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
`
`16/718,910
`
`12/18/2019
`
`Isao Fujiwara
`
`P191327US00
`
`7247
`
`WHDA, LLP
`8500 LEESBURG PIKE
`SUITE 7500
`TYSONS, VA 22182
`
`BERMUDBZ, CHARLENE
`
`1721
`
`PAPER NUMBER
`
`NOTIFICATION DATE
`
`DELIVERY MODE
`
`08/03/2022
`
`ELECTRONIC
`
`Please find below and/or attached an Office communication concerning this application or proceeding.
`
`Thetime period for reply, if any, is set in the attached communication.
`
`Notice of the Office communication was sent electronically on above-indicated "Notification Date" to the
`following e-mail address(es):
`
`patentmail @ whda.com
`
`PTOL-90A (Rev. 04/07)
`
`

`

`Application No.
`Applicant(s)
`16/718,910
`Fujiwaraetal.
`
`Office Action Summary Art Unit|AIA (FITF) StatusExaminer
`CHARLENE BERMUDEZ
`1721
`Yes
`
`
`
`-- The MAILING DATEof this communication appears on the cover sheet with the correspondence address --
`Period for Reply
`
`A SHORTENED STATUTORY PERIOD FOR REPLYIS SET TO EXPIRE 3 MONTHS FROM THE MAILING
`DATE OF THIS COMMUNICATION.
`Extensions of time may be available underthe provisions of 37 CFR 1.136(a). In no event, however, may a reply betimely filed after SIX (6) MONTHSfrom the mailing
`date of this communication.
`If NO period for reply is specified above, the maximum statutory period will apply and will expire SIX (6) MONTHSfrom the mailing date of this communication.
`-
`- Failure to reply within the set or extended period for reply will, by statute, cause the application to become ABANDONED (35 U.S.C. § 133).
`Any reply received by the Office later than three months after the mailing date of this communication, evenif timely filed, may reduce any earned patent term
`adjustment. See 37 CFR 1.704(b).
`
`Status
`
`
`
`1) Responsive to communication(s)filed on 07 July 2022.
`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.
`
`Disposition of Claims*
`1-10 is/are pending in the application.
`)
`Claim(s)
`5a) Of the above claim(s) 8-9 is/are withdrawn from consideration.
`[) Claim(s)__ is/are allowed.
`Claim(s) 1-7 and 10 is/are rejected.
`(1 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:/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.(.) 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)
`
`(LJ Interview Summary (PTO-413)
`Paper No(s)/Mail Date
`4) (J Other:
`
`PTOL-326 (Rev. 11-13)
`
`Office Action Summary
`
`Part of Paper No./Mail Date 20220718
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/718,910
`Art Unit: 1721
`
`Page 2
`
`DETAILED ACTION
`
`Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
`
`1.
`
`The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined underthe
`
`first inventorto file provisions of the AJA.
`
`Summary
`
`2.
`
`From the Office Action filed on 07 April 2022, claims 1-7 and 10 remain in consideration
`
`in the application.
`
`3.
`
`4,
`
`A 112(a) rejection is new, and the 103 rejections are maintained in this Office Action.
`
`Thetext of those sections of Title 35, U.S. Code not included in this action can be found
`
`in a prior Office action.
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
`
`5.
`
`The following is a quotation ofthe first paragraph of 35 U.S.C. 112(a):
`
`(a) INGENERAL.—Thespecification shall contain a written description of the invention, and
`of the manner and process of making and usingit, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to
`enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with whichit is most nearly connected, to
`make and use the same, and shall set forth the best mode contemplated by the inventoror joint inventor
`of carrying out the invention.
`
`6.
`
`Claims 1-7 and 10 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(a) as failing to comply with the
`
`written description requirement. The claims contain subject matter which was not described in
`
`the specification in such a wayas to reasonably conveyto oneskilled in the relevantart that the
`
`inventor or a joint inventorat the time the application wasfiled, had possession of the claimed
`
`invention.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/718,910
`Art Unit: 1721
`
`Page 3
`
`7.
