www.uspto.gov
`
`UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`United States Patent and TrademarkOffice
`Address: COMMISSIONER FOR PATENTS
`P.O. Box 1450
`Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1450
`
`16/969,451
`
`08/12/2020
`
`Kiyomi Kozuki
`
`P200734US00
`
`2632
`
`WHDA, LLP
`8500 LEESBURG PIKE
`SUITE 7500
`TYSONS, VA 22182
`
`KRONE, TAYLOR HARRISON
`
`1728
`
`PAPER NUMBER
`
`NOTIFICATION DATE
`
`DELIVERY MODE
`
`05/10/2023
`
`ELECTRONIC
`
`Please find below and/or attached an Office communication concerning this application or proceeding.
`
`Thetime period for reply, if any, is set in the attached communication.
`
`Notice of the Office communication was sent electronically on above-indicated "Notification Date" to the
`following e-mail address(es):
`
`patentmail @ whda.com
`
`PTOL-90A (Rev. 04/07)
`
`

`

`
`
`Disposition of Claims*
`1-5 is/are pending in the application.
`)
`Claim(s)
`5a) Of the above claim(s) ___ is/are withdrawn from consideration.
`Cj} Claim(s)
`is/are allowed.
`Claim(s) 1-5 is/are rejected.
`1) Claim(s)__is/are objectedto.
`Cj) Claim(s
`are subjectto restriction and/or election requirement
`S)
`* If any claims have been determined allowable, you maybeeligible to benefit from the Patent Prosecution Highway program at a
`participating intellectual property office for the corresponding application. For more information, please see
`http://Awww.uspto.gov/patents/init_events/pph/index.jsp or send an inquiry to PPHfeedback@uspto.gov.
`
`) ) ) )
`
`Application Papers
`10) The specification is objected to by the Examiner.
`11)0) The drawing(s) filedon__ is/are: a)(J accepted or b)( objected to by the Examiner.
`Applicant may not request that any objection to the drawing(s) be held in abeyance. See 37 CFR 1.85(a).
`Replacement drawing sheet(s) including the correction is required if the drawing(s) is objected to. See 37 CFR 1.121 (d).
`
`Priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119
`12)1) Acknowledgment is made of a claim for foreign priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a)-(d) or (f).
`Certified copies:
`c)Z None ofthe:
`b)() Some**
`a)C All
`1... Certified copies of the priority documents have been received.
`2.1) Certified copies of the priority documents have beenreceived in Application No.
`3.1.) Copies of the certified copies of the priority documents have been receivedin this National Stage
`application from the International Bureau (PCT Rule 17.2(a)).
`* See the attached detailed Office action for a list of the certified copies not received.
`
`Attachment(s)
`
`1)
`
`Notice of References Cited (PTO-892)
`
`Information Disclosure Statement(s) (PTO/SB/08a and/or PTO/SB/08b)
`2)
`Paper No(s)/Mail Date
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
`
`3)
`
`(LJ Interview Summary (PTO-413)
`Paper No(s)/Mail Date
`4) (J Other:
`
`PTOL-326 (Rev. 11-13)
`
`Office Action Summary
`
`Part of Paper No./Mail Date 20230426
`
`Application No.
`Applicant(s)
`16/969,451
`Kozuki, Kiyomi
`
`Office Action Summary Art Unit|AIA (FITF) StatusExaminer
`TAYLOR H KRONE
`1728
`Yes
`
`
`
`-- The MAILING DATEof this communication appears on the cover sheet with the correspondence address --
`Period for Reply
`
`A SHORTENED STATUTORY PERIOD FOR REPLYIS SET TO EXPIRE 3 MONTHS FROM THE MAILING
`DATE OF THIS COMMUNICATION.
`Extensions of time may be available underthe provisions of 37 CFR 1.136(a). In no event, however, may a reply betimely filed after SIX (6) MONTHSfrom the mailing
`date of this communication.
`If NO period for reply is specified above, the maximum statutory period will apply and will expire SIX (6) MONTHSfrom the mailing date of this communication.
`-
`- Failure to reply within the set or extended period for reply will, by statute, cause the application to become ABANDONED (35 U.S.C. § 133).
`Any reply received by the Office later than three months after the mailing date of this communication, evenif timely filed, may reduce any earned patent term
`adjustment. See 37 CFR 1.704(b).
`
`Status
`
`1) Responsive to communication(s) filed on 23 March 2023.
