www.uspto.gov
`
`UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`United States Patent and TrademarkOffice
`Address: COMMISSIONER FOR PATENTS
`P.O. Box 1450
`Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1450
`
`17/430,860
`
`08/13/2021
`
`Tomonori SAKAMOTO
`
`2021-1531A
`
`7222
`
`wo
`
`o
`
`ACKL
`
`WENDEROTH, LIND & PONACK L.L.P.
`1025 Connecticut Avenue, NW
`Suite 500
`Washington, DC 20036
`
`HILTON, ALBERT MICHAEL
`
`1723
`
`PAPER NUMBER
`
`NOTIFICATION DATE
`
`DELIVERY MODE
`
`10/27/2023
`
`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):
`eoa@ wenderoth.com
`kmiller@wenderoth.com
`
`PTOL-90A (Rev. 04/07)
`
`

`

`Office Action Summary
`
`Application No.
`17/430,860
`Examiner
`ALBERTHILTON
`
`Applicant(s)
`SAKAMOTOetal.
`Art Unit
`AIA (FITF) Status
`1723
`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 8/16/2023.
`C} A declaration(s)/affidavit(s) under 37 CFR 1.130(b) was/werefiled on
`2a)[¥) This action is FINAL.
`2b) (J This action is non-final.
`3)02 An election was madeby the applicant in responseto a restriction requirement set forth during the interview
`on
`; the restriction requirement and election have been incorporated into this action.
`4)\0) Since this application is in condition for allowance except for formal matters, prosecution as to the merits is
`closed in accordance with the practice under Exparte Quayle, 1935 C.D. 11, 453 O.G. 213.
`
`Disposition of Claims*
`1-10 and 12-22 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) 1-10 and 12-22 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) The drawing(s) filed on 8/13/2021 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)L) None ofthe:
`b)L) Some**
`a)¥) All
`1.4) Certified copies of the priority documents have been received.
`2.2 Certified copies of the priority documents have been received in Application No.
`3.4.) 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 20230928
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/430,860
`Art Unit: 1723
`
`Page 2
`
`DETAILED ACTION
`
`Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
`
`The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined underthe
`
`first inventorto file provisions of the AIA.
`
`Response to Arguments
`
`Applicant’s arguments with respect to claims 1-22 have been considered but are moot
`
`because the new groundofrejection now addressesthe limitations of the newly-amended claims,
`
`as set forth below.
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
`
`The following is a quotation of the first paragraph of 35 U.S.C. 112(a):
`
`(a) INGENERAL.—Thespecification shall contain a written description of the invention, and
`of the manner and process of making andusingit, in such full, clear, concise, and exact termsas to
`enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to
`make and use the same, and shall set forth the best mode contemplated by the inventoror joint inventor
`of carrying out the invention.
`
`The following is a quotation ofthe first paragraph of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112:
`
`The specification shall contain a written description of the invention, and of the manner and
`process of making and usingit, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person
`skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and use the
`same, and shall set forth the best mode contemplated by the inventor of carrying out his invention.
`
`Claims 1-8 and 22 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(a) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AJA), first
`
`paragraph,as failing to comply with the written description requirement. The claim(s) contains
`
`subject matter which was not described in the specification in such a way as to reasonably
`
`convey to one skilled in the relevantart that the inventoror a joint inventor, or for applications
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/430,860
`Art Unit: 1723
`
`Page 3
`
`subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the inventor(s), at the time the application wasfiled, had
`
`possession of the claimed invention.
`
`Claims 1-8 and 22 makereference to both a “collision-enhancing path” and a “non-
`
`releasing path” within the duct of the device. While the specification describes the collision-
`
`enhancing path (see [0006] and Fig. 5 of the instant specification), the newly added limitation
`
`“non-releasing path” in claims 1 and 22 do not appear to not have positive support in the instant
`
`specification as filed, including the drawings.
