UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`
`
`UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`United States Patent and Trademark Office
`Address: COMMISSIONER FOR PATENTS
`PO. Box 1450
`Alexandria, Virginia 2231371450
`www.uspto.gov
`
`16/005,481
`
`06/11/2018
`
`HONAMI NARIYAMA
`
`PANDP0286US
`
`1142
`
`MARK D. SARALINO (PAN)
`RENNER, OTTO, BOISSELLE & SKLAR, LLP
`1621 EUCLID AVENUE
`19TH FLOOR
`CLEVELAND, OH 44115
`
`HARRIS~ GARY D
`
`ART UNIT
`1727
`
`PAPER NUMBER
`
`NOTIFICATION DATE
`
`DELIVERY MODE
`
`02/20/2020
`
`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):
`
`ipdoeket@rennerotto.eom
`
`PTOL-90A (Rev. 04/07)
`
`

`

`0/7709 A0170” Summary
`
`Application No.
`16/005,481
`Examiner
`GARY D HARRIS
`
`Applicant(s)
`NARIYAMA, HONAMI
`Art Unit
`AIA (FITF) Status
`1727
`Yes
`
`- The MAILING DA TE of this communication appears on the cover sheet wit/7 the correspondence address -
`Period for Reply
`
`A SHORTENED STATUTORY PERIOD FOR REPLY IS SET TO EXPIRE g MONTHS FROM THE MAILING
`DATE OF THIS COMMUNICATION.
`Extensions of time may be available under the provisions of 37 CFR 1.136(a). In no event, however, may a reply be timely filed after SIX (6) MONTHS from the mailing
`date of this communication.
`|f NO period for reply is specified above, the maximum statutory period will apply and will expire SIX (6) MONTHS from 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, even if timely filed, may reduce any earned patent term
`adjustment. See 37 CFR 1.704(b).
`
`Status
`
`1). Responsive to communication(s) filed on w.
`IZI A declaration(s)/affidavit(s) under 37 CFR 1.130(b) was/were filed on
`
`2a)[:] This action is FINAL.
`
`2b)
`
`This action is non-final.
`
`3)[:] An election was made by the applicant in response to a restriction requirement set forth during the interview
`on
`; the restriction requirement and election have been incorporated into this action.
`
`4):] 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 Expade Quay/e, 1935 CD. 11, 453 O.G. 213.
`
`Disposition of Claims*
`
`5)
`
`Claim(s) fl is/are pending in the application.
`
`5a) Of the above Claim(s)
`
`is/are withdrawn from consideration.
`
`
`
`[:1 Claim(ss)
`
`is/are allowed.
`
`8)
`Claim(s 1_—21Is/are rejected
`
`D Claim(ss_) is/are objected to.
`
`) ) ) )
`
`S)
`are subject to restriction and/or election requirement
`[:1 Claim(s
`* If any claims have been determined aflowable. you may be eligible 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 PPeredback@uspto.gov.
`
`Application Papers
`
`10)|:I The specification is objected to by the Examiner.
`
`11). The drawing(s) filed on 6/11/18 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:
`
`a). All
`
`b)C] Some**
`
`c)C] None of the:
`
`1.. Certified copies of the priority documents have been received.
`
`2C] Certified copies of the priority documents have been received in Application No.
`
`SD Copies of the certified copies of the priority documents have been received in 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 06/11/2018.
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
`
`3) E] Interview Summary (PTO-413)
`Paper No(s)/Mail Date
`4) CI Other-
`
`PTOL-326 (Rev. 11-13)
`
`Office Action Summary
`
`Part of Paper No./Mai| Date 20200212
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/005,481
`Art Unit: 1727
`
`Page 2
`
`FLOW BATTERY THAT INCLUDES LIQUID CONTAINING MEDIATOR
`
`Primary Examiner: Gary Harris
`
`Art Unit: 1727
`
`February 15, 2020
`
`DETAILED ACTION
`
`Notice of Pre-AIA 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.
`
`Priority
`
`2.
`
`Receipt is acknowledged of certified copies of papers submitted under 35 U.S.C.
`
`119(a)-(d), which papers have been placed of record in the file.
`
`Information Disclosure Statement
`
`3.
