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
`
`17/441,235
`
`09/20/2021
`
`AKIHIRO YONEYAMA
`
`083710-3607
`
`6928
`
`Rimon PC - Panasonic Corporation
`8300 Greensboro Dr
`Suite 500
`McLean, VA 22102
`
`HIGGINS, KATHERINE NICOLE
`
`1728
`
`PAPER NUMBER
`
`NOTIFICATION DATE
`
`DELIVERY MODE
`
`10/10/2024
`
`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):
`USPTOmail @rimonlaw.com
`
`eofficeaction @appcoll.com
`
`PTOL-90A (Rev. 04/07)
`
`

`

`Application No.
`Applicant(s)
`171441 ,235
`YONEYAMA etal.
`
`Office Action Summary Art Unit|AIA (FITF)StatusExaminer
`Katherine N Higgins
`1728
`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 17 July 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*
`1-19 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) 1-19 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 20240910
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/441,235
`Art Unit: 1728
`
`Page 2
`
`DETAILED ACTION
`
`Notice of Pre-AlA or AIA Status
`
`1.
`
`The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013,
`
`is being examined
`
`underthefirst inventor to file provisions of the AIA.
`
`2.
`
`The amendments filed July 17, 2024 have been entered.
`
`Response to Amendment
`
`Claim Status
`
`e Claims 1 and 3 have been amended; support for claims 1 and 3 can be foundin
`
`[0024].
`
`e Claims 9-19 are new; support for claims 9-19 can be found in paragraphs [0010]-
`
`[0024].
`
`e Claims 1-19 are currently pending and have been examined on the merits in this
`
`office action.
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
`
`3.
`
`The text of those sections of Title 35, U.S. Code not included in this action can
`
`be found in a prior Office action.
`
`4.
`
`Claims 1-18 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by
`
`Kishimoto (Published U.S. Patent Application US 2015/0207125 A1).
`
`5.
`
`Kishimoto teaches an energy storage device includes: an electrode terminal; an
`
`electrode assembly; a current collector configured to electrically connect the electrode
`
`terminal to the electrode assembly; and a container configured to store the electrode
`
`assembly and the current collector (see e.g., Abstract). Regarding claim 1, Kishimoto
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/441,235
`Art Unit: 1728
`
`Page 3
`
`teaches a powerstorage device (see e.g., Abstract, an energy storage device)
`
`comprising:
`
`a housing including a terminal arrangement part (see e.g., paragraph [0063], a
`
`container 100 is configured of the closed-end container body 111 shaped like a
`
`rectangular tube and a plate-like lid 110 that closes an opening of the container
`
`body 111; see e.g., Figure 2, the plate-like lid 110 meets the sealing plate 14 in
`
`the Instant Specification that constitutes a terminal arrangementpart);
`
`a pair of output terminal provided in the terminal arrangement part (see e.g.,
`
`paragraph [0061], a positive electrode terminal 200 and a negative electrode
`
`terminal 300; see e.g., Figure 3, the terminals 200 and 300 are provided in the lid
`
`110a and 110b);
`
`an electrode assembly housed in the housing (see e.g., paragraph [0061], two
`
`electrode assemblies including a first electrode assembly 161 and a second
`
`electrode assembly 162; see e.g., Figure 2, the electrode assemblies are housed
`
`in the container 100);
`
`a pair of current collecting parts that electrically connect the electrode assembly
`
`and the pair of output terminals (see e.g., paragraph [0061], a positive electrode
`
`current collector 140 and a negative electrode current collector 150; see e.g.,
`
`paragraphs [0071] and [0073], the positive electrode current collector 140 is
`
`electrically connected to the positive electrode terminal 200, and the positive
`
`electrodesof the first electrode assembly 161 and the second electrode
`
`assembly 162, and the negative electrode current collector 150 is electrically
