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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
`
`17/042,298
`
`09/28/2020
`
`Natsuhiko Mukai
`
`P200940US00
`
`1782
`
`WHDA, LLP
`8500 LEESBURG PIKE
`SUITE 7500
`TYSONS, VA 22182
`
`HORNSBY, BARTHOLOMEW ANDREW
`
`1728
`
`PAPER NUMBER
`
`NOTIFICATION DATE
`
`DELIVERY MODE
`
`07/28/2023
`
`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.and 4-10 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`is/are withdrawn from consideration.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 and 4-10 is/are rejected.
`S)
`) © Claim(s)___is/are objected to.
`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)[VM. 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) 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 20230715
`
`Application No.
`Applicant(s)
`17/042,298
`Mukai etal.
`
`Office Action Summary Art Unit|AIA (FITF) StatusExaminer
`BART A HORNSBY
`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 2/24/2023.
`C} A declaration(s)/affidavit(s) under 37 CFR 1.130(b) was/werefiled on
`
`2a)() 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: 17/042,298
`Art Unit: 1728
`
`Page 2
`
`DETAILED ACTION
`
`Notice of Pre-AlA 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.
`
`Continued Examination Under 37 CFR 1.114
`
`2.
`
`A request for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, including the fee set
`
`forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e), wasfiled in this application after final rejection. Since this
`
`application is eligible for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, and the fee set
`
`forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action
`
`has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114. Applicant's submissionfiled on
`
`2/24/2023 has been entered.
`
`3.
`
`Receipt is acknowledged of certified copies of papers required by 37 CFR 1.55.
`
`Priority
`
`Information Disclosure Statement
`
`4.
`
`The information disclosure statements filed June 26, 2023, have been received
`
`and complies with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97, 1.98 and MPEP § 609. Accordingly,
`
`the information disclosure statement(s) are being considered by the examiner, and
`
`initial copied is attached herewith.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/042,298
`Art Unit: 1728
`
`Page 3
`
`Claim Status
`
`5.
`
`This office action is in response to the amendment and remarks submitted
`
`1/18/2023.
`
`6.
`
`7.
`
`Claims 2 and 3 are cancelled.
`
`Claim 1, 4, and 5 has been amended; support for claim 1
`
`is found in cancelled
`
`claims 2 and 3 and [0028] - [0034], support for claim 4 is found in figure 9 and [0028]-
`
`[0029] of the instant specification. Claim 5 amended correct dependency
`
`8.
`
`Claims 9 and have been added support for claim 9 is found in [0029] and support
`
`for claim 10 is found in [0011], [0021], [0024]-[0025], and [0043] of the instant
`
`specification.
`
`9.
`
`Claims 1, and 4-10 are currently pending.
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
`
`10.—_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 distinctlyclaiming the subject matter which the inventor ora jointinventor
`regards as the invention.
`
`The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AlA), second paragraph:
`The specifications hall conclude with one or more claims particulary pointing out and distinctly
`claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention.
`
`11.
`
`Claims 1 and 4 rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AlA),
`
`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. Claims 1 and 4 point
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/042,298
`Art Unit: 1728
`
`Page 4
`
`to a first and second region however the instant specification has no such reference.
`
`It
`
`is unclear which is defined as the first and second regions.
`
`12.
`
`Claims 5-10 are rejected based on their dependency.
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
`
`13.
`
`The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all
`
`obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action:
`
`A patent for a claimed invention maynotbe obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed
`invention is not identicallydisclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the
`claimed invention and the prior artare such that the claimed invention as a whole would have
`been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having
`ordinaryskill inthe art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentabilityshall notbe
`negated by the manner in whichthe invention was made.
`
`14.‘
`
`The factual inquiries for establishing a background for determining obviousness
`
`under 35 U.S.C. 103 are summarized asfollows:
`
`1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art.
`
`2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue.
`
`3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art.
`
`4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating
`
`obviousness or nonobviousness.
`
`15.
`
`Claim(s) 1 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over
`
`Okadaet al. (US8999585B2),
`
`in view of Doo et al.(US2017/0084901 A1),
`
`in view of
`
`Woon etal. (KR20150106740A, a machine translation), and in further view of Lee etal.
