www.uspto.gov
`
`UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`United States Patent and Trademark Office
`Address: COMMISSIONER FOR PATENTS
`P.O. Box 1450
`Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1450
`
`17/430,860
`
`08/13/2021
`
`Tomonori SAKAMOTO
`
`2021-1531A
`
`7222
`
`wo
`
`mo
`
`ACKL,
`
`WENDEROTH, LIND & PONACKL.L.P.
`1025 Connecticut Avenue, NW
`Suite 500
`Washington, DC 20036
`
`HILTON, ALBERT MICHAEL
`
`1723
`
`PAPER NUMBER
`
`NOTIFICATION DATE
`
`DELIVERY MODE
`
`06/07/2024
`
`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):
`eoa@ wenderoth.com
`kmiller@wenderoth.com
`
`PTOL-90A (Rev. 04/07)
`
`

`

`
`
`Disposition of Claims*
`1-10,12-19 and 21-22 is/are pending in the application.
`)
`Claim(s)
`5a) Of the above claim(s) _ is/are withdrawn from consideration.
`C} Claim(s)__ is/are allowed.
`Claim(s) 1-10,12-19 and 21-22 is/are rejected.
`(] Claim(s)__ is/are objectedto.
`C] Claim(s
`are subjectto restriction and/or election requirement
`)
`* If any claims have been determined allowable, you maybeeligible to benefit from the Patent Prosecution Highway program at a
`participating intellectual property office for the corresponding application. For more information, please see
`http://www.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)Y) All
`1.) Certified copies of the priority documents have been received.
`2.1.) Certified copies of the priority documents have been received in Application No. |
`3.2.) 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)
`
`4)
`
`(LJ Interview Summary (PTO-413)
`Paper No(s)/Mail Date
`(Qj Other:
`
`PTOL-326 (Rev. 11-13)
`
`Office Action Summary
`
`Part of Paper No./Mail Date 20240530
`
`Application No.
`Applicant(s)
`171430,860
`SAKAMOTOet al.
`
`Office Action Summary Art Unit|AIA (FITF)StatusExaminer
`ALBERT HILTON
`1723
`Yes
`
`
`
`-- The MAILING DATEof this communication appears on the cover sheet with the correspondence address --
`Period for Reply
`
`A SHORTENED STATUTORYPERIOD FOR REPLYIS SET TO EXPIRE 3 MONTHS FROM THE MAILING
`DATE OF THIS COMMUNICATION.
`Extensionsof 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 12/22/2023.
`C} A declaration(s)/affidavit(s) under 37 CFR 1.130(b) was/werefiled on
`
`2a)() This action is FINAL. 2b)¥)This action is non-final.
`3) 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)(2) 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: 17/430,860
`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 AJA.
`
`Continued Examination Under 37 CFR 1.114
`
`A request for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, including the fee set forth in
`
`37 CFR 1.17(e), wasfiled in this application after final rejection. Since this application is
`
`eligible for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, andthe fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e)
`
`has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuantto
`
`37 CFR 1.114. Applicant's submission filed on 1/18/2024 has been entered.
`
`Response to Arguments
`
`Applicant’s arguments with regards to claims 1-22 under 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103, have
`
`been considered, but are moot as the new ground of rejection now addresses the newly-amended
`
`claims, as set forth below.
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
`
`The rejection of claims 1-8 and 22 under U.S.C. 112 is withdrawn in view of the amendments to
`
`claims 1 and 22.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/430,860
`Art Unit: 1723
`
`Page 3
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
`
`Thetext of those sections of Title 35, U.S. Code not included in this action can be found
`
`in a prior Office action.
`
`Claims 1-5 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over in view of
`
`Nakazawa (US 2009/0220851) in view of Itoi (US 2012/0164490).
`
`Regarding claim 1, Nakazawadiscloses a power supply device comprising a plurality of
`
`batteries (1) in which each of the plurality of batteries includes an exhaust valve (7a) configured
`
`to open if an internal pressure becomeshigher 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 accommodation area (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 ductareathatis
`
`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 4
`
`
` 33
`“eae Py
`
`
`3
`
`thee
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`4
`
`Hlustration 1: reproduction with modification of Fig. 7 ofNakazawa.
`
`The duct area of Nakazawa includesa collision-enhancing releasing path (flow path), and
`
`is configured to release gas ([0043]). Said collision-enhancing releasing path (flow path)
`
`includesa first collision plate configured to reflect the flow direction of gas via the collision of
`
`said gas against a surface ofthe first collision plate, and a second collision plate that faces the
`
`first collision plate (see [0054] and Illustration 2 below). The flow path of Nakazawais designed
`
`to reduce the temperature of exhaust gasses vented from the batteries ((0051)).
`
`
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/430,860
`Art Unit: 1723
`
`Page 5
`
`Nakazawadoesnot teach or disclose a space within the duct area but outside the
`
`collision-enhancing path such that said space has a larger volumethan the collision-enhancing
`
`path.
`
`Itoi, also working on the problem of venting exhaust gasses from battery systems, teaches
`
`a duct area that is divided intoafirst collision-enhancing path (first space 61) and a space
`
`(second space 62) positioned between the collision-enhancing releasing path (61) and an exhaust
`
`opening portion (22) of the exterior case (20) such that the exhaust opening portion (22)
`
`communicates with the collision-enhancing path (61) and the space (62 [0050]-[0051], Fig. 2,
`
`and see Illustration 3 below).
`
`The space (62) of Itoi is designed to have a larger volumethan the collision-enhancing
`
`releasing path (61) in order to cool the escaping gas via adiabatic expansion of the gas ([O060]-
`
`[0062]). Itoi further teaches that high-temperature exhaust gasses within a battery module can
`
`degrade the performanceof the battery ({0003]).
`
`
`
`Illustration 3: reproduction with modification of Fig. 2 ofItoi.
`
`It would therefore have been obviousto one of ordinary skill in the art prior to the filing
`
`date of the claimed invention to modify the apparatus of Nakazawaby adding the space taught
`
`by Itoi that is disposed in the duct between the exterior case and the collision-enhancing path,
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/430,860
`Art Unit: 1723
`
`Page 6
`
`and further to design said space suchthat the space has a larger volumethan the collision-
`
`enhancing path. Said artisan would have been motivated to add this space in order to further
`
`reduce the temperature of exhaust gasses released from battery cells, and thereby to prevent the
`
`batteries from becoming degraded,as taught by Itoi.
`
`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 throughtheinlet duct (40), collides against
`
`the surface of the first collision plate, collides against the second collision plate, and is the
`
`released throughthe outlet duct (33) to the outside of the exterior case (see [0051], Fig. 7, and
`
`Illustrations 1-2 above).
`
`Regarding claim 3, the device of Nakazawa comprisesa 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 | and 4).
`
`

