclear. Exactly what structure/configuration is sought? Please review/revise/clarify.
The claim 6 recitation of “configured to replace the index sheet” is unclear. Exactly what should the index sheet be replaced with? Exactly what structure/configuration is sought? Please review/revise/clarify.
The claim 6 recitation of “a side opposite to the protruding chapter title of the index sheet” is unclear. Exactly what structure/configuration is sought? Please review/revise/clarify.
The claim 7 recitation of “form a notch around the chapter title” is unclear. Does Applicant intend the notch to be formed “near” the chapter title, or alternatively, should the notch be formed “surrounding” the chapter title? Exactly what structure/configuration is sought? Please review/revise/clarify.
The claim 7 recitation of “overlapping the index sheet and the document sheet each other” is unclear. Exactly what structure/configuration is sought? Please review/revise/clarify.
The claim 8 recitation of “based on selection” is unclear. Exactly what determinations/evaluations are made in the “based on” step? Please review/revise/clarify.
The claim 8 recitation of “predetermined position” is unclear. Exactly what is this position, and which entity “predetermines” it? Exactly what structure/configuration is sought? Please review/revise/clarify.
The claim 9 recitations of “a title protruding by changing a notched position one by one” and “the protruding titles are arranged one by one” are unclear. Exactly what structure/configuration is sought? Please review/revise/clarify.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
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 effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claims 1-14 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0056474 to Alon et al. (“Alon”).
Regarding claim 1, Alon anticipates a post-processing apparatus (e.g. machine 40, as shown in fig. 17 and discussed at para. 59, along with printer discussed at para. 58) adapted to cause a document sheet (e.g. sheet 1, as shown in fig. 1) having a document formed thereon (per para. 5 and 49, the sheets 1-9 shown in fig. 1 may be “documents”) and an index sheet (e.g. sheet 2, as shown in fig. 1) having a chapter title (e.g. designation “2”, as shown in fig. 1) formed thereon (fig. 1) to overlap each other (fig. 1), and to perform bookbinding (para. 7; note that the instant claim is drawn to a post-processing apparatus- not a method of operation thereof) such that the document sheet (1) is identifiable (fig. 1) for each chapter (para. 7) by the index sheet (2), the post-processing apparatus (40 along with aforementioned printer) comprising: i) an image formation unit (e.g. aforementioned printer, alone) configured to form (i.e. “print”, per para. 58), based on a title setting function provided in document generation software (see the rejection under 35 USC 112 set forth supra; note that the instant claim is drawn to a post-processing apparatus- not a method of operation thereof, or a document generation software), the chapter title (aforementioned designation “2”) on (fig. 1) the index sheet (2) according to chapter title information attached to the document (see the rejection under 35 USC 112 set forth supra); ii) a processing formation unit (e.g. machine 40, as shown in fig. 17 and discussed at para. 59, alone) configured to form (para. 59) a cut-out or cuttable portion-to-be-processed (e.g. void/notch 21, as shown in fig. 1 and discussed at para. 50) on (fig. 1) the document sheet (1); and iii) a bookbinding unit (e.g. multiple ring binder discussed at para. 7) configured to cause the document sheet (1) having the portion-to-be-processed (21) formed thereon (fig. 1) and the index sheet (2) having the chapter title (aforementioned designation “2”) formed thereon (fig. 1) to overlap each other (fig. 1) such that the document sheet (1) is positioned on (fig. 1) the index sheet (2), and to perform the bookbinding (note that the instant claim is drawn to a post-processing apparatus- not a method of operating such) by causing the portion-to-be-processed (21) of the document sheet (1) and the chapter title (aforementioned designation “2”) of the index sheet (2) to coincide with each other (fig. 1).
