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 1-4 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as failing to set forth 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.
In claim 1, Applicant recites a detection object that assumes a first detection posture, when the branch guide assumes the first guide posture, assumes a second detection posture, when the branch guide assumes the second guide posture, assumes the first detection posture, when the sheet contact member assumes the non-contact posture, and assumes the second detection posture, when the sheet contact member assumes the contacting posture. However, the branch guide can assume the first guide posture while the sheet contact member assumes a contacting posture (see Fig. 4) and the detection object would not be able to be in both a first detection posture and a second detection posture as required by the claim. The claim appears to have simultaneous contradictory requirements.
Claims 2-4 depend upon and include these limitations of claim 1 without clarifying against the contradiction presented.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to DAVID H BANH whose telephone number is (571)270-3851. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 12-8PM.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Stephen Meier can be reached at (571)272-2149. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/DAVID H BANH/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2853
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