www.uspto.gov
`
`UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`United States Patent and TrademarkOffice
`Address; COMMISSIONER FOR PATENTS
`P.O. Box 1450
`Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1450
`
`16/708,829
`
`12/10/2019
`
`Yuya Nakamura
`
`P191305US00
`
`2686
`
`WESTERMAN, HATTORI, DANIELS & ADRIAN, LLP
`8500 LEESBURG PIKE
`SUITE 7500
`TYSONS, VA 22182
`
`TRIVISONNO, ANGELO
`
`ART UNIT
`1721
`
`PAPER NUMBER
`
`NOTIFICATION DATE
`
`DELIVERY MODE
`
`10/22/2021
`
`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):
`
`patentmail @ whda.com
`
`PTOL-90A (Rev. 04/07)
`
`

`

`
`
`Disposition of Claims*
`1-21 is/are pending in the application.
`)
`Claim(s)
`5a) Of the above claim(s) 2,4-5 and 10-11 is/are withdrawn from consideration.
`() Claim(s)__ is/are allowed.
`Claim(s) 1,3,6-9 and 12-21 is/are rejected.
`1 Claim(s)__ is/are objected to.
`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:/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)() The drawing(s) filedon__ is/are: a)C) 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:
`cc) None ofthe:
`b)L) Some**
`a)D) All
`1.1) Certified copies of the priority documents have been received.
`2.1) Certified copies of the priority documents have beenreceived 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)
`
`2) (J Information Disclosure Statement(s) (PTO/SB/08a and/or PTO/SB/08b)
`Paper No(s)/Mail Date
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
`
`3) (J Interview Summary (PTO-413)
`Paper No(s)/Mail Date
`(Qj Other:
`
`4)
`
`PTOL-326 (Rev. 11-13)
`
`Office Action Summary
`
`Part of Paper No./Mail Date 20211018
`
`Application No.
`Applicant(s)
`16/708 829
`Nakamuraetal.
`
`Office Action Summary Art Unit|AIA (FITF) StatusExaminer
`ANGELO TRIVISONNO
`1721
`Yes
`
`
`
`-- The MAILING DATEofthis communication appears on the cover sheet with the correspondence address --
`Period for Reply
`
`A SHORTENED STATUTORY PERIOD FOR REPLYIS SET TO EXPIRE 3 MONTHS FROM THE MAILING
`DATE OF THIS COMMUNICATION.
`Extensions of time may be available underthe provisions of 37 CFR 1.136(a). In no event, however, may a reply betimely filed after SIX (6) MONTHSfrom the mailing
`date of this communication.
`If NO period for reply is specified above, the maximum statutory period will apply and will expire SIX (6) MONTHSfrom the mailing date of this communication.
`-
`- Failure to reply within the set or extended period for reply will, by statute, cause the application to become ABANDONED (35 U.S.C. § 133}.
`Any reply received by the Office later than three months after the mailing date of this communication, evenif timely filed, may reduce any earned patent term
`adjustment. See 37 CFR 1.704(b).
`
`Status
`
`1) Responsive to communication(s) filed on 08/04/2021.
`C} A declaration(s)/affidavit(s) under 37 CFR 1.130(b) was/werefiled on
`2a)¥) This action is FINAL.
`2b) (J 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: 16/708,829
`Art Unit: 1721
`
`Page 2
`
`DETAILED ACTION
`
`This is the second Office Action regarding application number 16/708,829, filed
`
`on 12/10/2019, which claims foreign priority to JP 2018-234028 and JP 2019-164207,
`
`filed on 12/14/2018 and 09/10/2019, respectively.
`
`This action is in responseto the Applicant's Response dated 08/04/2021.
`
`The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined
`
`under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA.
`
`In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35
`
`U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103)is incorrect, any
`
`correction of the statutory basis for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of
`
`rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be
`
`the same under either status.
`
`Status of Claims
`
`Claims 1-21 are currently pending.
`
`Claims 12-21 are new.
`
`Claims 1-3, 5, 6, 9, and 10 are amended.