Regarding claim 2, Alon anticipates a post-processing apparatus (e.g. machine 40, as shown in fig. 17 and discussed at para. 59, along with printer discussed at para. 58) adapted to cause a document sheet (e.g. sheet 1, as shown in fig. 1) having a document formed thereon (per para. 5 and 49, the sheets 1-9 shown in fig. 1 may be “documents”) and an index sheet (e.g. sheet 2, as shown in fig. 1) having a chapter title (e.g. designation “2”, as shown in fig. 1) formed thereon (fig. 1) to overlap each other (fig. 1), and to perform bookbinding (para. 7; note that the instant claim is drawn to a post-processing apparatus- not a method of operation thereof) such that the document sheet (1) is identifiable (fig. 1) for each chapter (para. 7) by the index sheet (2), the post-processing apparatus (40 along with aforementioned printer) comprising: i) a colored portion (e.g. visual mark discussed at para. 53, which may be colored) included in the document sheet (1) and the index sheet (2), the colored portion (aforementioned visual mark) being capable of distinguishing chapters by different colors (para. 53); ii) an image formation unit (e.g. aforementioned printer, alone) configured to form (i.e. “print”, per para. 58), based on a title setting function provided in document generation software (see the rejection under 35 USC 112 set forth supra; note that the instant claim is drawn to a post-processing apparatus- not a method of operation thereof, or a document generation software), the chapter title (aforementioned designation “2”) at the colored portion (aforementioned visual mark) of (fig. 1) the index sheet (2) according to chapter title information attached to the document (see the rejection under 35 USC 112 set forth supra); iii) a processing formation unit (e.g. machine 40, as shown in fig. 17 and discussed at para. 59, alone) configured to form (para. 59) a cut- out or cuttable portion-to-be-processed (e.g. void/notch 21, as shown in fig. 1 and discussed at para. 50) at the colored portion (aforementioned visual mark) of the document sheet (1); and iv) a bookbinding unit (e.g. multiple ring binder discussed at para. 7) configured to cause the document sheet (1) having the portion-to-be-processed (21) formed thereon (fig. 1) and the index sheet (2) having the chapter title (aforementioned designation “2”) formed thereon (fig. 1) to overlap each other (fig. 1) such that the document sheet (1) is positioned on (fig. 1) the index sheet (2), and to perform the bookbinding (note that the instant claim is drawn to a post-processing apparatus- not a method of operating such) by causing the portion-to-be-processed (21) of the document sheet (1) and the chapter title (aforementioned designation “2”) of the index sheet (2) to coincide with each other (fig. 1).
Regarding claim 3, Alon anticipates a post-processing apparatus (e.g. machine 40, as shown in fig. 17 and discussed at para. 59, along with printer discussed at para. 58) adapted to cause a document sheet (e.g. sheet 1, as shown in fig. 1) having a document formed thereon (per para. 5 and 49, the sheets 1-9 shown in fig. 1 may be “documents”) and an index sheet (e.g. sheet 2, as shown in fig. 1) having a chapter title (e.g. designation “2”, as shown in fig. 1) formed thereon (fig. 1) to overlap each other (fig. 1), and to perform bookbinding (para. 7; note that the instant claim is drawn to a post-processing apparatus- not a method of operation thereof) such that the document sheet (1) is identifiable (fig. 1) for each chapter (para. 7) by the index sheet (2), the post-processing apparatus (40 along with aforementioned printer) comprising: i) an image formation unit (e.g. aforementioned printer, alone) configured to form (i.e. “print”, per para. 58), based on a title setting function provided in document generation software (see the rejection under 35 USC 112 set forth supra; note that the instant claim is drawn to a post-processing apparatus- not a method of operation thereof, or a document generation software), the chapter title (aforementioned designation “2”) on (fig. 1) the index sheet (2) according to chapter title information attached to the document (see the rejection under 35 USC 112 set forth supra); ii) a processing formation unit (e.g. machine 40, as shown in fig. 17 and discussed at para. 59, alone) configured to form (para. 59) a cut- out or cuttable portion-to-be-processed (e.g. void/notch 21, as shown in fig. 1 and discussed at para. 50) on (fig. 1) the document sheet (1) and to form the cut-out or cuttable portion-to-be- processed (e.g. void/notch 22, analogous to 21, as shown in fig. 4) on (fig. 4) the index sheet (2); and iii) a bookbinding unit (e.g. multiple ring binder discussed at para. 7) configured to cause the document sheet (1) having the portion-to-be-processed (21) formed thereon (fig. 1) and the index sheet (2) having the chapter title (aforementioned designation “2”) formed thereon (fig. 1) to overlap each other (fig. 1) such that the document sheet (1) is positioned on (fig. 1) the index sheet (2), and to perform the bookbinding (note that the instant claim is drawn to a post-processing apparatus- not a method of operating such) by causing the portion-to-be-processed (21) of the document sheet (1) and the chapter title (aforementioned designation “2”) of the index sheet (2) to coincide with each other (fig. 1).
