www.uspto.gov
`
`UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`United States Patent and Trademark Office
`Address: COMMISSIONER FOR PATENTS
`P.O. Box 1450
`Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1450
`
`17/441,235
`
`09/20/2021
`
`AKIHIRO YONEYAMA
`
`083710-3607
`
`6928
`
`Rimon PC - Panasonic Corporation
`8300 Greensboro Dr
`Suite 500
`McLean, VA 22102
`
`HIGGINS, KATHERINE NICOLE
`
`1728
`
`PAPER NUMBER
`
`NOTIFICATION DATE
`
`DELIVERY MODE
`
`03/26/2024
`
`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):
`USPTOmail @rimonlaw.com
`
`eofficeaction @appcoll.com
`
`PTOL-90A (Rev. 04/07)
`
`

`

`
`
`Disposition of Claims*
`1-8 is/are pending in the application.
`)
`Claim(s)
`5a) Of the above claim(s) _ is/are withdrawn from consideration.
`C] Claim(s)
`is/are allowed.
`Claim(s) 1-8 is/are rejected.
`(] Claim(s)__ is/are objectedto.
`C] Claim(s
`are subjectto 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://www.uspto.gov/patents/init_events/pph/index.jsp or send an inquiry to PPHfeedback@uspto.gov.
`
`) ) ) )
`
`Application Papers
`10)(C The specification is objected to by the Examiner.
`11) The drawing(s)filed on 20 September 2021 is/are: a)(¥| accepted or b)L) 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)L) None ofthe:
`b)L) Some**
`a)Y) All
`1.) Certified copies of the priority documents have been received.
`2.1.) Certified copies of the priority documents have been received in Application No. |
`3.2.) 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)
`
`4)
`
`(LJ Interview Summary (PTO-413)
`Paper No(s)/Mail Date
`(Qj Other:
`
`PTOL-326 (Rev. 11-13)
`
`Office Action Summary
`
`Part of Paper No./Mail Date 20240314
`
`Application No.
`Applicant(s)
`171441 ,235
`YONEYAMA etal.
`
`Office Action Summary Art Unit|AIA (FITF)StatusExaminer
`Katherine N Higgins
`1728
`Yes
`
`
`
`-- The MAILING DATEof this communication appears on the cover sheet with the correspondence address --
`Period for Reply
`
`A SHORTENED STATUTORYPERIOD FOR REPLYIS SET TO EXPIRE 3 MONTHS FROM THE MAILING
`DATE OF THIS COMMUNICATION.
`Extensionsof 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 20 September 2021.
`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) 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)(2) 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: 17/441,235
`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
`
`underthefirst inventor to file provisions of the AIA.
`
`Information Disclosure Statement
`
`2.
`
`The information disclosure statements filed on September 20, 2021 and January
`
`18, 2024 are in compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the
`
`information disclosure statements are being considered by the examiner.
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
`
`3.
`
`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 (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AlA) for the rejection will
`
`not be considered a new groundofrejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale
`
`supporting the rejection, would be the same undereither status.
`
`4.
`
`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 madein this Office action:
`
`A person shall be entitled to a patent unless —
`
`(a)(1) the claimed invention waspatented, described in a printed publication, orin public use,
`on sale, or otherwise available to the public beforethe effectivefiling date of the claimed
`invention.
`
`(a)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patentissued under section 151, orinan
`application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the
`patentor application, as the case may be, namesanother inventor and waseffectively filed
`beforethe effectivefiling date of the claimed invention.
`
`
`
`5. Claims 1 and7are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by
`
`Kishimoto (Published U.S. Patent Application US 2015/0207125 A1).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/441,235
`Art Unit: 1728
`
`Page 3
`
`Kishimoto discloses a spacer includesarestriction part configured to contact a
`6.