`
`Claims 2, 4, 5, 10, and 11 are withdrawn.
`
`Claims 1, 3, 6-9, and 12-21 are examined below.
`
`The Office’s objections to claims 1, 5, and 9 have been withdrawnin light of the
`
`Applicant's amendments.
`
`The rejection of claims 1, 3, and 6-9 under 35 U.S.C. § 103 has been withdrawn
`
`in light of the Applicant’s amendments.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/708,829
`Art Unit: 1721
`
`Page 3
`
`Upon further examination, the Office has set forth new ground(s) of rejection.
`
`No claim is allowed.
`
`Responseto Arguments
`
`The Applicant’s arguments filed 08/04/2021 have been carefully considered but
`
`they are mootin light of the Office’s new ground(s) of rejection.
`
`Claim Objections
`
`Claim 16 is objected to as being dependent upon a rejected base claim, but
`
`would be allowable if rewritten in independent form including all of the limitations of the
`
`base claim and any intervening claims.
`
`Claim 16 recites in the final four limitations a specific arrangement of the endsof
`
`the first and second transparent membersin relation to the corresponding ends of the
`
`first and second solarcells in a first direction. The prior art references reviewed do not
`
`teach or suggestthis claimed relationship, along with all of the other limitations of claims
`
`6 and 16.
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
`
`Written Description - New Matter
`
`Claim 3 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(a) as failing to comply with the written
`
`description requirement. The claims contains subject matter which was not describedin
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/708,829
`Art Unit: 1721
`
`Page 4
`
`the specification in such a way asto reasonably conveyto one skilled in the relevant art
`
`that the inventor or a joint inventor had possession of the claimed invention. The
`
`applicant’s disclosure does not describe an embodiment wherethe recited first
`
`transparent member has a length in a first direction that is equal to the solar cell (claim
`
`3) and also where an end ofthe recitedfirst transparent member on the first solar cell is
`
`spaced apart from a corresponding end ofthe first solar cell in the first direction (as
`
`recited in claim 1). The examiner believes that this claimed configuration would require
`
`an opposing end ofthe first transparent member to essentially hang off an end of the
`
`solar cell.
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
`
`The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all
`
`obviousnessrejections setforth in this Office action:
`
`A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed
`invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102 of thistitle, if the differences
`between the claimed invention andthe prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole
`would have been obvious before the effectivefiling date of the claimed invention to a person
`having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not
`be negated by the manner in whichthe 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 35 U.S.C. 103 are summarized asfollows:
`
`FoNM>
`
`Determining the scope and contents ofthe prior art.
`Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue.
`Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinentart.
`Considering objective evidence presentin the application indicating obviousnessor
`nonobviousness.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/708,829
`Art Unit: 1721
`
`Page 5
`
`Claims1, 3, 6-8, 12-15, and 17-19 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being
`
`unpatentable over NAKAMURA(JP 2018-041840 A; English machine translation
`
`provided) in view of TAGUCHI (US 2009/0194148 A1).
