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`DATE MAILED: 12/19/2024
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`17/042,298
`
`09/28/2020
`
`Natsuhiko Mukai
`
`P200940US00
`
`1782
`
`TITLE OF INVENTION: NON-AQUEOUS ELECTROLYTE SECONDARY BATTERY
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`Natsuhiko Mukai
`09/28/2020
`17/042,298
`TITLE OF INVENTION: NON-AQUEOUS ELECTROLYTE SECONDARY BATTERY
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`P200940US00
`
`1782
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`09/28/2020
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`Natsuhiko Mukai
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`P200940US00
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`

`

`.
`
`.
`
`171042,298
`
`Mukai et al.
`
`BART A HORNSBY
`
`1728
`
`Yes
`
`-- The MAILING DATEof this communication appears on the cover sheet with the correspondence address--
`All claims being allowable, PROSECUTION ON THE MERITS IS (OR REMAINS) CLOSED in this application. If not included
`herewith (or previously mailed), a Notice of Allowance (PTOL-85) or other appropriate communication will be mailed in due course. THIS
`NOTICE OF ALLOWABILITY IS NOT A GRANTOF PATENTRIGHTS.This application is subject to withdrawal from issue at the initiative
`of the Office or upon petition by the applicant. See 37 CFR 1.313 and MPEP 1308.
`1{¥] This communication is responsive to 09/27/2024.
`(J A declaration(s)/affidavit(s) under 37 CFR 1.130(b) was/werefiled on
`
`.
`
`2._) Anelection was madeby the applicant in responseto a restriction requirement set forth during the interview on
`restriction requirement and election have been incorporatedinto this action.
`
`; the
`
`3.{¥] The allowed claim(s) is/are 1,4-6 and 10 . As a result of the allowed claim(s), you may beeligible to benefit from the Patent
`Prosecution Highway program at a participating intellectual property office for the corresponding application. For more information
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`4[¥] Acknowledgmentis made of a claim for foreign priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a)-(d) or (f).
`Certified copies:
`c) () Noneofthe:
`a) MAI
`b) (] Some*
`1.
`Certified copies of the priority documents have been received.
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`3. (J Copiesof the certified copies of the priority documents have been receivedin this national stage application from the
`International Bureau (PCT Rule 17.2(a)).
`
`Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 1728
`
`* Certified copies not received:
`
`Applicant has THREE MONTHS FROM THE "MAILING DATE"of this communication to file a reply complying with the requirements
`noted below.Failure to timely comply will result in ABANDONMENT ofthis application.
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`attached Examiner's comment regarding REQUIREMENT FOR THE DEPOSIT OF BIOLOGICAL MATERIAL.
`
`Attachment(s)
`1.1 Notice of References Cited (PTO-892)
`2.C Information Disclosure Statements (PTO/SB/08),
`Paper No./Mail Date
`.
`3.) Examiner's Comment Regarding Requirementfor Deposit
`of Biological Material
`4.C) Interview Summary (PTO-413),
`Paper No./Mail Date.
`/BARTHOLOMEW A HORNSBY/
`Examiner, Art Unit 1728
`
`5. (2 Examiner's Amendment/Comment
`6.
`Examiner's Statement of Reasons for Allowance
`
`7. CZ Other
`
`.
`
`/MATTHEW T MARTIN/
`
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
`PTOL-37 (Rev. 08-13)
`
`Notice of Allowability
`
`.
`Part of Paper No./Mail Date 20241204
`
`

`

`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
`
`underthefirst inventor to file provisions of the AIA.
`
`Claim Status
`
`2.
`
`3.
`
`This office action is in response to the amendmentfiled 09/27/2024.
`
`Claim 1 has been amended; support for claim 1
`
`is found in paragraph [0033] of
`
`the instant specification.
`
`4.
`
`5.
`
`Claims 2,3, and 7-9 have been cancelled.
`
`Claims 1, 4-6, and 10 are currently pending in this office action.
`
`Claim Rejections
`
`6.
`
`The claims rejections of claims 1, 4-6, and 10 are withdrawnin view of
`
`amendments to the claims.