Regarding claim 4, Alon anticipates a post-processing apparatus (e.g. machine 40, as shown in fig. 17 and discussed at para. 59, along with printer discussed at para. 58) adapted to cause a document sheet (e.g. sheet 1, as shown in fig. 1) having a document formed thereon (per para. 5 and 49, the sheets 1-9 shown in fig. 1 may be “documents”) and an index sheet (e.g. sheet 2, as shown in fig. 1) having a chapter title (e.g. designation “2”, as shown in fig. 1) formed thereon (fig. 1) to overlap each other (fig. 1), and to perform bookbinding (para. 7; note that the instant claim is drawn to a post-processing apparatus- not a method of operation thereof) such that the document sheet (1) is identifiable (fig. 1) for each chapter (para. 7) by the index sheet (2), the post-processing apparatus (40 along with aforementioned printer) comprising: i) a colored portion (e.g. visual mark discussed at para. 53, which may be colored) included in the document sheet (1) and the index sheet (2), the colored portion (aforementioned visual mark) being capable of distinguishing chapters by different colors (para. 53); ii) an image formation unit (e.g. aforementioned printer, alone) configured to form (i.e. “print”, per para. 58), based on a title setting function provided in document generation software (see the rejection under 35 USC 112 set forth supra; note that the instant claim is drawn to a post-processing apparatus- not a method of operation thereof, or a document generation software), the chapter title (aforementioned designation “2”) at the colored portion (aforementioned visual mark) of (fig. 1) the index sheet (2) according to chapter title information attached to the document (see the rejection under 35 USC 112 set forth supra); iii) a processing formation unit (e.g. machine 40, as shown in fig. 17 and discussed at para. 59, alone) configured to form (para. 59) a cut- out or cuttable portion-to-be-processed (e.g. void/notch 21, as shown in fig. 1 and discussed at para. 50) at the colored portion (aforementioned visual mark) of the document sheet (1) and to form the cut-out or cuttable portion-to-be-processed (e.g. void/notch 22, analogous to 21, as shown in fig. 4) at the colored portion (aforementioned visual mark) of the index sheet (2); and iv) a bookbinding unit (e.g. multiple ring binder discussed at para. 7) configured to cause the document sheet (1) having the portion-to-be-processed (21) formed thereon (fig. 1) and the index sheet (2) having the chapter title (aforementioned designation “2”) formed thereon (fig. 1) to overlap each other (fig. 1) such that the document sheet (1) is positioned on (fig. 1) the index sheet (2), and to perform the bookbinding (note that the instant claim is drawn to a post-processing apparatus- not a method of operating such) by causing the portion-to-be-processed (21) of the document sheet (1) and the chapter title (aforementioned designation “2”) of the index sheet (2) to coincide with each other (fig. 1).