`
`The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(d):
`
`(d) REFERENCE IN DEPENDENT FORMS.—Subjectto subsection (e), a claim in dependent form
`shall contain a reference to a claim previously set forth and then specify a further limitation of the
`subject matter claimed. A claim in dependent form shall be construed to incorporate by referenceall the
`limitations of the claim to whichitrefers.
`
`The following is a quotation of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, fourth paragraph:
`
`Subject to the following paragraph[i.e., the fifth paragraph of pre-AIJA 35 U.S.C. 112], a claim in
`dependentform shall contain a reference to a claim previously set forth and then specify a further
`limitation of the subject matter claimed. A claim in dependentform shall be construed to incorporate by
`referenceall the limitations of the claim to which itrefers.
`
`Claim 20 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(d) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, 4th paragraph, as
`
`being of improper dependent form for failing to further limit the subject matter of the claim upon
`
`whichit depends, or for failing to includeall the limitations of the claim upon which it depends.
`
`Specifically, claim 20 recites “wherein the connectoris attached to the end surface plate,” which
`
`is already established in the preceding claims, as claim 12 states that the connectoris attached to
`
`the exterior case and claim 19 states that the exterior case is an end surfaceplate.
`
`Applicant may cancelthe claim(s), amend the claim(s) to place the claim(s) in proper
`
`dependentform, rewrite the claim(s) in independent form, or present a sufficient showing that
`
`the dependent claim(s) complies with the statutory requirements.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/430,860
`Art Unit: 1723
`
`Page 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
`
`Claims1-5 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Nakazawa
`
`(US 2009/0220851).
`
`Regarding claim 1, Nakazawa discloses a power supply device comprising a plurality of
`
`batteries (1) in which each ofthe plurality of batteries includes an exhaust valve (7a) configured
`
`to open if an internal pressure becomes higher than a predetermined pressure ([0003] and Fig. 9).
`
`Nakazawafurther discloses an exterior case (16) that accommodatesthe plurality of batteries (1,
`
`see Fig. 4) and includes a collision-enhancing releasing path (i.e., the path from battery cell to
`
`gas exhaust port, indicated with arrows in Fig. 7) for releasing a gas discharged through the
`
`exhaust valve (7a) to an outside of the exterior case ([0003], [0028], and Fig. 7).
`
`The exterior case (16) of Nakazawaopensat an exhaust opening portion (exhaust port
`
`33), wherein the exterior case includes a battery accommodationarea (27a-f) that accommodates
`
`a battery block (battery stack 8) including the plurality of batteries arranged in a predetermined
`
`place (i.e., the battery blocks 8 are held in spaces 27a-f, see Figs. 5 and 9) and a ductarea thatis
`
`arranged between the battery accommodation area and an end ofthe exterior case (see
`
`Illustration 1 below).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/430,860
`Art Unit: 1723
`
`Page 5
`
`
`
`SSRSenSCS “~
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`
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`
`
`
`The duct area of Nakazawaincludesa collision-enhancing releasing path (flow path)
`
`and a non-releasing path forming area in which the collision-enhancing releasing path is not
`
`formed (see [0043] and Illustration 2 below).
`
`eSSoames
`
`
`
`Sones “ebeeryAetry,.
`
`
`4
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`
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`
`
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`
`The non-releasing path of Nakazawa is positioned between the collision-enhancing
`
`releasing path and the exhaust opening portion (exhaust port 33) for communication between the
`
`collision-enhancing releasing path and the outside of the exterior case via the exhaust opening
`
`portion ((0043], Fig. 7 and Illustrations 1 and 2 above). The collision-enhancing releasing path
`
`(flow path) of Nakazawaincludesa first collision plate configured to reflect the flow direction of
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/430,860
`Art Unit: 1723
`
`Page 6
`
`gas via the collision of said gas against a surface of thefirst collision plate, and a second
`
`collision plate that faces the first collision plate (see [0054] and Illustration 3 below).