`
`part in a longitudinal direction of the electrode assembly-connection part of the current
`
`collector to restrict movementof the current collector in the longitudinal direction (see
`
`e.g., Abstract) to increase vibration resistant or shock resistance of the powerstorage
`
`device (see e.g., paragraph [0008]). Regarding claim 1, Kishimoto teaches a power
`
`storage device (see e.g., Abstract, an energy storage device) comprising:
`
`a housing including a terminal arrangement part (see e.g., paragraph [0061], the
`
`container 100 andalid 110 (meets the sealing plate 14 in the Instant
`
`Specification that constitutes a terminal arrangement part));
`
`a pair of output terminals provided in the terminal arrangementpart (see e.g.,
`
`paragraph [0061], a positive electrode terminal 200 and a negative electrode
`
`terminal 300; see e.g., Figure 3, the terminals are provided in the lid 110);
`
`an electrode assembly housed in the housing (see e.g., two electrode
`
`assemblies 161 and 162 are stored in the container 100);
`
`a pair of current collecting parts that electrically connect the electrode assembly
`
`and the pair of output terminals (See e.g., paragraph [0061], a positive electrode
`
`current collector 140 and a negative electrode current collector 150; see e.g.,
`
`paragraphs [0071] and [0074], the positive electrode current collector 140 is
`
`welded to the positive electrode side-ends 160a ofthe first electrode assembly
`
`161 and the second electrode assembly 162, thereby being connected to the
`
`positive electrodesof the first electrode assembly 161 and the second electrode
`
`assembly 162. The positive electrode current collector 140 has an opening 140a,
`
`and a below-mentioned connection part 210 of the positive electrode terminal
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/441,235
`Art Unit: 1728
`
`Page 4
`
`200 is inserted into the opening 140a, connecting the positive electrode current
`
`collector 140 to the positive electrode terminal 200. This is also the arrangement
`
`for the negative electrode current collector 150);
`
`e
`
`and an electrode assembly holder that is provided with an insulating property
`
`(see e.g., paragraph [0059], spacers 400 and 500; see e.g., paragraph [0086],
`
`the spacers 400 and 500 are madeof an insulating material),
`
`o has contact with a pairoffirst surfaces of the electrode assembly facing
`
`each otherin a first direction in which the pair of current collecting parts
`
`are arranged (see e.g., Figure 14 and paragraph [0087], the spacer 400
`
`contacts a part of the positive electrode current collector 140 in the second
`
`direction (longitudinal direction of the electrode assembly -connection
`
`parts, Z-axis direction) intersecting the first direction (lateral direction of
`
`the electrode assembly-connection parts of the current collector, X-axis
`
`direction), functioning as a restriction part for restricting the movementof
`
`the positive electrode current collector 140 in the second direction.
`
`Similarly, the spacer 500 contacts a part of the negative electrode current
`
`collector 150 in the second direction (longitudinal direction of the electrode
`
`assembly-connection parts, Z-axis direction), functioning as a restriction
`
`part for restricting the movement of the negative electrode current
`
`collector 150 in the second direction),
`
`ois fixed to the housing (see e.g., paragraph [0086], the spacers 400 and
`
`500 fill the space so as not to vibrate with respect to the container 100) In
`
`the Instant Specification, for example, fixing is described as being brought
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/441,235
`Art Unit: 1728
`
`Page 5
`
`in contact with each other and press-fitted and fixed to each other (see
`
`e.g., paragraph [0055]). Therefore, the claim limitation of the electrode
`
`assembly holder being fixed to the housing is met by the spacers
`
`described by Kishimoto as the spacersfill the space so as notto vibrate
`
`with respect to the container 100,
`
`©
`
`and sandwiches the electrode assembly in thefirst direction (see e.g.,
`
`Figure 14 and paragraph [0086], the spacers 400 and 500fill the space
`
`between thefirst electrode assembly 161, the second electrode assembly
`
`162, the positive electrode current collector 140, and the negative
`
`electrode current collector 150, and the container 100, thereby supporting
`
`the first electrode assembly 161, the second electrode assembly 162, the
`
`positive electrode current collector 140, and the negative electrode current
`
`collector 150 so as notto vibrate with respect to the container 100).
