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 Interpretation
This application includes one or more claim limitations that do not use the word “means,” but are nonetheless being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, because the claim limitation(s) uses a generic placeholder that is coupled with functional language without reciting sufficient structure to perform the recited function and the generic placeholder is not preceded by a structural modifier. Such claim limitation(s) is/are: a first control unit in claim 1 understood as element 6 and a second control unit in claim 1 understood as element 7.
Because this/these claim limitation(s) is/are being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, it/they is/are being interpreted to cover the corresponding structure described in the specification as performing the claimed function, and equivalents thereof.
If applicant does not intend to have this/these limitation(s) interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, applicant may: (1) amend the claim limitation(s) to avoid it/them being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph (e.g., by reciting sufficient structure to perform the claimed function); or (2) present a sufficient showing that the claim limitation(s) recite(s) sufficient structure to perform the claimed function so as to avoid it/them being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
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.
Claim(s) 1-2 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by JP 5600452 (“JP ‘452”).
Regarding claim 1, JP ‘452 disclosed a meandering correction apparatus for correcting meandering of a metal strip conveyed along a threading line, characterized in that the meandering correction apparatus comprises:
a first meandering amount detection unit (22) that is disposed at a meandering control target position of the metal strip and detects a first meandering amount of the metal strip;
a steering roll (20) disposed to correct the first meandering amount;
a tilting device for the steering roll (as described in the translation);
a second meandering amount detection unit (21) that is disposed on a downstream side of the steering roll along the threading line and on an upstream side of the meandering control target position along the threading line and detects a second meandering amount of the metal strip (see Figure 1);
a first control unit (part of 23) that corrects a shift amount at the meandering control target position based on the first meandering amount (22a) by taking into consideration a conveyance time taken from a position of the steering roll to the meandering control target position (as described in the translation); and
a second control (including 27 and part of 23) unit that controls a position of the metal strip in a width direction with the steering roll based on the second meandering amount (21a) and the corrected shift amount.
Regarding claim 2, JP ‘452 disclosed a method for correcting meandering of a metal strip conveyed along a threading line, characterized in that the method comprises:
a step of detecting a first meandering amount at a meandering control target position of the metal strip (using 22);
a step of tilting a steering roll (20) to control a shift amount at the meandering control target position;
a step of detecting a second meandering amount on a downstream side of the steering roll along the threading line and on an upstream side of the meandering control target position along the threading line (using 21);
a step of correcting a shift amount at the meandering control target position based on the first meandering amount (22a) by taking into consideration a conveyance time taken from a position of the steering roll to the meandering control target position; and
a step of controlling a position of the metal strip in a width direction with the steering roll based on the second meandering amount (21a) and the corrected shift amount.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. JP H06345304 and JP 3176855 both teach the claimed invention as well.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to HOWARD J SANDERS whose telephone number is (571)270-3096. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 8:00-5:00.
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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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/HOWARD J SANDERS/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3653
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