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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
`
`17/041,019
`
`09/24/2020
`
`YUYA MAEDA
`
`P201027US00
`
`4239
`
`WESTERMAN, HATTORI, DANIELS & ADRIAN, LLP
`8500 LEESBURG PIKE
`SUITE 7500
`TYSONS, VA 22182
`
`DESAI, NAISHADH N
`
`ART UNIT
`2834
`
`PAPER NUMBER
`
`NOTIFICATION DATE
`
`DELIVERY MODE
`
`12/20/2021
`
`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*
`1-10 is/are pending in the application.
`)
`Claim(s)
`5a) Of the above claim(s) ___ is/are withdrawn from consideration.
`Cj] Claim(s)
`is/are allowed.
`Claim(s) 1-6 and 9-10 is/are rejected.
`Claim(s) 7-8 is/are objectedto.
`£] 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)2) The specification is objected to by the Examiner.
`11)M The drawing(s) filed on 09/24/2020 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:
`c)() None ofthe:
`b)( Some**
`a) All
`1.2 Certified copies of the priority documents have been received.
`2.1) Certified copies of the priority documents have beenreceived in Application No.
`3.4 Copies of the certified copies of the priority documents have been received in this National Stage
`application from the International Bureau (PCT Rule 17.2(a)).
`* See the attached detailed Office action for a list of the certified copies not received.
`
`Attachment(s)
`
`1)
`
`Notice of References Cited (PTO-892)
`
`Information Disclosure Statement(s) (PTO/SB/08a and/or PTO/SB/08b)
`2)
`Paper No(s)/Mail Date
`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 20211214
`
`Application No.
`Applicant(s)
`17/041,019
`MAEDAetal.
`
`Office Action Summary Art Unit|AIA (FITF) StatusExaminer
`NAISHADH N DESAI
`2834
`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 09/24/2020.
`C} A declaration(s)/affidavit(s) under 37 CFR 1.130(b) was/werefiled on
`
`2a)L) This action is FINAL. 2b)¥)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: 17/041 ,019
`Art Unit: 2834
`
`Page 2
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`DETAILED ACTION
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`Notice of Pre-AlA or AIA Status
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`1.
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`The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined
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`under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA.
`
`Priority
`
`2.
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`Receipt is acknowledgedof certified copies of papers required by 37 CFR 1.55.
`
`Information Disclosure Statement
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`3.
`
`The information disclosure statements (IDS’s) submitted on 10/12/2020 and
`
`07/28/2021 are in compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the
`
`information disclosure statements have been considered by the examiner.
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
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`4.
`
`The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that
`
`form the basis for the rejections under this section madein this Office action:
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`A person shall be entitled to a patent unless —
`
`(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use,
`on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effectivefiling date of the claimed
`invention.
`
`5.
`
`Claim(s) 1-4 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a1) as being anticipated by JP
`
`$56/164654 (as providedin IDS).
`
`Regarding claim 1, JP S56/164654 (as providedin IDS filed 10/12/2020)
`
`teaches:
`
`A coil of a conductive wire having a quadrangular cross section (abstract, Figs 1-
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/041 ,019
`Art Unit: 2834
`
`Page 3
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`the conductive wire (3) being spirally wound and laminated to have a series of
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`turns including first to n-th turns (Figs 2-3),
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`wherenis an integer of 3 or more (Fig 3), the conductive wire being provided, on
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`at least some ofthe first to n-th turns in the coil, with deformed portions (see annotated
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`Figs 3-4 below) representing recesses (5, Fig 3) each having a shapedifferent from a
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`shape of another portion of the conductive wire (see annotated Fig 3 below),
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`where, in eachof the first and n-th turns respectively lying at both ends of the
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`series of turns, an outer surface lying on a side opposite to a center of the series of
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`turns extends flush along with a plane intersecting the series of turns (see annotated
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`Figs 3-4 below).
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`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/041 ,019
`Art Unit: 2834
`
`Page 4
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`Regarding claim 2/1, JP S56/164654 teaches wherein the deformed portions are
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`at least provided on the n-th turn (Fig 3).