`C) A declaration(s)/affidavit(s) under 37 CFR 1.130(b) was/werefiled on
`2a)[¥) This action is FINAL.
`2b) (J This action is non-final.
`3)02 An election was madeby the applicant in responseto a restriction requirement set forth during the interview
`on
`; the restriction requirement and election have been incorporated into this action.
`4)\0) Since this application is in condition for allowance except for formal matters, prosecution as to the merits is
`closed in accordance with the practice under Exparte Quayle, 1935 C.D. 11, 453 O.G. 213.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/969,451
`Art Unit: 1728
`
`Page2
`
`DETAILEDACTION
`
`Notice ofPre-AlAorAIA Status
`
`The presentapplication,filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first
`
`inventorto file provisions of the AIA.
`
`Response to Amendment
`
`The amendmentfiledon March 23, 2023, has been entered. Claims 1-5 remain pending inthe
`
`application.
`
`Claim Rejections -35 USC § 102
`
`Inthe eventthe determination ofthe status of the application as subject to AIA35U.S.C.102
`
`and 103 (oras subject to pre-AlA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory
`
`basis forthe rejection willnot be considered a new ground of rejectionifthe prior art relied upon, and
`
`the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
`
`The following is a quotation ofthe appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the basis
`
`for the rejections under thiss ection made in this Office action:
`
`A person shall beentitled to a patent unless —
`
`(a}(1) theclaimed 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.
`
`(a}(2) theclaimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, orin an application
`for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as
`the case may be, names another inventor and waseffectively filed before the effective filing dateof
`the claimed invention.
`
`
`
`Regarding Claim 1, KAWATEteachesa rectangular secondary battery comprising:
`
`an electrode body that includesa plurality of stacked electrode plates (20 in Fig. 16; paragraph
`
`[0014));
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/969,451
`Art Unit: 1728
`
`Page3
`
`a rectangular outer casing (outercase 10; paragraph [0013]) that has an opening (opening 11a;
`
`paragraph [0013])andthataccommodates the electrode body (case body 11in Fig.16; paragraph
`
`[0013});
`
`a cover plate (lid 12; paragraph [0013]) that seals the opening (whichcloses an opening 11a;
`
`paragraph [0013]) andthatis provided withan external terminal (external terminal 50A; paragraph
`
`[0020]) ona side opposite to a side of the electrode body (external terminal 50A in Fig. 16is disposed on
`
`one end side while external terminal 50B is disposed on the other end side; paragraph [0020));
`
`anda collector terminal (current collector60A; paragraph [0043]) thatis electrically connected
`
`to the external terminal (external terminal 5OAis electrically connected to the collectorterminal 60A;
`
`paragraph [0043]) andthatis disposed inside the rectangular outer casing (collectorterminal 60Ain Fig.
`
`16 disposed ontheinner surface 1 2b side of the lid 12; paragraph [0043]);
`
`wherein each electrode plate (positive electrode s heet 21 and negative electrode sheet 22;
`
`[0014]) includes an active material arrangement portion (positive active material layers 25 & negative
`
`active material layers 27 in Fig. 3; paragraphs [0016] & [0017]) and a collector tab (currentcollectortab
`
`28 in Fig. 16; paragraph [0025]), the active material arrangement portion (positive active material layers
`
`25 & negative active material layers 27 in Fig. 3; paragraphs [0016] & [0017]) including a plate-like core
`
`body (see Fig. 3 showing plate-like core body below projecting portion 24b) andanactive material
`
`containing layer that is provided at the core body(positive active material layer 25 and negative active
`
`materiallayer 27 noted onthe plate-like core body below projecting portions 24b and 26b; Fig. 3), the
`
`collector tab (current collector tab 28 in Fig.16 andcurrent collector tab 29; paragraph [0025]) being
`
`integrated withthe core body (see Fig. 3) and protrudingfrom the active material arrangementportion
`
`(projecting portions 24b and 26b ofthecurrentcollector tabs 28 and 29 above active material layers 25
`
`and 27 in Fig.3; paragraph [0018]),
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/969,451
`Art Unit: 1728
`
`Page4
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`whereineach collector tabincludesa curved portion (first bent portions 28c and 29c of current
`
`collector tabs 28 and 29; paragraph [0029]) andanend (second bent portions 28d and 29d extending
`
`into flat portions servingas the end portions; paragraph [0029]), the curved portion (first bent portions
`
`28c & 29c; paragraph [00 29]) being positioned between the active material arrangementportion
`