`
`
`
`
`
` SSSR RRRSRS
`
`After exhaust gas collides gas against the first collision plate and the second collision
`
`plates it is then released from the collision-enhancing releasing path to the non-releasing path
`
`forming area and the outside of the exterior case via the exhaust opening portion (see
`
`Illustrations 2 and 3 above).
`
`Regarding claim 2, the device of Nakazawa comprisesa collision-enhancing releasing
`
`path (flow path) that includes an inlet duct (inflow port 40) on an inlet side of the collision-
`
`enhancing releasing path and an outlet duct (33) on an outlet side of the collision enhancing
`
`releasing path ([0043] and Fig. 7). Exhaust gas passes throughthe inlet duct (40), collides against
`
`the surface ofthe first collision plate, collides against the second collision plate, and is the
`
`released through the outlet duct (33) to the outside of the exterior case (see [0051], Fig. 7, and
`
`Illustrations 1-3 above).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/430,860
`Art Unit: 1723
`
`Page 7
`
`Regarding claim 3, the device of Nakazawa comprises a collision-enhancing releasing
`
`path (flow path) that includes reflection ducts configured to guide the gas from thefirst collision
`
`plate to the second collision plate, as well as a second guideplate that separates the inlet duct
`
`from the reflection duct (see Fig. 7 and Illustrations 1 and 3).
`
`
`
`Regarding claim 4, Nakazawa discloses a device comprising a collision-enhancing
`
`releasing path (flow path) that includesa first guide plate that is coupledto the first collision
`
`plate and extendsin the outlet duct in parallel to the flow direction of the gas, and wherein the
`
`first guide plate is configured to guide the gas from thefirst collision plate to the second collision
`
`plate (see Fig. 7 and Illustration 4 above).
`
`Regarding claim 5, the device of Nakazawa comprisesa collision-enhancing releasing
`
`path (flow path) that includes sub-plates arranged between the first and second guideplates (see
`
`Illustration 5 below). Further, the device of Nakazawa comprisesa vertical gap defined between
`
`the sub-plate and the first collision plate such that exhaust gas is capable of passing through the
`
`vertical gap (see Illustration 5 below).
`
`

`

`Page 8
`
`Application/Control Number: 17/430,860
`Art Unit: 1723
`
`Crump "
`
`ernmentEA
`
`Hlustration 5: reproduction with modification of Fig. 7 ofNakazawa.
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
`
`Claims6-10, 16, and 18 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over
`
`Nakazawa (US 2009/0220851) as applied to claims 5 and 1 above.
`
`Regarding claim 6, the device of Nakazawa comprisesfirst and second collision plates
`
`that are coupled to an upperplate (upper cover) of the exterior case without gaps on upper edges
`
`of the first and secondcollision plates as well as the first and second guideplates(1.e., the upper
`
`cover formsa part of the flow path andis sealed to ensure airtightness such that the gas is forced
`
`to flow out via the flow path shownin Fig. 7, see [0055], Illustration 5, and Fig. 4. If the upper
`
`plate were not secured without gaps between the cover and guide plates, the flow path would
`
`flow above the guide plates and not via the tortuous flow path shownin Fig. 7).
`
`Nakazawadiscloses a flow path formed by edge gaps between the sub-plate and the side
`
`plates of the exterior case (see Illustration 5 above). Nakazawa does notdisclose an upper-edge
`
`gap defined between an upperedge of the sub-plate and the upperplate of the exterior case.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/430,860
`Art Unit: 1723
`
`Page 9
`
`However, forming the gap between the upper plate and the sub-plate would represent a
`
`simple 90° rotation of the structure of Nakazawa’s structure, which comprises a gap between the
`
`sub-plate and the side plate.
`
`Therefore, one of ordinary skill in the art prior to the filing date of the claimed invention
`
`would have found it obvious to rearrange the existing structure of Nakazawasuchthat a gap is
`
`formed between the upper plate and the sub-plate, and such a modification would not produce
`
`any benefit that would be new or unexpectedto said artisan.
