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 .
The drawings are objected to as failing to comply with 37 CFR 1.84(p)(5) because they include the following reference character(s) not mentioned in the description: 14e (Fig. 6). Corrected drawing sheets in compliance with 37 CFR 1.121(d), or amendment to the specification to add the reference character(s) in the description in compliance with 37 CFR 1.121(b) are required in reply to the Office action to avoid abandonment of the application. Any amended replacement drawing sheet should include all of the figures appearing on the immediate prior version of the sheet, even if only one figure is being amended. Each drawing sheet submitted after the filing date of an application must be labeled in the top margin as either “Replacement Sheet” or “New Sheet” pursuant to 37 CFR 1.121(d). If the changes are not accepted by the examiner, the applicant will be notified and informed of any required corrective action in the next Office action. The objection to the drawings will not be held in abeyance.
Specification
The disclosure is objected to because of the following informality: page 8, paragraph [0080], line 1, “the arm 6” should be written as “the arm 5”. Appropriate correction is required.
The lengthy specification has not been checked to the extent necessary to determine the presence of all possible minor errors. Applicant’s cooperation is requested in correcting any errors of which applicant may become aware in the specification.
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.
Claim 12 is 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 12 is considered to be indefinite because it discloses a fifth cable without disclosing a fourth cable. It is unclear what and where the fourth cable is.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-19 are allowed.
Claim 20 would be allowable if rewritten 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 and to include all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims.
The following is an examiner’s statement of reasons for allowance: Independent claim 1 is allowable over the prior art of record because the prior art of record does not teach or suggest the combination of: an intermediate circuit board configured to relay a signal from the first temperature sensor to the external connector and to relay a signal from the second temperature sensor to the external connector; a first cable configured to connect the first temperature sensor and the intermediate circuit board; a second cable configured to connect the second temperature sensor and the intermediate circuit board; and a third cable configured to connect the intermediate circuit board and the external connect.
Any comments considered necessary by applicant must be submitted no later than the payment of the issue fee and, to avoid processing delays, should preferably accompany the issue fee. Such submissions should be clearly labeled “Comments on Statement of Reasons for Allowance.”
Citation of Pertinent Prior Art
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
Ishida et al. (US Pat. Pub. No. US 2012/0251207 A1) discloses a fixing device installable into a main housing of an image forming apparatus, comprising: a heating member comprising a heater; a pressure member configured to nip a sheet in combination with the heating member; a first side frame; a second side frame; a connection frame; a first temperature sensor; a second temperature sensor; a first cable configured to connect the first temperature sensor; and a second cable configured to connect the second temperature sensor.
Takemoto (US Pat. Pub. No. US 2016/0378055 A1) discloses a fixing device installable into a main housing of an image forming apparatus, comprising: a heating member comprising a heater; a pressure member configured to nip a sheet in combination with the heating member; a first side frame; a second side frame; a connection frame; and an external connector.
Contact Information
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to SOPHIA S CHEN whose telephone number is (571)272-2133. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 8 am - 5 pm.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Stephanie Bloss can be reached at 571-272-3555. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/SOPHIA S CHEN/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2852
Ssc
February 12, 2026
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