`
`The information disclosure statements (IDS) submitted on 06/11/2018 was
`
`considered by the examiner.
`
`4.
`
`The drawings were received on 06/11/18. These drawings are acceptable.
`
`Drawings
`
`Claim Rejections — 35 USC § 102
`
`The following is aquotation 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 person shall be entitled to a patent unless —
`
`(a)(1 ) the claimed inventionwas patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use,
`on sale orotherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed
`invention.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/005,481
`Art Unit: 1727
`
`Page 3
`
`5.
`
`Claims 1-21 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by
`
`Knuckey et al. US 2012/0231363.
`
`its te Cieim ’t, Khuckey diecteeee a flew battery {redex tuei eeii) cemprieihg: a
`
`iiret iiquid eeritaihihg a reflex mediater (triphehyiamihe species, {[0036] & tahie 1}.
`
`First eieettede [00?1]. A first active materiai {materiai withih Chamber 5).
`
`And a first circutator that eiteuiates the first iiquict between the first eiectrede and the
`
`iiret aetive materiai (see iigure t). Whereih the realm mediator eehtaihe a
`
`triphehyiamihe derivative [0093], and the triphehyiamihe derivative iheiudee at ieaet ehe
`
`phehyi greup having me er mere substituehts at she or mere ei pesttiohs 2, 4, ahd 6
`
`[0943],
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
`
`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 of this title, if the differences
`between the claimed invention and the priorartare such that the claimed invention as awhole
`would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person
`having ordinaryskill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentabilityshall not
`be negated by the manner in which the invention was made.
`
`The factual inquiries set forth in Graham v. John Deere Co., 383 U.S. 1, 148
`
`USPQ 459 (1966), that are applied for establishing a background for determining
`
`obviousness under pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 103(a) are summarized as follows:
`
`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.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/005,481
`Art Unit: 1727
`
`Page 4
`
`6.
`
`Claims 2-21 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over
`
`Knuckey et al. US 2012/0231363.
`
`Ass te Ctetm 2, Knuckey dteeteeee the ttew battery aeeerdtng te Cteim 1: wherein
`
`the trtphenytemihe derivative is represented by the tettewihg generei termuta {t}:
`
`{4) [0043] where X1 te Xe- each indeeettdehtty dertete hydregert, a waste greet), e httre
`
`greup {see Ctetm t),
`
`R: ctehetee at teeet ene eeteeted tree": the greup consisting tat hydrogen a eyahe gteup,
`
`a rtitre group, 21er arty eemhthettert thereet {eee Ctetm 1). At Eeeet (me Of X1 to X22. te
`
`inherehtty net hydrogen (eee [0019, 004:3 & Cteirrt 1})"
`
`it WOUEd have been ebvteue te erte skittect
`
`in the art tattttzittg the etaimect structure
`
`mettveted te previde 22 feet eett that evettte the wee 0t rare earth metete {Hike etetihum)
`
`and previdee for e reflex eetetyet aha/er medieter in a feet eett eethetyte eetutiert that
`
`utttmetety predueee eetieteetery eewer euteut [eeetemet
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/005,481
`Art Unit: 1727
`
`Page 5
`
`The prior art structures do not have to be true homologs or isomers to render
`
`structurally similar compounds prima facie obvious.
`
`In re Payne, 606 F.2d 303, 203
`
`USPQ 245 (See MPEP 2144.09).
`
`its to Ctaint 3, Knuchey discioses the item: cattery according to Ciairn 2, wherein
`
`Xi to Xe each independentiy denote a cyano group, the nitro group {Quid}, the chain
`
`saturated hydrocarbon group, the chain unsaturated hydrocarbon group, the cyciic
`
`saturated hydrocarbon group, or the cyciic unsaturated hydrocarbon group [0019, £3043
`
`t3: Ciairn t].
`
`it wouid have been obvious to one skiiied in the art utiiizing the ciairned structure
`
`motivated to provide a tuei ceii that avoids the use ot rare earth metats {tihe piatinurn)
`
`and provides tor a redox cataiyst andfor mediator in a tuei ceii oathoiyte soiution that
`
`uitin’rateiy produces satisfactoryi power output [000’iv0016i
`
`The prior art structures do not have to be true homologs or isomers to render
`
`structurally similar compounds prima facie obvious.
