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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
`
`17/042,298
`
`09/28/2020
`
`Natsuhiko Mukai
`
`P200940US00
`
`1782
`
`WHDA, LLP
`8500 LEESBURG PIKE
`SUITE 7500
`TYSONS, VA 22182
`
`HORNSBY, BARTHOLOMEW ANDREW
`
`1728
`
`PAPER NUMBER
`
`NOTIFICATION DATE
`
`DELIVERY MODE
`
`10/25/2022
`
`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)
`
`

`

`
`
`Disposition of Claims*
`1-8 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`5a) Of the above claim(s) ___ is/are withdrawn from consideration.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) 1-8 is/are rejected.
`1) Claim(s)__is/are objectedto.
`Cj) Claim(s
`are subjectto restriction and/or election requirement
`S)
`* 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)0) The drawing(s) filedon__ is/are: a)(J 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)1) Acknowledgment is made of a claim for foreign priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a)-(d) or (f).
`Certified copies:
`c)Z None ofthe:
`b)() Some**
`a)C All
`1... Certified copies of the priority documents have been received.
`2.1) Certified copies of the priority documents have beenreceived in Application No.
`3.1.) 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)
`
`(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 20221011
`
`Application No.
`Applicant(s)
`17/042,298
`Mukai etal.
`
`Office Action Summary Art Unit|AIA (FITF) StatusExaminer
`BART A HORNSBY
`1728
`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 7/20/2022.
`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.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/042,298
`Art Unit: 1728
`
`Page 2
`
`DETAILED ACTION
`
`Notice of Pre-AlA or AIA Status
`
`1.
`
`The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined
`
`under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA.
`
`2.
`
`Receipt is acknowledgedof certified copies of papers required by 37 CFR 1.55.
`
`Priority
`
`Claim Status
`
`1.
`
`This office action is in response to the amendment and comments submitted
`
`7/20/2022.
`
`2.
`
`Claims 1, 3 and 4 have been amended. Support for claim 1
`
`is found in Figure 6,
`
`Support for claim 3 is found in [0030] and Figure 7 of the instant specification, and claim
`
`4 is found in Figure 4.
`
`4.
`
`Claims 7 and 8 have been added; supportfor the claim 7 is found in [0035] and
`
`Figure 9, and support for the claim 8 is found in [0005] of the instant specification.
`
`5.
`
`Claims 1-8 are currently pending.
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
`
`1.
`
`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, 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
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/042,298
`Art Unit: 1728
`
`Page 3
`
`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.
`
`2.
`
`The factual inquiries for establishing a background for determining obviousness
`
`under 35 U.S.C. 103 are summarized asfollows:
`
`1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art.
`
`2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue.
`
`3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art.
`
`4. Considering objective evidence presentin the application indicating
`
`obviousness or nonobviousness.
`
`3.
`
`Claim(s) 1-4, 7-8 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over
`
`Okadaet al. (US8999585B2), in view of Woonet al. (KR20150106740A, a machine
`
`translation).
`
`Asto claim 1, Okada discloses a non-aqueouselectrolyte secondary battery
`
`comprising a spiral-type electrode body (The electrode assembly of this embodiment
`
`may be formed byrolling up, [C10L61-65]) in which a positive electrode and a negative
`
`electrode are wound with a separator located there between (The porous insulating
`
`layer is interposed betweenthe positive electrode and the negative electrode.
`
`[Abstract])
`
`Wherein the electrode body hasa positive electrode lead ( The positive electrode
`
`lead wire (5) was resistance-welded to the connection portion for positive electrode lead
`
`wire [C13L13-15]);
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/042,298
`Art Unit: 1728
`
`Page 4
`
`and a second surface located on an opposite side of the first surface (The
`
`positive electrode lead wire 5 was resistance-welded to the connection portion for
`
`positive electrode lead wire
`
`[C13L 13-14] Fig. 3);
`
`second surace
`
`
`
`(Okada, Fig. 3, annotatedfor illustration)
`
`Okadadiscloses a secondary battery comprising a spiral-type electrode body but
`
`does not explicitly teach an insulating ceramic layer on the electrode tab.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/042,298
`Art Unit: 1728
`
`Page 5
`
`In the same filed of endeavor Woon discloses a secondary battery of a
`
`cylindrical shape [0066], and further teaches and the positive electrode lead comprises:
`
`a metallic lead base member havingafirst surface joined to the positive electrode, ( The
`
`electrode current collector 300 may be formed as a positive electrode plate [0036]...