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/441,235
`Art Unit: 1728
`
`Page 4
`
`connected to the negative electrode terminal 300 and the negative electrodes of
`
`the first electrode assembly 161 and the second electrode assembly 162); and
`
`e
`
`an electrode assembly holder that is provided with an insulating property (see
`
`e.g., paragraph [0075], the insulating members 120 and 130),
`
`o has contact with a pairoffirst surfaces of the electrode assembly facing
`
`each otherin a first direction in which the pair of current collecting parts
`
`are arranged (see e.g., Figure 7, the insulating member 120 have
`
`insulating member walls 122 projected downward from the outer edge of
`
`the insulating member body 121),
`
`ois fixed to the housing (see e.g., paragraph [0075], the insulating members
`
`120 and 130 are fixation membersfixed to the container 100 when being
`
`arranged in the container), and
`
`o
`
`sandwiches the electrode assembly in thefirst direction (see e.g., Figure 7
`
`and paragraph [0121], the insulating member 120 have insulating member
`
`walls 122 projected downward from the outer edgeof the insulating
`
`member body 121 and restrict the movementin the first direction),
`
`wherein:
`
`e
`
`each of the pair of current collecting parts includes a current collecting plate fixed
`
`to the terminal arrangement part (see e.g., paragraph [0092], a terminal
`
`connection part 141 is a flat plate-like rectangular part electrically connected to
`
`the positive electrode terminal 200; the arrangementis the same for the negative
`
`electrode terminal 300) and a belt-shaped current collecting tab connecting the
`
`electrode assembly and the current collecting plate (see e.g., paragraph [0098], a
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/441,235
`Art Unit: 1728
`
`Page 5
`
`coupling part 148 is connected to inner electrode assembly-connection parts 144
`
`and 145 and the terminal connection part 141 and, therefore, connecting the
`
`current collector plate and the electrode assembly), and
`
`e
`
`anendportion of the belt-shaped current collecting tab close to the electrode
`
`assembly extendsin thefirst direction (see e.g., Figure 4, the coupling part 148
`
`extends in thefirst direction close to the electrode assemblies).
`
`eS ssary af arsfsays
`oN SS
`” &. OSXIWOdGay QE ORGAN
`
`se
`co
`Ms
`:
`
`D
`
`486y
`
`a
`
`SyCe“SS
`
`SS SLQX TAY ss
`~ SSS F Ree Sete oF AAS AS
`nT ASSAY NGOs
`
`SEERSaySee &yosxse
`
`‘
`
`—
`
`ms,
`
`Ms
`
`oa,
`
`~
`
`EE eg ‘ASSEI AGNES
`
`QUA My BE TS OH HHH HG PE SK
`
`gs
`
`.
`
`
`:
`~
`z
`fog
`3
`2
`a
`Dob
`:
`iu
`Dog
`:
`:
`t
`\.
`
`-
`
`ow
`oS
`
`Mn
`
`me
`
`os
`a
`Ks
`N\
`\
`\
`\
`‘
`N
`eyo gsASS
`
`
`:
`§
`%
`8
`§ WE
`ns
`a
`e
`i
`:
`§
`
`Nan
`et
`
`x
`
`Be
`
`‘,
`161
`
`Modified Kishimoto Figure 3
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/441,235
`Art Unit: 1728
`
`Page 6
`
`6.
`
`Regarding claim 2, Kishimoto teaches the power storage device, wherein the
`
`electrode assembly holder includes:
`
`e
`
`apair of first plate parts that have contact with the pair of first surfaces (see e.g.,
`
`paragraph [0081], an insulating member wall 122 has contactwith thefirst
`
`surface); and
`
`e
`
`asecondplate part that is disposed integrally with each ofthe first plate parts
`
`(see e.g., paragraph [0118], an insulating member body 121; see e.g., Figure 7,
`
`the insulating member wall 122 is disposed integrally with the insulating member
`
`body 121),
`
`e
`
`is interposed between the terminal arrangement part and the electrode assembly
`
`(see e.g., Figure 3, the insulating members 120 and 130 are disposed between
`
`the lid 110 and the electrode assemblies), and
`
`e
`
`is fixed to the terminal arrangementpart (see e.g., paragraph [0075], the
`
`insulating members 120 and 130 are fixation membersfixed to the lid 110).
`
`7.