Regarding claim 5, Alon anticipates a post-processing apparatus (e.g. machine 40, as shown in fig. 17 and discussed at para. 59, along with printer discussed at para. 58) adapted to cause a document sheet (e.g. sheet 1, as shown in fig. 1) having a document formed thereon (per para. 5 and 49, the sheets 1-9 shown in fig. 1 may be “documents”) and an index sheet (e.g. sheet 2, as shown in fig. 1) having a chapter title (e.g. designation “2”, as shown in fig. 1) formed thereon (fig. 1) to overlap each other (fig. 1), and to perform bookbinding (para. 7; note that the instant claim is drawn to a post-processing apparatus- not a method of operation thereof) such that the document sheet (1) is identifiable (fig. 1) for each chapter (para. 7) by the index sheet (2), the post-processing apparatus (40 along with aforementioned printer) comprising: i) an image formation unit (e.g. aforementioned printer, alone) configured to form (i.e. “print”, per para. 58), based on a title setting function provided in document generation software (see the rejection under 35 USC 112 set forth supra; note that the instant claim is drawn to a post-processing apparatus- not a method of operation thereof, or a document generation software), the chapter title (aforementioned designation “2”) on (fig. 1) the index sheet (2) according to chapter title information attached to the document (see the rejection under 35 USC 112 set forth supra); ii) a cutting unit (e.g. even sheet cutter blade 56, even cutter anvil 57, odd sheet cutter blade 60 and odd cutter anvil 61, together, as shown in fig. 17 and discussed at para. 60) configured to obtain the index sheet (2) having the chapter title (aforementioned designation “2”) and to cut (para. 60) the document sheet (1) in accordance with a size (para. 60) of the index sheet (2); and iii) a bookbinding unit (e.g. multiple ring binder discussed at para. 7) configured to perform the bookbinding (note that the instant claim is drawn to a post-processing apparatus- not a method of operating such) by overlapping (fig. 1) the index sheet (2) and the document sheet (1) each other (para. 7).
Regarding claim 6, Alon anticipates a post-processing apparatus (e.g. machine 40, as shown in fig. 17 and discussed at para. 59, along with printer discussed at para. 58) adapted to cause a document sheet (e.g. sheet 1, as shown in fig. 1) having a document formed thereon (per para. 5 and 49, the sheets 1-9 shown in fig. 1 may be “documents”) and an index sheet (e.g. sheet 2, as shown in fig. 1) having a chapter title (e.g. designation “2”, as shown in fig. 1) formed thereon (fig. 1) to overlap each other (fig. 1), and to perform bookbinding (para. 7; note that the instant claim is drawn to a post-processing apparatus- not a method of operation thereof) such that the document sheet (1) is identifiable (fig. 1) for each chapter (para. 7) by the index sheet (2), the post-processing apparatus (40 along with aforementioned printer) comprising: i) an image formation unit (e.g. aforementioned printer, alone) configured to form (i.e. “print”, per para. 58), based on a title setting function provided in document generation software (see the rejection under 35 USC 112 set forth supra; note that the instant claim is drawn to a post-processing apparatus- not a method of operation thereof, or a document generation software), the chapter title (aforementioned designation “2”) on (fig. 1) the index sheet (2) according to chapter title information attached to the document (see the rejection under 35 USC 112 set forth supra); ii) a sheet generation unit (e.g. CCW drum 42 and CW drum 46, together, as shown in fig. 17 and discussed at para. 59-60) configured to divide (i.e. “slice”, as discussed at para. 60) a central position of a sheet (e.g. sheet material 41, as shown in fig. 17 and discussed at para. 59-60) into two (para. 59-60) so as to obtain an index sheet (e.g. sheet 2, as shown in fig. 1) having a protruding (e.g. protrudes beyond the border of overlying void/notch 21, as shown in fig. 1) chapter title (e.g. designation “2”, as shown in fig. 1) and a document sheet (e.g. sheet 1, as shown in fig. 1) having a notch (e.g. void/notch 21, as shown in fig. 1 and discussed at para. 50) formed by (fig. 1) the protruding chapter title (aforementioned designation “2”); and iii) a bookbinding unit (e.g. multiple ring binder discussed at para. 7) configured to replace (see the rejection under 35 USC 112, set forth supra) the index sheet (2) having the protruding chapter title (aforementioned designation “2”) and the document sheet (1) having the notch (21), to cause the notch (21) of the document sheet (1) to face (fig. 1) a side (e.g. bottom surface, as shown in fig. 1) opposite to (fig. 1) the protruding chapter title (aforementioned designation “2”) of the index sheet (2), and to perform the bookbinding (note that the instant claim is drawn to a post-processing apparatus- not a method of operating such) by overlapping (fig. 1) the index sheet (2) and the document sheet (1) each other (fig. 1) such that the index sheet (2) is positioned on (e.g. on the bottom surface of, as shown in fig. 1) the document sheet (1).