`
`In re Payne, 606 F.2d 303, 203
`
`USPQ 245 (See MPEP 2144.09).
`
`as to fitairn a, hinuckey discioses the tiow cattery according to Ciairn 2, wherein
`
`Xi to X9 each independentiy denote at ieast one seiected from the group consisting of
`
`the chain saturated hydrocarbon group, the chain unsaturated hydrocarbon group, the
`
`cyciic saturated hydrocarbon group, and the cyctic unsaturated hydrocarbon group
`
`[0943],
`
`it wouid have been obvious to one skiiied in the art to utiiize the oiairned structure
`
`motivated to provide a tuei ceii that avoids the use ot rare earth motais {Hike piatinurn)
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/005,481
`Art Unit: 1727
`
`Page 6
`
`and provides foraredox oataiysE and!er rneoianr in a tuei oeit oathotytesoiotioh that
`
`uitimatety produces satisfactory power output [000tv0016i
`
`The prior art structures do not have to be true homologs or isomers to render
`
`structurally similar compounds prima facie obvious.
`
`In re Payne, 606 F.2d 303, 203
`
`USPQ 245 (See MPEP 2144.09).
`
`he to fitatrn 5, tiinuekey disotoses the flow battery according to Ctairn 2, wherein
`
`Ehe tnphehytarnine derivative is represented by Ehe teitowing generai torrntria (2}
`
`
`
`a?“ a“tt
`
`‘1”of \fg‘
`5K J‘Aéwk“
`SS
`”3%, W‘k‘V;
`
`where X2, X2, X4, X5, X7, and X3, the oysno group, and the nitro group, at ieast one of
`
`X1, X: X4, X5, X7, and X8 is each independentty denote hydrogen, oyano group, or a
`
`nitre R denotes at teas tone eeteetea horn the group consisting of hydrogen not
`
`hydrogen, and the oyotio unsaturated 46 hydrocarbon group of any ot X-a, X2, X4, X5, X7,
`
`X3 and R1 may each independentiy contain at toast one seieeteci front the group
`
`consisting or oxygen, nitrogen, soitur [0094].
`
`it weuid have been obvious to one sktiiee in the art to utiiize the oiairned structure
`
`motivated to provide a tuet eeti that avoids the use at rare earth metats tithe ptatinurn)
`
`and provides tor a redox oataiyst antifor mediator in a tuei oeit eathotyte soiotion that
`
`uttintatety produces satistaotory power output [0001 0016i
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/005,481
`Art Unit: 1727
`
`Page 7
`
`The prior art structures do not have to be true homologs or isomers to render
`
`structurally similar compounds prima facie obvious.
`
`In re Payne, 606 F.2d 303, 203
`
`USPQ 245 (See MPEP 2144.09).
`
`the te Ctetr‘n 6, Knuekey diseioses the flew battery aesertiing tn Cieirn 2, wherein
`
`the triphenytarnine derivative is represented by the teitewtng generai terrnuie (3‘)
`
`(3) W here X1, X4, and X7 eeeh inciependentty denete hydrogen, hreintne, the nttre
`
`greup [00%].
`
`it weuid have been ehvieus to ene skiiieti in the art te nttiize the eieirned structure
`
`metiveted tn provirate a tuet eeti that avoids the use et rare earth metats (Bike ptetinurnrn)
`
`and prevtdes ter a redex eeteiyst enctr‘er medieter in a tuei eeii eathetyte seiutien that
`
`uittmetety preduees satistectnry eewer output [0001-0016;
`
`The prior art structures do not have to be true homologs or isomers to render
`
`structurally similar compounds prima facie obvious.
`
`In re Payne, 606 F.2d 303, 203
`
`USPQ 245 (See MPEP 2144.09).
`
`As te Ctetm ‘F, Knuehey discieses the ttew battery aceereiing te Cteini 2, wherein
`
`the triphenyternine derivative is represented by the toitewing generei terrnuia {4):
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/005,481
`Art Unit: 1727
`
`Page 8
`
`{4} Where X.:, X5, and X8 each independentiy denote hydrogen, bromine, oyano grouo,
`
`[0019] and R1 may each independentiy contain at ieast one seteoted from the group
`
`consisting oi oxygen, nitrogen, suitor [0094].