`
`Regarding claim 3, Kishimoto teaches the power storage device, wherein the
`
`second plate part is interposed between the terminal arrangement part and the current
`
`collecting plate to electrically insulate the terminal arrangement part and the current
`
`collecting plate from each other (see e.g., Figure 3, the insulating member body 121 is
`
`interposed between the lid 110 and the positive electrode current collector 140; see
`
`e.g., paragraph [0075], the insulating members 120 and 130 is madeof an insulating
`
`resin that isolates the electrode current collector from thelid).
`
`8.
`
`Regarding claim 4, Kishimoto teaches the power storage device, wherein a
`
`thickness of the second plate part is larger than a thicknessofthe first plate parts (see
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/441,235
`Art Unit: 1728
`
`Page 7
`
`e.g., Figure 11A, the cross section of the insulating member 120 demonstrates the
`
`insulating member body 121 (the second plate parts) has a larger thickness than the
`
`insulating member walls 122 (the first plate parts)).
`
`9.
`
`Regarding claim 5, Kishimoto teaches the power storage device, wherein the
`
`second plate part has contact with the terminal arrangement part and the electrode
`
`assembly (see e.g., Figure 3, the insulating member body 121 has contact with the lid
`
`110 and the electrode assemblies).
`
`10.
`
`Regarding claim 6, Kishimoto teaches the power storage device, wherein the
`
`electrode assembly holder is provided with a cutout part in a region facing the electrode
`
`assembly in a connecting part betweenthefirst plate parts and the second plate part
`
`(see e.g., Figure 11A, the insulating member 120 has arecessed portion between the
`
`insulating member body 121 and the insulating member walls 122; this recessed part
`
`meets the claim limitations of a cutout part as the cutout part 48 is described as a
`
`recessed portion that is provided at an inner corner portion of connecting part 32
`
`betweenfirst plate part 26 and second plate part 28 and is curved in a direction away
`
`from electrode assembly 6 (/nstant Specification paragraph [0056])).
`
`11.|Regarding claim 7, Kishimoto teaches the power storage device, wherein
`
`e
`
`the electrode assembly holder includes a pair of holder units (See e.g., paragraph
`
`[0061], there are a pair of insulating members 120 and 130),
`
`e
`
`one of the holder units has contact with one ofthe first surfaces and is fixed to
`
`the housing (see e.g., paragraph [0081], an insulating member wall 122 has
`
`contact with the first surface; see e.g., paragraph [0075], the insulating members
`
`120 and 130 are fixed to the container 100), and
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/441,235
`Art Unit: 1728
`
`Page 8
`
`another of the holder units has contact with anotherof the first surfaces and is
`
`fixed to the housing (see e.g., paragraph [0081], an insulating member wall 122
`
`has contact with thefirst surface; see e.g., paragraph [0075], the insulating
`
`members 120 and 130 are fixed to the container 100; there is a similar
`
`arrangementfor the insulating member 130 disposed between thelid 110 and
`
`the negative electrode current collector).
`
`Regarding claim 8, Kishimoto teaches the power storage device, wherein
`
`the pair of first surfaces extend in a direction intersecting the terminal
`
`arrangement part (see e.g., paragraph [0081], an insulating member wall 122 has
`
`contact with the first surface; see e.g., Figure 3, the pair of first surfaces extend
`
`in adirection that intersect the lid),
`
`the electrode assembly includes a second surface that connects end portions of
`
`the pair of first surfaces opposite to the terminal arrangementpart (see e.g.,
`
`Figure 3, the second surface along the bottom of the container 100 connects the
`
`end portions of the pair of first surfaces), and
`
`the power storage device comprises a second electrode assembly holder
`
`different fromafirst electrode assembly holder that is the electrode assembly
`
`holder (see e.g., paragraph [0059], the spacers 400 and 500),
`
`the second electrode assembly holder including a pair of third plate parts that
`
`have contact with the pair of the first surfaces and a fourth plate part that has
`
`contact with the second surface and is connected to the pair of third plate parts
`
`(see e.g., Figure 8, the spacer 400 has a spacer body 410 (third plate part) in
`
`contact with the first surface and a spacer bottom face 400 (fourth plate part) that
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/441,235
`Art Unit: 1728
`
`Page 9
`
`is in contact with the second surface and connected to the spacer body 410; this
`
`is the same arrangement for the spacer 500).