`
`7.
`
`Regarding claim 7, Kishimoto teaches a powerstorage device wherein:
`
`e
`
`the electrode assembly holder includes a pair of holder units (see e.g., Figure 10,
`
`the insulating members 120 and 130 and the spacers 400 and 500),
`
`e
`
`one of the holder units has contact with one ofthe first surfaces and is fixed to
`
`the housing (see e.g., Figure 2, the insulating members 120 and 130 arein
`
`contact with the first surfaces of the electrode assembly; see e.g., Figure 13B
`
`and paragraph [0144], the insulating members 120 and 130 is fixedto the
`
`housing),
`
`e
`
`and another of the holder units has contact with anotherof the first surfaces and
`
`is fixed to the housing (see e.g., see e.g., Figure 14 and paragraph [0087], the
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/441,235
`Art Unit: 1728
`
`Page 6
`
`spacer 400 contacts a part of the positive electrode current collector 140 in the
`
`second direction intersecting the first direction; see e.g., Figure 13B and
`
`paragraph [0144], the spacers 400 and 500 arefixed to the housing).
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
`
`8.
`
`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 (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AlA) for the rejection will
`
`not be considered a new groundofrejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale
`
`supporting the rejection, would be the same undereither status.
`
`9.
`
`The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis forall
`
`obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action:
`
`A patent fora claimed invention may notbe obtained, notwithstanding thatthe claimed
`invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, ifthe differences between the
`claimed invention and the prior artare suchthat the claimed invention as a whole would have
`been obvious beforethe effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having
`ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall notbe
`negated by the manner in whichthe invention was made.
`
`10.
`
`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 theprior art and the claims atissue.
`
`3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art.
`
`4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating
`
`obviousness or nonobviousness.
`
`11.
`
`Claims 2-6 and 8 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over
`
`Kishimoto (Published U.S. Patent Application US 2015/0207125 A1) in view of Okuda et
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/441,235
`Art Unit: 1728
`
`Page 7
`
`al. (Published U.S. Patent Application US 2015/0104694 A), hereinafter referred to as
`
`Okuda.
`
`12.|Kishimoto teachesall the claim limitations as described above. Regarding claim
`
`2, Kishimoto teaches the electrode assembly holder including a pair offirst plate parts
`
`that have contactwith the pair of first surfaces (see e.g., Figure 8 and paragraph [0165],
`
`the spacer side walls 430 restrict the electrode assembly) and a secondplate part that
`
`is disposed integrally with each ofthefirst plate parts (see e.g., see e.g., Figure 8 and
`
`paragraph [0165], the spacer body 410 is disposed integrally with the spacer side walls
`
`430). Kishimoto teaches insulating members 120 and 130 disposed integrally between
`
`the current collectors and lid. However, Kishimoto is silent to a secondplate part thatis
`
`interposed between the terminal arrangement part and the electrode assembly and is
`
`fixed to the terminal arrangementpart.