`
`Regarding claim 1, NAKAMURAteachesa solar cell module, comprising:
`
`a string which includes a plurality of solar cells (solar cells 10aa-1Odf) arranged in
`
`a line alongafirst direction (Fig. 1);
`
`a plurality of wiring members configured to connect adjacent solarcells in the
`
`plurality of solar cells (wiring 14, Fig. 3);
`
`a first transparent member (first transparent member 40, para. 24) disposed, for
`
`eachof the solarcells, on a light receiving surface side of the solar cells and bondedto
`
`the plurality of wiring members; and
`
`a second transparent member (second transparent member 42, para. 24)
`
`disposed, for each of the solar cells, on a rear surface side located opposite to the light
`
`receiving surface side of the solar cells, and bondedto plurality of wiring members,
`
`wherein the plurality of wiring members, the first transparent member, and the
`
`second transparent member are part of a wire film (the examiner interprets these three
`
`components together as forming a “wire film” since they all contact each other)
`
`a first protecting member (30) provided on the light receiving surface side over
`
`the first transparent members;
`
`a first encapsulant provided (32) on the light receiving surface side between the
`
`first transparent members and the first protecting member;
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/708,829
`Art Unit: 1721
`
`Page 6
`
`a second protecting member (36) provided on the rear surface side over the
`
`second transparent members; and
`
`a second encapsulant (34) provided on the rear surface side between the second
`
`transparent members and the second protecting member, wherein each of the solar
`
`cells is sandwiched between the first transparent member and the second transparent
`
`member,
`
`wherein the first transparent member and the second transparent member have
`
`a length in a second direction that intersects the first direction longer than a length of
`
`the solar cell in the second direction (transparent members may both have lengths ina
`
`y-axis second direction that are longer than the solar cell length in that same direction,
`
`Fig. 3),
`
`wherein the first transparent member and the second transparent member have
`
`a length in the first direction equal to or shorter than a length of the solar cell in the first
`
`direction (transparent members may both have lengths in an x-axis seconddirection
`
`that are equal than the solarcell length in that same direction, Fig. 3),
`
`wherein the plurality of solar cells include a first solar cell, and a second solarcell
`
`adjacent to the first solar cell with a gap between the first solar cell and the second solar
`
`cell in the first direction (there is a corresponding gap between eachof the adjacent
`
`solar cells, Fig. 2),
`
`the plurality of wiring members configured to connect adjacent solar cells of the
`
`first solar cell and the second solarcell, within the gap, are bent in a thickness direction
`
`of the solar cell module (wiring members are shownto be bent in the thickness direction
`
`within each gap area, Fig. 2),
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/708,829
`Art Unit: 1721
`
`Page 7
`
`the plurality of wiring members configured to connect adjacent solar cells of the
`
`first solar cell and the secondsolarcell are fixed to the light receiving surface ofthe first
`
`solar cell via the first transparent member onaside ofthe first solar cell (Figs. 2-3
`
`illustrate this claimed fixed configuration),
`
`the plurality of wiring members configured to connect adjacent solar cells of the
`
`first solar cell and the second solar cell are fixed to the rear surface of the second solar
`
`cell via the second transparent member ona side of the second solarcell (Fig. 3).
`
`ia)
`
`NAKAMURAdoes notdisclose expressly that an end ofthe first transparent
`
`member disposed on a side ofthe first solar cell facing the gap is spaced apart from a
`
`corresponding endofthe first solar cell in the first direction, and an end of the second
`
`transparent member disposed onaside of the second solar cell facing the gapis
`
`spaced apart from a corresponding end of the second solarcell in the first direction.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/708,829
`Art Unit: 1721
`
`Page 8
`
`TAGUCHI teachesa solar cell module with a string of solar cells interconnected
`
`with wiring members, and having transparent members equal or shorter than a length of
`
`the solar cell in the first direction (Fig. 11).
`
`FIG. 11
`
`Bevery
`PAROSe See
`
`Ree
`RSSSey
`
`
`WLLLLILLIEz
`
`{2
`RESTSSy 1 3
`
`It would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art before the
`
`effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify NAKAMURAand arrange the
`
`transparent members to have lengths shorter than a length of the solarcell in the first
`
`direction as taught by TAGUCHI becausethe adjustment of layer dimensions is
`
`commonly usedto control the structural performance of the module, for instance to
`
`ensure proper sealing against water and air and light transmission (paras. 53-56
`
`discusses the importance of selecting useful materials and layer arrangement). Upon
`
`modification of the size and arrangement of the transparentlayers, they would
`
`necessarily be spaced apart by some non-zero distance from an end edge of the solar
`
`cell.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/708,829
`Art Unit: 1721
`
`Page 9
`
`Regarding claim 3, the combination of NAKAMURA and TAGUCHI teachesor
`
`would have suggestedthe solar cell module according to claim 1, wherein a length of
`
`the first transparent member in the first direction is equal to a length of the solarcell in
`
`the first direction (NAKAMURAillustrates examples where the lengths in the first
`
`direction may be equal).