Regarding claim 7, Alon anticipates a post-processing apparatus (e.g. machine 40, as shown in fig. 17 and discussed at para. 59, along with printer discussed at para. 58) adapted to cause a document sheet (e.g. sheet 1, as shown in fig. 1) having a document formed thereon (per para. 5 and 49, the sheets 1-9 shown in fig. 1 may be “documents”) and an index sheet (e.g. sheet 2, as shown in fig. 1) having a chapter title (e.g. designation “2”, as shown in fig. 1) formed thereon (fig. 1) to overlap each other (fig. 1), and to perform bookbinding (para. 7; note that the instant claim is drawn to a post-processing apparatus- not a method of operation thereof) such that the document sheet (1) is identifiable (fig. 1) for each chapter (para. 7) by the index sheet (2), the post-processing apparatus (40 along with aforementioned printer) comprising: i) an image formation unit (e.g. aforementioned printer, alone) configured to form (i.e. “print”, per para. 58), based on a title setting function provided in document generation software (see the rejection under 35 USC 112 set forth supra; note that the instant claim is drawn to a post-processing apparatus- not a method of operation thereof, or a document generation software), the chapter title (aforementioned designation “2”) at a central position (compare figs. 1-2; note that a chapter number designation may be formed anywhere along the vertical edge of sheet 2, based on the location of the overlying void/notch 21) of the index sheet (2) according to chapter title information attached to the document (see the rejection under 35 USC 112 set forth supra); ii) an index sheet generation unit (e.g. even sheet die cutter 58, even die anvil 59, odd sheet die cutter 62 and odd die anvil 63, together, as shown in fig. 17 and discussed at para. 60-61) configured to form (para. 60) a notch (e.g. void/notch 21, as shown in fig. 1 and discussed at para. 50) around (fig. 1) the chapter title (aforementioned designation “2”) formed (fig. 1) at the central position (as indicated supra, a chapter number designation may be formed anywhere along the vertical edge of sheet 2) of the index sheet (2) and to fold (para. 21) the sheet (see the rejection under 35 USC 112, set forth supra) in two so as to obtain (fig. 1) the index sheet (2) having (fig. 1) the chapter title (aforementioned designation “2”); and iii) a bookbinding unit (e.g. multiple ring binder discussed at para. 7) configured to perform the bookbinding (para. 7) by overlapping (fig. 1) the index sheet (2) and the document sheet (1) each other (fig. 1) such that the index sheet (2) is positioned on (e.g. on the bottom surface of, as shown in fig. 1) the document sheet (1).
Regarding claim 8, Alon anticipates the post-processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the processing formation unit (40, alone) includes i) a blade (e.g. even sheet die cutter 58, even die anvil 59, odd sheet die cutter 62 and odd die anvil 63, together, as shown in fig. 17 and discussed at para. 60-61) adapted to form a plurality (para. 60) of the cut-out or cuttable portions-to-be-processed (21) corresponding to a position (para. 60) at which the portion-to-be-processed (21) on the document sheet (1) is to be formed (para. 60), and ii) each of the plurality of blades (58-59 and 62-63, together) moves based on selection (para. 60) so as to form the portion-to-be-processed (21) on the document sheet (1) at a predetermined position (compare figs. 1-2).
Regarding claim 9, Alon anticipates a post-processing apparatus (e.g. machine 40, as shown in fig. 17 and discussed at para. 59, along with printer discussed at para. 58) adapted to perform bookbinding (para. 7; note that the instant claim is drawn to a post-processing apparatus- not a method of operation thereof) such that a plurality of sheets (e.g. sheets 1-9, as shown in fig. 1) are identifiable (fig. 1), the post-processing apparatus (40 along with aforementioned printer) comprising: i) a notch unit (e.g. even sheet die cutter 58, even die anvil 59, odd sheet die cutter 62 and odd die anvil 63, together, as shown in fig. 17 and discussed at para. 60-61) adapted to form a title (e.g. designation “2”, as shown in fig. 1) protruding (fig. 1) by changing a notched position one by one (compare figs. 1-2) for the plurality of sheets (1-9); and ii) a bookbinding unit (e.g. multiple ring binder discussed at para. 7) configured to bind (para. 7) the plurality of sheets (1-9) each having the protruding title (aforementioned designation “2”) formed thereon (fig. 1) such that the protruding titles (aforementioned designation “2”, and designation “3” shown in figs. 1-2) are arranged one by one (compare figs. 1-2).