`
`7.
`
`8.
`
`Allowable Subject Matter
`
`Claims 1, 4-6, and 10 are allowed.
`
`The following is an examiner’s statement of reasons for allowance:
`
`The claims require and Okada etal. (US8999585B2),
`
`in view of Doo et
`
`al.(US2017/0084901A1),
`
`in view of Woonet al. (KR20150106740A, a machine
`
`translation),
`
`in view of Fujino et al. (US2007/0122715A) andin further view of Lee etal.
`
`(US2020/0212444A1, relying upon foreign priority date of 1/4/2018 of
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/042,298
`Art Unit: 1728
`
`Page 3
`
`KR1020180001303 discloses a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery comprising a
`
`spiral-type electrode body ( The electrode assembly of this embodiment may be formed
`
`by rolling up, [Okada, 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 between the positive electrode and the negative electrode.
`
`[Abstract]).
`
`Okadafurther teaches a bottomed cylindrical 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
`
`nonaqueous electrolyte solution which are described above, Fig. 3 shows a general
`
`vertical cross section of the nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery. [C13L 1-6])
`
`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 waslaser-welded to a
`
`metal filter 8a of a sealing plate 8 [C13L38-39] Fig. 3),
`
`and the positive electrode lead hasa first end portion located toward the sealing
`
`body, the first end portion being one lengthwise end of the 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);
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/042,298
`Art Unit: 1728
`
`Page 4
`
`first stefaceeit85650,
`
`positive ead, tead wire {5}
`
`“t}4 efectrodes asserntty
`
`batlery: case
`
`(Okada, Fig. 3)
`
`While Okada doesnotexplicitly teach the positive electrode lead is metallic butit
`
`is suggested, That, an end of the positive electrode lead wire 5 was resistance-welded
`
`to the connection portion for positive electrode lead wire [C13L13-16].
`
`In the same filed of endeavor Doo discloses a secondary battery of a cylindrical
`
`shape [0009] Fig. 4, and further teaches and the positive electrode lead comprises: a
`
`metallic lead base memberhavingafirst surface joined to the positive electrode ( The
`
`electrode assembly 100" includes a plurality offirst electrode tabs 170 electrically
`
`connected to the first electrode 113 (positive electrode) ... The first and second
`
`electrode tabs include a conductive material, and, for example, may include nickel (Ni)
`
`or Ni alloy. [0110] ), and a second surface located on an opposite side ofthefirst
`
`surface; see Fig. 5 At least one of the inner tab and the outer tab may befixed to the
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/042,298
`Art Unit: 1728
`
`Page 5
`
`cap assembly. [0016] Where “at least one of the tabs,” provide for a single lead base
`
`memberand tabs include nickel (Ni) provide fora member made of metal.
`
`It should be noted the use of a one-piece, integrated construction instead of the
`
`structure disclosed or taught in the prior art would have been within the ambit of a
`
`person of ordinary skill in the art. See In re Larson, 340 F.2d 965, 968, 144 USPQ 347,
`
`349 (CCPA 1965) (see MPEP § 2144.04).
`
`Te
`ae
`28 pan oc iee RED
`
`f
`oy
`:
`tof
`;
`é
`
`dees oan 2eSa i
`a
`ose. 8
`iseo ;
`*
`,; - ;
`z
`
`[SRO|
`SES
`
`att
`Vaper
`Sa ‘
`178.
`P6e
`————
`.
`~
`i
`
`rns
`a a
`
` HERIHSIN, if
`oghePSEwR
`mer surface of 171, 176 is secand
`surface
`
`+
`
`aes
`outer Surface of 177,
`176 :5 first
`sudace
`
`24
`
`
`
` a
`
`(Doo, Fig. 5)
`
`It would have been obvious to oneof ordinary skill in the art before the effective
`
`filing date of the claimed invention to have modified Okada to incorporate nickel tab of
`
`Doo to improve output characteristics and durability of the battery. [0007] [0008]
`
`In the same filed of endeavor Woondiscloses a secondary battery of a
`
`cylindrical shape [0066], and further teaches, an insulating ceramic layer of an inorganic
`
`compound, (Electrode tab may be coated using fine ceramics (370) [0042].
