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
`
`17/438,555
`
`09/13/2021
`
`Yasufumi Takahashi
`
`P210790US00
`
`4702
`
`WHDA, LLP
`8500 LEESBURG PIKE
`SUITE 7500
`TYSONS, VA22182
`
`CARVALHO JR., ARMINDO
`
`1729
`
`PAPER NUMBER
`
`NOTIFICATION DATE
`
`DELIVERY MODE
`
`06/14/2024
`
`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):
`
`patentmail @ whda.com
`
`PTOL-90A (Rev. 04/07)
`
`

`

`Application No.
`Applicant(s)
`17/438,555
`Takahashi etal.
`
`Office Action Summary Art Unit|AIA (FITF)StatusExaminer
`ARMINDO CARVALHO JR.
`1729
`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 22 May 2024.
`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) 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.
`
`Disposition of Claims*
`1,3-6 and 8-9 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) 1,3-6 and 8-9 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)0) The drawing(s) filedon__ is/are: a)(J accepted or b)( objected to by the Examiner.
`Applicant may not request that any objection to the drawing(s) be held in abeyance. See 37 CFR 1.85(a).
`Replacement drawing sheet(s) including the correction is required if the drawing(s) is objected to. See 37 CFR 1.121(d).
`
`Priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119
`12)7) Acknowledgment is made of a claim for foreign priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a)-(d)or (f).
`Certified copies:
`c)Z None ofthe:
`b)() Some**
`a)C All
`1.1.) Certified copies of the priority documents have been received.
`2.2) Certified copies of the priority documents have been received in Application No.
`3.1.) Copies of the certified copies of the priority documents have been receivedin this National Stage
`application from the International Bureau (PCT Rule 17.2(a)).
`*“ See the attached detailed Office action for a list of the certified copies not received.
`
`Attachment(s)
`
`1) [[] Notice of References Cited (PTO-892)
`
`2) (J Information Disclosure Statement(s) (PTO/SB/08a and/or PTO/SB/08b)
`Paper No(s)/Mail Date
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
`
`3)
`
`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 20240610
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/438,555
`Art Unit: 1729
`
`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
`
`underthe first inventor to file provisions of the AIA.
`
`Response to Amendment
`
`2.
`
`In response to the amendment received May 22, 2024:
`
`a.
`
`Claims 1, 3-6 and 8-9 are pending. Claims 2 and 7 have been cancelled
`
`as per applicant’s request.
`
`b.
`
`The core of the previous rejection is maintained with slight changes made
`
`in light of the amendment. All changesto the rejection are necessitated by the
`
`amendment.
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
`
`3.
`
`The text of those sections of Title 35, U.S. Code not includedin this action can
`
`be found in a prior Office action.
`
`4.
`
`Claims 1, 3-6 and 8 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable
`
`over Nakamuraet al. (JPH02117066A), cited in the Information Disclosure Statementin
`
`view of Matsuyama etal. (WO 2015/163254) as evidenced by Davis et al. (US
`
`2009/0249614). The English machine translation of Nakamuraetal. is attached ina
`
`previous Office Action and is cited below. The English machine translation of
`
`Matsuyama etal. is attached andis cited below.
`
`5.
`
`Regarding Claim 1, Nakamura et al. teaches an alkaline dry battery comprising a
`
`zinc negative electrode, a positive electrode and a separator (Para. [0003] and line 55)
`
`(i.e. a positive electrode, a negative electrode and a separator disposed between the
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/438,555
`Art Unit: 1729
`
`Page 3
`
`positive electrode and the negative electrode and the negative electrode including a
`
`negative electrode active material containing zinc) an alkaline aqueous solution as the
`
`electrolyte (lines 143-144) (i.e. an alkaline electrolyte retained in the positive electrode,
`
`the negative electrode and the separator, as electrolyte permeates the anode [negative
`
`electrode] and cathode [positive electrode] in batteries, as evidenced by Davis etal. —
`
`Para. [0002] ) and alkylpheny! polyethylene glycol ether sulfate ester salt added to the
`
`negative electrode (lines 113-115) (i.e. the negative electrode material comprising an
`
`additive including a sulfur-containing cyclic compound) and the alkylpheny! polyethylene
`
`glycol ether sulfate salt is added at 0.1 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of
`
`the zinc alloy powder(i.e. wherein the sulfur-containing cyclic compoundis retained in
`
`the negative electrode in an amountof 0.1 parts per 100 parts by massof the negative
`
`electrode active material included in the negative electrode) (lines 59-61 and Example 2
`
`in Table 1) forming a coating layer on the surface of the negative electrode active
`
`material to suppress gas generation (lines 101-104 and 112-117) wherein the
`
`electrolyte solution is prepared by adding carboxymethyl cellulose and sodium
`
`polyacrylate as a gelling agent to an aqueous potassium hydroxide solution (i.e. the
`
`alkaline electrolyte is gelled by a gelling agent) (lines 141-144) and alkylphenyl
`
`polyethylene glycol ether sulfate ester salt added to an alkaline aqueous electrolytic
`
`solution (lines 214-216) (i.e. the sulfur-containing cyclic compoundis dispersed in the
`
`alkaline electrolyte).