`
`Claim 1 recites “formed as a single piece of metal” where the filed application lacks
`
`sufficient support for this feature of the claimed bottomed case main body. Due to dependency,
`
`claims 2-7 and 10 are rejected for failing to comply with the written description requirement as
`
`well. Appropriate correction is required for withdrawal of this rejection.
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
`
`8.
`
`Claims 1-3 and 10 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Fujiwara
`
`et al (JP H06338304 A) in view of Suzuki (US 2016/0204399 A1). Hereinafter referred to as
`
`Fujiwara and Suzuki , respectively.
`
`9.
`
`Regarding claim 1, Fujiwara discloses a power storage device (“assembled battery
`
`structure 40” [0018]) comprising:
`
`a battery laminate formed bya plurality of secondary batteries (‘configured by arranging
`
`a plurality of unit cells 1 shown in FIG. 1 and inserting them into an assembled battery case 41”
`
`[0018]);
`
`a pair of end plates provided on both sidesin a first direction of the battery laminate
`
`(“two side plates 42” [0018], and Fig. 4 showsthe twoside plates 42 disposed on opposite sides
`
`of the battery structure 40, which indicatesthe first direction being in this longitudinal or length-
`
`wise direction of battery structure 40), the first direction being a direction in which the secondary
`
`batteries and the spacers are arranged (Fig. 4 as the twoside plates 42 disposed on opposite sides
`
`indicates the first direction being in this longitudinal or length-wise direction of battery structure
`
`40); and
`
`

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`Art Unit: 1721
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`Page 4
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`a pressurizing unit for pressurizing the battery laminate (“pressing leaf spring 46” [0018],
`
`46 Fig. 4), the pressurizing unit being provided between one of the pair of end plates and the
`
`battery laminate (“pressing leaf spring 46 is provided in one side plate 42” [0020]), wherein
`
`each of the secondary batteries comprises:
`
`an electrode assembly (“laminated electrode body 10” [0010]) including at least one
`
`positive electrode, at least one negative electrode, and at least one separator interposed
`
`therebetween (“10 includes a large numberof negative electrodes 21b and positive electrodes
`
`21a, and a polyethylene film 21c interposed between these electrodes.” [0010]), wherein the at
`
`least one positive electrode, the at least one negative electrode, and the at least one separator are
`
`stacked in thefirst direction (10 Fig. 1 and 1 Fig. 4 where both figures in combination indicate
`
`that the laminated electrode 10 is arranged along thefirst direction where the twoside plates 42
`
`are arranged along); and
`
`an exterior body that housesthe electrode assembly (“unit cell 1 of this embodimentis
`
`composedof a unit cell case 4 composed of a body portion 2 and a film 3, and a laminated
`
`electrode body 10 housedin the case 4” [0019]),
`
`the exterior body including:
`
`a bottomed case main body (comprising of 2 and 3 in Figs. 8 and 9) including a
`
`tubular side wall portion extending in a vertical direction perpendicular to the first
`
`direction (3 Fig. 8 and Fig. 9, “side plate 3” [0025]), and having a first opening and a
`
`second openingat a first end and a second end, respectively, in the vertical direction of
`
`the tubular side wall portion (Figs. 8 and 9 whereside plates 3 are disposedin the vertical
`
`direction and spaced apart in the horizontal direction that forms openings at the top and
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`bottom portionsof the side plates 3); and a bottom portion sealing the first opening of the
`
`

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`Application/Control Number: 16/718,910
`Art Unit: 1721
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`Page 5
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`tubular side wall portion (the bottom element 2 of Figs. 8 and 9, “body portion 2”
`
`[0009]), wherein the tubular side wall portion and the bottom portion are integrally
`
`formed asa single piece of metal (in a similar embodiment, “The lower case portion 15
`
`includes a body portion 16 formed in a U-shape with stainless steel ... and both side
`
`plates 17 which are fixed to both side surfaces of the body portion 16 by laser welding
`
`and formedinto a stainless steel foil” [0013] where an integral case bodyis inherent and
`
`a productof the disclosed laser welding) ; and
`
`a sealing plate sealing the second opening of the tubular side wall portion(the top
`
`element 2 of Figs. 8 and 9),
`
`wherein the tubular side wall portion includesa first side wall and a secondside
`
`wall opposite each otherin the first direction (3 Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 where either one of the
`
`twoside plates 3 can be attributed to be the first side wall and in which the other onewill
`
`be attributed to be the second side wall such that the different films are disposed on
`
`opposite sides of each other),
`
`the first side wall hasa first protrusion that protrudes inward in one direction