`

`Page 7
`
`Application/Control Number: 17/430,860
`
`Art Unit: 1723
`
`Regarding claim 4, Nakazawa discloses a device comprising a collision-enhancing
`
`releasing path (flow path) that includesa first guide plate that is coupled to 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 comprises a 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).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/430,860
`Art Unit: 1723
`
`Page 8
`
`mos
`
`
`
`parenahemanapaieeeearners SE
`SSSY
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`
`
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`
`
`
`Illustration 5: reproduction with modification of Fig. 7 ofNakazawa.
`
`Claims 6-10, 16, and 18 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over
`
`Nakazawa (US 2009/0220851) in view of Itoi (US 2012/0164490) 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 upper plate (upper cover) of the exterior case without gaps on upper edges
`
`of the first and second collision plates as well as the first and second guideplates (1.e., the upper
`
`cover formsa part of the flow path and is 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 abovethe 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 doesnotdisclose an upper-edge
`
`gap defined between an upper edge 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 foundit obvious to rearrange the existing structure of Nakazawa suchthat 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 unexpected to said artisan.
`
`Regarding claim 7, Nakazawastates 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 meets all of the limitations of claim 1, as set forth above. Nakazawa only
`
`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 foundit obviousto 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 Nakazawa are 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 rearrangementofparts 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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`
`Illustration 6: reproduction with modification of Fig. 7 ofNakazawa.
`
`Thecollision-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 recognizethat 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 accommodatedin 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 Nakazawadoesnot disclose a vertically-elongated shape
`
`(Fig. 5).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/430,860
`Art Unit: 1723
`
`Page 12
`
`However, modifying the shape ofthe 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 change the shape ofthe inlet duct fromacircular to a vertically-
`
`elongated shape.
`
`Regarding claim 18, Nakazawa discloses an exterior case (16) that includes an end
`
`surface plate defining a duct area(i.e., the plate around exhaust port 33, see Fig. 7). Nakazawa
`
`does not disclose multiple exhaust opening portionsin the endplate.
`
`However, it would have been obviousto one of ordinary skill in the art prior to the filing
`
`date of the claimed invention to provide multiple exhaust openingsin the endplate. Said artisan
`
`would have been motivated to install additional openingsin 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, 19, and 21-22 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being
`
`unpatentable over Nakazawa (US 2009/0220851) in view of Itoi (US 2012/0164490) as
`
`applied to claim 1 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) connectedto the battery (10, see [0030] and Fig. 2). Nakazawaalso
`
`discloses a gas releasing path arranged in and enclosed by the ductof 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 whichis arrangedin the duct area.
`
`However, Nagano, working in the samefield 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) arrangedin 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 (i.e., connector 15 is fastened to the exterior case via bolt 27, see Figs. 2-3).
`
`Nagano further teachesthat arranging the lead wiresin the gas releasing path inthis
`
`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).
`
`Oneof ordinary 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 foundit 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 samefield 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 (i.e., the
`
`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 inthis
`
`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).
`
`Oneof ordinary 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 said artisan would have been
`
`motivated to do so 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.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/430,860
`Art Unit: 1723
`
`Page 15
`
`Regarding claim 14, Nakazawa discloses a device comprising a releasing path in which a
`
`first gap is defined between an edgeofthe first guide plate and the second collision plate and a
`
`second gap is defined between an edge of the second guide plate andthefirst collision plate (see
`
`Illustration 7 below). The edgeofthe first guide plate is a U-shaped bendofthe first guide plate
`
`(i.e., the first guide forms a U-shaped bendin the gas pathwayin the same manneras the guide
`
`plates of the instant specification) and the edge of the second guide plate is a U-shaped bendof
`
`the second guide plate (see Illustration 7 below).
`
`
