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`UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`United States Patent and TrademarkOffice
`Address; COMMISSIONER FOR PATENTS
`P.O. Box 1450
`Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1450
`
`17/113,708
`
`12/07/2020
`
`Kazuyoshi HONDA
`
`083710-3174
`
`7114
`
`McDermott Will and Emery LLP
`The McDermott Building
`500 North Capitol Street, N.W.
`Washington, DC 20001
`
`LYNCH,VICTORIA HOM
`
`1724
`
`PAPER NUMBER
`
`NOTIFICATION DATE
`
`DELIVERY MODE
`
`04/20/2022
`
`ELECTRONIC
`
`Please find below and/or attached an Office communication concerning this application or proceeding.
`
`The time 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):
`
`mweipdocket@mwe.com
`
`PTOL-90A (Rev. 04/07)
`
`

`

`
`
`Disposition of Claims*
`1-15 is/are pending in the application.
`)
`Claim(s)
`5a) Of the above claim(s) ___ is/are withdrawn from consideration.
`(J Claim(s)__ is/are allowed.
`Claim(s) 1,3-4,6 and 8 is/are rejected.
`Claim(s) 2,5,7 and 9-15 is/are objected to.
`1) Claim(s
`are subject to restriction and/or election requirement
`)
`* 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)M The drawing(s)filed on 12/7/20 is/are: a) accepted or b)C) 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)[¥] Acknowledgment is made of a claim for foreign priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a)-(d)or (f).
`Certified copies:
`c)() None ofthe:
`b)( Some**
`a) All
`1.2 Certified copies of the priority documents have been received.
`2.¥} Certified copies of the priority documents have beenreceived in Application No. 15/484,633.
`3.0.) 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 12/7/20,2/9/21,
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
`
`3) (J Interview Summary (PTO-413)
`Paper No(s)/Mail Date
`(Qj Other:
`
`4)
`
`PTOL-326 (Rev. 11-13)
`
`Office Action Summary
`
`Part of Paper No./Mail Date 20220415
`
`Application No.
`Applicant(s)
`17/113,708
`HONDA, Kazuyoshi
`
`Office Action Summary Art Unit|AIA (FITF) StatusExaminer
`VICTORIA H LYNCH
`1724
`Yes
`
`
`
`-- The MAILING DATEofthis 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 12/7/20.
`C} A declaration(s)/affidavit(s) under 37 CFR 1.130(b) was/werefiled on
`
`2a)L) This action is FINAL. 2b)¥)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: 17/113,708
`Art Unit: 1724
`
`Page 2
`
`DETAILED ACTION
`
`Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
`
`1.
`
`The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined underthe
`
`first inventor to file provisions of the AJA.
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
`
`2.
`
`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 for the rejection will not be considered a new ground ofrejection if the prior art
`
`relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same undereither status.
`
`3.
`
`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 personshall be entitled to a patent unless —
`
`(a)(1) the claimed invention waspatented, 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.
`
`4,
`
`Claim(s) 1, 3, 4, 6, and 8 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by
`
`Peckerar et al. (US 2010/0028766) as cited in IDS dated 12/7/20.
`
`Regarding claim 1, Peckerar discloses a battery (electrochemical cell 10, Fig. 1, [0055],
`
`[0075]) comprising: a first power generation element(thin flexible rechargeable battery cell 12,
`
`Fig. 1, [0075]); a first outer cover body which enclosesthe first power generation
`
`element(sealing package 32, Fig. 1); a first planar electrode having, as principal surfaces, a first
`
`connecting surface and a first protruding surface opposite the first connecting surface(see Fig. A
`
`as annotated Fig. 1);
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/113,708
`Art Unit: 1724
`
`Page 3
`
`wv
`
`divst
`profardkag
`arks
`
`Best plana
`electrode
`
`Sy
`
`coumnectng
`sunree
`
`f Best.
`
`ota
`slectrode
`
`Fiig. A
`
`secant / i.
` 46
`
`second «er
`oie ctong
`4 ee
`site
`
`ce
`
`P FIG.
`sete
`t
`Renan .
`profane
`surkee
`
`and a second planar electrode having, as principal surfaces, a second connecting surface and a
`
`second protruding surface opposite the second connecting surface(Fig. A), wherein the first
`
`connecting surface is electrically connected to one electrode of the first power generation
`
`element(negative contact terminal 30 in contact with the metal anode electrode unit 20 [0075]),
`
`the second connecting surface is electrically connected to another electrode of the first power
`
`generation element(positive contact terminal 28 in contact with the cathode electrode unit 22,
`
`[0075]), the first outer cover bodyincludesa first covering portion provided with a first
`
`opening(see Fig. B as annotated Fig. 1),
`
`firet phar,
`elechode
`
`i
`
`fiset.