`
`along the first direction, the second side wall has a second protrusion that protrudes
`
`inward in an other direction opposite the one direction alongthefirst direction (Figs. 8
`
`and 9 where side plates 3 are formed in a concave shapesuch that a protrusion extends to
`
`the center of the battery 1 in which the direction of extension of the two different
`
`protrusions are oppose eachother),
`
`the first and second protrusions together hold the electrode assembly
`
`therebetweenin the first direction (“side plate 3 is pressed in the stacking direction of the
`
`

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`Application/Control Number: 16/718,910
`Art Unit: 1721
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`Page 6
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`laminated electrode body 10 so that the adhesion betweenthe positive electrode 21a and
`
`the negative electrode 21b of the stacked electrode body 10 is improved” [0026]),
`
`the first and second protrusions are configured to deform outward in said other
`
`direction and said one direction, respectively, with expansion of the electrode assembly
`
`alongthefirst direction (“thickness of the side plate 3 of the unit cell case 4 is thin and
`
`has a flexible structure” [0025], and “the side surface of the unit cell case 1s formed
`
`flexibly, so that it is not affected by the expansion of the unit cell case dueto the heat
`
`generated during charging / discharging, and the conventional laminated electrode body”
`
`[0027] where the expansion of the electrode assembly would press on the side plates 3
`
`that are flexible and capable of deforming in a direction away from the center of the
`
`battery), and
`
`each ofthe first and second protrusions is inward of upper and lowerportions of
`
`the exterior body (Figs. 8 and 9 whereside plates 3 are concaveinto the battery cell such
`
`that the body portions 2 overlap or cover the protrusionsin the vertical direction) and
`
`configured to expand outward of the upper and lowerportions of the exterior body with
`
`said expansion (“thickness of the side plate 3 of the unit cell case 4 is thin and has a
`
`flexible structure” [0025], and “the side surface of the unit cell case is formed flexibly, so
`
`that it is not affected by the expansion of the unit cell case due to the heat generated
`
`during charging / discharging, and the conventional laminated electrode body” [0027]
`
`where the expansion of the electrode assembly would press onthe side plates 3 that are
`
`flexible and capable of deformingin a direction outward from where the body portions 2
`
`overlap each otherin the vertical direction that is orthogonalto the first direction),
`
`

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`Application/Control Number: 16/718,910
`Art Unit: 1721
`
`Page 7
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`wherein a gap is located between the electrode assembly and the bottom portion of the
`
`exterior body in the vertical direction (Fujiwara discloses that the separator “polyethylene film
`
`21c has a thickness of 38 um and is formedin a size of 87 mm x 289 mm”[0011], and that the
`
`exterior case of the secondary battery has dimensions of 105 x 295 mm asindicated in Table 1.
`
`Therefore, the electrode assembly is smaller in height by 18 mm in comparisonto the battery
`
`case.).
`
`Fujiwara does not disclose that the battery laminate is formed by alternately arraying the
`
`plurality of secondarybatteries and a plurality of spacers.
`
`However, Suzuki discloses a power storage device (“battery stack” [0026]) that
`
`comprises a battery laminate (“battery stack 2” [0026]) formed by a plurality of secondary
`
`batteries (battery packs 10” [0026]) where each of the secondary batteries comprises an electrode
`
`assembly (“battery main body” [0030]) and an exterior body that housesthe electrode assembly
`
`(“casing” [0030]) that includes a case main body that comprises of a bottom portion (bottom wall
`
`of case 12 of battery 10 in Fig. 2C), a sealing plate (13 Fig. 2C), a first side wall, and a second
`
`side wall wherein the first and second side walls form a tubular side wall portion extending in a
`
`vertical direction perpendicular to the first direction (vertical walls of case 12 of battery 10 in
`
`Fig. 2C). Suzuki teaches that the battery laminate is formed by alternately arraying the plurality
`
`of secondary batteries and a plurality of spacers (“battery stack 2 has a structure in which a
`
`plurality of flat battery packs 10 is stacked with a spacer 5 interposed between twoeach ofthe
`
`plurality of battery packs 10.” [0026]), and that forming the battery laminate in this configuration
`
`applies a load on a flat surface of each exterior body to suppress the inflation of the exterior
`
`body, reducingastress that is applied to a welded surface between the tubular side surfaces and
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/718,910
`Art Unit: 1721
`
`Page 8
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`the bottom and/or sealing portions of the exterior body, and suppressing a deterioration by means
`
`of fatigue of the exterior body ({0036]).