`
`The first electrode tab 350 is connected to the electrode uncoated portion 330 formed at
`
`one endofthe first electrode. [0039]... The first electrode tab 350 may be formedof a
`
`conductive material, for example, copper, nickel, aluminum, or an alloy thereof, and
`
`another metal material having electrical conductivity may be used. [0041].
`
`Woon discloses a secondary battery of a cylindrical shape [0066], and further
`
`teaches an insulating ceramic layer composed mainly of an inorganic compound
`
`(Electrode tab may be coated using fine ceramics (370) [0042]... Examplesoffine
`
`ceramics include alumina ceramic. [0044)).
`
`The ceramic layer being formed directly on the second surface of the lead base
`
`member in at least an area facing the negative electrode via the separator (An electrode
`
`assembly including a first electrode, a second electrode, and a separator... Fine
`
`ceramics having a color may be coated on a portion of the upper and lower surfaces of
`
`the electrode tab [0013]... The electrode assembly may beclassified into a jelly roll type
`
`woundthrough a separator between a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode
`
`plate, [0005])
`
`Where both upper and lower surfaces would provide for a second surface (as
`
`shown abovein Fig. 3 of Okada) anda jelly roll type wound battery would provide for a
`
`second surface facing the negative electrode via separator.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/042,298
`Art Unit: 1728
`
`Page 6
`
`In particular, a jelly roll type electrode assembly, also called a wound electrode
`
`assembly, has been widely used becauseit is easy to manufacture, has a high energy
`
`density per weight, and can be easily stored in a can of a cylindrical battery. [0005]
`
`According to an aspectof the present invention by coating an insulating material
`
`having excellent thermal properties there is an effect that can reduce therisk offire
`
`when short.[0024].
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the
`
`effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified Okadato incorporate the
`
`coating of Woon in a wound structure to improve battery safety due to a shortcircuit
`
`and improve manufacturability, storage, and maintain a high energy density.
`
`As to claim 2, the rejection of claim 1
`
`is incorporated, modified Okada discloses
`
`a bottomedcylindrical outer can that holds therein the electrode body; and (A cylindrical
`
`battery of product No. 18650 was fabricated as described below using the
`
`positive electrode, the negative electrode and the nonaqueouselectrolyte solution which
`
`are described above, FIG. 3 shows a general vertical cross section of the nonaqueous
`
`electrolyte secondary battery. [C13L1-6])
`
`a sealing body that closes off an opening of the outer can and that functions as a
`
`positive electrode terminal (The positive electrode lead wire 5 was laser-weldedto a
`
`metalfilter 8a of a sealing plate 8 [C13L38-39] Fig. 3),
`
`Woon discloses wherein the ceramic layer is formed while avoiding a welded
`
`portion weldedto the sealing body (The electrode tab may be formed by being
`
`protruded by welding to an uncoatedportion. [0018]).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/042,298
`Art Unit: 1728
`
`Page 7
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective
`
`filing date of the claimed invention to have modified Okada to incorporate the uncoated
`
`portion welding of Woon to improve the electrical contact between the tab and the
`
`electrode and provide for greater conductivity.
`
`Gositive clevirdcde lead wire
`
`{5
`4welcied fo seakag
`
`g seating plate
`mostinre electrade temninal
`ampae
`
`plate
`peetetedieeeatPRETLRGITIPIGESfangpoeopare.
`
`~ginehlnnndeia
`PeY
`
`Seeepeswlined
`
`chrareeyBYPYPOLISEEE Lbotook
`
`pe AecerrembersereteesBaPara
`
`
`
`
`LA
`dasad-end tase J omvjeR
`
`™Onfag
`
`(Okada, Fig. 3, annotatedfor illustration)
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/042,298
`Art Unit: 1728
`
`Page 8
`
`As to claim 3, the rejection of claim 2 is incorporated, modified Okada discloses
`
`the positive electrode lead hasa first end portion located toward the sealing body, the
`
`first end portion being one lengthwise end ofthe positive electrode lead, and a second
`
`end portion located toward a side opposite to the first end portion, the second end
`
`portion being the other lengthwise end of the positive electrode lead (see... Fig. 3);
`
`and on the second surface of the lead base member, the ceramic layer is formed
`
`additionally in the first end portion. Where Woon discloses the ceramic layer is on both
`
`sides of the tab providing a second surface and boundedbythe electrode (330) and the
`
`tab (350) providing a coating extending along the electrode tabto the first end portion,
`
`see... The first electrode tab 350 may be coated on a portion of the upper and lower
`
`surfaces based on a boundary between the electrode support 330 formed onthefirst
`
`electrode and the electrode tab 350 protruding from the electrode support 330. have. In
`
`this case, the coating may be coated using fine ceramics 370 which is an insulating
`
`material [0042].
