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 .
Examiner’s Note
1. The Examiner notes the Notice of Allowance issued 7/7/2026 is hereby withdrawn for reason(s) shown below. These are based on the claim set filed on 6/17/2026.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
2. 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.
3. Claims 1-20 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.
Claim 1 recites a back-portion former (identified in the Specification [see at least ¶0094,0109,0129] as elements 132 and 134b) and a crimp binder (identified in the Specification [see at least ¶0094,0109,0129] as elements 132 and 134). Furthermore, claim 2 recites the center folding including a folding plate (element 132) which appears to be the same element as the crimp binder while claim 3 recites the back-crimp binder includes a folding-plate engagement member (element 134). It is not clear how the Applicant is claiming distinct elements that are made up of the same elements.
Allowable Subject Matter
4. The following is an indication of allowable subject matter:
The prior art of record does not appear to disclose or suggest at least “circuitry configured to cause the back-crimp binder to form a crimp mark parallel to the fold portion on the back portion of the fold portion” wherein the crimp-binding process is performed “on the back portion of the fold portion subjected to the center-folding process”.
Conclusion
5. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to LESLIE A. NICHOLSON III whose telephone number is (571)272-5487. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 8-4.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Michael C McCullough can be reached at 571-272-7805. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/LESLIE A NICHOLSON III/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3653 8/14/2026
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