`
`13.|Okuda teaches a powerstorage device (see e.g., paragraph [0067], a
`
`rechargeable battery) comprising: an aluminum case 20 includes a case body 21and a
`
`lid 22, and a positive terminal 23a and a negative terminal 23b extend outward froma
`
`terminal wall 23 (see e.g., paragraph [0068]), electrode assembly (see e.g, paragraph
`
`[0068]), and a U-shaped insulator 31 is arranged betweenthe positive collector 19a and
`
`the case 20 and between the negative collector 19b and the case 20 see e.g.,
`
`paragraph [0074]). With regard to claim 2, Okuda teaches a power storage device
`
`wherein the electrode assembly holder includes:
`
`e
`
`apair of first plate parts that have contact with the pair of first surfaces (see e.g.,
`
`Figure 2 and paragraph [0074], two secondary insulation portions 31b and 31c,
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/441,235
`Art Unit: 1728
`
`Page 8
`
`which have the shape of arectangular plate and extend from opposite long
`
`edges of the primary insulation portion 31a toward the electrode assembly);
`
`and a second plate part that is disposed integrally with each of the first plate
`
`parts (see e.g., Figure 1B, the primary insulation portion 31a), is interposed
`
`between the terminal arrangement part and the electrode assembly andis fixed
`
`to the terminal arrangement part (see e.g., paragraph [0078], the primary
`
`insulation portion 31a insulates the positive collector 19a and the negative
`
`collector 19b from the terminal wall 23). The claim limitation of a second plate is
`
`fixed to the terminal arrangementpart is met as the insulation portionfills the
`
`space so as not to move within the case (see e.g., Okuda Figure 1B).
`
`14.
`
`It would be obvious to one of ordinary skill
`
`in the art before the effectivefiling
`
`date to combine the electrode assembly holder as disclosed by Kishimoto with the
`
`electrode assembly holder interposed between the terminal arrangement part and the
`
`electrode assembly taught by Okudain order to increase vibration resistant or shock
`
`resistance of the power storage device bylimiting the movement of the current
`
`collectors (see e.g., Okuda paragraph [0009)).
`
`15.
`
`Regarding claim 3, modified Kishimoto teaches a power storage device wherein:
`
`each of the current collecting parts includes a current collecting plate fixed to the
`
`terminal arrangementpart (see e.g., Kishimoto paragraph [0092], the terminal
`
`connection part 141 a flat plate-like rectangular part electrically connected to the
`
`positive electrode terminal 200),
`
`and a belt-shaped current collecting tad connecting the electrode assembly and
`
`the current collecting plate (see e.g., Kishimoto paragraph [0094], the plurality of
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/441,235
`Art Unit: 1728
`
`Page 9
`
`electrode assembly-connection parts (the outer electrode assembly-connection
`
`parts 142 and 143 and the inner electrode assembly-connection parts 144 and
`
`145) are long flat plate-like (rod-like) members that are connected to an end of
`
`the terminal connection part 141 and extends from the terminal connection part
`
`141 downward in the substantially vertical direction (Z-axis minus direction)).
`
`e
`
`and the second plate part is interoosed between the terminal arrangement part
`
`and the current collecting plate to electrically insulate the terminal arrangement
`
`part and the current collecting plate from each other (see e.g., Okuda Figure 1B,
`
`the primary insulation portion 31a is between the terminal arrangement and
`
`current collection portions).
`
`
`
`16.—It would be obviousto one of ordinary skill in the art before the effectivefiling
`
`date to include the second plate part interposed between the terminal arrangementpart
`
`and the current collecting plate as disclosed by Okudato the teachings of Kishimoto in
`
`orderto limit the movementof the positive and negative terminals relative to the case
`
`(see e.g., Okuda paragraph [0013)).
`
`17.|Regarding claim 4, Kishimoto teachesall the claim limitations as described
`
`above. However, Kishimoto is silent to a power storage device wherein a thicknessof
`
`the second plate is larger than a thickness of the first plate parts.
`
`18.
`
`With regard to claim 4, Okuda teaches a power storage device wherein a
`
`thickness of the second plate part is larger than a thicknessofthe first plate parts (see
`
`e.g., Okuda Figure 1B, the thickness of the primary insulation portion 31a is larger than
`
`the thickness of two secondary insulation portions 31b and 3ic).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/441,235
`Art Unit: 1728
`
`Page 10
`
`19.
`
`It would be obviousto oneof ordinary skill
`
`in the art before the effectivefiling
`
`date to have the thickness of the second plate part be larger than the thickness of the
`
`first plate parts as disclosed by Okudato the teachings of Kishimoto in orderto limit the
`
`movementof the positive and negative terminals (see e.g., Okuda paragraph [0013])
`
`while also reducing useless space (see e.g., Okuda paragraph [0009]).