Regarding claim 10, Alon anticipates a booklet (e.g. assembly of sheets 1-9 shown in fig. 1) obtained by (note that the instant claim is drawn to a booklet- not a method of forming such) causing a document sheet (e.g. sheet 1, as shown in fig. 1) having a document formed thereon (per para. 5 and 49, the sheets 1-9 shown in fig. 1 may be “documents”) and an index sheet (e.g. sheet 2, as shown in fig. 1) having a chapter title (e.g. designation “2”, as shown in fig. 1) formed thereon (fig. 1) to overlap each other (fig. 1) and performing bookbinding (para. 7) such that the document sheet (1) is identifiable (fig. 1) for each chapter (para. 7) by the index sheet (2), wherein: i) a cut-out or cuttable portion-to-be-processed (e.g. void/notch 21, as shown in fig. 1 and discussed at para. 50) is formed on (fig. 1) the document sheet (1), and ii) the document sheet (1) having the portion-to-be-processed (21) formed thereon (fig. 1) and the index sheet (2) having the chapter title (aforementioned designation “2”) formed thereon (fig. 1) overlap each other (fig. 1) such that the document sheet (1) is positioned on (fig. 1) the index sheet (2), and the bookbinding is performed (note that the instant claim is drawn to a booklet- not a method of forming such) by causing the portion-to-be-processed (21) of the document sheet (1) and the chapter title (aforementioned designation “2”) of the index sheet (2) to coincide with each other (fig. 1).
Regarding claim 11, Alon anticipates a booklet (e.g. assembly of sheets 1-9 shown in fig. 1) obtained by (note that the instant claim is drawn to a booklet- not a method of forming such) causing a document sheet (e.g. sheet 1, as shown in fig. 1) having a document formed thereon (per para. 5 and 49, the sheets 1-9 shown in fig. 1 may be “documents”) and an index sheet (e.g. sheet 2, as shown in fig. 1) having a chapter title (e.g. designation “2”, as shown in fig. 1) formed thereon (fig. 1) to overlap each other (fig. 1) and performing bookbinding (para. 7) such that the document sheet (1) is identifiable (fig. 1) for each chapter (para. 7) by the index sheet (2), wherein i) the document sheet (1) and the index sheet (2) include a colored portion (e.g. visual mark discussed at para. 53, which may be colored) capable of distinguishing chapters by different colors (para. 53), ii) the chapter title (aforementioned designation “2”) is formed at the colored portion (aforementioned visual mark) of (fig. 1) the index sheet (2), iii) a cut-out or cuttable portion-to-be-processed (e.g. void/notch 21, as shown in fig. 1 and discussed at para. 50) is formed at the colored portion (aforementioned visual mark) of the document sheet (1), and iv) the document sheet (1) having the portion-to-be-processed (22) formed thereon (fig. 1) and the index sheet (2) having the chapter title (aforementioned designation “2”) formed thereon (fig. 1) overlap each other (fig. 1) such that the document sheet (1) is positioned on (fig. 1) the index sheet (2), and the bookbinding is performed (note that the instant claim is drawn to a booklet- not a method of forming such) by causing the portion-to-be-processed (21) of the document sheet (1) and the chapter title (aforementioned designation “2”) of the index sheet (2) to coincide with each other (fig. 1).
