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`
`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
`
`T7247
`
`WESTERMAN, HATTORI, DANIELS & ADRIAN, LLP
`8500 LEESBURG PIKE
`SUITE 7500
`TYSONS, VA 22182
`
`BERMUDEZ, CHARLENE
`
`ART UNIT
`1728
`
`PAPER NUMBER
`
`NOTIFICATION DATE
`
`DELIVERY MODE
`
`09/28/2021
`
`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*
`1-9 is/are pending in the application.
`)
`Claim(s)
`5a) Of the above claim(s) ___ is/are withdrawn from consideration.
`C} Claim(s)
`is/are allowed.
`Claim(s) 1-9 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)C2 The specification is objected to by the Examiner.
`11)C) The drawing(s) filed on
`is/are: a)(] accepted or b)(_) 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)1 Some**
`a)) All
`1.4 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 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)
`
`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 20210916
`
`Application No.
`Applicant(s)
`16/718,910
`Fujiwaraetal.
`
`Office Action Summary Art Unit|AIA (FITF) StatusExaminer
`CHARLENE BERMUDEZ
`1728
`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)C) Responsive to communication(s) filed on
`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)0) 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\() 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: 16/718,910
`Art Unit: 1728
`
`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 inventor to file provisions of the AJA.
`
`Summary
`
`2.
`
`From the Office Action filed 04 May 2021, the objections on claims 6 and 7 are
`
`withdrawn,and the 35 U.S.C. 112(b) rejection on claim 1 and its dependent claims 1-7 are
`
`overcome by amendments madeto claims. Claims 8 and 9 are new, and are being considered by
`
`examiner.
`
`3.
`
`In this Office Action, the 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) and 103 rejections are maintained from the
`
`prior Office Action. New in this Office Action is a 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) rejection over claim 9.
`
`4,
`
`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 § 102
`
`5.
`
`Claims 1-3 and 8 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Suzuki
`
`(US 2016/0204399 A1). Hereinafter referred to as Suzuki.
`
`6.
`
`Regarding claim 1, Suzuki discloses a power storage device comprising:
`
`a battery laminate (“battery stack 2” [0026]) formed by alternately arraying a plurality of
`
`secondary batteries (battery packs 10” [0026]) and a plurality of spacers (“spacer 5” [0026]);
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/718,910
`Art Unit: 1728
`
`Page 3
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`a pair of end plates (“end plates 3” [0026]) provided on both sidesinafirst 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 between atleast one of the pair of end plates (Fig. 1 — where 4
`
`is provided between the pair of end plates), and the battery laminate, wherein
`
`each of the secondary batteries comprises:
`
`an electrode assembly (“battery main body” [0030]); and
`
`an exterior body (“casing” [0030]) that houses the electrode assembly, and has a
`
`protrusion (W Fig. 1, “recess” [0026]) applying pressure to the electrode assemblyin the first
`
`direction (“when receiving the load, the flat surface is formed with a recess W at the center
`
`thereof” [0026] where the electrode assembly of a lithium-ion battery is known to be arranged,
`
`Fig. 1), and configured to deform with expansion of the electrode assembly in a second direction
`
`opposite to the first direction (“in the vicinity if the center R1 of a long side 12a, the deformation
`
`caused bythe increase in the internal pressure becomessignificant... acts in a direction to
`
`expand the opening of the case 12, tensile stress is applied to the welding between the opening
`
`and the sealing plate 13.” [0033], Fig. 4),
`
`the protrusion being inward of upper and lowerportions of the exterior body (Fig. 1
`
`where the recess W acts inward between the top and bottom ofthe battery casing) and configured
`
`to expand outward of the upper and lowerportions of the exterior body with said expansion (Fig.
`
`4 where the battery casing expands outward between the top and bottom of the casing dueto
`
`internal pressure increase).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/718,910
`Art Unit: 1728
`
`Page 4
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`7.
`
`Regarding claim 2, Suzuki disclosesall of the limitations for the power storage device as
`
`set forth in claim 1 above, and 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% (Eachratio of length B/C correspondsto a
`
`magnitude of a load [0038], and for the examples provided in the table of Fig. 7, a battery of
`
`thickness 14 mm was used [0040] and a B measurementof 0.35 mm correspondsto a 5%
`
`thickness changeasit is applied to opposing surfaces of the battery exterior as shownin Fig. 6,
`
`in which B measurements of less than 0.35 mm were used in Fig. 7).
`
`8.
`
`Regarding claim 3, Suzuki disclosesall of the limitations for the power storage device as
`
`set forth in claim 1 above, and wherein
`
`the pressurizing unit is at least one selected from a spring, a linear motion device, and a rubber
`
`member(“restraining belt 4 is an elastic body such as rubber” [0026]).
`
`9.