`(positive active material layer 25 and negative active material layer 27 ofthe current collector tabs 28
`
`and 29; Fig. 16) corresponding thereto and the collector terminalina height direction ofthe rectangular
`
`outer casing and having at least a part thereof curved (arranged ina stacking direction of the electrode
`
`sheets 21& 22inFig. 16; paragraphs [0027] & [0029]), the end (second bent portions 28dand 29d
`
`extending into flat portions serving as the end portions; paragraph [0029]) being positioned at the
`
`curved portion(first bent portions 28c and 29c of current collector tabs 28 and 29; paragraph [0029]) on
`
`a side opposite to a side ofthe active material arrangement portion (positioned ona side opposite of
`
`the electrode assembly 20 in Fig. 16 which includes the positive active material layer 25 and negative
`
`active material layer 27; paragraph [0027])
`
`KAWATEreads onthe recited features above by comparing Figure 3 ofthe instant application
`
`with Fig. 16 of KAWATE. In Figure 3 of the instanta pplication, 22arepresents the curved portion
`
`extending the Z direction a bove the electrode body 14 positioned between the positive electrode active
`
`material arrangement portion 21 and the collector terminal 40 ina height direction ofthe rectangular
`
`outer casing 11,the extending portion 22bandthe corresponding flat portion 2 2c constituting the end
`
`being positioned on a side opposite of the positive electrode active material arrangement portion 21 of
`
`the electrode body 14. This configurationis represented in Fig. 160f KAWATE wherethe first bent
`
`portion 28cextends upward (Z direction) above the electrode assembly 20 positioned betweenthe
`
`positive active material layer 25 andthe current collector 60A ina height direction ofthe case body 11,
`
`the second bent portion 28d extending into a flat portion constituting the end being positioned ona side
`
`opposite of the positive active material layer 25 ofthe electrode assembly 20.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/969,451
`Art Unit: 1728
`
`PageS
`
`whereinthe end ofthe collector tab (currentcollecting tab 28; paragraph [0029]) includes a
`
`portion thereof disposed directly on as urface of the collector terminal (current collector 60A; paragraph
`
`[0043]) facingaway from the active material arrangementposition (electrode sheets include active
`
`materiallayers; paragraphs [0016] —[0017]) of each electrode plate (electrodes heets 21 and 22;
`
`paragraph [0027), and
`
`Fig. 18
`
`5
`
`OR
`
`86A
`
`ee A (
`
`°
`
`Gda_
`
`60A 61A) 28
`
`61h
`
`1
`
`SQA
`
`weenieesenbeen a
`
`KAWATE reads onthe amended feature recited above as shownin FIG. 16 where the current
`
`collecting tab 28 hasa second bent portion 28d that extends vertically at the bent portion 28d and
`
`curves around the welded portion 61A where the end ofthe current collecting tab 28 extends
`
`horizontally and sits flatlyon as urface of the welded portion 61A ofthe current collector 60A that faces
`
`away from the electrode sheets 21 and 22 that comprise the active material layers.
`
`whereineach endincludesa joint portion (joint portions 28aand 29ain Fig.11B; paragraph
`
`[0028]) that is joined and electrically connected to the collector terminal (joint portions 28a& 29a
`
`includedinthe current collecting tabs 28 & 29 are electrically connected; paragraphs [0027] & [0028]).
`
`Claim Rejections -35 USC § 103
`
`Inthe eventthe determination ofthe status ofthe application as subject to AIA35 U.S.C.102
`
`and 103 (oras subject to pre-AlA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/969,451
`Art Unit: 1728
`
`Page6
`
`basis for the rejection willnotbe considered a new ground of rejectionif the prior art relied upon, and
`
`the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
`
`The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for allobviousness rejections
`
`set forthin this Office action:
`
`A patent fora claimed invention may not beobtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is
`not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102,if thedifferences between the claimed invention
`and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would havebeen obvious beforethe
`effective filingdate of theclaimed invention to aperson havingordinary skill in theart to which the
`claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not benegated by the mannerin which theinvention
`was made.
`
`The factual inquiries for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35 U.S.C.
`
`103 aresummarizedas follows:
`
`1. Determining the scope andcontents of the prior art.
`
`2. Ascertaining the differences between the priorart andthe claims atissue.
`
`3. Resolving the level of ordinary skillin the pertinent art.
`
`4. Considering objective evidence presentin the application indicating obviousness or
`
`nonobviousness.
`
`Claims2 and 3 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over KAWATE
`
`(EP3232495) in view of SOHMA(WO2017047278).