`
`Nakamuraet al. does not explicitly the cyclic compound hasa ring structure
`
`having a sulfur atom.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/438,555
`Art Unit: 1729
`
`Page 4
`
`However, Matsuyama etal. teaches a battery additive for an alkaline battery (pg.
`
`21, lines 848-853) wherein the electrolyte additive is propane sultone (i.e. sulfur-
`
`containing cyclic compound hasa ring structure having a sulfur atom) (pg. 11, lines 454-
`
`457).
`
`It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective
`
`filing date of the claimed invention to have modified Nakamura et al. which contains a
`
`sulfur containing cyclic compound additive in the negative electrode and electrolyte, to
`
`incorporate the teaching of the battery additive taught by Matsuyama et al. comprising
`
`propane sultone (i.e. a sulfur containing cyclic compound additive having a ring
`
`structure having a sulfur atom) to the negative electrode and electrolyte, as the propane
`
`sultone additive provides high output characteristics developed by adsorption to active
`
`material (lines 86-89).
`
`6.
`
`Regarding Claim 3, Nakamuraet al. as modified by Matsuyama etal. teachesall
`
`of the elements of the current invention in claim 1 as explained above.
`
`Nakamura et al. does not explicitly the cyclic compound wherethe ring structure
`
`is a five-memberedring.
`
`However, Matsuyama etal. teaches a battery additive for an alkaline battery (pg.
`
`21, lines 848-853) wherein the electrolyte additive is propane sultone (i.e. sulfur-
`
`containing cyclic compoundhasa ring structure whichis a five-memberedring) (pg. 11,
`
`lines 454-457).
`
`It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective
`
`filing date of the claimed invention to have modified Nakamura et al. which contains a
`
`sulfur containing cyclic compound additive in the negative electrode and electrolyte, to
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/438,555
`Art Unit: 1729
`
`Page 5
`
`incorporate the teaching of the battery additive taught by Matsuyama et al. comprising
`
`propane sultone (i.e. a sulfur containing cyclic compound additive having a ring
`
`structure having a sulfur atom) to the negative electrode and electrolyte, as the propane
`
`sultone additive provides high output characteristics developed by adsorption to active
`
`material (lines 86-89).
`
`7.
`
`Regarding Claim 4, Nakamura et al. as modified by Matsuyamaetal. teachesall
`
`of the elements of the current invention in claim 1 as explained above.
`
`Nakamura et al. does not teach the sulfur-containing cyclic compoundis a sulfur-
`
`containing cyclic ester.
`
`However, Matsuyama et al. teaches a battery additive for an alkaline battery (pg.
`
`21, lines 848-853) wherein the electrolyte additive is propane sultone (i.e. sulfur-
`
`containing cyclic compoundis a sulfur-containing cyclic ester) (pg. 11, lines 454-457).
`
`It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective
`
`filing date of the claimed invention to have modified Nakamura et al. which contains a
`
`sulfur containing cyclic compound additive in the negative electrode and electrolyte, to
`
`incorporate the teaching of the battery additive taught by Matsuyama et al. comprising
`
`propane sultone (i.e. a sulfur containing cyclic compound additive having a ring
`
`structure having a sulfur atom) to the negative electrode and electrolyte, as the propane
`
`sultone additive provides high output characteristics developed by adsorption to active
`
`material (lines 86-89).
`
`8.
`
`Regarding Claim 5, Nakamuraet al. as modified by Matsuyama etal. teachesall
`
`of the elements of the current invention in claim 4 as explained above.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/438,555
`Art Unit: 1729
`
`Page 6
`
`Nakamura et al. does not teach the sulfur-containing cyclic ester includes at least
`
`one selected from the group consisting of a sulfate ester, sulfite ester, and a sulfonate
`
`ester.