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective
`
`filing date of the claimed invention to have modified Okadato incorporate the coating of
`
`Woon in a wound structure to improve battery safety due to a short circuit and improve
`
`manufacturability, storage, and maintain a high energy density.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/042,298
`Art Unit: 1728
`
`Page 9
`
`frst end partion
`
`second surface
`
`.
`-
`positive electrode fead
`
`second end portion
`
`
`
`
`eeonaiggewoROOOCme
`
`
`
`rs
`Bee[A
`
`(Okada, Figure 3, annotatedfor illustration)
`
`Asto claim 4, the rejection of claim 3 is incorporated, modified Okada an upper
`
`insulation plate (9) disposed between the sealing body (8) and an electrode group (4)
`
`constituted of the positive electrode, the negative electrode, and the separator
`
`[Abstract], the upper insulation plate having an insertion hole for the positive electrode
`
`lead (see Fig. 3), wherein on the second surface of the lead base member (electrode
`
`lead wire (5), see Fig. 3),
`
`the ceramic layer is formed only at two positions (fine ceramics (370)),
`
`one of said two positions being in the first end portion which is located closer to
`
`the sealing body than the upper insulation plate is (see Fig. 3)
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/042,298
`Art Unit: 1728
`
`Page 10
`
`and the other of said two positions being located closer to the second end portion
`
`than the upper insulation plate is. (see Fig. 3)
`
`As the ceramic layer is formed on both sides od the electrode lead wire (5) and
`
`extends in a lengthwise direction towards both end portions, the ceramic layer would
`
`include both positions.
`
`8 seating body
`
`first and parton
`
`trserttion Rote
`
`
`Vie
`
`second surface
`pp. § upper insufationplate
`teasCeespheeeeSiathrscinenteersaraerroeae
`
`
`*HenlecdetateraSea"hg
`
`
`rireoatnet
`op
`
`
`ee) Nay|— 24 siectrade group
`
`second end portion
`
`A
`
`poraus insulator
`
`Le 2}
`
`positive Giectrade plate
`
`neagive electrode plate
`
`
`
`one
`%
`
`m,
`
`(Okada, Fig. 3, modified and annotatedfor illustration)
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/042,298
`Art Unit: 1728
`
`Page 11
`
`Asto claim 7, the rejection of claim 1
`
`is incorporated, Okada discloses the
`
`positive electrode lead (5) has a base portion thereof in contact with an exposed core
`
`portion of the positive electrode (Aluminum foil having (for the current collector of the
`
`positive electrode) was prepared and coated with the mixture coating material for the
`
`positive electrode to form a coating layer over the aluminum foil except for part of the
`
`foil to which a lead wire of the positive electrode was to be connected (connection
`
`portion for positive electrode lead wire) [C12L10-17] see Fig. 3);
`
`and the insulating ceramic layer extends continuously throughout the base
`
`portion of the positive electrode lead directly opposite from said contact with the
`
`exposed core portion of the positive electrode.
`
`In the combination, Woon discloses Thefirst electrode tab 350 may be coated
`
`on a portion of the upper and lower surfaces based on a boundary between the
`
`electrode support 330 formed onthe first electrode and the electrode tab 350 protruding
`
`from the electrode support 330. have. In this case, the coating may be coated using fine
`
`ceramics 370 whichis an insulating material [0042], and modified Okada discloses the
`
`fine ceramics (370) or insulating ceramic layer extends along the electrode tab (5) to the
`
`electrode support continuously as shownin Fig. 3.
`
`It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective
`
`filing date of the claimed invention to have modified Okadato incorporate the coating of
`
`Woon in a wound structure to improve battery safety due to a short circuit and improve
`
`manufacturability, storage, and maintain a high energy density.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/042,298
`Art Unit: 1728
`
`Page 12
`
`race
`
`ead (a3 has a base
`ihanexposed core
`
`(Okada, Figure 3, annotatedfor illustration)
`
`Asto claim 8, the rejection of claim 1
`
`is incorporated, modified Okada discloses
`
`the insulating ceramic layer adheres to the second surface of the lead base member
`
`(Where Woon teaches in the combination the electrode tab (850) may be coated
`
`(adhered) on a portion of the upper and lower surfaces using fine ceramics (370),
`
`corresponding to Okada’s positive electrode lead wire (5) second surface)
`
`in at least said area facing the negative electrode via the separator (see Fig. 3).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/042,298
`Art Unit: 1728
`
`Page 13
`
`the positive electrode lead (F) has a base
`an exposed core
`fe
`
`iged wire
`(S} facing negative
`electrode via a separator
`
`
`
`
`8
`AN.