`protuduig
`aiylace
`
`f
`
`
`test
`COVERS
`portion
`
`spend
`COvEME
`Portion
`
`second,
`second
`“Frat
`apesing
`apes
`pronding
`surice sekond
`piunes_
`electrode
`
`Fig. B
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/113,708
`Art Unit: 1724
`
`Page 4
`
`the first protruding surface protrudes from the first opening toward an outside ofthe first
`
`covering portion(Fig. B), the first covering portion is joined to at least one of the first planar
`
`electrode and the first power generation element(Fig. B), the first outer cover body includes a
`
`second covering portion provided with a second opening(Fig. B), and the second protruding
`
`surface protrudes from the second opening toward an outside of the second covering portion(Fig.
`
`B).
`
`Regarding claim 3, Peckerar disclosesall of the claim limitations as set forth above.
`
`Peckerar further discloses the first power generation element includesa first current
`
`collector(anode electrode unit 20, Fig. 1, [0075], [0017]), and the first connecting surface is in
`
`surface contact with a principal surface ofthe first current collector(Fig. A).
`
`Regarding claim 4, Peckerar disclosesall of the claim limitations as set forth above.
`
`Peckerar further discloses a distance between the first protruding surface and the first covering
`
`portion is equal to or larger than a distance between the second covering portion andthefirst
`
`power generation element(Fig. B).
`
`Regarding claim 6, Peckerar disclosesall of the claim limitations as set forth above.
`
`Peckerar further discloses the first power generation element includes a second current
`
`collector(cathode electrode unit 22, Fig. 1, [0075], [0022]), and the second connecting surface is
`
`in surface contact with a principal surface of the second current collector(Fig. A).
`
`Regarding claim 8, Peckerar disclosesall of the claim limitations as set forth above.
`
`Peckerar further discloses the first power generation element includesa first active material layer
`
`containing a first active material (anode electrode unit 20, Fig. 1, [0017]), a second active
`
`material layer containing a second active material(cathode electrode unit 22, Fig. 1, [0022],
`
`[0018]), and a first solid electrolyte layer containing a solid electrolyte(electrolyte body 26, Fig.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/113,708
`Art Unit: 1724
`
`Page 5
`
`1, [0075]), and the first solid electrolyte layer is disposed between thefirst active material layer
`
`and the second active material layer(Fig. 1).
`
`Allowable Subject Matter
`
`5.
`
`Claim 2 is objected to as being dependent upona rejected base claim, but would be
`
`allowable if rewritten in independentform includingall of the limitations of the base claim and
`
`any intervening claims.
`
`In particular, the allowable limitation is the first planar electrode includesa first sealing
`
`end portion,the first sealing end portion faces the first covering portion, and a space between the
`
`first sealing end portion andthe first covering portion is sealed.
`
`In the instant invention, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the space between the first sealing
`
`end portion 113 and the first coverimg portion 311 may be sealed with a first sealing portion Li
`
`({O08 LE] US 202 1/0091362),
`
`Peckerar does not disclose, teach or render obvious the noted claim limitation.
`
`6.
`
`Claim 5 is objected to as being dependent upona rejected base claim, but would be
`
`allowable if rewritten in independentform includingall of the limitations of the base claim and
`
`any intervening claims.
`
`In particular, the allowable limitation is the second planar electrode includes a second
`
`sealing end portion, the second sealing end portion faces the second covering portion, and
`
`a space between the second sealing end portion and the second covering portion is sealed. The
`
`reasonsfor allowance are substantially the same as provided in paragraph 5 above and apply
`
`herein.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/113,708
`Art Unit: 1724
`
`Page 6
`
`7.
`
`Claim 7 is objected to as being dependent upona rejected base claim, but would be
`
`allowable if rewritten in independentform includingall of the limitations of the base claim and
`
`any intervening claims.
`
`In particular, the allowable limitation is the first planar electrode includesa first joining
`
`portion, the secondplanar electrode includes a second joining portion, and the second joining
`
`portion has a shape whichis joinedto the first joining portion.
`
`In the instant invention, a first planar clectrade 110 of one battery and a second planar
`
`électrode 120 of another battery can be roore firmby connected to cach other by joining a first
`
`joinme portion 114 and a second joining portion 124 together (Fig. 12, [O201)}.