`
`he to Ctatm 8, Knuckey discteses the tiow battery according to Ctaiin 2, wherein
`
`the triohenyiainine derivative is at ieast ohe seieoted from aromatic amines,
`
`Atthoogh Knuokey does not soeoity the soeeitie amines iisted,
`
`it wouid have been
`
`obvious to utiiize the amines as; Khuokey dieoiosee ai‘ontatio amines can he oorttrotied
`
`and taitored to a desired eertorinanoe as iiiustrated in figure 3 and tahte t, one skiited in
`
`the art to utiiize the ciairhed structure motivated to provide a tuei eeii that avoids the use
`
`of rare earth metais {iike oiatihurn} ahd provides for a redox oataiyst and/or mediator in
`
`a that oeii oathotyte soiutioh that uttintatety produces satistaotory power output [000%
`
`00t6}
`
`The prior art structures do not have to be true homologs or isomers to render
`
`structurally similar compounds prima facie obvious.
`
`In re Payne, 606 F.2d 303, 203
`
`USPQ 245 (See MPEP 2144.09).
`
`As to Ciaim 9, Knucitey disetoses the tiow battery aooording to Ctairn t, wherein
`
`the triphenyiarnihe derivative has a tirst oxidatioh ootentiai ahd a second oxidation
`
`ooteniiai [0040], and a first reduction ootentiat and aseoond redtiotion notentiai {0040},
`
`and the first active materiai has an equiiihrium ootentiai
`
`tower than the first oxidation
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/005,481
`Art Unit: 1727
`
`Page 9
`
`petentief er the seeehe exidetien petentiaf er higher then the first reductien eetentisi er
`
`the seeehd reduetieh eetentiei {Gtiflntttttti
`
`As te Cfeim ”Eff, Khushey diseieses the ffew battery eeserdihg to Cieiirr 'i,
`
`wherein the first iiquiri further eenteins sfirst eieetrede side discharge rherjie'ter [$6323.
`
`The triphenyfemine derivative irihereritiy hes eh exidetien eetentieii the tirsteetive
`
`meteriei hes arr equiiibritirri eetentief fewer than the exidatien petentiaf ef the
`
`triphenyierhine derivative, and the first active rneteriaf has 3 higher equifibrium petehtiaf
`
`then the first eieetrede side discharge rnedister {see tehie f 8r [Gttii’vtft tiff).
`
`As te Cfeirrt “if, finesse}; diseieees the fiew battery according to Cieim 1,
`
`wherein the first siretiiater iheiudes a first eenteiner, the first eetiye meteriai and the first
`
`iiquid ere sentained in the first eenteiner, the first Circuiater eireuietes the first fieuid
`
`between the first efeetreee end the first eeriteiner, end eerrteet between the first eetiye
`
`meteriei errei the first iiqeici
`
`in the first eeriteiher eeuses err exidetien resetien ehdfer e
`
`reduction resetien between the first active materiei end the reflex medieter (see figure
`
`i).
`
`As te Cfeim “f2, Khuekey diseiesee the ffew battery according to Ciaint “it,
`
`wherein the first siretiiater iheiudes a first transfer ereverttieh fitter (membrane, [Gtiiftiii
`
`that prevents trehsfer ef the first active meterief, end the first transfer pr‘eyentieh fitter is
`
`disposed cm s path threegh whieh the first iiquid fiews item the first eehtsiher te the first
`
`efeetreefe {see figure it,
`
`As te Cfeim ”f3, Khushey diseieses the ffew battery eeserdihg to Cieim t, further
`
`eemprising: e seeerid iiquiri eenteining 3 charge triedieter and a discharge rnedister; e
`
`seeenei eieetrede immersed ih the seeend iiegtiid {area 5 3i “.7, see figure 1). A seeehd
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/005,481
`Art Unit: 1727
`
`Page 10
`
`active materiai irnrriereed ih the eeccrid iterate; and a eecara‘ter (membrane) that
`
`eeearatee the first eiectrede arid the first iiquid trerrr the eecertd etectrcde arid the
`
`eecerict EiCthid [9101}. Whereih the charge mediatcr has a iewer eaciiihrium cetehtiat
`
`thah the secchd active rrieteriai, arid the discharge rttediater has a higher egaiiihniirh
`
`petehtiai than the eeechd active thateriai teee tahie 1).