`
`Regarding claim 3/1, JP S56/164654 teaches wherein the deformed portions are
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`provided, on the conductive wire (3), in a Z-axis direction representing a direction
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`perpendicularto radial directions and circumferential directions of the coil, with the
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`recesses(5, Fig 3) that are cut out in the circumferential directions of the conductive
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`wire (Fig 3).
`
`Regarding claim 4/1, JP $56/164654 teaches wherein the deformed portions
`
`include the recesses (5) that are cut out, and that are provided on a top side ofthe coil
`
`(3) or a bottom side of the coil.
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
`
`6.
`
`The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all
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`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, if the differences between the
`claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have
`been obvious before the effective filing 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 which the invention was made.
`
`7.
`
`The factual inquiries for establishing a background for determining obviousness
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`under 35 U.S.C. 103 are summarized as follows:
`
`1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art.
`
`2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue.
`
`

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`Application/Control Number: 17/041 ,019
`Art Unit: 2834
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`Page 5
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`3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art.
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`4. Considering objective evidence presentin the application indicating
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`obviousness or nonobviousness.
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`8.
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`This application currently names joint inventors. In considering patentability of the
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`claims the examiner presumes that the subject matter of the various claims was
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`commonly ownedasofthe effective filing date of the claimed invention(s) absent any
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`evidenceto the contrary. Applicant is advised of the obligation under 37 CFR 1.56 to
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`point out the inventor and effective filing dates of each claim that was not commonly
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`ownedas ofthe effectivefiling date of the later invention in order for the examiner to
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`consider the applicability of 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(C) for any potential 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2)
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`prior art against the later invention.
`
`9.
`
`Claims 5 and 6 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over JP
`
`$56/164654 (as provided in IDS) in view of Sakuma et al. (JP 2011/234443).
`
`Regarding claim 5/3, JP S56/164654 does not teach wherein a numberof the
`
`recesses on an inside of the coil is equal to or greater than a number of the recesses on
`
`an outside of the coil.
`
`Sakuma et al. discloses a device wherein a number of the recesses (221, Figs 1-
`
`5) on an inside of the coil (4) is equal to or greater than a number of the recesses (222)
`
`on an outside of the coil, for the purpose to reduce eddy current.
`
`Therefore it would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art
`
`before the effective filing of the invention to modify JP S56/164654 wherein a number of
`
`the recesses on an inside of the coil is equal to or greater than a number of the
`
`recesses on an outside of the coil, as Sakuma et al. discloses.
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 17/041 ,019
`Art Unit: 2834
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`Page 6
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`The motivation to do sois that it would allow one to reduce eddy current as
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`desired (abstract of Sakuma etal.).
`
`Regarding claim 6/4, JP S56/164654 does not teach wherein a numberof the
`
`recesses on an inside of the coil is equal to or greater than a number of the recesses on
`
`an outside of the coil.
`
`Sakuma et al. discloses a device wherein a number of the recesses (221, Figs 1-
`
`5) on an inside of the coil (4) is equal to or greater than a number of the recesses (222)
`
`on an outside of the coil, for the purpose to reduce eddy current.
`
`Therefore it would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art
`
`before the effective filing of the invention to modify JP S56/164654 wherein a number of
`
`the recesses on an inside of the coil is equal to or greater than a number of the
`
`recesses on an outside of the coil, as Sakuma etal. discloses.
`
`The motivation to do sois that it would allow one to reduce eddy current as
`
`desired (abstract of Sakuma etal.).
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`10.
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`Claim 9 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over JP
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`$56/164654 (as provided in IDS) in view of Ikuta et al. (JP 2015/228476 A).
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`Regarding claim 9/2, JP S56/164654 does not teach wherein, on the deformed
`
`portions, a degree of cut out on the conductive wire increases toward inside in the radial
`
`directions of the coil.
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`Ikuta et al. teaches an apparatus wherein, on the deformed portions, a degree of
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`cut out (see Figs below by numerals 23,31,33) on the conductive wire increases toward
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 17/041 ,019
`Art Unit: 2834
`
`Page 7
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`inside in the radial directions of the coil, for the purpose to reduce cost and size,
`
`increase core volume (abstract, para 37).