`
`Regarding Claim 2, KAWATEteaches the rectangulars econdary battery according to Claim 1,
`
`whereinthe collector terminal includesa plate-like portion (current collectors 60A and 60B haveflat
`
`plate-like portions as shownin Fig. 14A where they areelectrically connected to the external terminals
`
`50Aand50B; paragraph [0043]). KAWATEis deficient in explicitly disclosing that the collector tabsthat
`
`are includedin the plurality of electrode plates are disposed so as to overlap eachother and constitute a
`
`tab bundle. KAWATEis also deficient in explicitly disclosing thatthe rectangulars econdary battery
`
`further comprises a clamping portion that clamps, along withan edge-portion end surface of the plate-
`
`like portion, the tab bundle.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/969,451
`Art Unit: 1728
`
`Page7
`
`SOHMA disclosesthat the collector tabs thata re included inthe plurality of electrode plates are
`
`dis posed so as to overlap each other and constitute a tab bundle (plurality of current collectingtabs are
`
`bundles; top of page 41 ofthe Englishtranslation), andthatthe rectangular secondary battery further
`
`comprises a clamping portion that clamps (clamping member; top of page 44 of the English translation),
`
`along with an edge-portion ends urface of the plate-like portion (edge surface of the plate-like portions
`
`of current collectors 60A & 60B; Fig.14A), the tab bundle (current collecting ta bs positioned at the flat
`
`portion and the curved portion are collectively clamped inthe thickness direction; middle of page 44 of
`
`the Englishtranslation). Advantageously, the clamping ofthe currentcollecting tabs prevents the
`
`probability ofan occurrence of aninternal shortcircuit due to the buckling of the tabs. Thus, prior to the
`
`effective filing date of the claimed invention, one of ordinary skillinthe art, in seekingto prevent the
`
`probability ofan occurrence of aninternal shortcircuit due to the buckling of the tabs, would have
`
`found it obvious to utilize a clamping portion to clampthe tab bundles as suggested by SOHMA in the
`
`rectangular secondary battery as taught by KAWATE.
`
`Regarding Claim 3, modified KAWATEteaches the rectangular secondary battery accordingto
`
`Claim2, whereinthe clamping portion (clamping member; top of page 44 of the English translation of
`
`SOHMA)and the collector terminal (current collector 60A; paragraph [0043] of KAWATE) areconnected
`
`to each other by a connecting portion (a connecting portion where the current collecting tabs 28 & 29
`
`are connected to the currentcollectors 60A & 60B; paragraph [0029] of KAWATE), and whereinthe
`
`clamping portion (clamping member; top of page 44 of the English translation of SOHMA), the collector
`
`terminal (current collector 60A; paragraph [0043] of KAWATE), and the connecting portion (a connecting
`
`portion where the currentcollecting tabs 28 & 29 are connected to the current collectors 60A & 60B;
`
`paragraph [0029] of KAWATE)are integrated with each other and define a recessed portion (the
`
`recessed portion (the clamping member is provided witha protrusion 3 11a for positioning the flat plate
`
`of the clamping member thereby accommodating the plurality of current collector tabs that are
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/969,451
`Art Unit: 1728
`
`Page8
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`sandwiched therebetween; bottom of page 45 of the English translation) that accommodatesa part of
`
`the tab bundle (current collecting ta bs a re fixed to the currentcollecting plate by fixing members; the
`
`fixing member includesa clamping member; middle of page 43 of the Englishtranslation of SOHMA).
`
`Claim 4 isrejected under 35 U.S.C.103 as being unpatentable over KAWATE(EP3232495)in
`
`view of SOHMA (WO2017047278), and further in view of SUZUKI (US20170133718).
`
`Regarding Claim 4, modified KAWATEteaches the rectangular secondary battery accordingto
`
`Claim2. Modified KAWATEis deficientin explicitly disclosing that the rectangular secondary battery
`
`comprises: an insulator that is disposed between aninners urface portion of the rectangularouter
`
`casing andtheclamping portion, the inner surfaceportion being positioned ona side opposite to a side
`
`of the edge-portion end surface with respectto the clamping portion, whereinthe clamping portionis
`
`integrated with the insulator, or is fixed to the insulator.
