CTNF 18/978,224 CTNF 81166 DETAILED ACTION Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status 07-03-aia AIA 15-10-aia The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA. Priority 02-26 AIA 1. Receipt is acknowledged of certified copies of papers required by 37 CFR 1.55. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112 07-30-02 AIA 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. 07-34-01 3. Claims 2,5-8 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. Claims 2,6 each recite the limitation "the subsequent sheet" in line 1 of each claim. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claims. Claims 2,6 each recites “the sheet” in lines 3,4, and 5 of the claims. It is not clear if “the sheet” is “the subsequent sheet” or another sheet, but for the purposes of this Action “the sheet” will be interpreted to be “the subsequent sheet”. Claim 5 recites the limitations "the preceding job" in line 20 and “the subsequent job” in lines 21,24. There is insufficient antecedent basis for these limitations in the claim. Allowable Subject Matter 12-151-07 AIA 07-97 12-51-07 4. Claim s 1,3,4 are allowed. 13-03-01 AIA The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter: Nakano (USP 10,315,880) discloses A sheet binding processing apparatus comprising: a conveyance path (32,42) configured to convey a sheet from a path inlet to a path outlet; a conveyance unit (34,44) provided in the conveyance path and configured to convey the sheet; a tray (54) configured to accept, from above, the sheet conveyed on the conveyance path; a binding unit (62) configured to perform a binding process for binding a sheet bundle on the tray; a pair of discharge rollers (48) configured to discharge the sheet bundle that is performed the binding process by the binding unit; a buffer path (70) branching downward from the conveyance path and configured to, if a preceding sheet bundle exists on the tray, buffer a sheet that forms a subsequent sheet bundle; a buffer conveyance unit (72) provided on the buffer path and configured to convey the sheet; an upper branching path (38) branching upward from the conveyance path; an upper conveyance unit (39) provided on the upper branching path and configured to convey the sheet; and a control unit configured to, when performing the binding process for continuously binding a sheet bundle including a predetermined sheet which is larger than a predetermined length in a conveyance direction, control the conveyance unit, the buffer conveyance unit, such that a sheet that forms a subsequent sheet bundle is sent from the conveyance path in a switchback direction to the buffer path (see at least C8/L40-53). However, the prior art of record does not fair disclose or suggest [regarding claim 1] “a control unit configured to, when performing the binding process for continuously binding a sheet bundle including a predetermined sheet which is larger than a predetermined length in a conveyance direction, control the conveyance unit, the buffer conveyance unit, and the upper conveyance unit such that a sheet that forms a subsequent sheet bundle is sent from the conveyance path to the upper branching path, and the sheet is then conveyed in a switchback direction from the upper branching path to the buffer path ” (emphasis added by Examiner), or [regarding claim 5] “a control unit configured to, if the sheet bundle of the preceding job exists on the tray , and the sheet of the subsequent job is a predetermined sheet longer than a predetermined length in a conveyance direction, control the conveyance unit, the buffer conveyance unit, and the upper conveyance unit such that the sheet of the subsequent job is sent from the conveyance path to the upper branching path, and the sheet is then conveyed in a switchback direction from the upper branching path to the buffer path ” . 07-43-01 AIA 5. Claim s 2,5-8 would be allowable if rewritten or amended to overcome the rejection(s) under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA), 2nd paragraph, set forth in this Office action. Conclusion 07-96 AIA 6. The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. 7. 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. 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, 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. Information regarding the status of published or unpublished applications may be obtained from Patent Center. Unpublished application information in Patent Center is available to registered users. To file and manage patent submissions in Patent Center, visit: https://patentcenter.uspto.gov. Visit https://www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/patent-center for more information about Patent Center and https://www.uspto.gov/patents/docx for information about filing in DOCX format. For additional questions, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000. /LESLIE A NICHOLSON III/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3653 6/12/2026 Application/Control Number: 18/978,224 Page 2 Art Unit: 3653 Application/Control Number: 18/978,224 Page 3 Art Unit: 3653 Application/Control Number: 18/978,224 Page 4 Art Unit: 3653 Application/Control Number: 18/978,224 Page 5 Art Unit: 3653 Application/Control Number: 18/978,224 Page 6 Art Unit: 3653
Prosecution Insights