`
`Regarding claim 6, NAKAMURAteachesa solar cell module, comprising:
`
`a string which includes a plurality of solar cells (solar cells 10aa-1Odf) arranged in
`
`a line alongafirst direction (Fig. 1);
`
`a plurality of wiring members configured to connect adjacent solarcells in the
`
`plurality of solar cells (wiring 14, Fig. 3);
`
`a first transparent member (first transparent member 40, para. 24) disposed, for
`
`eachof the solarcells, on a light receiving surface side of the solar cells and bondedto
`
`the plurality of wiring members; and
`
`a second transparent member (second transparent member 42, para. 24)
`
`disposed, for each of the solar cells, on a rear surface side located opposite to the light
`
`receiving surface side of the solar cells, and bondedto plurality of wiring members,
`
`wherein the plurality of wiring members, the first transparent member, and the
`
`second transparent member are part of a wire film (the examiner interprets these three
`
`components together as forming a “wire film” since they all contact each other)
`
`a first protecting member (30) provided on the light receiving surface side over
`
`the first transparent members;
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/708,829
`Art Unit: 1721
`
`Page 10
`
`a first encapsulant provided (32) on the light receiving surface side between the
`
`first transparent members and the first protecting member;
`
`a second protecting member (36) provided on the rear surface side over the
`
`second transparent members; and
`
`a second encapsulant (34) provided on the rear surface side between the second
`
`transparent members and the second protecting member, wherein each of the solar
`
`cells is sandwiched between the first transparent member and the second transparent
`
`member,
`
`wherein the first transparent member and the second transparent member have
`
`a length in the first direction equal to or shorter than a length of the solar cell in the first
`
`direction (transparent members may both have lengths in an x-axis seconddirection
`
`that are equal than the solarcell length in that same direction, Fig. 3),
`
`etyeek
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/708,829
`Art Unit: 1721
`
`Page 11
`
`NAKAMURAdoes notdisclose expressly thatthe first transparent member and
`
`the second transparent member have a length in the first direction shorter than a length
`
`of the solar cell in the first direction.
`
`TAGUCHI teaches a solar cell module with a string of solar cells interconnected
`
`with wiring members, and having transparent members shorter than a length of the
`
`solarcell in the first direction (Fig. 11).
`
`FIG. 11
`
`SAANAAANSAASSSASAASSSAAASH
`
` EEEEE
`
`SS
`
`Beer
`ESSNSSSey
`
`CENTETEREIERTS | FP
`mxmsnssseeear 9
`
` WLLL LLLLLLLLLLILLE
`
`It would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art before the
`
`effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify NAKAMURAand arrange the
`
`transparent members to have lengths shorter than a length of the solarcell in the first
`
`direction as taught by TAGUCHI becausethe adjustment of layer dimensions is
`
`commonly usedto control the structural performance of the module, for instance to
`
`ensure proper sealing against water and air and light transmission (paras. 53-56
`
`discusses the importance of selecting useful materials and layer arrangement).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/708,829
`Art Unit: 1721
`
`Page 12
`
`Regarding claim 7, the combination of NAKAMURA and TAGUCHI teachesor
`
`would have suggestedthe solar cell module according to claim 1, wherein softening
`
`temperatures of the first encapsulant and the second encapsulant are lower than those
`
`of the first protecting member and the second protecting member (the entire device is
`
`laminated where the encapsulant becomes softer and the compression allows the
`
`encapsulant to seal the device).
`
`Regarding claim 8, the combination of NAKAMURA and TAGUCHI teachesor
`
`would have suggestedthe solar cell module according to claim 1, wherein at least one
`
`of the first protecting member and the second protecting member haslight transmission
`
`properties and water cut-off properties (the EVA and PVB materials havelight
`
`transmission and water cut-off properties).