`
`
`
`Therefore it would have been obvious to a person having ordinaryskill in the art
`
`before the effective filing of the invention to modify JP S56/164654 wherein, on the
`
`deformed portions, a degree of cut out on the conductive wire increases toward inside in
`
`the radial directions of the coil, as Ikuta et al. teaches.
`
`The motivation to do sois that it would allow one to reduce cost and size,
`
`increase core volume (abstract, para 37) of Ikuta et al.
`
`

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`Application/Control Number: 17/041 ,019
`Art Unit: 2834
`
`Page 8
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`9.
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`Claim 10 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over JP
`
`$56/164654 (as provided in IDS) in view of Georg et al. (US 2008/0036323).
`
`Regarding claim 10/1, JP S56/164654 does not teach a motor comprising: a
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`rotor; and a stator including a stator core, teeth protruding from the stator core, and the
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`plurality of the coils according to claim 1, the plurality of the coils being respectively
`
`wound around the teeth.
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`Georg et al. teaches a motor(2, Fig 1) comprising: a rotor (14); and a stator (1)
`
`including a stator core (by numeral 12, Fig 1), teeth (3) protruding from the stator core,
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`and the plurality of the coils (6) according to claim 1, the plurality of the coils being
`
`respectively wound around the teeth (Figs 1-2), in order to simplify manufacturing (para
`
`20),and reduce losses (para 7).
`
`Therefore it would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art
`
`before the effective filing of the invention to modify JP S56/164654 wherein a motor
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`comprising: a rotor; and a stator including a stator core, teeth protruding from the stator
`
`core, and the plurality of the coils according to claim 1, the plurality of the coils being
`
`respectively wound around the teeth, as Georg et al. teaches.
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`The motivation to do sois that it would allow one to simplify manufacturing (para
`
`20) and reduce losses (para 7 of Georg etal.).
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`Allowable Subject Matter
`
`11.
`
`Claims 7 and 8 are objected to as being dependentupona rejected baseclaim,
`
`but would be allowable if rewritten in independent form including all of the limitations of
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`the base claim and any intervening claims.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/041 ,019
`Art Unit: 2834
`
`Page 9
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`The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject
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`matter:
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`In claim 7/3 inter alia, the specific limitations of “... wherein, on the deformed
`
`portions, the recesses on an inside of the conductive wire and the recesses on an
`
`outside of the conductive wire are not provided at positions identical to each other in the
`
`Z-axis direction.....”, in the combination as claimed are neither anticipated nor made
`
`obvious over the prior art made of record.
`
`In claim 8/4 inter alia, the specific limitations of “...wherein, on the deformed
`
`portions, the recesses on an inside of the conductive wire and the recesses on an
`
`outside of the conductive wire are not provided at positions identical to each other ina
`
`Z-axis direction.....”, in the combination as claimed are neither anticipated nor made
`
`obvious over the prior art made of record
`
`Any comments considered necessary by applicant must be submitted no later
`
`than the payment of the issue fee and, to avoid processing delays, should preferably
`
`accompanythe issue fee. Such submissions should be clearly labeled “Comments on
`
`Statement of Reasons for Allowance.”.
`
`Conclusion
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`12.
`
`The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to
`
`applicant's disclosure. Please see PTO-892 for details.
`
`13.=Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the
`
`examiner should be directed to NAISHADH N DESAI whosetelephone number is
`
`(571)270-3038. The examiner can normally be reached 9-5.
`
`Examiner interviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video
`
`conferencing using a USPTO supplied web-basedcollaboration tool. To schedule an
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/041 ,019
`Art Unit: 2834
`
`Page 10
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`interview, applicant is encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request
`
`(AIR) at http:/Avww.uspto.gov/interviewpractice.
`
`If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner's
`
`supervisor, Quyen Leung can be reached on 571-272-8188. The fax phone number for
`
`the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
`
`Information regarding the status of published or unpublished applications may be
`
`obtained from Patent Center. Unpublished application information in Patent Center is
`
`available to registered users. To file and manage patent submissions in Patent Center,
`
`visit: https://patentcenter.uspto.gov. Visit https:/Awww.uspto.gov/patents/apply/patent-
`
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`
`NAISHADH N. DESAI
`Primary Examiner
`Art Unit 2834
`
`/NAISHADH N DESAI/
`Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2834
`
`