`
`However, Matsuyama etal. teaches a battery additive for an alkaline battery (pg.
`
`21, lines 848-853) wherein the electrolyte additive is propane sultone (i.e. sulfur-
`
`containing cyclic ester comprises a sulfonate ester) (pg. 11, lines 454-457).
`
`It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective
`
`filing date of the claimed invention to have modified Nakamura et al. which contains a
`
`sulfur containing cyclic compound additive in the negative electrode and electrolyte, to
`
`incorporate the teaching of the battery additive taught by Matsuyama et al. comprising
`
`propane sultone (i.e. a sulfur containing cyclic compound additive having a ring
`
`structure having a sulfur atom) to the negative electrode and electrolyte, as the propane
`
`sultone additive provides high output characteristics developed by adsorption to active
`
`material (lines 86-89).
`
`9.
`
`Regarding Claim 6, Nakamuraet al. as modified by Matsuyama etal. teachesall
`
`of the elements of the current invention in claim 1 as explained above.
`
`Nakamura et al. does not the cyclic compound includes at least one selected
`
`from the group consisting of 1,3-propanesultone, 1,3- propenesultone, ethylene sulfite,
`
`However, Matsuyama etal. teaches a battery additive for an alkaline battery (pg.
`
`21, lines 848-853) wherein the electrolyte additive is propane sultone (i.e. sulfur-
`
`containing cyclic compound comprises 1,3-propane sultone) (pg. 11, lines 454-457).
`
`It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective
`
`filing date of the claimed invention to have modified Nakamura et al. which contains a
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/438,555
`Art Unit: 1729
`
`Page 7
`
`sulfur containing cyclic compound additive in the negative electrode and electrolyte, to
`
`incorporate the teaching of the battery additive taught by Matsuyama et al. comprising
`
`propane sultone (i.e. a sulfur containing cyclic compound additive having a ring
`
`structure having a sulfur atom) to the negative electrode andelectrolyte, as the propane
`
`sultone additive provides high output characteristics developed by adsorption to active
`
`material (lines 86-89).
`
`10.
`
`Regarding Claim 8, Nakamura et al. as modified by Matsuyama etal. teachesall
`
`of the elements of the current invention in claim 1 as explained above.
`
`Nakamuraetal. further teaches an alkaline dry battery comprising a zinc
`
`negative electrode, a positive electrode and a separator (Para. [0003] and line 55)(i.e.
`
`a positive electrode, a negative electrode and a separator disposed between the
`
`positive electrode and the negative electrode and the negative electrode including a
`
`negative electrode active material containing zinc) an alkaline aqueous solution as the
`
`electrolyte (lines 143-144) with alkylphenyl polyethylene glycol ether sulfate ester salt
`
`addedthereto (lines 53-56) and thus, as electrolyte permeates the anode (i.e. negative
`
`electrode) and cathode (i.e. positive electrode) in batteries, as evidenced by Davis et al.
`
`— Para. [0002], it is inherent that the alkylphenyl polyethylene glycol ether sulfate ester
`
`salt would moveinto the positive electrode (i.e. the positive electrode also retains the
`
`sulfur-containing cyclic compound). An inherent feature does not need to be recognized
`
`by the art at the time of the invention, but only that the subject matteris in fact inherent
`
`in the prior art reference. See MPEP §2112(II).
`
`11.
`
`Claim 9 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Nakamura
`
`et al. (JPHO2117066A), cited in the Information Disclosure Statement in view of Kagawa
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/438,555
`Art Unit: 1729
`
`Page 8
`
`et al. (JPS62213067A) as evidenced by Davis et al. (US 2009/0249614). The English
`
`machine translation of Nakamuraetal. is attached in a previous Office Action and is
`
`cited below. The English machine translation of Kagawaetal. is attached andis cited
`
`below.
`
`12.