`
`Ass te Ctairrr ”t4, Knuckey disciesee the ticw battery acccrdihg te Ciaii't‘i 13,
`
`whereih the eeccnd iiquid echtaihs iithiiirri (metai saith the eecend active materiet
`
`iriherehtiy ccciiidee ahci reieaees the iithitirri, during charging [GGYGL
`
`The charge rneciiater ie reduced er: the eeeehd eteetrede, the charge mediater reduced
`
`en the Second eiectrede is oxidized by the eecerici active thateriai (see figure “it, and the
`
`eecehd active meteriai ecctudes the iithium, ahd during diechergirtg, the eecer‘rd active
`
`materiai that hae ecciuded the iithitirri reduces the discharge mediator, the eecchd
`
`active materiai reieaeee the iithiurh, and the discharge mediater reduced by the eecend
`
`active materiai ie cxidized ah the secchd eiectrede {eee iigure 1). These teaturee are
`
`inherent tc a ttiei eeit. See tviPEP 2112.
`
`he te Ctatrrr “i5, Knuckey diecieeee the tievv battery according to Ciaiht 14,
`
`whereih during the charging, the discharge mediater inherehtiy is reduced eh the
`
`eecchd eiectredej and during the discharging, the charge rhedieter ie cxidized art the
`
`eecehd eiectrcde. The chargihg arid discharging is; inherent te a ttiet ceti. See MPEP
`
`2t t2.
`
`Ass te Ctairrr ”t5, Knuckey disciesee the ticw battery acccrdihg te Ciaii't‘i 13,
`
`wherein the charge medietcr ace the discharge media‘ter are tused arerrietie
`
`cerrieeuride, arid the eecehd iicitiid ccrttairiing the fused arerhatic ccmeciiride caiieee a
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/005,481
`Art Unit: 1727
`
`Page 11
`
`seivated eiectreh ei iithium te be reteaeetfi te dissetve the iithium as a when (eee figure
`
`1 a [00183)
`
`As te Cteim ”tit, Knuekey diseieses the flow battery aeeerciing to Ciairn '16,
`
`wherein the charge mediater is at ieast ene seieetect item phehytseutehiexy {0018}
`
`triehehytarhihe species [0040].
`
`iihuekey is siient to the greup eehsisting of ehehahthrehe, bibhenyi, enterehehyt,
`
`triphehyiehe, aha artthracehe,
`
`it weuirzi have been ebvieus te cheese the eiairneci greup
`
`rttetivated te ‘iurtetieh eitectiveiy are a redex eeueier with the catheiy‘te [0040}.
`
`However,
`
`it wettie have been ebviees te seiect a phehyi derivative metivated te
`
`brevide a tuei ceti that aveicis the use of rare earth metats tithe btatihurn} arid erevides
`
`tor a reflex eataiyst arid/er rnedtater ih atuei eeit eatheiyte seiutieh that uitirnateiy
`
`bredeees satistaetery bower eetbut [000100161
`
`The prior art structures do not have to be true homologs or isomers to render
`
`structurally similar compounds prima facie obvious.
`
`In re Payne, 606 F.2d 303, 203
`
`USPQ 245 (See MPEP 2144.09).
`
`As te Ciatm “t8, Knuekey diseieses the flow battery according to Ciairn “£3 having
`
`eeiected beiyrner {00:70}, but is siteht te wherein the discharge mediater is at teest ehe
`
`seieeted from the great) eensistihg at phehanthretihe, 2,2’—bipyrir:iyi, bertzephehene,
`
`tra‘hsve'tiihehe; 4,4“~bieyridyi, 3,32 50 bieyridyt, 2,4’—hieyritjyi, 2,3“~bieyridyi, eie—stiibehe,
`
`acetebhehene, breeieehenehei butyrebhehehe, vaiereehenehe, aha ethyiehediaihine.
`
`Hewever,
`
`it weuict have been ebvietis te titiiize the discharge medieter as
`
`ctairned rnetiva‘ted te previde a tuei eeii that avoids the use ei rare earth metate {titre
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/005,481
`Art Unit: 1727
`
`Page 12
`
`platinum) and provides tor a redox cataiyst and/or mediator in aiuei celi cathotyte
`
`solution that ultimately produces satisfactory power output [moi—0016i.