`
`20.
`
`Regarding claim 5, Kishimoto teachesall the claim limitations as described
`
`above. However, Kishimoto is silent to a power storage device wherein the second plate
`
`has contact with the terminal arrangement part and the electrode assembly.
`
`21.
`
`With regard to claim 5, Okuda teaches a powerstorage device wherein the
`
`second plate part has contact with the terminal arrangement part (See e.g., Okuda
`
`Figure 1B, the primary insulation portion 31a is in contact with the positive terminal 23a
`
`and the negative terminal 23b extend outward from a terminal wall 23 (wall of the case
`
`20) and the electrode assembly (see e.g., Figure 14 and paragraph [0086], the spacers
`
`400 and 500fill the space between thefirst electrode assembly 161, the second
`
`electrode assembly 162, the positive electrode current collector 140, and the negative
`
`electrode current collector 150, and the container 100, thereby supporting thefirst
`
`electrode assembly 161, the second electrode assembly 162, the positive electrode
`
`current collector 140, and the negative electrode current collector 150 so as not to
`
`vibrate with respect to the container 100).
`
`
`
`22._It would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing
`
`date to have the secondplate in contact with the terminal arrangement part and the
`
`electrode assembly as disclosed by Okudato the teachings of Kishimoto in orderto limit
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/441,235
`Art Unit: 1728
`
`Page 11
`
`the movements of the terminal arrangement and electrode assembly (see e.g., Okuda
`
`paragraph [0016)).
`
`23.
`
`Regarding claim 6, Kishimoto teachesall the claim limitations as described
`
`above. However, Kishimoto is silent to a power storage device wherein the electrode
`
`assembly holder is provided with a cutout part in a region facing the electrode assembly
`
`in aconnecting part between thefirst plate parts and the second plate part.
`
`24.
`
`With regard to claim 6, Okuda teaches a power storage device wherein the
`
`electrode assembly holder is provided with a cutout part in a region facing the electrode
`
`assembly in a connecting part betweenthefirst plate parts and the second plate part
`
`(see e.g., Okuda Figure 6 and paragraph [0081], the cutout part in the insulator 31 that
`
`producesthe locking portions 33b and 33c). In the Instant Specification, the cutout part
`
`48 makesit possible to suppress concentration of stress on the inner corner portion of
`
`connecting part 32 by smoothly connecting thefirst plate part 26 and second plate part
`
`28 (see e.g., paragraph [0056]). The claim limitation is met by the locking portions 33b
`
`and 33c asit facilitates the coupling of the electrode assembly 11 and the insulator 31
`
`to the case 20.
`
`
`
`25._It would be obviousto oneof ordinary skill in the art before the effectivefiling
`
`date to have a cutout part in the electrode assembly holder as disclosed by Okuda to
`
`the teachings of Kishimoto in orderto facilitate the coupling of the electrode assembly
`
`and the insulator to the case (see e.g., Okuda paragraph [0081)).
`
`26.
`
`Regarding claim 8, Kishimoto teaches a power storage device wherein:
`
`e
`
`the power storage device comprises a second electrode assembly holder
`
`different fromafirst electrode assembly holder that is the electrode assembly
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/441,235
`Art Unit: 1728
`
`Page 12
`
`holder according to, the second electrode assembly holder including a pair of
`
`third plate parts that have contact with the pair of the first surfaces (see e.g.,
`
`Kishimoto Figure 10 and paragraph [0135], the spacer side walls 420 and 430
`
`are parts protruding forward (to the minus side in the X-axis direction) from both
`
`side faces of the spacer body 410 and in contact with the electrode assembly),
`
`and
`
`a fourth plate part that has contact with the second surface and is connected to
`
`the pair of third plate parts (see e.g., Kishimoto Figure 10 and paragraph [0135],
`
`the space side walls 420 and 420 are protruding from the spacer body 410).