`
`Regarding Claim 9, Nakamura et al. teaches an alkaline dry battery comprising a
`
`zinc negative electrode, a positive electrode and a separator (Para. [0003] and line 55)
`
`(i.e. a positive electrode, a negative electrode and a separator disposed between the
`
`positive electrode and the negative electrode and the negative electrode including a
`
`negative electrode active material containing zinc) an alkaline aqueous solution as the
`
`electrolyte (lines 143-144) (i.e. an alkaline electrolyte retained in the positive electrode,
`
`the negative electrode and the separator, as electrolyte permeates the anode [negative
`
`electrode] and cathode [positive electrode] in batteries, as evidenced by Davis et al. —
`
`Para. [0002]) and alkylphenyl polyethylene glycol ether sulfate ester salt added to the
`
`negative electrode (lines 113-115) (i.e. the negative electrode material comprising an
`
`additive including a sulfur-containing cyclic compound) wherein the electrolyte solution
`
`is prepared by adding carboxymethyl cellulose and sodium polyacrylate as a gelling
`
`agent to an aqueous potassium hydroxide solution (i.e. the alkaline electrolyte is gelled
`
`by a gelling agent) (lines 141-144) and alkylphenyl polyethylene glycol ether sulfate
`
`ester salt added to an alkaline aqueous electrolytic solution (lines 214-216)(i.e. the
`
`sulfur-containing cyclic compoundis dispersed in the alkaline electrolyte).
`
`Nakamuraetal. does not explicitly teach the sulfur-containing cyclic compound
`
`having at least one selected from the group consisting of ethylene sulfate and sulfolane.
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/438,555
`Art Unit: 1729
`
`Page 9
`
`However, Kagawaet al. teaches a dry battery having a zinc negative electrode
`
`(lines 16-17) wherein sulfolane is added to the negative electrode zinc can (pg. 3 lines,
`
`56-58) (i.e. the additive including a sulfur-containing cyclic compoundis sulfolane) and
`
`the sulfolane is addedto the electrolyte (lines 42-44) .
`
`It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective
`
`filing date of the claimed invention to have modified the additive in the negative
`
`electrode of Nakamuraetal. to incorporate the teaching of sulfolane, as sulfolane can
`
`achievethe effect of corrosion suppression when addedinto the negative electrode (pg.
`
`3, lines 92-97) and the electrolyte (pg. 2, lines 44-48).
`
`Regarding the functionallimitation of the sulfur containing cyclic compound being
`
`configured to facilitate a zinc precipitation reaction upon the alkaline battery being
`
`charge by misusein reversepolarity, as the claimed products and prior art products are
`
`identical or substantially identical in composition (both the instant claim and Nakamura
`
`et al. as modified by Kagawaetal. teach the sulfur containing cyclic compound is a
`
`sulfolane and is retained in the negative electrode and dispersedin the alkaline
`
`electrolyte, and a negative active material containing zinc), the function of facilitating a
`
`zinc precipitation reaction upon the alkaline battery being charge by misusein reverse
`
`polarity is expected. Wherethe claimed and prior art products are identical or
`
`substantially identical in structure or composition, or are producedbyidentical or
`
`substantially identical processes, a prima facie case of either anticipation or
`
`obviousness has beenestablished. "When the PTO showsa soundbasis for believing
`
`that the products of the applicant and the prior art are the same, the applicant has the
`
`burden of showing that they are not." See MPEP 2112.01 (I).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/438,555
`Art Unit: 1729
`
`Page 10
`
`Response to Arguments
`
`13.
`
`Applicant's arguments filed May 22, 2024 have beenfully considered but they are
`
`not persuasive.
`
`14.
`
`Applicant argues Matsuyamateachesit is preferable to not contain propane
`
`sultone and thereis no teaching that the propane sultone additive provides high output
`
`characteristics developed by adsorption to active material and so the rejection is based
`
`upon improper hindsight.
`
`Examiner respectfully disagrees. A reference may berelied uponfor all thatit
`
`would have reasonably suggested to one having ordinary skill the art, including
`
`nonpreferred embodiments. Merck & Co. v. Biocraft Laboratories, 874 F.2d 804, 10
`
`USPQ2d 1843 (Fed. Cir.), cert. denied, 493 U.S. 975 (1989). See MPEP §2123.
`
`Matsuyama teaches the battery additive (B) includes propane sultone (pg. 11, lines 454-
`
`456) wherein the battery additive (B) provides high output characteristics developed by
`
`the adsorption of the agentto the active material (pg. 3, lines 88-90) and thus, teaching
`
`the propane sultone additive provides high output characteristics developed by
`
`adsorption to active material. Disclosed examples and preferred embodiments do not
`
`constitute a teaching away from a broaderdisclosure or nonpreferred embodiments.