`
`Regarding claim 7, Nakazawa states that the body andpartition walls of the power supply
`
`device are made of metal ({0009], [0012]). This would necessarily encompass both the guide
`
`pates and collision plates that form the partition walls (Fig. 7).
`
`Regarding claim 8, Nakazawa discloses a power supply device with a gas releasing path
`
`in an exterior case that meetsall of the limitations of claim 1, as set forth above. Nakazawaonly
`
`discloses one exterior case with a gas release path for releasing exhaust gas from an exhaust
`
`valve, rather than a plurality of such exterior cases (Fig. 2).
`
`However, the addition of a plurality of gas releasing paths to the power supply device of
`
`Nakazawa would represent an obvious duplication of parts that would fail to alter the operation
`
`of the device in a patentably distinct manner from that of the prior art. One of ordinary skill in
`
`the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention, desiring to increase the power
`
`output of the power supply device of Nakazawa, would have found it obvious to increase the
`
`numberofcells in the battery, and would therefore have immediately realized a motivation to
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/430,860
`Art Unit: 1723
`
`Page 10
`
`add additional exterior cases with additional gas release pathways to accommodate the added
`
`cells.
`
`Regarding claim 9, Nakazawa discloses a device in which the external case (16) has a
`
`rectangular parallelepiped shape with a width and a length longer than the width (Fig.2).
`
`However, the collision-enhancing releasing paths (flow paths) of Nakazawaare only arranged on
`
`one longitudinal end of the case (16), as per Fig. 2. There are not collision-enhancing releasing
`
`pathsat the lateral sides of the power supply device.
`
`However, one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that the addition of a second
`
`collision-enhancing releasing path at the other longitudinal end of the case would be a simple
`
`duplication and rearrangementof parts that would fail to alter the operation of the device in a
`
`patentably distinct way from the prior art. Said artisan would have found it obvious to add
`
`additional collision-enhancing releasing paths to the other longitudinal end of the structure in
`
`order to increase the venting capability the device.
`
`Regarding claim 10, Nakazawa discloses a device in which the external case (16) has a
`
`rectangular parallelepiped shape with a width and a length longer than the width (Fig. 2). The
`
`collision-enhancing releasing path of Nakazawa is arranged at both lateral ends of the device (see
`
`Illustration 6 below).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/430,860
`Art Unit: 1723
`
`Page 11
`
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`
`Ilustration 6: reproduction with modification of Fig. 7 ofNakazawa.
`
`The collision-enhancing releasing paths (flow paths) of Nakazawaare only arranged on
`
`one longitudinal end of the case (16), as per Fig. 2. There are not collision-enhancing releasing
`
`pathsat the lateral sides of the power supply device.
`
`However, one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that the addition of a second
`
`collision-enhancing releasing path at the other longitudinal end of the case would be a simple
`
`duplication and rearrangementof parts that would fail to alter the operation of the device in a
`
`patentably distinct way from the prior art. Said artisan would have found it obvious to add
`
`additional collision-enhancing releasing paths to the other longitudinal end of the structure in
`
`order to increase the venting capability the device.
`
`Regarding claim 16, Nakazawa discloses a power supply device comprising a battery
`
`holder (battery cell housing 17) that is accommodated in the exterior case (case 16) and holds the
`
`batteries (battery pack 10) in their predetermined places (Fig. 3). The inlet duct (inflow port 25)
`
`of Nakazawahasa circular shape, and Nakazawa doesnotdisclose a vertically-elongated shape
`
`(Fig. 5).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/430,860
`Art Unit: 1723
`
`Page 12
`
`However, modifying the shape of the inlet duct of Nakazawainto a vertically-elongated
`
`oval extending in a vertical direction would be a simple change of shape that would notalter the
`
`operation of the device in a patentably distinct manner or produce any new or unexpected
`
`benefit. One of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention
`
`would therefore have it obvious changethe shape ofthe inlet duct from a circular to a vertically-
`
`elongated shape.