`
`Regarding claim 12, the combination of NAKAMURA and TAGUCHI teaches or
`
`would have suggested the solar cell module according to Claim 1, wherein: a first
`
`adhesiveis disposed on a surface, facing a light receiving surface side of the solarcell,
`
`of the first transparent member to bond the first transparent member to the light
`
`receiving surface of the solar cell, a second adhesive is disposed on a surface, facing a
`
`rear surface side of the solarcell, of the second transparent member to bond the
`
`second transparent member to the rear surface of the solarcell, and the first
`
`transparent member,the first adhesive, the second transparent member, and the
`
`second adhesive havea lengthin the first direction shorter than a length of the solarcell
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/708,829
`Art Unit: 1721
`
`Page 13
`
`in the first direction (NAKAMURAdescribes matching first and second adhesives 44
`
`and 46 that would be shorter in the first direction when modified, para. 23).
`
`Regarding claim 13, the combination of NAKAMURA and TAGUCHI teachesor
`
`would have suggested the solar cell module according to Claim 1, wherein: a first
`
`adhesiveis disposed on a surface, facing a light receiving surface side of the solarcell,
`
`of the first transparent member to bondthe first transparent member to the light
`
`receiving surface of the solar cell, a second adhesive is disposed on a surface, facing a
`
`rear surface side of the solarcell, of the second transparent member to bond the
`
`second transparent member to the rear surface of the solar cell, and the first
`
`transparent member,the first adhesive, the second transparent member and the second
`
`adhesive have a length in the second direction longer than a length of the solar cell in
`
`the second direction (NAKAMURAdescribes matching first and second adhesives 44
`
`and 46 that would be longer in the second direction when modified, para. 23).
`
`Regarding claim 14, the combination of NAKAMURA and TAGUCHI teaches or
`
`would have suggested the solar cell module according to Claim 1, wherein: an end of
`
`the first transparent member facing away from the gap coincides with an end ofthe first
`
`solar cell facing away from the gap, and an end of the second transparent member
`
`facing away from the gap coincides with an end of the second solarcell facing away
`
`from the gap (NAKAMURAdescribes matching first and second adhesives 44 and 46
`
`that would be longer in the second direction when modified, so the ends will correspond,
`
`para. 23).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/708,829
`Art Unit: 1721
`
`Page 14
`
`Regarding claim 15, the combination of NAKAMURA and TAGUCHI teaches or
`
`would have suggested the solar cell module according to Claim 6, wherein:
`
`wherein the plurality of solar cells include a first solar cell, and a second solarcell
`
`adjacent to the first solar cell with a gap between the first solar cell and the second solar
`
`cell in the first direction (there is a corresponding gap between each of the adjacent
`
`solar cells, Fig. 2),
`
`the plurality of wiring members configured to connect adjacent solar cells of the
`
`first solar cell and the second solarcell, within the gap, are bent in a thicknessdirection
`
`of the solar cell module (wiring members are shownto be bent in the thicknessdirection
`
`within each gap area, Fig. 2),
`
`the plurality of wiring members configured to connect adjacent solar cells of the
`
`first solar cell and the second solarcell are fixed to the light receiving surface of the first
`
`solar cell via the first transparent member onaside ofthe first solar cell (Figs. 2-3
`
`illustrate this claimed fixed configuration),
`
`the plurality of wiring members configured to connect adjacent solar cells of the
`
`first solar cell and the second solar cell are fixed to the rear surface of the second solar
`
`cell via the second transparent member ona side of the second solarcell (Fig. 3).
`
`TAGUCHI already modifies NAKAMURAto have transparentlayers with a
`
`shorter dimension in a first direction, so that an end ofthe first transparent member
`
`facing the gap is spaced apart from a corresponding end ofthe first solar cell in the first
`
`direction, and an end of the second transparent member facing the gap is spaced apart
`
`from a corresponding end of the second solarcell in the first direction.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/708,829
`Art Unit: 1721
`
`Page 15
`
`Upon modification of the size and arrangementof the transparent layers, they
`
`would necessarily be spaced apart by some non-zero distance from an end edge of the
`
`solar cell.