`
`Regarding claim 8, Suzuki discloses all of the limitations for the power storage device as
`
`set forth in claim 1 above, and further comprising a gap located between the electrode assembly
`
`and a bottom portion of the exterior body (“the battery main bodyis typically a chemical battery
`
`such as a lithium-ion battery or nickel-hydrogen battery” [0030] where Fig. 2B depicts a typical
`
`lithium-ion battery knownin the art for the main body or electrode assembly to be disposed in
`
`the area where “E”is, and forms a gap with the body ofthe exterior body).
`
`10.
`
`Claim 9 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Qi et al (US
`
`2014/0272514 A1). Hereinafter referred to as Qi.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/718,910
`Art Unit: 1728
`
`Page 5
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`11.
`
`Regarding claim 9, Qi discloses a power storage device (“battery module” [0027], 40
`
`Fig. 2a) comprising:
`
`a battery laminate formed byalternately arraying a plurality of secondary batteries and a
`
`plurality of spacers (“cooling module 42 1s positioned between the battery assemblies 10”
`
`[0028]);
`
`a pair of end plates provided on both sidesinafirst direction of the battery laminate (“a
`
`plurality of end frames 60 is positioned outboard of the support members 50” [0031]), the first
`
`direction being a direction in which the secondary batteries and the spacers are arranged
`
`(“direction arrows F1 in Fig. 2b” [0037]); and
`
`a pressurizing unit for pressurizing the battery laminate (“support members 50 are
`
`configured to focus additional compressive forces on selected portions of the battery package
`
`12” [0030]), wherein
`
`each of the secondary batteries comprises:
`
`an electrode assembly (“electrode stack” [0022], 24 Fig. 1); and
`
`an exterior body that housesthe electrode assembly (“case” [0021], 20 Fig. 1),
`
`and has a protrusion which swells inward to press the electrode assemblyinthefirst
`
`direction (inherent from “the support members 50 form a pressure gradient within the
`
`battery package 12 that serves to urge the gases 25 formed within the case 20 to the
`
`peripheral spaces” [0037]), and which deforms with expansion of the electrode assembly
`
`(inherent of “during charging and discharging cycles of the electrode stack 24, gases
`
`(indicated generally by reference character 25) form within the case 20.” [0026] where
`
`“the case 20 can be in the form of a pouch.” [0021]),
`
`

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`Application/Control Number: 16/718,910
`Art Unit: 1728
`
`Page 6
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`wherein the pressurizing unit is at least one selected from a spring and a linear
`
`motion device (Fig. 2a-2b where support members 50 are indicated to be a linear motion
`
`device where the “end frames 60 is positioned outboard of the support members 50. Each
`
`end frame 60 includesa plurality of apertures 61a-61d... to allow passage of compression
`
`members 46a-46d therethrough.” [0031]).
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
`
`12.
`
`Claims 4 and 5 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Suzuki (US
`
`2016/0204399 A1) as applied to claim 1 above, and further in view of Jiang et al, hereinafter
`
`referred to as Jiang (US 2009/0159354 Al).
`
`13.
`
`Regarding claim 4, Suzuki 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
`
`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
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/718,910
`Art Unit: 1728
`
`Page 7
`
`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 ordinaryskill in the art to
`
`modify the power storage device of Suzuki in view of Jiang by including a conductive member
`
`that connects electrode terminals of the secondary batteries adjacent to each other and includes
`
`an extension part that extends and contracts alongthe first direction in order to achieve a power
`
`storage device that is capable of mechanically buffering any motion that can occur between
`
`battery packs.
`
`14.
`
`Regarding claim 5, Suzuki disclosesall of the limitations for the power storage device as
`
`set forth in claim 1 above, but does not disclose a conductive member for a power source for
`
`connecting a powersourceto at least one of a plurality of the secondary batteries, wherein
`
`the conductive memberfor a power source has a movable part with respectto 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 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]
`
`shown in Fig. 28, which are electrically connected to one another [0218] and consist of “multiple
`
`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
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/718,910
`Art Unit: 1728
`
`Page 8
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`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 the art to
`
`modify the power storage device of Suzuki in view of Jiang by including a conductive member
`
`for a powersource for connecting a powersourceto a plurality of the secondary batteries
`
`individually, or a plurality of the secondary batteries on a per predetermined block basis, wherein
`
`the conductive memberfor a power source has a movablepart with respectto the first direction.
`
`By doingso, 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.
`
`15.
`
`Claims6 and 7 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Suzuki (US
`
`2016/0204399 A1) as applied to claim 1 above, and further in view of Meintschelet al,
`
`hereinafter referred to as Meintschel (WO 2009080141 A1).
`
`16.
`
`Regarding claim 6, Suzuki 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
`
`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.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/718,910
`Art Unit: 1728
`
`Page 9
`
`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 inafirst 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
`
`detection information of the pressure sensor(“If this pressure threshold value is exceeded, the
`
`evaluation unit 6 can trigger a control signal S for a separating device 7, which separates the
`
`battery 1 from the vehicle electrical system.” [0030], which changesa charging and discharging
`
`condition of the secondary battery). Meintschel further teaches that the system that the pressure
`
`sensor provides feedback to ensures that the mechanical load on the battery does not exceed an
`
`excessively high internal cell pressure so that the secondary battery can be disconnected beforeit
`
`bursts ({0030] last sentence).