`
`(US2020/0212444A1,
`
`relying upon foreign priority date of 1/4/2018 of
`
`KR1020180001303).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/042,298
`Art Unit: 1728
`
`Page 5
`
`As to claim 1, Okada discloses a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery
`
`comprising a spiral-type electrode body (The electrode assembly of this embodiment
`
`may be formedby rolling up, [C1 0L61-65]) in which a positive electrode and a negative
`
`electrode are wound with a separator located there between (The porous insulating
`
`layer is interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode.
`
`[Abstract]).
`
`Okadafurther teaches a bottomed cylindrical outer can that holds therein the
`
`electrode body; and (A cylindrical battery of product No. 18650 was fabricated as
`
`described below using the positive electrode, the negative electrode and the
`
`nonaqueous electrolyte solution which are described above, Fig. 3 shows a general
`
`vertical cross section of the nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery. [C13L 1-6])
`
`a sealing body that closes off an opening of the outer can and that functions as a
`
`positive electrode terminal (The positive electrode lead wre 5 was laser-welded to a
`
`metalfilter Ba of a sealing plate 8 [C13L38-39] Fig. 3),
`
`and the positive electrode lead hasafirst end portion located toward the sealing
`
`body, the first end portion being one lengthwise end of the positive electrode lead, and a
`
`second end portion located toward a side opposite to the first end portion, the second
`
`end portion being the other lengthwise end of the positive electrode lead (see ... Fig. 3);
`
`

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`Application/Control Number: 17/042,298
`Art Unit: 1728
`
`Page 6
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`first surface
`
` battery case 7 -
`
`ve
`tht ~~} 4alectrade assmebiy
`
`(Okada, Fig. 3)
`
`While Okada doesnotexplicitly teach the positive electrode lead is metallic but it
`
`is suggested, Then, an end of the positive electrode lead wre 5 was resistance-welded
`
`to the connection portion for positive electrode lead wre [C13L13-16].
`
`In the same filed of endeavor Doo...... discloses a secondary battery of a
`
`cylindrical shape [0009] Fig. 4, and further teaches and the positive electrode lead
`
`comprises: a metallic lead base member havingafirst surface joined to the positive
`
`electrode (The electrode assembly 100" includes a plurality of first electrode tabs 170
`
`electrically connectedto the first electrode 113 (positive electrode)... The first and
`
`

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`Application/Control Number: 17/042,298
`Art Unit: 1728
`
`Page 7
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`secondelectrode tabs include a conductive material, and, for example, may include
`
`nickel (Ni) or Ni alloy.) [0110],
`
`and a second surface located on an opposite side of the first surface; see Fig. 5
`
`178: first steface {76R
`
`outer sufface of 1¥1,
`
`ianer surface of T7t,
`776 is second surface
`
`(Doo, Fig. 5)
`
`Aspects of embodiments of the present disclosure are directed toward a
`
`secondary battery having improved output characteristics and durability. [0007], [0008]
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective
`
`filing date of the claimed invention to have modified Okadato incorporate metallic tab of
`
`Doo to improve output characteristics and durability of the battery.
`
`In the same filed of endeavor Woon discloses a secondary battery of a
`
`cylindrical shape [0066], and further teaches, an insulating ceramic layer of an inorganic
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/042,298
`Art Unit: 1728
`
`Page 8
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`compound, (Electrode tab may be coated using fine ceramics (370) [0042].
`
`.. Examples
`
`of fine ceramics include alumina ceramic. [0044)]).
`
`According to an aspect of the present invention by coating an insulating material
`
`having excellent thermal properties there is an effect that can reduce the risk offire
`
`when short.[0024].
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective
`
`filing date of the claimed invention to have modified Doo and Okada to incorporate the
`
`coating of Woon in a woundstructure to improve battery safety due to a short circuit
`
`and improve manufacturability, storage, and maintain a high energy density.