`
`Regarding claim 18, Nakazawa discloses an exterior case (16) that includes an end
`
`surface plate defining a ductarea(i.e., the plate around exhaust port 33, see Fig. 7). Nakazawa
`
`does not disclose multiple exhaust opening portions in the endplate.
`
`However, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art prior to the filing
`
`date of the claimed invention to provide multiple exhaust openings in the end plate. Said artisan
`
`would have been motivated to install additional openings in order to increase the throughput of
`
`the flow path or to provide backup exhaustports in the event that a port becomes blocked or
`
`clogged.
`
`Claims 12-15, 17, and 19-22 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable
`
`over Nakazawaas applied to claim 11 above, and further in view of Nagano (US 9,553,290).
`
`Regarding claim 12, Nakazawa discloses a power supply device comprising lead wires
`
`(connecting cable 23) connected to the battery (10, see [0030] and Fig. 2). Nakazawaalso
`
`discloses a gas releasing path arranged in and enclosed bythe duct of the collision-enhancing
`
`releasing path, where the gas releasing path has an inlet and outlet duct (see Illustration 4 above).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/430,860
`Art Unit: 1723
`
`Page 13
`
`Nakazawadoesnot disclose a connector fastened to the exterior case or lead wires that pass from
`
`the inlet duct to the outlet duct of the releasing path which is arrangedin the duct area.
`
`However, Nagano, working in the same field of endeavor, teaches a battery arrangement
`
`in whichthe lead wires (113a) are arranged within the gas releasing path (hose 119a) and
`
`enclosed by the connector and duct area such that the lead wires (113a) pass from the inlet duct
`
`of the collision-enhancing releasing path to the outlet duct of the collision-enhancing releasing
`
`path (i.e., the inlet and outlet of hose 119a) arranged in the duct area (Nagano, col. 10, lines 38-
`
`64 and Figs 5-6). The wires of Naganoare held within a connector (15) that is electrically
`
`connected to the battery via said wires andis fastened to the part of the exterior case that closes
`
`the duct area (1.e., connector 15 is fastened to the exterior case via bolt 27, see Figs. 2-3).
`
`Naganofurther teaches that arranging the lead wiresin the gas releasing path in this
`
`fashion reduces the need to create separate holes for the wires and the gas releasing path, which
`
`can reducethe noise that is transmitted though said holes (Nagano, col. 1, lines 38-57).
`
`Oneofordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention
`
`would therefore have found it obvious to arrange the lead wires inside the collision-enhancing
`
`gas releasing path from the inlet duct to the outlet duct within a connector fastened to the exterior
`
`case, as taught by Nagano. Said artisan would have been motivated to make such a modification
`
`in order to reduce the numberof through-holes needed to accommodate the power supply device
`
`of Nakazawaandthereby reduce the transmission of noise into a vehicle.
`
`Regarding claim 13, Nakazawa discloses a single non-wiring collision-enhancing
`
`releasing path without lead wires inside (flow path, see Fig. 7), but Nakazawa doesnot disclose a
`
`plurality of collision-enhancing releasing paths. However, one of ordinary skill in the art would
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/430,860
`Art Unit: 1723
`
`Page 14
`
`recognize that the addition of a second collision-enhancing releasing path would represent a
`
`simple duplication and rearrangementof parts that would fail to alter the operation of the device
`
`in a patentably distinct way from the prior art. Said artisan would have found it obvious to add
`
`additional collision-enhancing releasing paths to the other longitudinal end of the structure in
`
`order to increase the venting capability the device.
`
`Further regarding claim 13, Nakazawadiscloses a non-wiring collision-enhancing
`
`releasing path as well as lead wires (connecting cable 23) connected to the battery (10, see
`
`[0030] and Fig. 2). Nakazawa doesnot disclose a wiring collision-enhancing releasing path.