`
`Therefore, it would have been obvious for a person having ordinary skill in the art to
`
`modify the power storage device of Suzuki in view of Meintschel by further including a pressure
`
`sensor that detects pressure acting on the secondary battery in the first direction and wherein at
`
`least a first control of adjusting pressure applied by the pressurizing unit and a 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. By doing so,
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/718,910
`Art Unit: 1728
`
`Page 10
`
`the skilled artisan would be able to achieve a powerstorage device in which mechanicalloadsact
`
`upon that is capable of monitoring the pressure of individual secondary batteries and of
`
`disconnecting the plurality of secondary batteries before an excessively high internal cell
`
`pressure is reached, causing the batteries to burst.
`
`17.
`
`Regarding claim 7, Suzuki 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 displacement sensor
`
`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
`
`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 displacement sensor (“force sensor” via a pressure
`
`sensor [0028]) that detects thickness changein the first direction of the secondary batteries
`
`(“displacement measurement” [0028] and “measure of the elastic deformation of the housing
`
`area” [0029]), 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 onthe basis of detection
`
`information of the displacement sensor(“the elastic deformation of the housing area 4.1 due to
`
`the mechanicalstress, is then fed to an evaluation unit 6 which is connected to the pressure
`
`sensor 5. By meansofthe evaluation unit 6... an underlying cell internal pressure of the battery 1
`
`is determined on the basis of the determinedelastic deformation” [0029]. “Cell internal pressure
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/718,910
`Art Unit: 1728
`
`Page 11
`
`is monitored for exceeding a prescribable pressure threshold value, which represents a high
`
`mechanical stress on the housing 4. If this pressure threshold value is exceeded, the evaluation
`
`unit 6 can trigger a control signal S for a separating device 7, which separates the battery 1 from
`
`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 the art to
`
`modify the power storage device of Suzuki in view of Meintschel by including a displacement
`
`sensor that detects thickness changein thefirst direction of the secondary batteries, wherein at
`
`least 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
`
`secondary batteries is performed on the basis of detection information of the displacement
`
`sensor. By doing so, the skilled artisan would be able to achieve a power storage device able to
`
`undergo mechanical stress and monitor secondary battery cell internal pressures so that a
`
`prescribable pressure threshold value is not exceeded due to high mechanicalstress, and
`
`separates the batteries from its power source such as a vehicle electrical system.
`
`18.
`
`Applicant's arguments filed August 23, 2021 have been fully considered but they are not
`
`Response to Arguments
`
`persuasive.
`
`19.
`
`The applicant appears to argue that the amendmentof claim 1 defines structure of the
`
`source of applied pressure and deformation of the exterior body, and that it distinguishes the
`
`instant invention from the Suzukireference.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/718,910
`Art Unit: 1728
`
`Page 12
`
`20.
`
`However, the examiner has determined that a 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) rejection by Suzuki
`
`can be maintained despite the amendments made on claim 1 as disclosed in this Office Action.
`
`Conclusion
`
`21.
`
`THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. Applicant is reminded of the extension of time
`
`policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a).
`
`A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE
`
`MONTHSfrom the mailing date of this action. In the eventa first reply is filed within TWO
`
`MONTHSofthe mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after
`
`the end of the THREE-MONTHshortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period
`
`will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any extension fee pursuant to 37
`
`CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event,
`
`however,will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHSfrom the mailing
`
`date of this final action.
`
`22.
`
`Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the
`
`examiner should be directed to CHARLENE BERMUDEZwhosetelephone numberis
`
`(571)272-0610. The examiner can normally be reached on M-F generally 8 AM to 5 PM.
`
`Examinerinterviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video conferencing using
`
`a USPTO supplied web-based collaboration tool. To schedule an interview, applicantis
`
`encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR) at
`
`http://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 16/718,910
`Art Unit: 1728
`
`Page 13
`
`If attempts to reach the examinerby telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s
`
`supervisor, Allison Bourke can be reached on (303) 297-4684. The fax phone numberfor the
`
`organization wherethis application or proceedingis assigned is 571-273-8300.
`
`Information regarding the status of an application may be obtained from the Patent
`
`Application Information Retrieval (PAIR) system. Status information for published applications
`
`maybe obtained from either Private PAIR or Public PAIR. Status information for unpublished
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`applications is available through Private PAIR only. For more information about the PAIR
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`system, see https://ppair-my.uspto.gov/pair/PrivatePair. Should you have questions on access to
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`the Private PAIR system, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-
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`
`1000.
`
`/CHARLENE BERMUDEZ/
`Examiner, Art Unit 1728
`
`/Magali P Slawski/
`Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1721
`
`