`
`While Okada, Doo, and Woondoesnot explicitly teach the amount of ceramicin
`
`the mixture,
`
`in the same field of endeavor Lee discloses a secondary battery and further
`
`teaches, in the insulation coating layer according to the present disclosure, the
`
`inorganic filler and binder may be used at a weight ratio of 5:95-80:20 or 10:90-50:50.
`
`Within the above-defined range, it is possible to obtain sufficient adhesion between
`
`inorganic fillers, sufficient adhesion between the insulation coating layer and the
`
`electrode tab and a desired insulation effect. [0061] Where an 80:20 mixture would
`
`provide a inorganic filler as a main component.
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective
`
`filing date of the claimed invention to have modified Woon, Doo, and Okada to
`
`incorporate concentration of inorganic filler of Leeto improve adhesion of the tab with
`
`the insulating coating layer.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/042,298
`Art Unit: 1728
`
`Page 9
`
`Okadais silent on the ceramic layer being formed directly on the second surface
`
`of the lead base member in at least an area facing the negative electrode via the
`
`separator, the ceramic layer is formed additionally in the first end portion on the second
`
`surface of the lead base member; and the lead base material includes, on the second
`
`surface thereof, a first region which includes the first end portion and is covered by the
`
`ceramic layer, a second region which faces the negative electrode via the separator and
`
`is covered by the ceramic layer,
`
`Doo teaches, the inner tab 171 may further include an insulating layer 172
`
`coated over the front and rear of a portion of the inner tab 171 extending from the
`
`electrode assembly 100. Similarly, the outer tab 176 may further include an insulating
`
`layer 177 coated overthe front and rear of a portion of the outer tab 176 extending from
`
`the electrode assembly 100. [0081] Where an insulating coating on both sides of the tab
`
`extending from the electrode assembly would encompass the claimedlimitation as Doo
`
`possess the same claimed structure as seen in Fig. 5.
`
`Aspects of embodiments of the present disclosure are directed toward a
`
`secondary battery having improved output characteristics and durability. [0007], [0008]
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective
`
`filing date of the claimed invention to have modified Okadato incorporate metallic tab of
`
`Doo to improve output characteristics and durability of the battery.
`
`Okadais silent on a third region which is sandwiched between thefirst region
`
`and the second region andis not covered by the ceramic layer, the third region being a
`
`region where a welded portion which is welded to the sealing body is formed.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/042,298
`Art Unit: 1728
`
`Page 10
`
`Dooteaches, the connection area 171C of the inner tab and the connection area
`
`176C of the outer tab may be joined to each other through welding. For example, the
`
`connection area 171C of the inner tab and the connection area 176C of the outer tab
`
`may be joined through ultrasonic welding, but the welding methodis not limited thereto.
`
`[0076]... The inner tab 177 includes extending end portions 171D and 171E further
`
`extending from the connection area 171C of the inner tab. The outer tab 176 includes
`
`extending end portion 176D further extending from the connection area 176C of the
`
`outer tab. [0077]...
`
`the portion 171C of the inner tab 171 joined with the outer tab 176
`
`and the portion 171E of the inner tab 171 joined wth the cap assembly 270 (sealing
`
`body) [0079]
`
`Where a tab entirely covered by an insulating layer (171, 176) with a connection
`
`portion, join by welding, (171C, 176C), and an extending portion (171D, 176D) provides
`
`the claimed third region or connection portion, joined by welding.
`
`Aspects of embodiments of the present disclosure are directed toward a
`
`secondary battery having improved output characteristics and durability. [0007], [0008]
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective
`
`filing date of the claimed invention to have modified Okadato incorporate metallic tab of
`
`Dooto improve output characteristics and durability of the battery.
`
`Doo does notexplicitly teach the third region is not covered by ceramic layer,
`
`however Lee teaches, the insulation coating layer may be formedtotally in the electrode
`
`tab. Since the electrical insulation coating layer is molten and removed during welding
`
`for the connection wth an electrode lead,
`
`it is possible to form an insulation coating
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/042,298
`Art Unit: 1728
`
`Page 11
`
`layer in the whole electrode tab. In terms of process feasibility,
`
`it is preferred to form the
`
`insulation coating layer totally in the electrode tab. [0077]
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective
`
`filing date of the claimed invention to have modified Doo and Okada to incorporate the
`
`welding of Lee to improve the manufacturing process.