`
`Therefore, it would have been obvious for a person of ordinary skill in the art to modify
`
`the battery laminate of Fujiwara in view of Suzuki suchthat the battery laminate is formed by
`
`alternately arraying the plurality of secondary batteries and a plurality of spacers in order to
`
`suppress the inflation of the exterior body, reducing a stress that is applied to a welded surface
`
`between the tubular side surfaces and the bottom and/or sealing portions of the exterior body,
`
`and suppressing a deterioration by meansoffatigue of the exterior body with a reasonable
`
`expectation of success.
`
`10.
`
`Regarding claim 2, modified Fujiwara disclosesall of the limitations for the power
`
`storage device as set forth in claim 1 above, but does not disclose wherein
`
`the pressurizing unit pressurizes the battery laminate at constant pressure, when thickness
`
`changein thefirst direction of the secondary batteries is less than 5%.
`
`However, Suzuki discloses a power storage device (“battery stack” [0026]) that
`
`comprises a battery laminate (“battery stack 2” [0026]) formed bya plurality of secondary
`
`batteries (battery packs 10” [0026]), a pair of end plates (“end plates 3” [0026]) provided on both
`
`sides in a first direction of the battery laminate, the first direction being a direction in which the
`
`secondary batteries and the spacers are arranged (“X”direction Fig. 1), and a pressurizing unit
`
`for pressurizing the battery laminate (“restraining belt 4” [0026]), the pressurizing unit being
`
`provided betweenat least one of the pair of end plates (Fig. 1 — where 4 is provided between the
`
`pair of end plates). Suzuki teaches wherein the pressurizing unit pressurizes the battery laminate
`
`at constant pressure (“compressive force”, which applies “a load” onto the surface of the battery
`
`[0026]), when thickness changein the first direction of the secondary batteries is less than 5%
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/718,910
`Art Unit: 1721
`
`Page 9
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`(Each ratio of length B/C correspondsto a magnitudeof a load [0038], and for the examples
`
`providedin the table of Fig. 7, a battery of thickness 14 mm was used [0040] and a B
`
`measurementof 0.35 mm corresponds to a 5% thickness changeasit is applied to opposing
`
`surfaces of the battery exterior as shownin Fig. 6, in which B measurementsofless than 0.35
`
`mm were used in Fig. 7). Suzuki further teaches that this range of thickness changeof the
`
`secondary batteries reduces the deterioration by fatigue of each exterior body ofthe battery
`
`((0044]).
`
`Therefore, it would have bene obvious for a person of ordinary skill in the art to modify
`
`the powerstorage device of Fujiwara in view of Suzuki wherein the pressurizing unit pressurizes
`
`the battery laminate at constant pressure, when thickness change inthefirst direction of the
`
`secondarybatteries is less than 5%, in order to achieve a powerstorage device that reduces the
`
`deterioration by fatigue of each exterior body of the secondary batteries with a reasonable
`
`expectation of success.
`
`11.
`
`Regarding claim 3, modified Fujiwara disclosesall of the limitations for the power
`
`storage device as set forth in claim 1 above, and wherein the pressurizing unitis at least one
`
`selected from a spring, a linear motion device, and a rubber member(Fujiwara “leaf spring”
`
`[0019], pressing the “laminated electrode body 10 in each unit cell 1 is ... in the laminating
`
`direction” [0019], and in another embodimenta “presser plate 63 is provided, ... while being
`
`pressurized by a hydraulic pump”[0021]).
`
`12.