Regarding claim 12, Alon anticipates a booklet (e.g. assembly of sheets 1-9 shown in fig. 1) obtained by (note that the instant claim is drawn to a booklet- not a method of forming such) causing a document sheet (e.g. sheet 1, as shown in fig. 1) having a document formed thereon (per para. 5 and 49, the sheets 1-9 shown in fig. 1 may be “documents”) and an index sheet (e.g. sheet 2, as shown in fig. 1) having a chapter title (e.g. designation “2”, as shown in fig. 1) formed thereon (fig. 1) to overlap each other (fig. 1) and performing bookbinding (para. 7) such that the document sheet (1) is identifiable (fig. 1) for each chapter (para. 7) by the index sheet (2), wherein i) the chapter title (aforementioned designation “2”) is formed on (fig. 1) the index sheet (2), ii) a cut-out or cuttable portion-to-be-processed (e.g. void/notch 21, as shown in fig. 1 and discussed at para. 50) is formed on (fig. 1) the document sheet (1), and the cut-out or cuttable portion- to-be-processed (e.g. void/notch 22, analogous to 21, as shown in fig. 4) is formed on (fig. 4) the index sheet (2), and iii) the document sheet (1) having the portion-to-be-processed (21) formed thereon (fig. 1) and the index sheet (2) having the chapter title (aforementioned designation “2”) formed thereon (fig. 1) overlap each other (fig. 1) such that the document sheet (1) is positioned on (fig. 1) the index sheet (2), and the bookbinding is performed (note that the instant claim is drawn to a post-processing apparatus- not a method of operating such) by causing the portion-to-be-processed (21) of the document sheet (1) and the chapter title (aforementioned designation “2”) of the index sheet (2) to coincide with each other (fig. 1).
Regarding claim 13, Alon anticipates a booklet (e.g. assembly of sheets 1-9 shown in fig. 1) obtained by (note that the instant claim is drawn to a booklet- not a method of forming such) causing a document sheet (e.g. sheet 1, as shown in fig. 1) having a document formed thereon (per para. 5 and 49, the sheets 1-9 shown in fig. 1 may be “documents”) and an index sheet (e.g. sheet 2, as shown in fig. 1) having a chapter title (e.g. designation “2”, as shown in fig. 1) formed thereon (fig. 1) to overlap each other (fig. 1) and performing bookbinding (para. 7) such that the document sheet (1) is identifiable (fig. 1) for each chapter (para. 7) by the index sheet (2), wherein i) the document sheet (1) and the index sheet (2) include a colored portion (e.g. visual mark discussed at para. 53, which may be colored) capable of distinguishing chapters by different colors (para. 53), ii) the chapter title (aforementioned designation “2”) is formed at the colored portion (aforementioned visual mark) of (fig. 1) the index sheet (2), iii) a cut-out or cuttable portion-to-be-processed (e.g. void/notch 22, analogous to 21, as shown in fig. 4) is formed at the colored portion (aforementioned visual mark) of the document sheet (1), and the cut- out or cuttable portion-to-be-processed (e.g. void/notch 22, analogous to 21, as shown in fig. 4) is formed at the colored portion (aforementioned visual mark) of the index sheet (2), and iv) the document sheet (1) having the portion-to-be-processed (21) formed thereon (fig. 1) and the index sheet (2) having the chapter title (aforementioned designation “2”) formed thereon (fig. 1) overlap each other (fig. 1) such that the document sheet (1) is positioned on (fig. 1) the index sheet (2), and the bookbinding is performed (note that the instant claim is drawn to a booklet- not a method of forming such) by causing the portion-to-be-processed (21) of the document sheet (1) and the chapter title (aforementioned designation “2”) of the index sheet (2) to coincide with each other (fig. 1).
Regarding claim 14, Alon anticipates a booklet (e.g. assembly of sheets 1-9 shown in fig. 1) obtained by binding (para. 7; note that the instant claim is drawn to a booklet- not a method of forming such) document sheets (e.g. sheets 1-9, as shown in fig. 1) each having a document formed thereon (per para. 5 and 49, the sheets 1-9 shown in fig. 1 may be “documents”), wherein i) a portion-to-be-processed (e.g. void/notch 21, as shown in fig. 1 and discussed at para. 50) including holes formed along a line (fig. 1) is provided on a binding side of the booklet or an opening side (fig. 1) of the booklet (aforementioned assembly of sheets 1-9).
Conclusion
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/JUSTIN V LEWIS/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3637
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