`
`Where Dooprovidesa first and second region sandwiching a third region and the
`
`welded portion of the third region provides an uncovered portion.
`
`As to claim 4, the rejection of claim 1
`
`is incorporated, modified Okada an upper
`
`insulation plate (9) disposed between the sealing body (8) and an electrode group (4)
`
`constituted of the positive electrode, the negative electrode, and the separator
`
`[Abstract], the upper insulation plate having an insertion hole for the positive electrode
`
`lead (see Fig. 3),
`
`wherein the first region is located closer to the sealing body than the upper
`
`insulation plate is, and the second region is located closer to the second end portion
`
`than the upper insulation plate is. See Fig. 3
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/042,298
`Art Unit: 1728
`
`Page 12
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`first region
`
`secong region
`
`(Okada, Fig. 3)
`
`As to claim 5, the rejection of claim 1
`
`is incorporated, Okada discloses the
`
`negative electrode comprises a negative electrode core and a negative electrode
`
`mixture layer formed on the negative electrode core ( The active material layer for the
`
`negative electrode was formed overthe copperfoil [C12L42-44]);
`
`an exposed core portion in which a surface of the negative electrode core is
`
`exposed is provided on an outermost peripheral surface of the electrode body; and the
`
`exposed core portion is in contact with an inner peripheral surface of the outer can. ( The
`
`negative electrode lead wre 6 was passed through a lower insulation ring 10 before the
`
`electrode assembly 4 was put into a metal closed-end case (battery case) 7. Then, the
`
`negative electrode lead wre 6 was resistance-welded to the bottom of the metal
`
`closed-end case 7 suchthat the negative electrode lead wre 6 was electrically
`
`connectedto the closed-end case 7 [C13L24-31 ]) Wherethe lead wire 6 acts as the
`
`electrically exposed portion of the negative electrode.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/042,298
`Art Unit: 1728
`
`Page 13
`
`It should be noted the mere rearrangement of parts, without any new or
`
`unexpected results, is within the ambit of one of ordinary skill in the art. See In re
`
`Japikse, 86 USPQ 70 (CCPA 1950) (see MPEP § 2144.04).
`
`As to claim 7, the rejection of claim 1
`
`is incorporated, Okada discloses the
`
`positive electrode lead (5) has a base portion thereof in contact with an exposed core
`
`portion of the positive electrode (Aluminum foil having (for the current collector of the
`
`positive electrode) was prepared and coated wth the mixture coating material for the
`
`positive electrode to form a coating layer over the aluminum foil except for part of the
`
`foil to which a lead wre of the positive electrode was to be connected ( connection
`
`portion for positive electrode lead wre) [C12L 10-17] see Fig. 3);
`
`In combination, Doo teaches, the inner tab 171 mayfurther include an insulating
`
`layer 172 coated overthe front and rear of a portion of the inner tab 171 extending from
`
`the electrode assembly 100. Similarly, the outer tab 176 mayfurther include an
`
`insulating layer 177 coated overthe front and rear of a portion of the outer tab 176
`
`extending from the electrode assembly 100. [0081]
`
`Wherean insulating coating on both sides of the tab extending from the electrode
`
`assembly would encompass the claimedlimitation as Doo possess the same claimed
`
`structure as seen in Fig. 5.
`
`Aspects of embodiments of the present disclosure are directed toward a
`
`secondary battery having improved output characteristics and durability. [0007], [0008]
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/042,298
`Art Unit: 1728
`
`Page 14
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective
`
`filing date of the claimed invention to have modified Okada to incorporate coating layers
`
`of Doo to improve output characteristics and durability of the battery.
`
`As to claim 8, the rejection of claim 1
`
`is incorporated, modified Okada discloses
`
`the insulating ceramic layer adheres to the second surface of the lead base member
`
`(Where Woon teaches in the combination the electrode tab (850) may be coated
`
`(adhered) on a portion of the upper and lower surfaces using fine ceramics (370),
`
`corresponding to Okada's positive electrode lead wire (5) second surface)in at least
`
`said area facing the negative electrode via the separator (see Fig. 3).