`
`Pockerar does not disclose, teach or render obvious the noted clarmlimitation.
`
`8.
`
`Claim 9 is objected to as being dependent upona rejected base claim, but would be
`
`allowable if rewritten in independentform includingall of the limitations of the base claim and
`
`any intervening claims.
`
`In particular the allowable limitation is further comprising: a second power generation
`
`element; and a second outer cover body which encloses the second powergeneration element,
`
`wherein the second outer cover bodyincludesa third covering portion provided with a third
`
`opening, the first protruding surface is inserted inside the second outer cover body through the
`
`third opening, the first protruding surface is electrically connected to the second power
`
`generation element, and a distance between thefirst protruding surface and thefirst covering
`
`portion is equal to or larger than a distance between the third covering portion and the second
`
`power generation element.
`
`In the instant invention, the first protruding surface 112 is electrically connected to the
`
`second power generation clement 220(Pig. 16, [O221)).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/113,708
`Art Unit: 1724
`
`Page 7
`
`Peckerar discloses further comprising: a second powergeneration element(Fig. 6); and a
`
`second outer cover body which encloses the second powergeneration element(Fig. 6), but does
`
`not disclose, teach or render obvious wherein the second outer cover body includesa third
`
`covering portion provided with a third opening, the first protruding surface is inserted inside the
`
`second outer cover body through the third opening, the first protruding surfaceis electrically
`
`connected to the second power generation element, and a distance betweenthe first protruding
`
`surface and the first covering portion is equalto or larger than a distance betweenthe third
`
`covering portion and the second power generation element.
`
`9.
`
`Claims 10 & 15 are objected to as being dependent upon allowable claim, but would be
`
`allowable if rewritten in independentform includingall of the limitations of the allowable
`
`claim and any intervening claims.
`
`10.
`
`Claim 11 is objected to as being dependent upona rejected base claim, but would be
`
`allowable if rewritten in independentform includingall of the limitations of the base claim and
`
`any intervening claims.
`
`In particular, the allowable limitation is further comprising: a second power generation
`
`element; a second outer cover body which encloses the second powergeneration element; and
`
`a third planar electrode having, as principal surfaces, a third connecting surface anda third
`
`protruding surface opposite the third connecting surface, wherein the third connecting surface is
`
`electrically connected to the second power generation element, the second outer cover body
`
`includes a third covering portion provided with a third opening, the third protruding surface
`
`protrudes from the third opening toward an outside of the third covering portion, and
`
`the first protruding surface is in surface contact with the third protruding surface.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/113,708
`Art Unit: 1724
`
`Page 8
`
`In the instant invention, the battery 4000 in Embodiment 4 farther inclades a third planar
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`electrode 130, a second power generation element 220, and a second outer cover body 320 (Fig.
`
`19, [O253}).
`
`Peckerar discloses further comprising: a second powergeneration element(Fig. 6); a
`
`second outer cover body which encloses the second powergeneration element(Fig. 6); but does
`
`not disclose, teach or render obvious a third planar electrode having, as principal surfaces, a third
`
`connecting surface and a third protruding surface opposite the third connecting surface, wherein
`
`the third connecting surface is electrically connected to the second powergeneration element, the
`
`second outer cover body includesa third covering portion provided with a third opening, the
`
`third protruding surface protrudes from the third opening toward an outside of the third covering
`
`portion, and the first protruding surface is in surface contact with the third protruding surface.
`
`11.
`
`Claims 12-14 are objected to as being dependent upon allowable claim, but would be
`
`allowable if rewritten in independentform includingall of the limitations of the allowable
`
`claim and any intervening claims.
`
`Conclusion
`
`Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the
`
`examiner should be directed to VICTORIA HOM LYNCHwhosetelephone numberis
`
`(571)272-0489. The examiner can normally be reached 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM EST M-F.
`
`Examinerinterviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video conferencing using
`
`a USPTO supplied web-based collaboration tool. To schedule an interview, applicantis
`
`encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR)at
`
`http://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/113,708
`Art Unit: 1724
`
`Page 9
`
`If attempts to reach the examinerby telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s
`
`supervisor, Miriam Stagg can be reached on 571-270-5256. The fax phone numberfor the
`
`organization wherethis application or proceedingis 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 managepatent submissions in Patent Center,visit:
`https://patentcenter.uspto.gov. Visit https://www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/patent-center for more
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`filing in DOCX format. For additional questions, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC)
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`Representative, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA)or 571-272-1000.
`
`/VICTORIA H LYNCH/
`Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1724
`
`