`
`However, Kishimoto is silent to a power storage device wherein the pair of first surfaces
`
`extend in a direction intersecting the terminal arrangement part and the electrode
`
`assembly includes a second surface that connects end portions of the pair offirst
`
`surfaces opposite to the terminal arrangementpart.
`
`27.
`
`With regard to claim 8, Okuda teaches a powerstorage device wherein:
`
`the pair of first surfaces extend in a direction intersecting the terminal
`
`arrangement part (see e.g., Okuda Figure 2 and paragraph [0074], two
`
`secondary insulation portions 31b and 31c, which have the shapeof a
`
`rectangular plate and extend from opposite long edges of the primary insulation
`
`portion 31a toward the electrode assembly), and
`
`the electrode assembly includes a second surface that connects end portions of
`
`the pair of first surfaces opposite to the terminal arrangementpart (see e.g.,
`
`paragraph [0078], the primary insulation portion 31a insulates the positive
`
`collector 19a and the negative collector 19b from the terminal wall 23).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/441,235
`Art Unit: 1728
`
`Page 13
`
`
`
`28.—It would be obviousto oneof ordinary skill in the art before the effectivefiling
`
`date to combine the electrode assembly holder as disclosed by Kishimoto with the
`
`electrode assembly holder interposed between the terminal arrangement part and the
`
`electrode assembly taught by Okudain order to increase vibration resistant or shock
`
`resistance of the power storage device bylimiting the movementof the current
`
`collectors (see e.g., Okuda paragraph [0009)).
`
`Conclusion
`
`29.
`
`The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to
`
`applicant's disclosure.
`
`e Tsunaki et al. (US 2015/0207128 A1) teaches a square secondary battery
`
`includes a generating element having an electrode; a battery can holding the
`
`generating element; a battery lid that seals an opening of the battery can; an
`
`external terminal arranged on the battery lid; and a current collector connecting
`
`the electrode of the generating element to the external terminal (see e.g.,
`
`Abstract).
`
`e Maeda et al (US 2018/0097208 A1) teaches an energy storage device includes a
`
`first locking portion for locking a rotation of a positive electrode current collecting
`
`member about a shaft portion of a positive electrode terminal with respect to a
`
`lowerinsulating member. Thefirst locking portion includes: a recessed portion
`
`formed on the lowerinsulating member; and a projecting portion formed on the
`
`positive electrode current collecting member (see e.g., Abstract).
`
`e Wakimoto (US 2019/0036088 A1) teaches a powerstorage device includes an
`
`electrode body, an insulating holder, and an outer case (see e.g., Abstract).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/441,235
`Art Unit: 1728
`
`Page 14
`
`30.=Anyinquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the
`
`examiner should be directed to Katherine N Higgins whose telephone numberis
`
`(703)756-1196. The examiner can normally be reached Mondays - Thursdays 7:30-4:30
`
`EST, Fridays 7:30 - 11:30 EST.
`
`
`
`31.|Examinerinterviews 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:/Avwww.uspto.gov/interviewpractice.
`
`32.—If attempts to reach the examinerby telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s
`
`supervisor, Matthew T Martin can be reached on (571) 270-7871. The fax phone
`
`number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-
`
`273-8300.
`
`33.—Information regarding the status of published or unpublished applications may be
`
`obtained from Patent Center. Unpublished application information in Patent Centeris
`
`available to registered users. To file and manage patent submissions in Patent Center,
`
`visit: httos://patentcenter.uspto.gov. Visit https:/Avww.uspto.gov/patents/apply/patent-
`
`center for more information about Patent Center and
`
`https://www.uspto.gov/patents/docx for information aboutfiling 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.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/441,235
`Art Unit: 1728
`
`/K.N.H./
`Examiner, Art Unit 1728
`
`/MATTHEW T MARTIN/
`Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 1728
`
`Page 15
`
`