`
`Regarding claim 10, modified Fujiwara disclosesall of the limitations for the power
`
`storage device as set forth in claim 1 above, and wherein the tubular side wall portion includes a
`
`third side wall and a fourth side wall opposite each other in a second direction perpendicular to
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/718,910
`Art Unit: 1721
`
`Page 10
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`the first direction and the vertical direction (the two side surfaces of 2 that are not the top and
`
`bottom surfaces of 2 in Fig. 7),
`
`wherein a gap is present between the electrode assembly and each ofthe third side wall
`
`and the fourth side wall in the second direction (Fujiwara discloses that the separator
`
`“polyethylene film 21c has a thickness of 38 um and is formedin a size of 87 mm = 289 mm”
`
`[0011], and that the exterior case of the secondary battery has dimensions of 105 x 295 mm in
`
`Table 1. Therefore, the electrode assembly is smaller in length by 6 mm in comparison to the
`
`battery case.).
`
`13.
`
`Claims 4 and 5 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Fujiwara (JP
`
`H06338304 A) in view of Suzuki (US 2016/0204399 A1) as applied to claim 1 above, and
`
`further in view of Jiang et al (US 2009/0159354 A1). Hereinafter referred to as Jiang.
`
`14.
`
`Regarding claim 4, modified Fujiwara disclosesall of the limitations for the power
`
`storage device as set forth in claim 1 above, but does not disclose a conductive memberthat
`
`connects electrode terminals of the secondary batteries adjacent to each other, wherein the
`
`conductive memberhas an extension part that extends and contracts in the first direction.
`
`However, Jiang discloses a battery laminate (“battery pack 2300” [0208], Fig. 23 and 24)
`
`formedbyalternately arraying a plurality of secondary batteries (“battery cells 300” [0208], Fig.
`
`23 and 24) and a plurality of spacers (“separator 2405” [0208], Fig. 24). Jiang teaches that the
`
`battery laminate further comprises a conductive member (“connector 2700” [0216], Fig. 68) that
`
`connects electrode terminals of the secondary batteries adjacent to each other (“mechanically and
`
`electrically interconnect adjacent battery packs” [0216]), wherein the conductive memberhas an
`
`extension part (arch-shaped metal member 6815”[0216], Fig. 68) that extends and contracts in
`
`

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`Application/Control Number: 16/718,910
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`
`Page 11
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`the first direction in which the secondary batteries and spacers are arranged (“connector 2700...
`
`is sufficiently elastic” [0216]). Jiang teaches that these properties for the conductive member are
`
`desirable so that the conductive memberis capable of mechanically buffering any motion
`
`between battery packs ([0216]).
`
`Therefore, it would have been obvious for a person having ordinary skill in the art to
`
`modify the power storage device of modified Fujiwara in view of Jiang by including a
`
`conductive memberthat connects electrode terminals of the secondary batteries adjacent to each
`
`other and includes an extension part that extends and contracts along thefirst direction in order
`
`to achieve a powerstorage device that is capable of mechanically buffering any motion that can
`
`occur between battery packs.
`
`15.
`
`Regarding claim 5, modified Fujiwara discloses all of the limitations for the power
`
`storage device as set forth in claim 1 above, but does not disclose a conductive memberfor a
`
`powersource for connecting a powersourceto at least one of a plurality of the secondary
`
`batteries, wherein
`
`the conductive memberfor a power source has a movablepart with respectto the first
`
`direction.
`
`However, Jiang discloses a battery laminate (“battery pack 2300” [0208], Fig. 23 and 24)
`
`formed by alternately arraying a plurality of secondary batteries (“battery cells 300” [0208], Fig.
`
`23 and 24) and a plurality of spacers (“separator 2405” [0208], Fig. 24). Jiang teaches a
`
`conductive memberfor a powersource (“connectors 2700” [0217]) for connecting a power
`
`source (“motor/generator of a vehicle capable of being driven by electric power” [0219]) to at
`
`least one of a plurality of the secondary batteries, (“battery packs 2805a and 2805b”[0217]
`
`shownin Fig. 28, which are electrically connected to one another [0218] and consist of “multiple
`
`

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`Application/Control Number: 16/718,910
`Art Unit: 1721
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`Page 12
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`battery cells” [0207]), wherein the conductive member for a power source has a movable part
`
`with respect to the first direction that the battery laminate is arranged along (“arch-shaped foil
`
`2715” [0215], which can connect the secondary batteries serially [0218] or [0219] “electrically
`
`connected in series with one another”, and can be made upof “an arch-shaped metal member
`
`6815” [0216]). Jiang further teaches that the moveable part of the conductive memberis able to
`
`mechanically buffer any motion between adjacent battery packs ([0216]).