`
`Regarding claim 17, the combination of NAKAMURA and TAGUCHI teaches or
`
`would have suggested the solar cell module according to Claim 6, wherein: a first
`
`adhesiveis disposed on a surface, facing a light receiving surface side of the solarcell,
`
`of the first transparent member to bond the first transparent member to the light
`
`receiving surface, a second adhesive is disposed on a surface, facing a rear surface
`
`side of the solarcell, of the second transparent member to bond the second transparent
`
`member to the rear surface, and the first transparent member,the first adhesive, the
`
`second transparent member and the second adhesive have a length in the first direction
`
`shorter than a length of the solar cell in the first direction (NAKAMURAdescribes
`
`matching first and second adhesives 44 and 46 that would be longer in the second
`
`direction when modified, para. 23; NAKAMURAdescribes matching first and second
`
`adhesives 44 and 46 that would be shorter in the first direction when modified, para.
`
`23).
`
`Regarding claim 18, NAKAMURAteachesa solar cell module, comprising:
`
`a plurality of solar cells (solar cells 10aa-10df) arrangedin a line alongafirst
`
`direction (Fig. 1);
`
`a plurality of wiring members configured to connect adjacent solar cells in the
`
`plurality of solar cells (wiring 14, Fig. 3);
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/708,829
`Art Unit: 1721
`
`Page 16
`
`a first transparent member (first transparent member 40, para. 24) disposed, for
`
`each of the solarcells, on a light receiving surface side of the solar cells and bondedto
`
`the plurality of wiring members; and
`
`a second transparent member (second transparent member 42, para. 24)
`
`disposed, for each of the solar cells, on a rear surface side located opposite to the light
`
`receiving surface side of the solar cells, and bondedto plurality of wiring members,
`
`wherein the plurality of wiring members, the first transparent member, and the
`
`second transparent member are part of a wire film (the examiner interprets these three
`
`components together as forming a “wire film” since they all contact each other)
`
`a first protecting member (30) provided on the light receiving surface side over
`
`the first transparent members;
`
`a first encapsulant provided (32) on the light receiving surface side between the
`
`first transparent membersand the first protecting member;
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`a second protecting member (36) provided on the rear surface side over the
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`second transparent members; and
`
`a second encapsulant (34) provided on the rear surface side between the second
`
`transparent members and the second protecting member, wherein each of the solar
`
`cells is sandwiched between the first transparent member and the second transparent
`
`member,
`
`wherein the first transparent member and the second transparent member have
`
`a length in a second direction that intersects the first direction longer than a length of
`
`the solar cell in the second direction (transparent members may both have lengths in a
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/708,829
`Art Unit: 1721
`
`Page 17
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`y-axis second direction that are longer than the solar cell length in that same direction,
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`Fig. 3). Ra
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`TAGUCHI teachesa solar cell module with a string of solar cells interconnected
`
`with wiring members, and having transparent members equalor shorter than a length of
`
`the solar cell in the first direction (Fig. 11).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/708,829
`Art Unit: 1721
`
`Page 18
`
`FIG. 11
`
`PSSAANAAAANAAASAASSASAAAAN?
`
`
`PEATEAONPEROZEREREEprreErea. |?
`RR
`ESE 1 3
`
`
`
`SE
`
`It would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art before the
`
`effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify NAKAMURAand arrange the
`
`transparent members to have varying lengths in the first and second directions as
`
`taught by NAKAMURA and TAGUCHI because the adjustment of layer dimensions is
`
`commonly usedto control the structural performance of the module, for instance to
`
`ensure proper sealing against water and air and light transmission (paras. 53-56
`
`discusses the importance of selecting useful materials and layer arrangement). Upon
`
`modification of the size and arrangement of the transparentlayers, they would
`
`necessarily be spaced apart by some non-zero distance from an end edge of the solar
`
`cell.