`
`SUZUKI like KAWATEis modifying a rectangular secondary battery connection structure whereby
`
`each configuration enhances durability ands uppresses vibrations of the ou ter case transferring to the
`
`respective electrode bodies by the tab portions even ifthe outer case vibrates due to external factors
`
`(paragraph [0037] of SUZUKI). While KAWATEchose to incorporate welded portions that are weldedto
`
`the current collecting tab bent portions to decrease vibrations from an impact applied to the current
`
`collecting tabs at the time of assemblingthe battery or duringtraveling ofa vehicle that has the battery
`
`mounted on it (paragraphs [0025] & [0050] of KAWATE), SUZUKI chose to utilize clamping portions to
`
`connect the wound electrode body andthe inners urface of the curved portionto eachother via the tab
`
`portions alsoto decrease vibrations. SUZUKI discloses an insulator (insulating film 17; paragraph [0033]
`
`of SUZUKI) thatis disposed between aninner surface portion of the rectangular outer casing (inner
`
`surface of the main body 4; paragraph [0033] of SUZUKI) andthe clamping portion (clamping member;
`
`top of page 44 of the English translation of SOHMA), the inner surfaceportion (inner surface of the main
`
`body 4; paragraph [0033] of SUZUKI) being positioned on aside opposite to a side of the edge -portion
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/969,451
`Art Unit: 1728
`
`Page9
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`end surface (edge surface of the plate-like portions of currentcollectors 60A & 60B; Fig. 14A) with
`
`respect to the clamping portion (clamping member; top of page 44 of the English translation of SOHMA),
`
`whereinthe clamping portion (clamping member; top of page 44 of the English translation of SOHMA)is
`
`integrated withthe insulator (clamping of the electric insulating film 17; paragraph [0033] of SUZUKI), or
`
`is fixed to the insulator (the clamping of the electric insulating film; paragraph [0033] of SOHMA).
`
`Advantageously, this configuration enhances durability and suppresses vibrations of the outercase
`
`transferringto the wound electrode body by the tab portions evenifthe outercase vibrates due to
`
`external factors (paragraph [0037]). Thus, prior to the effective filing date of the claimed invention, one
`
`of ordinaryskillin the art, inseeking to suppress vibrations transferring to the tabs and enhance
`
`durability, would have found it obvious to utilize an insulator disposed between an inner surface portion
`
`of the rectangular outer casingandthe clamping portion, wherein the clamping portionis fixedto the
`
`insulatoras suggested by SUZUKI inthe rectangular secondary battery as taught by KAWATE.
`
`Claim 5 isrejected under 35 U.S.C.103 as being unpatentable over KAWATE(EP3232495) in
`
`view of SOHMA (WO2017047278), and further in view of HOLL (US9373865).
`
`Regarding Claim 5, modified KAWATEteaches the rectangular secondary battery accordingto
`
`Claim2, whereinthe joint portionis includedin the overlapping portion (joint portions 28a & 29aon a
`
`distal end side where projecting portions are joined to each other; paragraph [0028]). Modified KAWATE
`
`is deficient in explicitly disclosing that each collector tabincludesa flat portionthatextendsalongan
`
`uppersurface of the plate-like portionon a side of the cover plate in the height direction, wherein,
`
`whenseen fromthe heightdirection, an overlapping portion where all of the flatportionsinallofthe
`
`collector tabs included inthe tab bundle overlap each other exists, whereina length ofthe overlapping
`
`portion ina protruding direction of the collector tabs is greater than or equal to 3 mm.
`
`HOLL discloses that the collector lugs are flat, for example, rectangular ors quare, andthey
`
`generally have two opposite flat sides which can be planar (Col. 5, lines 1-3); the collectorlugs which
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/969,451
`Art Unit: 1728
`
`Page10
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`protrude fromthe winding are arranged inan overlapping mannerina kind of stack-like arrangement
`
`(Col. 4, lines 64-67). Advantageously, the collector lugs onlyhave a minimum offset in relationto one
`
`another within the stack-like arrangement (Col5, lines 11-12). Thus, prior to the effectivefiling date of
`
`the claimed invention, one of ordinaryskill inthe art, in seeking to have collector tabs ina tab bundle
`
`with onlya minimum offset in relation to one another, would have found it obvious, to include flat
`
`collector tabs ina bundle that overlap each other as suggested by HOLLin the rectangular secondary
`
`batteryas taught by KAWATE.