`
`.. Examples
`
`of fine ceramics include alumina ceramic. [0044]).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/042,298
`Art Unit: 1728
`
`Page 6
`
`According to an aspect of the present invention by coating an insulating material
`
`having excellent thermal properties there is an effect that can reducetherisk 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 Doo and Okada to incorporate the
`
`coating of Woon in a woundstructure to improve battery safety due to a short circuit
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`and improve manufacturability, storage, and maintain a high energy density.
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`While Okada, Doo, and Woon doesnot explicitly teach the amount of ceramicin
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`the mixture, in the same field of endeavor Fujino discloses a non-aqueous secondary
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`battery with an inorganic oxide and binder insulating later on the electrodes [Abstract],
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`and further teaches, the inorganic oxidefiller content in the porous electron-insulating
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`layer is preferably 50 wt % or more and 99 wt % or less, and further preferably 90 wt %
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`or more and 99 wt % or less. The inorganic oxidefiller content below 50 wt % makes
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`the binder excessive, which may cause difficulty in controlling the microporous structure
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`formed by gaps among thefiller particles. On the other hand, the inorganic oxidefiller
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`content of over 99 wt % makes the binder scarce, which may cause deteriorations of the
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`strength of the porous electron-insulating layer and adhesion thereof to the electrode
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`surface. The separation of the porous electron-insulating layer causes damage to the
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`functions of the porous electron-insulating layeritself, thereby causing damage to
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`battery performance as well. [0034] Where the range of inorganic oxidefiller of 90 wt %
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`or more and 99 wt %or less, would provide a corresponding range of 1 to 10%for the
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`binder which meets the claimed limitation. Fujino provides the inorganic oxidefiller may
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`be an alumina ceramic, providing an inorganic compound. [0057]
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 17/042,298
`Art Unit: 1728
`
`Page 7
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`It should be noted in the case where the claimed ranges “overlap orlie inside
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`ranges disclosed by the prior art’ a prima facie case of obviousness exists.
`
`In re
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`Wertheim, 541 F.2d 257, 191USPQ 90 (CCPA 1976); In re Woodruff, 919 F.2d 1575, 16
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`USPQ2d 1934 (Fed. Cir. 1990).
`
`It would have been obvious to oneof ordinary skill in the art before the effective
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`filing date of the claimed invention to have modified Doo and Okada to incorporate the
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`coating of Woon in a woundstructure to improve battery safety due to a short circuit
`
`and improve manufacturability, storage, and maintain a high energy density, in the
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`amounts specified by Fujino to prevent battery performancedeterioration.
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`Okadais silent on the ceramic layer being formed directly on the second surface
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`of the single lead base memberin at least an area facing the negative electrode via the
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`separator, the ceramic layer is formed over the entire area facing the negative electrode
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`via the separator, and additionally in the first end portion on the second surface of the
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`lead base member;
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`Dooteaches,the inner tab 171 may further include an insulating layer 172
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`coated overthe front and rear of a portion of the inner tab 171 extending from the
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`electrode assembly 100. Similarly, the outer tab 176 may further include an insulating
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`layer 177 coated overthe front and rear of a portion of the outer tab 176 extending from
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`the electrode assembly 100. [0081] and at least one of the inner tab and the outer tab
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`may be fixed to the cap assembly. [0016], would provide a single lead based member
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`as applied to either inner ta (171) or outer tab (176). Where an insulating coating on
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`both sides of the tab extending from the electrode assembly would encompass the
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`claimedlimitation as Doo possess the same claimed structure as seen in Fig. 5.
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`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/042,298
`Art Unit: 1728
`
`Page 8
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`It should be noted the use of a one-piece, integrated construction instead of the
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`structure disclosed or taught in the prior art would have been within the ambit of a
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`person of ordinary skill in the art. See In re Larson, 340 F.2d 965, 968, 144 USPQ 347,
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`349 (CCPA 1965) (see MPEP § 2144.04).