`
`Therefore, it would have been obvious for a person having ordinary skill in theart to
`
`modify the power storage device of modified Fujiwara in view of Jiang by including a
`
`conductive member for a power source for connecting a powersource to a plurality of the
`
`secondarybatteries individually, or a plurality of the secondary batteries on a per predetermined
`
`block basis, wherein the conductive memberfor a power source has a movable part with respect
`
`to the first direction. By doing so, the skilled artisan would be able to achieve a powerstorage
`
`device that comprises a battery laminate that is capable of mechanically buffering any motion
`
`between adjacent battery packs.
`
`16.
`
`Claims6 and 7 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Fujiwara (JP
`
`H06338304 A) in view of Suzuki (US 2016/0204399 A1) as applied to claim 1 above, and
`
`further in view of Meintschel et al (WO 2009080141 A1). Hereinafter referred to as Meintschel.
`
`17.
`
`Regarding claim 6, modified Fujiwara disclosesall of the limitations for the power
`
`storage device as set forth in claim 1 above, but does not disclose that it further comprises
`
`a pressure sensorthat detects pressure acting on the secondarybatteries in the first direction,
`
`wherein
`
`

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`Application/Control Number: 16/718,910
`Art Unit: 1721
`
`Page 13
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`at least one of first control of adjusting pressure applied by the pressurizing unit, and second
`
`control of outputting information for changing a charging and discharging condition of the
`
`secondary batteries is performed on the basis of detection information of the pressure sensor.
`
`However, Meintschel discloses a secondary battery (“battery 1” [0025]) comprising an
`
`electrode assembly (“individual cell 3” [0025] and Fig. 3) and an exterior body (“housing 4”
`
`[0025] and Fig. 3). Meintschel teaches a pressure sensor (“at least one pressure sensor 5” [0027])
`
`that detects pressure acting on the secondary battery in a first direction (“battery sensors 5 can be
`
`arranged at a suitable location on the housing 4. The pressure sensor5 is preferably arranged in
`
`the area of the greatest deformation of the housing 4” [0034] to [0035], which a person having
`
`ordinary skill in the art would find obvious to apply a pressure sensor along the direction that the
`
`battery laminate is arranged along), and whereinatleast one offirst control of adjusting pressure
`
`applied by the pressurizing unit, and second control of outputting information for changing a
`
`charging and discharging condition of the secondarybatteries is performed on the basis of
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`detection information of the pressure sensor (“If this pressure threshold value is exceeded, the
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`evaluation unit 6 can trigger a control signal S for a separating device 7, which separates the
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`battery 1 from the vehicle electrical system.” [0030], which changes a charging and discharging
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`condition of the secondary battery). Meintschel further teaches that the system that the pressure
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`sensor provides feedback to ensures that the mechanical load on the battery does not exceed an
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`excessively high internal cell pressure so that the secondary battery can be disconnected beforeit
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`bursts ({0030] last sentence).
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`Therefore, it would have been obvious for a person having ordinary skill in theart to
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`modify the power storage device of modified Fujiwara in view of Meintschel by further
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`including a pressure sensor that detects pressure acting on the secondarybattery in thefirst
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 16/718,910
`Art Unit: 1721
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`Page 14
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`direction and whereinat least a first control of adjusting pressure applied by the pressurizing unit
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`and a second control of outputting information for changing a charging and discharging
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`condition of the secondary batteries is performed on the basis of detection information of the
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`pressure sensor. By doingso, the skilled artisan would be able to achieve a powerstorage device
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`in which mechanical loads act upon that is capable of monitoring the pressure of individual
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`secondary batteries and of disconnecting the plurality of secondary batteries before an
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`excessively high internal cell pressure is reached, causing the batteries to burst.