`
`The prior art structures do not have to be true homologs or isomers to render
`
`structurally similar compounds prima facie obvious.
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`In re Payne, 606 F.2d 303, 203
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`USPQ 245 (See MPEP 2144.09).
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`As to Claim ”id, Knuckey discloses the liow battery according to Claim 13,
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`lorther comprising: a second ciroulator including a second container, wherein the
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`second active ntateriai and the second iiduid are contained in the second container, the
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`second circoiater circulates the second liquid between the second eiectrede and the
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`second container (see tignre l). and contact between the second active material and
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`the second liquid in the second container causes an oxidation reaction ol the charge
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`mediator with the second active rnateriai and/or a reduction reaction of the discharge
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`mediator with the second active materiel [film].
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`its to Claim 2%}, Knucltey discloses the liow battery according to Stalin 19;
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`wherein the second circulator inciodes a second transler prevention litter {membrane}
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`that prevents transfer {intended use) at the second active material, and the second
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`transfer prevention filter is disposed on a path through which the second liquid flows
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`iron: the second container to the second electrode {see figure i, [0l00]).
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`he to Claim 21, hnuchey discloses the liow cattery comprising: a lirst liquid
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`containing a redox mediator; a lirst eiectrede; a first active material; and a first circulator
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`that circuiates the lirst liquid between the first electrode and the lirst active inateriai,
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`wherein the redox mediator contains tetraehenyihenzidine {see tahie ‘l, {0100} a figure
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`i).
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 16/005,481
`Art Unit: 1727
`
`Page 13
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`it woutd have been obvious to one skilled in the art to utilize the claimed structure
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`motivated to provide a toe! cell that avoids the use of rare earth metals {like platinum)
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`and provides for a redox catalyst and/or mediator in a fuel cell cathotyte solution that
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`ultimately produces satisfactory power output [000%0016}.
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`The prior art structures do not have to be true homologs or isomers to render
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`structurally similar compounds prima facie obvious.
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`In re Payne, 606 F.2d 303, 203
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`USPQ 245 (See MPEP 2144.09).
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`Further, the claims would have been obvious because the technique for
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`improving a particular class of devices was part of the ordinary capabilities of a person
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`of ordinary skill in the art, in view of the teaching of the technique for improvement in
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`other situations. Stated differently, use of known technique to improve similar devices,
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`product or feature in the same way is prima-facie obvious. KSF.’ International Co. v.
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`TelefleX Inc., 550 US- 82 USPQZd 1385, 1396 (2007).
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`7.
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`A restriction has not been made between the article claims and/or method claims
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`as no substantive limitations have been presented at this time. The examiner notes if
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`applicant amends method claims and adds substantive limits a restriction may be
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`required at that time.
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`8.
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`Figures, Paragraph, Column and line numbers are provided for convenience.
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`However, the entire reference should be considered.
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 16/005,481
`Art Unit: 1727
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`Page 14
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`9.
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`The art made of record but not relied upon (at this time) Osaka et al. US
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`2009/0284140 has relevance to the matter at hand and may be utilized as prosecution
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`continues see abstract, [0011- 0016, 0048-0246] & figures 1-3.
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`Conclusion
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`9.
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`Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the
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`examiner should be directed to Gary Harris whose telephone number is (571)272-6508.
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`The examiner can normally be reached on Mon-Sat. 5:30AM—8PM EST (flex).
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`If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s
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`supervisor, Barbara Gilliam can be reached on (571)272-1330. The fax phone number
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`for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is (571)273-8300.
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`Information regarding the status of an application may be obtained from the
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`Patent Application Information Retrieval (PAIR) system. Status information for
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`published applications may be obtained from either Private PAIR or Public PAIR.
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`Status information for unpublished applications is available through Private PAIR only.
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`For more information about the PAIR system, see http://pair-direct.uspto.gov. Should
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`you have questions on access to the Private PAIR system, contact the Electronic
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`Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free).
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`If you would like assistance from a
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`USPTO Customer Service Representative or access to the automated information
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`system, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000.
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`lGARY D HARRIS/
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`Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1727
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 16/005,481
`Art Unit: 1727
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`Page 15
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