`
`HOLL also teaches thatthe overlapping arrangementis to be understood to mean,in particular,
`
`that the flat sides ofallthe collector |ugs withinthes tack-like arrangement overlap in one direction,
`
`preferably perpendicular to the flat sides, preferably over at least 75%, over at least 90%, and overat
`
`least 95% such thatthe collector lugs have onlya minimum offsetin relation to one another within the
`
`stack-like arrangement (Col. 5, lines 5-13). Itis the examiner’s position that the length of the overlapping
`
`portion ina protruding direction of the collector tabs beinggreater than or equalto 3 mmis selected to
`
`control the desired size, shape, and form factor of the rectangular secondary battery. As such, without
`
`showing unexpected results, the claimed size of the overlapping portion cannot be considered critical.
`
`Accordingly, prior to the effective filing date of the claimed invention, one of ordinarys kill inthe art,in
`
`seekingto control the desired size, shape, and form factor ofa battery, would have found it obvious to
`
`choosea predetermined length of the overlapping portion of the collector tabs as suggested by HOLLin
`
`the rectangular battery as taught by KAWATE. See MPEP 2144.04 1V A: In Gardner v. TECSyst., Inc., 725
`
`F.2d 1338, 220 USPQ777 (Fed. Cir. 1984), cert. denied, 469 U.S.830, 225 USPQ 232 (1984), the Federal
`
`Circuit held that, where the only difference betweenthe prior art and the claims was a recitation of
`
`relative dimensions of the claimed device and a device having the claimed relative dimensions would
`
`not perform differently than the prior art device, the claimed device was not patentably distinct from
`
`the prior art device.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/969,451
`Art Unit: 1728
`
`Pageil
`
`Response to Arguments
`
`Applicant's argumentsfiled March 23,2023, have been fully considered, butthey are not
`
`persuasive. Applicantasserts that KAWATE doesnotread onthe amended feature of claim 1 as FIG. 10
`
`showsthatthe collector tab 28 has its end 28d disposed on a lower surface of the collector terminal 60A
`
`that faces downward toward the active material arrangementportion of each electrode plate 21, 22.
`
`However, KAWATE does read on the amendedfeature of claim 1 as shownin FIG. 16 where the current
`
`collecting tab 28 hasa second bentportion 28d that extends vertically at the bent portion 28d and
`
`curves around the welded portion 61A where the end of the current collecting tab 28 extends
`
`horizontally and sits flatlyon an upward facing surface of the welded portion 61A of the current
`
`collector 60A that faces away from the electrode sheets 21 and 22 that comprise the active material
`
`layers. Therefore, the newly cited embodiment of the energy storage device as shownin FIG. 16 of
`
`KAWATEreads onthe rectangular s econdary battery of claim 1 as applied to amended claim 1 inthis
`
`correspondence.
`
`Conclusion
`
`Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office
`
`action. Accordingly, THIS ACTIONIS MADEFINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). Applicant is reminded ofthe
`
`extension of time policy as set forthin3 7 CFR 1.136(a).
`
`Ashortened statutory period for replyto this final actionis setto expire THREE MONTHSfrom
`
`the mailing date ofthis action. Inthe event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS ofthe mailingdate
`
`of this finalactionandthe advisory action is not mailed untilafter the end of the THREE -MONTH
`
`shortened statutory period, thenthe shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory
`
`action is mailed, andanyextension fee pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing
`
`date ofthe advisory action.
`
`In noevent, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than
`
`SIX MONTHS from the date of this final action.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/969,451
`Art Unit: 1728
`
`Page12
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`Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner
`
`should be directed to TAYLOR H KRONE whose telephone number is (571)270-5064. The examiner can
`
`normally be reached Monday throughFriday from 8:30 AM -5:30 PM EST.
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`Examiner interviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video conferencing using a
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`USPTOs upplied web-based collaboration tool. To schedule aninterview,applicant is encouraged to use
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`the USPTO AutomatedInterview Re quest (AIR) at htto://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice.
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`If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor,
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`MATTHEW T MARTIN can be reached on 571-270-7871. The fax phone numberfor the organization
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`wherethis a pplication or proceedingis assigned is 571-273-8300.
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`Information regarding the status of published or un published applications may be obtained from
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`Patent Center. Unpublished a pplication information in Patent Center is available to registered users. To
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`file and manage patent submissionsin Patent Center,visit: https ://patentcenter.uspto.gov. Visit
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`https://www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/patent-center for more information about Patent Centerand
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`https://www.uspto.gov/patents/docx for information aboutfilingin DOCX format. For additional
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`questions, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197(toll-free). If you would like
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`assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or
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`571-272-1000.
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`/T.H.K./
`Examiner, Art Unit 1728
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`/MATTHEW T MARTIN/
`Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit1728
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