`
`However, Nagano, working in the same field of endeavor, teaches a battery arrangement
`
`in whichthe lead wires (113a) are arranged within the gas releasing path (hose 119a) and
`
`enclosed by the duct area such that the lead wires (113a) pass from the inlet duct of the collision-
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`enhancing releasing path to the outlet duct of the collision-enhancing releasing path (1.e., the
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`inlet and outlet of hose 119a) arranged in the duct area (Nagano, col. 10, lines 38-64 and Figs 5-
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`6).
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`Naganofurther teaches that arranging the lead wiresin the gas releasing path in this
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`fashion reduces the need to create separate holes for the wires and the gas releasing path, which
`
`can reducethe noise that is transmitted though said holes (Nagano, col. 1, lines 38-57).
`
`Oneofordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention
`
`would therefore have found it obvious to arrange the lead wires inside the collision-enhancing
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`gas releasing path from theinlet duct to the outlet duct, and said artisan would have been
`
`motivated to do so to reduce the numberof through-holes needed to accommodate the power
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`supply device of Nakazawaandthereby reduce the transmission of noise into a vehicle as taught
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`by Nagano.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/430,860
`Art Unit: 1723
`
`Page 15
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`Regarding claim 14, Nakazawa discloses a device comprising a releasing path in which a
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`first gap is defined between an edgeofthe first guide plate and the second collision plate and a
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`second gapis defined between an edge of the second guideplate and thefirst collision plate (see
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`Illustration 7 below). The edgeofthe first guide plate is a U-shaped bendofthe first guide plate
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`(i.e., the first guide forms a U-shaped bendin the gas pathway in the same manneras the guide
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`plates of the instant specification) and the edge of the second guide plate is a U-shaped bendof
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`the second guideplate (see Illustration 7 below).
`
`
` P87Ae
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`Fs AAPoy Ay
`Kd
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`
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`Sem
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`j
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`
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`Hlustration 7: reproduction with modification of Fig. 7 ofNakazawa.
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`Nakazawadoesnotdisclose a wiring releasing path wherein the lead wires pass through
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`the first wiring gap and the second wiring gap.
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`However, Nagano, working in the same field of endeavor, teaches a battery arrangement
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`in whichthe lead wires (113a) are arranged within the gas releasing path (hose 119a) and
`
`enclosed by the duct area such that the lead wires (113a) pass from the inlet duct of the collision-
`
`enhancing releasing path to the outlet duct of the collision-enhancing releasing path (1.e., the
`
`inlet and outlet of hose 119a) arranged in the duct area (Nagano, col. 10, lines 38-64 and Figs 5-
`
`6).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/430,860
`Art Unit: 1723
`
`Page 16
`
`Naganofurther teaches that arranging the lead wiresin the gas releasing path in this
`
`fashion reducesthe need to create separate holes for the wires and the gas releasing path, which
`
`can reducethe noise that is transmitted though said holes (Nagano, col. 1, lines 38-57).
`
`Oneofordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention
`
`would therefore have found it obvious to arrange the lead wires inside the collision-enhancing
`
`gas releasing path from theinlet duct to the outlet duct, and said artisan would have been
`
`motivated to arrange the wires in this way to reduce the numberof through-holes needed to
`
`accommodate the power supply device of Nakazawaand thereby reduce the transmission of
`
`noise into a vehicle ,as taught by Nagano. Furthermore, said artisan arranging the lead wires in
`
`the collision-enhancing gas releasing path of Nakazawa would necessarily have chosen to place
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`the wires in the first and second gaps, as there are no other pathways by which a wire could be
`
`placed that would allow the wire to travel from the inlet to the outlet.
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`Regarding claim 15, Nakazawa discloses a device comprising a non-wiring releasing path
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`(flow path) in which the second guideplate is coupledto the first collision plate (see Illustration
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`7 and Illustration 4) and a passage gap capable of allowing gasto pass throughis defined
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`between a lower edge of the second guideplate and a lowerplate of the exterior case (first and
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`second gaps, see Illustration 7 above). Nakazawa doesnot disclose a wiring releasing path
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`wherein the lead wires pass throughthe first wiring gap and the second wiring gap.
