Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
1. The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Election/Restrictions
2. Applicant’s election of invention I., drawn to claims 1-9 and 21-28 in the reply filed on 4/20/26, is acknowledged. Because applicant did not distinctly and specifically point out the supposed errors in the restriction requirement, the election has been treated as an election without traverse (MPEP § 818.01(a)). Claims 10-20 are withdrawn from further consideration pursuant to 37 CFR 1.142(b) as being drawn to a nonelected invention, there being no allowable generic or linking claim.
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.
3. Claims 1-9 and 21-28 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 feed roller” in line 5. After this, claim 1 again recites “a feed roller” in line 11. It is unclear if the later recited “a feed roller” is the same or different from the previously recited “a feed roller”. In other words, it is unclear how many feed rollers are claimed in claim 1. Claims 2-9 depend from claim 1, and therefore have the same indefiniteness issues as outlined above with regard to claim 1.
Claim 4 recites the limitation "the storage transport route". There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 6 depends from claim 1. Claim 1 recites “an axis about a feed roller shaft”. (emphasis added). After this, claim 6 recites “the feed roller shaft so as to be rotatable on an axis thereof”. (emphasis added). It is unclear if the recited “an axis” in claim 6 is the same or different from the previously recited “an axis” in claim 1. In other words, it is unclear how many axes are claimed in claim 6.
Claim 9 recites the limitation "the surfaces". There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 21 recites “a feed roller” in line 5. After this, claim 21 again recites “a feed roller” in line 12. It is unclear if the later recited “a feed roller” is the same or different from the previously recited “a feed roller”. In other words, it is unclear how many feed rollers are claimed in claim 21. Claims 22-28 depend from claim 21, and therefore have the same indefiniteness issues as outlined above with regard to claim 21.
Claim 24 recites the limitation "the storage transport route". There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 26 depends from claim 21. Claim 21 recites “an axis about a feed roller shaft”. (emphasis added). After this, claim 26 recites “the feed roller shaft so as to be rotatable on an axis thereof”. (emphasis added). It is unclear if the recited “an axis” in claim 26 is the same or different from the previously recited “an axis” in claim 21. In other words, it is unclear how many axes are claimed in claim 26.
Claim 28 recites the limitation "the surfaces". There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Allowable Subject Matter
4. Claims 1-9 and 21-28 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. U.S. Patent No. 6,120,017 (Tanjo et al.) (hereinafter “Tanjo”) is the closest prior art of record and teaches a paper sheet separation transport device (Fig. 2) comprising: a set-out part (including 26 and 27) with a set-out roller (27) and a pick pusher (26) to take a paper sheet on a paper feed tray (21); a separating part (including 43 and 45-47) with a feed roller (43) and a brake roller (46); a first motor (M1) for driving the set-out part (including 26 and 27) and separating part (including 43 and 45-47); a drawing transport part (including 86-88) with at least two idle rollers (871 and 871) supported about an axis about a feed roller shaft (87) associated with a feed roller (86), and at least two drawing belts (88); and a controller for controlling the first motor (M1) and a second motor (M5). However, Tanjo fails to teach or suggest a storage transport part to receive the paper sheet discharged from the drawing transport part and to transport the paper sheet further downstream, in which the second motor drives the drawing transport part and the storage transport part, as claimed.
Conclusion
5. The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. US2008/0211165 (Kusumi) shows a paper sheet separation transport device with a set out part (including 80 and 52), a separation part (including 62 and 61), a drawing transport part (including 81-84), a storage transport part (including 21), and a motor (22), but does not show first and second motors that drive the claimed features or a controller as claimed.
6. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to THOMAS A MORRISON whose telephone number is (571)272-7221. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 9am - 5pm.
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, Mike 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.
/THOMAS A MORRISON/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3653
Prosecution Insights