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 § 102
In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
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 1-17 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Nakamura et al. US 2021/0016985 A1 (hereinafter “Nakamura”, cited in an IDS as JP 2021-017335 A).
Regarding claims 1, 9 (a cassette, shown in FIGS. 2 and 3), and 17 (an image forming apparatus 1, shown in FIG. 1), Nakamura discloses a storage apparatus comprising:
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an apparatus main body (2); and
a cassette (refer to annotated FIG. 2 above) for storing a sheet to be fed, the cassette being configured to be pulled out from the apparatus main body and demounted from the apparatus main body,
wherein the cassette includes:
a first tray portion (10) configured to support the sheet,
a second tray portion (20) configured to support the sheet,
a connection portion (30) configured to connect the first tray portion and the second tray portion,
a first grip portion (refer to annotated FIG. 2 above) used when the cassette is pulled out from the apparatus main body, and
a second grip portion (32B, refer to annotated FIG. 2 above) provided on the connection portion, and used when the cassette is held in a state where the cassette is demounted from the apparatus main body.
Regarding claims 2 and 10, wherein the first tray portion and the second tray portion are configured to be connectable not via the connection portion (FIG. 3 shows first tray portion 10 and second tray portion 20 are connectable without using connection portion 30) , and
wherein a size of the sheet storable in the cassette is larger in a case where the first tray portion and the second tray portion are connected via the connection portion (refer to FIG. 2), than that in a case where the first tray portion and the second tray portion are connected not via the connection portion (refer to FIG. 3).
Regarding claims 3 and 11, further comprising a plurality of second grip portions (annotated FIG. 2 shows at least two second grip portions) including the second grip portion,
wherein the plurality of second grip portions is provided so that the cassette can be held in a state where only the plurality of second grip portions is held (capable).
Regarding claims 4 and 12, wherein the second grip portion is arranged on each side of a sheet stacking area of the cassette (refer to annotated FIG. 2).
Regarding claims 5 and 13, further comprising at least two second grip portions (annotated FIG. 2 shows at least two second grip portions) including the second grip portion, and
wherein one of the at least two second grip portions is arranged on one side of a sheet stacking area of the cassette, and another one of the at least two second grip portions is arranged on another side of the sheet stacking area of the cassette, in a sheet width direction orthogonal to a feeding direction in which the sheet is fed.
Regarding claims 6 and 14, wherein the second grip portion is arranged above a sheet stacking surface (11A or 3A) of the cassette so that a user can place a user's hand thereon (refer to FIG. 2).
Regarding claims 7 and 15, wherein the second grip portion is arranged above the sheet stacked in the cassette so that a user can place a user's hand thereon (refer to FIG. 2).
Regarding claims 8 and 16, wherein the first grip portion is exposed, and the second grip portion is covered by the apparatus main body so as not to be gripped, in a state where the cassette is located at a mounted position (FIG. 1) at which the stored sheet is feedable by a sheet feed unit.
Conclusion
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 LUIS A GONZALEZ whose telephone number is (571)270-3094. The examiner can normally be reached 9am-5:30pm.
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 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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/LUIS A GONZALEZ/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3653