`
`See MPEP §2123. In response to applicant's argument that the examiner's conclusion
`
`of obviousness is based upon improperhindsight reasoning, it must be recognized that
`
`any judgment on obviousnessis in a sense necessarily a reconstruction based upon
`
`hindsight reasoning. But so long asit takes into account only knowledge which was
`
`within the level of ordinary skill at the time the claimed invention was made, and does
`
`not include knowledge gleaned only from the applicant's disclosure, such a
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/438,555
`Art Unit: 1729
`
`Page 11
`
`reconstruction is proper. See In re McLaughlin, 443 F.2d 1392, 170 USPQ 209 (CCPA
`
`1971). Only prior art has been relied upon regarding rationale for making the
`
`combination and thus, no hindsight has been used. Thus, the argument is not
`
`persuasive.
`
`Applicant argues Kagawais directed to manganesebatteries which are not
`
`alkaline batteries as per the present invention and Nakamura and thus, the corrosive
`
`properties of the acidic electrolyte are distinct to that of the alkaline electrolyte and for
`
`that reasoning Kagawais not applicable to Nakamura without improper hindsight.
`
`Examinerrespectfully disagrees. Nakamura teachesthe alkaline battery (pg. 1,
`
`lines 15-17) having a zinc negative electrode (pg. 1, lines 24-26) wherein Nakamura
`
`aims to improve the corrosion resistance of zinc (pg. 3, line 116). Kagawa teaches the
`
`sulfolane is added to the negative electrode zinc can (pg. 3, lines 56-58) in orderto
`
`suppresscorrosion of the zinc can, which is the negative electrode (pg. 3, lines 92-97),
`
`wherein corrosion is evaluated based on hydrogen gas generation (pg. 2, lines 60-64)
`
`and occurrenceof leakage (pg. 2, lines 72-74) . Thus there is a reasonable expectation
`
`of success. As the instant application addresses corrosion resistance (Para. [0035],
`
`[0041]) and hydrogen gas generation which causes leakage (Para. [0004]), Kagawais
`
`reasonably pertinent to the problem faced by the inventor. In response to applicant’s
`
`argument that the examiner's conclusion of obviousness is based upon improper
`
`hindsight reasoning, it must be recognized that any judgment on obviousnessis ina
`
`sense necessarily a reconstruction based upon hindsight reasoning. But so long asit
`
`takes into account only knowledge which waswithin the level of ordinary skill at the time
`
`the claimed invention was made, and doesnotinclude knowledge gleaned only from the
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/438,555
`Art Unit: 1729
`
`Page 12
`
`applicant's disclosure, Such a reconstruction is proper. See In re McLaughlin, 443 F.2d
`
`1392, 170 USPQ 209 (CCPA 1971). Only prior art has been relied upon regarding
`
`rationale for making the combination and thus, no hindsight has been used. Thus, the
`
`argumentis not persuasive.
`
`Conclusion
`
`15.
`
`Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in
`
`this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP
`
`§ 706.07(a). Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37
`
`CFR 1.136(a).
`
`A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE
`
`
`
`MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the eventafirst reply is filed within
`
`TWO MONTHS ofthe mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not
`
`mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTHshortenedstatutory period, then the
`
`shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any
`
`extension fee pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of
`
`the advisory action.
`
`In no event, however,will the statutory period for reply expire later
`
`than SIX MONTHS from the date of this final action.
`
`16.=Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the
`
`examiner should be directed to ARMINDO CARVALHO JR. whosetelephone numberis
`
`(571)272-5292. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Thursday 7:30a.m.-
`
`5p.m..
`
`Examiner interviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video
`
`conferencing using a USPTO supplied web-basedcollaboration tool. To schedule an
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/438,555
`Art Unit: 1729
`
`Page 13
`
`interview, applicant is encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request
`
`(AIR) at http:/Avwww.uspto.gov/interviewpractice.
`
`If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner's
`
`supervisor, Ula Ruddock can be reached on 571 272-1481. The fax phone numberfor
`
`the organization wherethis application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
`
`Information regarding the status of published or unpublished applications may be
`
`obtained from Patent Center. Unpublished application information in Patent Centeris
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`available to registered users. To file and manage patent submissions in Patent Center,
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`visit: https://patentcenter.uspto.gov. Visit https:/Awww.uspto.gov/patents/apply/patent-
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`Examiner, Art Unit 1729
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`/ULA C RUDDOCK/
`Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 1729
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