`
`However, Nagano, working in the same field of endeavor, teaches a battery arrangement
`
`in whichthe lead wires (113a) are arranged within the gas releasing path (hose 119a) and
`
`enclosed by the duct area such that the lead wires (113a) pass from the inlet duct of the collision-
`
`enhancing releasing path to the outlet duct of the collision-enhancing releasing path (1.e., the
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/430,860
`Art Unit: 1723
`
`Page 17
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`inlet and outlet of hose 119a) arranged in the duct area (Nagano, col. 10, lines 38-64 and Figs 5-
`
`6).
`
`Naganofurther teaches that arranging the lead wiresin the gas releasing path in this
`
`fashion reduces the need to create separate holes for the wires and the gas releasing path, which
`
`can reducethe noise that is transmitted though said holes (Nagano, col. 1, lines 38-57).
`
`Oneofordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention
`
`would therefore have found it obvious to arrange the lead wires inside the collision-enhancing
`
`gas releasing path from theinlet duct to the outlet duct, and said artisan would have been
`
`motivated to arrange the wires in this way to reduce the numberof through-holes needed to
`
`accommodate the power supply device of Nakazawa and thereby reduce the transmission of
`
`noise into a vehicle ,as taught by Nagano. Furthermore, said artisan arranging the lead wires in
`
`the collision-enhancing gas releasing path of Nakazawa would necessarily have chosen to place
`
`the wires in the first and second gaps, as there are no other pathways by which a wire could be
`
`placed that would allow the wire to travel from the inlet to the outlet.
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`Regarding claim 17, Nakazawa discloses a gas releasing path comprising a vertically
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`elongated opening (inflow port 40) extending in a vertical direction (i.e., as shownin Fig. 7, the
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`port 40 extends in a vertical direction). Nakazawa does notdisclose that the gas releasing path is
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`a wiring path.
`
`However, Nagano, working in the same field of endeavor, teaches a battery arrangement
`
`in whichthe lead wires (113a) are arranged within the gas releasing path (hose 119a) and
`
`enclosed by the duct area such that the lead wires (113a) pass from the inlet duct of the collision-
`
`enhancing releasing path to the outlet duct of the collision-enhancing releasing path (1.e., the
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/430,860
`Art Unit: 1723
`
`Page 18
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`inlet and outlet of hose 119a) arranged in the duct area (Nagano, col. 10, lines 38-64 and Figs 5-
`
`6).
`
`Naganofurther teaches that arranging the lead wiresin the gas releasing path in this
`
`fashion reducesthe need to create separate holes for the wires and the gas releasing path, which
`
`can reducethe noise that is transmitted though said holes (Nagano, col. 1, lines 38-57).
`
`Oneofordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention
`
`would therefore have found it obvious to arrange the lead wires inside the collision-enhancing
`
`gas releasing path from the inlet duct to the outlet duct, and would have been motivated to do so
`
`in order to reduce the numberof through-holes needed to accommodate the power supply device
`
`of Nakazawaandthereby reduce the transmission of noise into a vehicle as taught by Nagano.
`
`Regarding claim 19, Nakazawa discloses an exterior case (16) that includes an end
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`surface plate defining a ductarea(i.e., the plate around exhaust port 33, see Fig. 7). Nakazawa
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`does not disclose multiple exhaust opening portions in the endplate.
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`However, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art prior to the filing
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`date of the claimed invention to provide multiple exhaust openings in the end plate. Said artisan
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`would have been motivated to install additional openings in order to increase the throughput of
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`the flow path or to provide backup exhaustports in the event that a port becomes blocked or
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`clogged.
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`Further regarding claim 19, Nakazawa doesnot disclose a connector fastened to the
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`exterior case or lead wires that pas