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`18.
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`Regarding claim 7, modified Fujiwara disclosesall of the limitations for the power
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`storage device as set forth in claim 1 above, but does not disclose that it further comprises a
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`displacement sensor that detects thickness changein the first direction of the secondary batteries,
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`wherein
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`at least one of first control of adjusting pressure applied by the pressurizing unit, and
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`second control of outputting information for changing a charging and discharging condition of
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`the secondarybatteries is performed on the basis of detection information of the displacement
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`sensor.
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`However, Meintschel discloses a secondary battery (“battery 1” [0025]) comprising an
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`electrode assembly (“individual cell 3” [0025] and Fig. 3) and an exterior body (“housing 4”
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`[0025] and Fig. 3). Meintschel teaches a displacementsensor (“force sensor” via a pressure
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`sensor [0028]) that detects thickness changein thefirst direction of the secondary batteries
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`(“displacement measurement” [0028] and “measure of the elastic deformation of the housing
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`area” [0029]), wherein at least one of first control of adjusting pressure applied by the
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`pressurizing unit, and second control of outputting information for changing a charging and
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`discharging condition of the secondary batteries is performed onthe basis of detection
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 16/718,910
`Art Unit: 1721
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`Page 15
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`information of the displacement sensor(“the elastic deformation of the housing area 4.1 due to
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`the mechanical stress, is then fed to an evaluation unit 6 which is connected to the pressure
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`sensor 5. By meansofthe evaluation unit 6... an underlying cell internal pressure of the battery 1
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`is determined on the basis of the determinedelastic deformation” [0029]. “Cell internal pressure
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`is monitored for exceeding a prescribable pressure threshold value, which represents a high
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`mechanical stress on the housing 4. If this pressure threshold value is exceeded, the evaluation
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`unit 6 can trigger a control signal S for a separating device 7, which separates the battery 1 from
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`the vehicle electrical system” [0030], which effectively changes a charging and discharging
`
`condition of the secondary batteries).
`
`Therefore, it would have been obvious for a person having ordinary skill in theart to
`
`modify the power storage device of modified Fujiwara in view of Meintschel by including a
`
`displacementsensor that detects thickness changein the first direction of the secondary batteries,
`
`wherein at least one of first control of adjusting pressure applied by the pressurizing unit, and
`
`second control of outputting information for changing a charging and discharging condition of
`
`the secondary batteries is performed on the basis of detection information of the displacement
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`sensor. By doing so, the skilled artisan would be able to achieve a power storage device able to
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`undergo mechanical stress and monitor secondary battery cell internal pressures so that a
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`prescribable pressure threshold value is not exceeded due to high mechanicalstress, and
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`separates the batteries from its power source such as a vehicle electrical system.
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 16/718,910
`Art Unit: 1721
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`Page 16
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`Response to Arguments
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`19.
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`Applicant's arguments filed 07 July 2022 have been fully considered butthey are not
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`persuasive.
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`20.
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`Applicant appears to argue that Fujiwara fails to provide for an exterior body as claimed
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`in amended claim 1, and that since Fujiwara requires at least one of the alleged first and second
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`side walls be formedofa flexible thin plate that is separate from the body portion, a skilled
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`artisan would not have been led to substitute Fujiwara’s exterior body which necessitates
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`separate side wall(s) with features that pertain to Suzuki’s exterior body.
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`21.|However, in response to applicant’s point, this Office Action provides support from
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`Fujiwara that the lower case portion includes a body portion formed in a U-shape with stainless
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`steel where side plates are fixed to both side surfaces of the body portion by laser welding and
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`the body portion is formed asa stainless steel foil such that it is knownin theart that an integral
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`case bodyis inherent and a product of a laser welding process performed on the junction between
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`the side walls and the bottom portion of the body portion. Additionally, MPEP 2144.04(V)(B)
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`states "that the use of a one piece construction instead of the structure disclosed in [the priorart]
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`would be merely a matter of obvious engineering choice."
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`Conclusion
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`22.
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`THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. Applicant is reminded of the extension of time
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`policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a).
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 16/718,910
`Art Unit: 1721
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`Page 17
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`A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire