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
`
`17/524,743
`
`11/12/2021
`
`ENCHI KOGA
`
`083710-3565
`
`1008
`
`Rimon PC - Panasonic Corporation
`8300 Greensboro Dr
`Suite 500
`McLean, VA 22102
`
`HIGGINS, KATHERINE NICOLE
`
`1728
`
`PAPER NUMBER
`
`NOTIFICATION DATE
`
`DELIVERY MODE
`
`07/17/2024
`
`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*
`1-12 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`5a) Of the above claim(s) _ is/are withdrawn from consideration.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) 1-12 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)( The specification is objected to by the Examiner.
`11) The drawing(s) filed on 21 November 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 20240515
`
`Application No.
`Applicant(s)
`171524,743
`KOGA,EIICHI
`
`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 12 November 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: 17/524,743
`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 (IDS) submitted on November12, 2021
`
`and September 14, 2022 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 § 103
`
`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 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all
`
`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, if the differences between the
`claimed invention and the prior art are 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.
`
`5.
`
`The factual inquiries for establishing a background for determining obviousness
`
`under 35 U.S.C. 103 are summarized as follows:
`
`1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art.
`
`

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`Application/Control Number: 17/524,743
`Art Unit: 1728
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`Page 3
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`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.
`
`6.
`
`Claims 1-2, 4-5 and 7-9 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable
`
`over Okamoto et al. (Published U.S. Patent Application US 2019/0051935 A1) in view of
`
`Ueda et al. (JP 2010108751 A), hereinafter referred to as Ueda.
`
`7.
`
`Regarding claim 1, Okamoto teaches a battery (see e.g., Abstract, an all-solid
`
`state secondary battery) comprising:
`
`e
`
`aplurality of solid-state battery cells (see e.g., paragraph [0027], a plurality of
`
`provisional battery bodies); and
`
`e
`
`aconnection layer disposed betweentheplurality of solid-state battery cells (see
`
`€.g., paragraph [0053], a binder 11 interposed between the electrode current
`
`collectors 1 and 5, thereby joining the electrode currents 1 and 5),
`
`e
`
`each of the plurality of solid-state battery cells including a structure in which a
`
`positive-electrode current collector, a positive-electrode active material layer, a
`
`solid electrolyte layer containing a solid electrolyte, a negative-electrode active
`
`material layer, and a negative-electrode current collector are laminated in this
`
`order (see e.g., paragraph [0027], a laminate is formed by stacking a positive-
`
`electrode current collector 1 composed of a thin metallic plate, a positive-
`
`electrode mixture layer 2 disposed on the top surface of the positive-electrode
`
`current collector 1, a lithium-ion conductive solid electrolyte layer 3 disposed on
`
`the top surface of the positive-electrode mixture layer 2, a negative-electrode
`
`

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`Art Unit: 1728
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`Page 4
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`mixture layer 4 disposed on the top surface of the solid electrolyte layer 3, anda
`
`negative-electrode current collector 5 composedof a thin metallic plate disposed
`
`on the top surface of the negative-electrode mixture layer4),
`
`e
`
`the positive-electrode current collectors or the negative-electrode current
`
`collectors of two adjacent solid-state battery cells among the plurality of solid-
`
`state battery cells are laminated via the connection layer (see e.g., paragraph
`
`[0053] and Figure 13, the rough surfaces(irregular parts) are formed on
`
`electrode current collectors 1 and 5 and stacked provisional battery bodies 7 are
`
`pressure-molded with a binder 11 interposed between the electrode current
`
`collectors 1 and 5, thereby joining the electrode current collectors 1 and 5).
`
`However, Okamotois silent to the battery wherein the plurality of solid-state battery
`
`cells are electrically connectedin parallel.
`
`8.
`
`Ueda teaches a battery with a plurality of unit batteries that are laminated having
`
`a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a solid electrolyte located in between the
`
`positive electrode and the negative electrode as well as a connecting layer provided
`
`between the positive electrodes (see e.g., Abstract). With regard to claim 1, Ueda
`
`teaches the battery wherein the plurality of solid-state battery cells are electrically
`
`connected in parallel (see e.g., paragraph [0023], all unit batteries can be connected in
`
`parallel to supply a large current).
`
`9.
`
`It would be obvious to one of ordinary skill
`
`in the art before the effectivefiling
`
`date of the claimed invention to electrically connectthe plurality of solid-state battery
`
`cells in parallel as disclosed by Ueda to the teachings of Okamotoin order to increase
`
`

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`Application/Control Number: 17/524,743
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`
`Page 5
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`the capacity of a battery (see e.g., Ueda paragraph [0003]) and to supply a large current
`
`(see e.g., Ueda paragraph [0023]).
`
`10.
`
`Regarding claim 2, Okamoto teachesthe battery wherein a Young's modulusof
`
`the connection layer is lower than a Young's modulus of the positive-electrode current
`
`collector and the negative-electrode current collector (see e.g., paragraph [0054], the
`
`binder 11 is plastically deformedto bite into the irregular parts on the outer surface (the
`
`surface opposite from the surface bearing the positive-electrode mixture layer 2') of the
`
`positive-electrode current collector 1 by the pressure molding process, thereby firmly
`
`joining the positive-electrode current collectors 1 by an anchoreffect). The claim
`
`limitation of the connection layer having a lower Young’s modulus than that of the
`
`positive-electrode current collector and the negative-electrode current collector is met
`
`by the binder plastically deforming without the deformation of the current collectors.
`
`11.
`
`Regarding claim 4, Okamoto teaches the battery wherein the connection layer
`
`contains a resin (see e.g., paragraph [0053], the binder 11 is a plastically deformable
`
`material, e.g., a resin sheet).
`
`12.|Regarding claim 5, Okamoto teachesall the claim limitations as described
`
`above. However, Okamotois silent to the battery wherein the connection layer contains
`
`an electrically conductive material.
`
`13.
`
`With regard to claim 5, Ueda teaches the battery wherein the connection layer
`
`contains an electrically conductive material (see e.g., Figure 1, a conductive connecting
`
`layer 25 is placed between the positive electrode current collecting part 11; see e.g.,
`
`paragraph [0008], the current collector in the end surface portion of the first electrode
`
`

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`can include a conductive paste or a conductive adhesive positioned in contact with the
`
`end surface portion and mayfurther include a conductive elastic material).
`
`14.
`
`It would be obviousto one of ordinary skill
`
`in the art before the effectivefiling
`
`date of the claimed invention to have the connection layer contain an electrically
`
`conductive material as disclosed by Ueda to the teachings of Okamotoin order to
`
`maintain the electrical connection between the active material layers and the conductive
`
`connection layer even if the active material layer expands or shrinks due to charging
`
`and discharging (see e.g., paragraph [0016)).
`
`15.|Regarding claim 7, Okamoto teachesall the claim limitations as described
`
`above. However, Okamotois silent to the battery wherein at least part of an end portion
`
`of the connection layeris bent.
`
`16.
`
`With regard to claim 7, Ueda teaches the battery wherein at least part of an end
`
`portion of the connection layer is bent (see e.g., paragraph [0007], evenif there is a
`
`slight step betweenthefirst two electrodes at the end surface, the conductive paste or
`
`the conductive adhesive can be brought into close contact with the step surface to
`
`ensure predetermined conduction). The claim limitation of at least part of an end portion
`
`of the connection layer being bent is met by the conductive paste or conductive
`
`adhesive of Ueda being able to bend in order to ensure that both surfaces of the
`
`electrodes can be brought into close contact.
`
`17.
`
`It would be obviousto one of ordinary skill
`
`in the art before the effectivefiling
`
`date of the claimed invention to have at least part of an end portion of the connection
`
`layer be bent as disclosed by Uedato the teachings of Okamoto in order to maintain the
`
`

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`Application/Control Number: 17/524,743
`Art Unit: 1728
`
`Page 7
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`electrical connection electrodes (see e.g., paragraph [0007]) evenif the active material
`
`layer expands or shrinks due to charging and discharging (see e.g., paragraph [0016)).
`
`18.
`
`Regarding claim 8, Okamoto teachesall the claim limitations as described
`
`above. However, Okamotois silent to the battery further comprising a terminal electrode
`
`in contact with a side surface of the plurality of solid-state battery cells and coupled to
`
`the negative-electrode current collector or the positive-electrode current collector of
`
`each of the plurality of solid-state battery cells, wherein at least part of an end portion of
`
`the connection layerin a bent state is in contact with the terminal electrode.
`
`19.|With regard to claim 8, Ueda teaches the battery further comprising a terminal
`
`electrode in contact with a side surface of the plurality of solid-state battery cells and
`
`coupled to the negative-electrode current collector or the positive-electrode current
`
`collector of each of the plurality of solid-state battery cells (see e.g., Figure 1, positive
`
`electrode terminal electrode 11 that is conductively connected to the end face of
`
`laminate), wherein at least part of an end portion of the connection layer in a bent state
`
`is in contact with the terminal electrode (see e.g., Figure 1 paragraph [0016], the end
`
`face contact portion 11a connected to the conductive connection layer and terminal
`
`electrode can be formed of a conductive paste or a conductive adhesive, similarly to the
`
`conductive connection layer 25).
`
`20.
`
`It would be obviousto oneof ordinary skill
`
`in the art before the effectivefiling
`
`date of the claimed invention to have a terminal electrode in contact with a side surface
`
`of the plurality of cells and have the end portion of the connection layer to be bent to be
`
`in contact with the terminal electrode as disclosed by Ueda to the teachings of Okamoto
`
`in order to use the conductive connecting layer to keep electrical contact between the
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/524,743
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`
`Page 8
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`terminal electrode and the laminate even if the active material layers in the laminate
`
`expand or shrink due to charging and discharging (see e.g., paragraph [0016)).
`
`21.
`
`Regarding claim 9, Okamoto teachesall the claim limitations as described
`
`above. However, Okamotois silent to the battery further comprising a terminal electrode
`
`in contact with a side surface of the plurality of solid- state battery cells and coupled to
`
`the negative-electrode current collector or the positive-electrode current collector of
`
`each of the plurality of solid-state battery cells, wherein at least part of an end portion of
`
`the connection layer in a bent state is buried in the terminal electrode.
`
`22.
`
`With regard to claim 9, Ueda teachesthe battery further comprising a terminal
`
`electrode in contact with a side surface of the plurality of solid- state battery cells and
`
`coupled to the negative-electrode current collector or the positive-electrode current
`
`collector of each of the plurality of solid-state battery cells, wherein at least part of an
`
`end portion of the connection layerin a bent state is buried in the terminal electrode
`
`(see e.g., Figure 1 paragraph [0016], the end face contact portion 11a connected to the
`
`conductive connection layer and terminal electrode can be formed of a conductive paste
`
`or aconductive adhesive, similarly to the conductive connection layer 25).
`
`
`
`23.—It would be obviousto oneof ordinary skill in the art before the effectivefiling
`
`date of the claimed invention to have a terminal electrode in contact with a side surface
`
`of the plurality of cells and have the end portion of the connection layer to be bent to be
`
`buried in the terminal electrode as disclosed by Ueda to the teachings of Okamotoin
`
`order to use the conductive connecting layer to keep electrical contact between the
`
`terminal electrode and the laminate even if the active material layers in the laminate
`
`expand or shrink due to charging and discharging (see e.g., paragraph [0016)).
`
`

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`Application/Control Number: 17/524,743
`Art Unit: 1728
`
`Page 9
`
`24.
`
`Claims 3, 6, and 10-11 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable
`
`over Okamoto et al. (Published U.S. Patent Application US 2019/0051935 A1) in view of
`
`Ueda et al. (JP 2010108751 A), and further in view of Sato et al. (JP 2011198692 A),
`
`hereinafter referred to Sato.
`
`25.
`
`Regarding claim 3, modified Okamoto teachesall the claim limitations as
`
`described above. However, modified Okamotois silent to the battery wherein the
`
`connection layer contains a solid electrolyte.
`
`26.
`
`Sato discloses an all-solid lithium ion secondary battery in which a positive
`
`electrode end part electrode 8 and a negative electrode end part electrode 9 are
`
`installed on a laminate 21 wherein positive electrode layers 1 and negative electrode
`
`layers 2 are alternately laminated via solid electrolyte layers 3, the positive electrode
`
`end part electrode 8 connected to the positive electrode layer 1 and the negative
`
`electrode end part electrode 9 connected to the negative electrode layer 2 have a
`
`structure that an active material is carried on a conductive matrix made of a conductive
`
`material (see e.g., Abstract). With regard to claim 3, Sato teaches the battery wherein
`
`the connection layer contains a solid electrolyte (see e.g., Figure 1, the solid electrolyte
`
`layer 3 surrounds the surfaces of the current collectors and active materials and could
`
`be used in tandem with the conductive connecting layer taught by Ueda).
`
`
`
`27._It would be obviousto oneof ordinary skill in the art before the effectivefiling
`
`date of the claimed invention to have replaced the conductive paste or conductive
`
`polymer as disclosed by Ueda with the solid electrolyte as taught by Sato in order to
`
`reduce the size, weight, and thickness of the batteries as well as improvethereliability
`
`of the batteries (see e.g., paragraph [0002)).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/524,743
`Art Unit: 1728
`
`Page 10
`
`28.
`
`Regarding claim 6, modified Okamoto teachesall the claim limitations as
`
`described above. However, modified Okamotois silent to the battery wherein the
`
`connection layer is composed of a solid electrolyte and an electrically conductive
`
`material.
`
`29.
`
`With regard to claim 6, Sato teaches the battery wherein the connection layeris
`
`composedof a solid electrolyte and an electrically conductive material (see e.g., the
`
`solid electrolyte layer 3 surrounds the surfaces of the current collectors and active
`
`materials and could be used in tandem with the conductive connecting layer taught by
`
`Ueda).
`
`
`
`30.—It would be obviousto oneof ordinary skill in the art before the effectivefiling
`
`date of the claimed invention to have replaced the conductive polymeras disclosed by
`
`Ueda with the solid electrolyte as taught by Sato in order to reduce the size, weight, and
`
`thickness of the batteries as well as improvethereliability of the batteries (see e.g.,
`
`paragraph [0002)).
`
`31.|Regarding claim 10, modified Okamoto teachesall the claim limitations as
`
`described above. However, modified Okamotois silent to the battery wherein the solid
`
`electrolyte layer of each of the plurality of solid-state battery cells is in contact with at
`
`least part of side surfaces of the positive-electrode current collector, the positive-
`
`electrode active material layer, the negative-electrode current collector, and the
`
`negative-electrode active material layer.
`
`32.
`
`With regard to claim 10, Sato teaches the battery wherein the solid electrolyte
`
`layer of each of the plurality of solid-state battery cells is in contact with at least part of
`
`side surfaces of the positive-electrode current collector, the positive-electrode active
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/524,743
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`
`Page 11
`
`material layer, the negative-electrode current collector, and the negative-electrode
`
`active material layer (See e.g., Figure 1, the solid electrolyte 3 is in contact with the side
`
`surfaces of the positive-electrode current collector 5, the positive-electrode active
`
`material layer 4, the negative-electrode current collector 7, and the negative-electrode
`
`active layer 6).
`
`33.
`
`It would be obvious to one of ordinary skill
`
`in the art before the effectivefiling
`
`date of the claimed invention to have the solid electrolyte of each of the battery cells in
`
`contact with the side surfaces of the current collectors and electrode active material
`
`layer as disclosed by Sato to the teachings of modified Okamoto in order to simplify the
`
`manufacturing process of multilayer batteries (see e.g., paragraph [0005]) while also
`
`decreasing the generation of internal stresses due to the expansion and contraction
`
`during charging and discharging (see e.g., paragraph [0008]).
`
`34.
`
`Regarding claim 11, modified Okamoto teachesall the claim limitations as
`
`described above. However, modified Okamotois silent to the battery wherein the
`
`plurality of solid-state battery cells are laminated such that the solid electrolyte layers of
`
`two adjacentsolid-state battery cells among the plurality of solid-state battery cells are
`
`in contact with each other.
`
`35.
`
`Regarding claim 11, Sato teaches the battery wherein the plurality of solid-state
`
`battery cells are laminated such that the solid electrolyte layers of two adjacent solid-
`
`state battery cells among the plurality of solid-state battery cells are in contact with each
`
`other (see e.g., Figure 1, the solid electrolyte layer 3 of one solid-state battery cells is
`
`connected to the solid electrolyte layer 3 of an adjacent solid-state battery cell).
`
`

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`Application/Control Number: 17/524,743
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`
`Page 12
`
`
`
`36.—It would be obviousto oneof ordinary skill in the art before the effectivefiling
`
`date of the claimed invention to have the solid electrolyte layers of two adjacent solid-
`
`state battery cells in contact with each other as disclosed by Sato to the teachings of
`
`modified Okamoto in order to simplify the manufacturing process of multilayer batteries
`
`(see e.g., paragraph [0005]) while also decreasing the generation of internal stresses
`
`due to the expansion and contraction during charging and discharging (see e.g.,
`
`paragraph [0008)).
`
`37.
`
`Claim 12 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Okamoto
`
`et al. (Published U.S. Patent Application US 2019/0051935 A1) in view of Uedaetal.
`
`(JP 2010108751 A), and further in view of Oura (Published U.S. Patent Application US
`
`2019/0372157 At).
`
`38.
`
`Regarding claim 12, modified Okamoto teachesall the claim limitations as
`
`described above. However, modified Okamotois silent to teaches the battery wherein
`
`each of the plurality of solid-state battery cells includes a sealing member disposed
`
`between the positive-electrode current collector and the negative- electrode current
`
`collector, and the sealing memberis disposed outside the positive-electrode active
`
`material layer and the negative-electrode active material layer in a plan view.
`
`39.|Oura discloses an all-solid battery including a laminated electrode body having a
`
`structure portion in which an electrode mixture material layer and a solid electrolyte
`
`layer are laminated, and a sealing part for covering a lamination end face of the
`
`laminated electrode body. The electrode mixture material layer includes an active
`
`material and a binder resin (see e.g., Abstract). With regard to claim 12, Oura teaches
`
`the battery wherein eachofthe plurality of solid-state battery cells includes a sealing
`
`

`

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`
`Page 13
`
`member disposed betweenthe positive-electrode current collector and the negative-
`
`electrode current collector, and the sealing memberis disposed outside the positive-
`
`electrode active material layer and the negative-electrode active material layer in a plan
`
`view (see e.g., Figure 1, a sealing part 20; see e.g., paragraph [0017], asealing part 20
`
`covering at least a lamination end face (edge surface) 10e of the laminated electrode
`
`body 10).
`
`40.
`
`It would be obviousto oneof ordinary skill
`
`in the art before the effectivefiling
`
`date of the claimed invention to include a sealing member as disclosed by Ourato the
`
`teachings of modified Okamoto in order to enhance the adhesion andintegrity between
`
`the laminated electrode body and the sealing part to decrease the peeling of the sealing
`
`part from the laminated electrode body and improve long-term durability (see e.g.,
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`paragraph [0007)).
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`Conclusion
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`41.
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`The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to
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`applicant's disclosure.
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`e Shon et al. (US 20170141361 A1) teaches an electrochemical cell includes: an
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`electrode assembly; and a housing includingafirst sheet and a second sheet,
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`wherein the first sheet includesafirst gas blocking layer, and a first sealing layer,
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`and wherein the second sheet includes a second gas blocking layer and a
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`second sealing layer, wherein the housing defines an accommodation region
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`which accommodates the electrode assembly (see e.g., Abstract).
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`e Hasegawaet al. (US 20190348663 A1) teaches a short-circuit current shunt part
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`in a stacked battery that includes the short-circuit current shunt part, in the
`
`

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`Application/Control Number: 17/524,743
`Art Unit: 1728
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`Page 14
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`stacked battery 100 including at least one short-circuit current shunt part 10, and
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`a stack 20 that includes a plurality of electric elements 20a, 20b which are
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`stacked (see e.g., Abstract).
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`42.—Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the
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`examiner should be directed to Katherine N Higgins whose telephone numberis
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`(703)756-1196. The examiner can normally be reached Mondays - Thursdays 7:30-4:30
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`EST, Fridays 7:30 - 11:30 EST.
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`
`
`43.|Examinerinterviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video
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`conferencing using a USPTO supplied web-based collaboration tool. To schedule an
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`interview, applicant is encouraged to use the USPTO AutomatedInterview Request
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`(AIR) at http:/Wwww.uspto.gov/interviewpractice.
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`44.
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`If attempts to reach the examinerby telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s
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`supervisor, Matthew T Martin can be reached on (571) 270-7871. The fax phone
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`number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-
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`273-8300.
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`45.—Information regarding the status of published or unpublished applications may be
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`obtained from Patent Center. Unpublished application information in Patent Centeris
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`available to registered users. To file and manage patent submissions in Patent Center,
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`visit: httos://patentcenter.uspto.gov. Visit https://www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/patent-
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`center for more information about Patent Center and
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`additional questions, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 17/524,743
`Art Unit: 1728
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`Page 15
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`(toll-free).
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`If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service
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`Representative, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA)or 571-272-1000.
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`/K.N.H./
`Examiner, Art Unit 1728
`
`/MATTHEW T MARTIN/
`Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 1728
`
`