`
`Regarding claim 19, the combination of NAKAMURA and TAGUCHI teaches or
`
`would have suggested the solar cell module according to Claim 18, wherein: a first
`
`adhesiveis disposed on a surface, facing a light receiving surface side of the solarcell,
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/708,829
`Art Unit: 1721
`
`Page 19
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`of the first transparent member to bondthe first transparent member to the light
`
`receiving surface, a second adhesive is disposed on a surface, facing a rear surface
`
`side of the solar cell, of the second transparent member to bond the second transparent
`
`member to the rear surface, and the first transparent member, the first adhesive, the
`
`second transparent member, and the second adhesive have a length in the second
`
`direction longer than a length of the solar cell in the second direction (NAKAMURA
`
`describes matching first and second adhesives 44 and 46 that would be longer in the
`
`second direction when modified, para. 23).
`
`Claims 9, 20, and 21 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable
`
`over NAKAMURA(JP 2018-041840 A; English machinetranslation provided) in
`
`view of TAGUCHI (US 2009/0194148 A1) as applied to claims 1, 6, and 18 above,
`
`and further in view of WANG (US 2017/0194525 A1).
`
`Regarding claim 9, the combination of NAKAMURA and TAGUCHI teachesor
`
`would have suggested the solar cell module according to claim 6, but does not disclose
`
`expressly that the solar cell comprises a first transparent conductive layer as part of a
`
`light receiving surface and a second transparent conductive layer as part of a rear
`
`surface opposite the light receiving surface.
`
`WANGteachesa solar cell module with both first and second transparent
`
`conductive layers (156 and 157).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/708,829
`Art Unit: 1721
`
`Page 20
`
`
`
`It would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art before the
`
`effectivefiling date of the claimed invention to modify NAKAMURAand addfirst and
`
`second transparent conductive layers as taught by WANG to provide for charge carrier
`
`collection and provide for high power output (WANG, para. 62).
`
`Regarding claim 20, the combination of NAKAMURA and TAGUCHI teachesor
`
`would have suggested the solar cell module according to Claim 1, wherein: at least one
`
`of the first encapsulant and the second encapsulant contains ethylene-vinyl acetate
`
`copolymer (EVA) (EVA, para. 22 of NAKAMURA), but does not disclose expressly that
`
`eachof the solarcells hasafirst transparent conductive layer as part of the light
`
`receiving surface of the solar cell and a second transparent conductive layer as part of
`
`the rear surface of the solarcell.
`
`WANGteachesa solar cell module with both first and second transparent
`
`conductive layers (156 and 157).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/708,829
`Art Unit: 1721
`
`Page 21
`
`
`
`FIG.
`
`iC
`
`me
`
`100
`
`It would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art before the
`
`effectivefiling date of the claimed invention to modify NAKAMURAand addfirst and
`
`second transparent conductive layers as taught by WANG to provide for charge carrier
`
`collection and provide for high power output (WANG, para. 62).
`
`Regarding claim 21, the combination of NAKAMURA and TAGUCHI teaches or
`
`would have suggested the solar cell module according to Claim 18, wherein: at least
`
`one ofthe first encapsulant and the second encapsulant contains ethylene-vinyl acetate
`
`copolymer (EVA) (EVA, para. 22 of NAKAMURA), but does not disclose expressly that
`
`eachof the solar cells hasafirst transparent conductive layer as part of the light
`
`receiving surface of the solar cell and a second transparent conductive layer as part of
`
`the rear surface of the solar cell.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/708,829
`Art Unit: 1721
`
`Page 22
`
`WANGteachesa solar cell module with both first and second transparent
`
`conductive layers (156 and 157).
`
`
`
`FIG. 1¢
`
`ie4182
`ibe
`
`AD
`
`100
`
`It would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art before the
`
`effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify NAKAMURAand addfirst and
`
`second transparent conductive layers as taught by WANG to provide for charge carrier
`
`collection and provide for high power output (WANG, para. 62).
`
`Conclusion
`
`No claim is allowed.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/708,829
`Art Unit: 1721
`
`Page 23
`
`The Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection
`
`presentedin this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See
`
`MPEP § 706.07(a). The Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set
`
`forth in 37 C.F.R. § 1.136(a).
`
`A shortenedstatutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE
`
`
`
`MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the eventafirst replyis filed within
`
`TWO MONTHS ofthe mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not
`
`mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortenedstatutory period, then the
`
`shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any
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`extension fee p