`
`Illustration 7: reproduction with modification of Fig. 7 ofNakazawa.
`
`Nakazawadoesnot disclose a wiring releasing path wherein the lead wires pass through
`
`the first wiring gap and the second wiring gap.
`
`However, Nagano, working in the samefield 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 (i.e., the
`
`inlet and outlet of hose 119a) arranged in the duct area (Nagano, col. 10, lines 38-64 and Figs 5-
`
`6).
`
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`Application/Control Number: 17/430,860
`Art Unit: 1723
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`Page 16
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`Naganofurther teaches that arranging the lead wires in the gas releasing path in this
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`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).
`
`Oneof ordinary 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 the inlet duct to the outlet duct, and said artisan would have been
`
`motivated to arrange the wires in this way to reduce the number of through-holes needed to
`
`accommodate the power supply device of Nakazawaandthereby 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 wiresin 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 guide plate is coupledto the first collision plate (see Illustration
`
`7 andIllustration 4) and a passage gap capable of allowing gas to pass throughis defined
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`between a lower edge of the second guide plate and a lowerplate of the exterior case (first and
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`second gaps, see Illustration 7 above). Nakazawadoesnot disclose a wiring releasing path
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`wherein the lead wires pass through thefirst wiring gap and the second wiring gap.
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`However, Nagano, working in the samefield 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
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`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 (i.e., the
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`

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`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-
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`6).
`
`Naganofurther teaches that arranging the lead wires in 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).
`
`Oneof ordinary 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 said artisan would have been
`
`motivated to arrange the wires in this way to reduce the number of 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 wiresin 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.
`
`Regarding claim 17, Nakazawa discloses a gas releasing path comprising a vertically
`
`elongated opening (inflow port 40) extending in a vertical direction (1.e., as shown in Fig. 7, the
`
`port 40 extends in a vertical direction). Nakazawa doesnotdisclose that the gas releasing path is
`
`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 (i.e., the
`
`

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`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).
`
`Nagano further 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).
`
`Oneof ordinary 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 Nakazawa andthereby 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
`
`surface plate defining a duct area(i.e., the plate around exhaust port 33, see Fig. 7). Nakazawa
`
`does not disclose multiple exhaust opening portionsin the endplate.
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`However, it would have been obviousto one of ordinary skill in the art prior to the filing
`
`date of the claimed invention to provide multiple exhaust openingsin the endplate. Said artisan
`
`would have been motivated to install additional openingsin order to increase the throughput of
`
`the flow path or to provide backup exhaustports in the event that a port becomes blocked or
`
`clogged.
`
`Further regarding claim 19, Nakazawa doesnotdisclose a connector fastened to the
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`exterior case or lead wires that pass from the inlet duct to the outlet duct of the releasing path
`
`whichis arranged in the ductarea.
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 17/430,860
`Art Unit: 1723
`
`Page 19
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`However, Nagano, working in the samefield 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) arrangedin 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 (i.e., connector 15 is fastened to the exterior case via bolt 27, see Figs. 2-3).
`
`Naganofurther teaches that arranging the lead wires in 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).
`
`Oneof ordinary 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 21, Nakazawa discloses a power supply device comprising an exterior
`
`case that has a rectangular shapethat is elongated in a longitudinal direction and includesafirst
`
`end surface and a second end surface (Fig. 3, case 16 is rectangular and has front and back end
`
`surfaces). The exterior case of Nakazawadefines the battery accommodation area in