`
`13.|Regarding claim 9, Kishimoto teaches a powerstorage device (see é.g.,
`
`Abstract, an energy storage device) comprising:
`
`e
`
`ahousing including a terminal arrangement part (see e.g., paragraph [0063], a
`
`container 100 is configured of the closed-end container body 111 shaped like a
`
`rectangular tube and a plate-like lid 110 that closes an opening of the container
`
`body 111; see e.g., Figure 2, the plate-like lid 110 meets the sealing plate 14 in
`
`the Instant Specification that constitutes a terminal arrangementpart);
`
`e
`
`apair of output terminal provided in the terminal arrangement part (see e.g.,
`
`paragraph [0061], a positive electrode terminal 200 and a negative electrode
`
`terminal 300; see e.g., Figure 3, the terminals 200 and 300 are provided in the lid
`
`110a and 110b);
`
`e
`
`an electrode assembly housed in the housing (see e.g., paragraph [0061], two
`
`electrode assemblies including a first electrode assembly 161 and a second
`
`electrode assembly 162; see e.g., Figure 2, the electrode assemblies are housed
`
`in the container 100);
`
`e
`
`apair of current collecting parts that electrically connect the electrode assembly
`
`and the pair of output terminals (see e.g., paragraph [0061], a positive electrode
`
`current collector 140 and a negative electrode current collector 150; see e.g.,
`
`paragraphs [0071] and [0073], the positive electrode current collector 140 is
`
`electrically connected to the positive electrode terminal 200, and the positive
`
`electrodesof the first electrode assembly 161 and the second electrode
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/441,235
`Art Unit: 1728
`
`Page 10
`
`assembly 162, and the negative electrode current collector 150 is electrically
`
`connected to the negative electrode terminal 300 and the negative electrodesof
`
`the first electrode assembly 161 and the second electrode assembly 162); and
`
`e
`
`an electrode assembly holder that is provided with an insulating property (see
`
`e.g., paragraph [0075], the insulating members 120 and 130),
`
`o has contact with a pair offirst surfaces of the electrode assembly facing
`
`each otherin a first direction in which the pair of current collecting parts
`
`are arranged (see e.g., Figure 7, the insulating member 120 have
`
`insulating member walls 122 projected downward from the outer edge of
`
`the insulating member body 121),
`
`ois fixed to the housing (see e.g., paragraph [0075], the insulating members
`
`120 and 130 are fixation membersfixed to the container 100 when being
`
`arranged in the container), and
`
`o
`
`sandwiches the electrode assembly in thefirst direction (see e.g., Figure 7
`
`and paragraph [0121], the insulating member 120 have insulating member
`
`walls 122 projected downward from the outer edge of the insulating
`
`member body 121 and restrict the movementin thefirst direction),
`
`wherein:
`
`
`
`e the electrode assembly holder includesafirst holder unit (see e.g., paragraph
`
`[0061], an insulating member 120) comprising:
`
`e
`
`afirst plate part that has contact with one of the pair of first surfaces (see e.g.,
`
`paragraph [0081], an insulating member wall 122 has contact with thefirst
`
`surface); and
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/441,235
`Art Unit: 1728
`
`Page 11
`
`a second plate part that is disposed integrally with the first plate part (see e.g.,
`
`paragraph [0081], an insulating member wall 122 has contact with thefirst
`
`surface; see e.g., paragraph [0075], the insulating members 120 and 130 are
`
`fixed to the container 100; there is a similar arrangement for the insulating
`
`member 130 disposed betweenthe lid 110 and the negative electrode current
`
`collector), is interposed between the terminal arrangement part and the electrode
`
`assembly (see e.g., Figure 3, the insulating member 120 is interposed between
`
`the lid 110 and the electrode assemblies), and is fixed to the terminal
`
`arrangement part (see e.g., paragraph [0075], the insulating memberis fixed to
`
`the lid 110).