`
`8
`
`HEN ATS
`aNET
`
`8 ie
`ihe
`
`
`
`ReBSnN.
`
`ESF
`
`2
`
`ot
`1
`
`(Okada,Fig. 3, annotated for illustration)
`
`4.
`
`Claim(s) 5 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over
`
`Okadaetal. (US8999585B2).
`
`Asto claim 5, the rejection of claim 2 is incorporated, Okada discloses the
`
`negative electrode comprises a negative electrode core and a negative electrode
`
`mixture layer formed on the negative electrode core (The active material layer for the
`
`negative electrode was formed over the copperfoil [C12L42-44]);
`
`an exposed core portion in which a surface of the negative electrode core is
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/042,298
`Art Unit: 1728
`
`Page 14
`
`exposedis provided on an outermostperipheral surface of the electrode body; and the
`
`exposed core portion is in contact with an inner peripheral surface of the outer can. (The
`
`negative electrode lead wire 6 was passed through a lowerinsulation ring 10 before the
`
`electrode assembly 4 was put into a metal closed-end case (battery case) 7. Then, the
`
`negative electrode lead wire 6 was resistance-welded to the bottom of the metal closed-
`
`end case 7 such that the negative electrode lead wire 6 was electrically connectedto
`
`the closed-end case 7 [C13L24-31]) Where the lead wire 6 acts as the electrically
`
`exposedportion of the negative electrode.
`
`It should be noted the mere rearrangement of parts, without any new or
`
`unexpected results, is within the ambit of one of ordinary skill in the art. See In re
`
`Japikse, 86 USPQ 70 (CCPA 1950) (see MPEP § 2144.04).
`
`5.
`
`Claim(s) 6 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over
`
`Okadaet al. (US8999585B2) as applied to claim 1 above, and further in view of
`
`Kusukawaet al. (US2012/0244423A1).
`
`Asto claim 6, the rejection of claim 1
`
`is incorporated, Okada discloses
`
`secondary battery but does notexplicitly teach the positive electrode lead has attached
`
`thereto an insulation tape that covers the ceramic layer.
`
`In the same filed of endeavor Kusukawadiscloses secondary battery [0002] and
`
`further teaches positive electrode current collector leads (11) are joined to the second
`
`piece (15b) of the positive electrode current collector terminal (15), and a glass tape
`
`(20) is affixed in a staking direction-wise fore-end region [Abstract] and the current
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/042,298
`Art Unit: 1728
`
`Page 15
`
`collector terminal and the current collector leads are covered with an insulating layer
`
`containing ceramic particles.[0036].
`
`Responseto Arguments
`
`6.
`
`Applicant's arguments with respect to claim(s) 1-4 have been considered but are
`
`moot because of the amendmentto the claim thus, the new ground of rejection does not
`
`rely on any reference applied in the prior rejection of record for any teaching or matter
`
`specifically challenged in the argument.
`
`Conclusion
`
`7.
`
`THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. Applicant is reminded of the extension of time
`
`policy as set forth in 37 CFR 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 reply is 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 shortened 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 MONTHS from the mailing date ofthis final action.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/042,298
`Art Unit: 1728
`
`Page 16
`
`8.
`
`Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the
`
`examiner should be directed to BART A HORNSBYwhose telephone number is
`
`(313)446-6637. The examiner can normally be reached 9:00-6:00 EST.
`
`Examiner interviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video
`
`conferencing using a USPTO supplied web-based collaboration tool. To schedule an
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`If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner's
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`supervisor, Matthew T Martin can be reached on 571-270-7871. The fax phone number
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`for the organization where this application or proceeding is assignedis 571-273-8300.
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`obtained from Patent Center. Unpublished application information in Patent Center is
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`visit: https://patentcenter.uspto.gov. Visit https:/Awww.uspto.gov/patents/apply/patent-
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`
`BART HORNSBY
`Examiner
`
`Art Unit 1728
`
`/Maria Laios/
`Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1727
`
`