`
`Aspects of embodiments of the present disclosure are directed toward a
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`secondary battery having improved output characteristics and durability. [0007], [0008]
`
`It would have been obvious to oneof ordinary skill in the art before the effective
`
`filing date of the claimed invention to have modified Okadato incorporate metallic tab of
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`Dooto improve output characteristics and durability of the battery.
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`Okadais silent on the single lead base material includes, on the second surface
`
`thereof, a region which is sandwiched between the ceramic layer formedin the first end
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`portion and the area facing the negative electrode via the separator, and is not covered
`
`by the ceramic layer, the region being a region where a welded portion which is welded
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`to the sealing body is formed.
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`Dooteaches,the inner tab 171 includes extending end portion and 171D(first
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`end portion) further extending from the connection area (connection area (e.g., the
`
`welding area) [0080]) 171 C of the inner tab. A portion of the inner tab 171 is joined with
`
`the cap assembly 270 [0079]
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`Wherea tab entirely covered by an insulating layer (171) with a connection
`
`portion, join by welding, (171 C), and an extending portion (171 D) provides the claimed
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`region joined by welding.
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`Aspects of embodiments of the present disclosure are directed toward a
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`secondary battery having improved output characteristics and durability. [0007], [0008]
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/042,298
`Art Unit: 1728
`
`Page 9
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`It would have been obviousto oneof ordinary skill in the art before the effective
`
`filing date of the claimed invention to have modified Okada to incorporate metal tab of
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`Dooto improve output characteristics and durability of the battery.
`
`Doo does notexplicitly teach the region is not covered by ceramic layer, however
`
`, in the same field of endeavor Lee discloses a secondary teaches the coating layer
`
`may be formedtotally in the electrode tab. Since the electrical insulation coating layeris
`
`molten and removed during welding for the connection with an electrode lead,it is
`
`possible to form an insulation coating layer in the whole electrode tab. In terms of
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`process feasibility,
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`it is preferred to form the insulation coating layer totally in the
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`electrode tab. [0077]
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`It would have been obvious to oneof ordinary skill in the art before the effective
`
`filing date of the claimed invention to have modified Doo and Okada to incorporate the
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`welding of Lee to improve the manufacturing process.
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`Where Dooprovides a region sandwiched betweenthefirst end portion (171D)
`
`and the area facing the negative electrode via the separator (171) and the welded
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`portion (171C) of the region provides an uncovered portion.
`
`Howeverneither Okada, Doo, Woon, Fujino, or Lee alone or in combination
`
`suggest the limitation “the ceramic layerin the first end portion is formed only within a
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`range of 3 mm fromafirst end.” Lee would seem to teach awayfrom discontinuous
`
`coating the tab, In terms of process feasibility, it is preferred to form the insulation
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`coating layertotally in the electrode tab. [0077]
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`Any comments considered necessary by applicant must be submitted no later
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`than the paymentof the issue fee and, to avoid processing delays, should preferably
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/042,298
`Art Unit: 1728
`
`Page 10
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`accompany the issue fee. Such submissions should be clearly labeled “Comments on
`
`Statement of Reasons for Allowance.”
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`Conclusion
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`9.
`
`Anyinquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the
`
`examiner should be directed to BART A HORNSBYwhose telephone numberis
`
`(313)446-6637. The examiner can normally be reached 9:00-6:00 EST.
`
`Examinerinterviews are available via telephone,
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`in-person, and video
`
`conferencing using a USPTO supplied web-based collaboration tool. To schedule an
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`(AIR) at http:/Avwww.uspto.gov/interviewpractice.
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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
`
`for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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`Information regarding the status of published or unpublished applications may be
`
`obtained from Patent Center. Unpublished application information in Patent Centeris
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`available to registered users. To file and manage patent submissions in Patent Center,
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`visit: httos://patentcenter.uspto.gov. Visit https:/Avww.uspto.gov/patents/apply/patent-
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`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/042,298
`Art Unit: 1728
`
`Page 11
`
`BART HORNSBY
`
`Examiner
`Art Unit 1728
`
`/MATTHEW T MARTIN/
`Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 1728
`
`