`
`separator
`
`vode lead (&)hasa base
`franexposed core
`
`negative
`
`(Okada, Fig. 3)
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/042,298
`Art Unit: 1728
`
`Page 15
`
`As to claim 9, the rejection of claim 1
`
`is incorporated, modified Okada discloses,
`
`in the combination with Doo teaching, the ceramic layer is formed over the entire area
`
`which faces the negative electrode via the separator and ranges to the second end
`
`portion.( The inner tab 171 mayfurther include an insulating layer 172 coated over the
`
`front and rear of a portion of the inner tab 171 extending from the electrode assembly
`
`100. Similarly, the outer tab 176 may further include an insulating layer 177 coated over
`
`the front and rear of a portion of the outer tab 176 extending from the electrode
`
`assembly 100.) [0081]
`
`Where an insulating coating on both sides of the tab extending from the electrode
`
`assembly would encompass the claimedlimitation as Doo possess the same claimed
`
`structure as seen in Fig. 5.
`
`Aspects of embodiments of the present disclosure are directed toward a
`
`secondary battery having improved output characteristics and durability. [0007], [0008]
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective
`
`filing date of the claimed invention to have modified Okada to incorporate coating layers
`
`of Doo to improve output characteristics and durability of the battery.
`
`As to claim 10, the rejection of claim 1
`
`is incorporated, Doo discloses the
`
`positive electrode includes a positive electrode core (The positive electrode plate 1
`
`[0075], Fig. 3, a positive electrode mixture layer formed on the positive electrode core,
`
`(The positive electrode includes mixture layers on both sides of the current collector...
`
`The mixture layers of the positive electrode contain an active material for the positive
`
`electrode). [C9L4-10]
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/042,298
`Art Unit: 1728
`
`Page 16
`
`and an exposed core portion which is provided only toward one endin a width
`
`direction of the positive electrode core and surrounded on three sides by the positive
`
`electrode mixture layer; See Fig. 3, and it should be noted Regarding product and
`
`apparatus claims, when the structure recited in the reference is substantially identical to
`
`that of the claims, claimed properties or functions are presumedto be inherent. The
`
`Courts have held that it is well settled that where there is a reason to believe that a
`
`functional characteristic would be inherent in the prior art, the burden of proof then shifts
`
`to the applicant to provide objective evidence to the contrary. See In re Schreiber, 128
`
`F.3d at 1478, 44 USPQ2d at 1478, 44 USPQ2d at 1432 (Fed. Cir. 1997) (see MPEP §
`
`2112.01, L).
`
`and the positive electrode lead is joined to the exposed core portion.( Then, an
`
`endof the positive electrode lead wre 5 was resistance-welded to the connection
`
`portion for positive electrode lead wre [C13L13-16]
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`Response to Arguments
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`16.
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`Applicant’s arguments with respect to claim(s) 1 have been considered but are
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`moot because the new ground of rejection does not rely on any reference applied in the
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`prior rejection of record for any teaching or matter specifically challenged in the
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`argument.
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`Conclusion
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`The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's
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`disclosure.
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`Sugita et al. (US 6,432,578B1) Sealed battery with coated tabs.
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 17/042,298
`Art Unit: 1728
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`Page 17
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`Yamazaki et al. (US 6,632,538B1) Coating on battery tabs.
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`Hatta et al. (US2016/0336614A1)
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`Insulation with inorganic particle.
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`17.=Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the
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`examiner should be directed to BART A HORNSBY whose telephone numberis
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`(313)446-6637. The examiner can normally be reached 9:00-6:00 EST.
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`If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner's
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`supervisor, Matthew T Martin can be reached on 571-270-7871. The fax phone number
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`for the organization wherethis application or proceeding is assignedis 571-273-8300.
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`BART HORNSBY
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`Examiner
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`Art Unit 1728
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`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/042,298
`Art Unit: 1728
`
`/MATTHEW T MARTIN
`Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 1728
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`Page 18
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