`
`Regarding claim 10, Kishimoto teaches the power storage device, wherein:
`
`each of the current collecting parts includes a current collecting plate fixed to the
`
`terminal arrangement part (See e.g., paragraph [0092], a terminal connection part
`
`141 is a flat plate-like rectangular part electrically connected to the positive
`
`electrode terminal 200; the arrangementis the same for the negative electrode
`
`terminal 300), and a belt-shaped current collecting tab connecting the electrode
`
`assembly and the current collecting plate (see e.g., paragraph [0098], a coupling
`
`part 148 is connected to inner electrode assembly-connection parts 144 and 145
`
`and the terminal connection part 141 and, therefore, connecting the current
`
`collector plate and the electrode assembly), and
`
`the second plate part is interposed between the terminal arrangement part and
`
`the current collecting plate to electrically insulate the terminal arrangement part
`
`and the current collecting from each other (see e.g., Figure 3, the insulating
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/441,235
`Art Unit: 1728
`
`Page 12
`
`member body 121 is interposed between the lid 110 and the positive electrode
`
`current collector 140; see e.g., paragraph [0075], the insulating members 120
`
`and 130 is madeof an insulating resin that isolates the electrode current collector
`
`from thelid).
`
`15.
`
`Regarding claim 11, Kishimoto teaches the power storage device, wherein a
`
`thickness of the second plate is larger than a thickness ofthe first plate part (see e.g.,
`
`Figure 11A, the cross section of the insulating member 120 demonstrates the insulating
`
`member body 121 (the second plate parts) has a larger thickness than the insulating
`
`memberwalls 122 (the first plate parts)).
`
`16.
`
`Regarding claim 12, Kishimoto teaches the power storage device, wherein the
`
`second plate part has contact with the terminal arrangement part and the electrode
`
`assembly (see e.g., Figure 3, the insulating member body 121 has contact with thelid
`
`110 and the electrode assemblies).
`
`17.
`
`Regarding claim 13, Kishimoto teaches the power storage device, wherein the
`
`electrode assembly holder is provided with a cutout part in a region facing the electrode
`
`assembly in a connecting part between thefirst plate part and the secondplate part
`
`(see e.g., Figure 11A, the insulating member 120 has arecessed portion between the
`
`insulating member body 121 and the insulating member walls 122; this recessed part
`
`meets the claim limitations of a cutout part as the cutout part 48 is described as a
`
`recessed portion that is provided at an inner corner portion of connecting part 32
`
`betweenfirst plate part 26 and second plate part 28 and is curved in a direction away
`
`from electrode assembly 6 (/nstant Specification paragraph [0056])).
`
`18.
`
`Regarding claim 14, Kishimoto teaches the power storage device, wherein:
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/441,235
`Art Unit: 1728
`
`Page 13
`
`the electrode assembly holder includes a second holder unit (see e.g., paragraph
`
`[0061], an insulating member 130) comprising:
`
`a third plate part that has contact with another of the pair of first surfaces (see
`
`e.g., paragraph [0081], an insulating member wall 122 has contactwith thefirst
`
`surface; see e.g., Figure 2, the arrangementfor the insulating member 130 is the
`
`same asthe insulating member 120); and
`
`a fourth plate part that is disposed integrally with the third plate part (see e.g.,
`
`paragraph [0081], an insulating member wall 122 has contact with thefirst
`
`surface; see e.g., paragraph [0075], the insulating members 120 and 130 are
`
`fixed to the container 100; there is a similar arrangement for the insulating
`
`member 130 disposed betweenthe lid 110 and the negative electrode current
`
`collector), is interposed between the terminal arrangement part and the electrode
`
`assembly (see e.g., Figure 3, the insulating member 120 is interposed between
`
`the lid 110 and the electrode assemblies), and is fixed to the terminal
`
`arrangement part (see e.g., paragraph [0075], the insulating memberis fixed to
`
`the lid 110),
`
`the first holder unit has contact with oneof the first surfaces and is fixed to the
`
`housing (see e.g., paragraph [0081], an insulating member wall 122 has contact
`
`with the first surface; see e.g., paragraph [0075], the insulating members 120 and
`
`130 are fixed to the container 100), and
`
`the second holder unit has contact with another of the first surfaces and is fixed
`
`to the housing (see e.g., paragraph [0081], an insulating member wall 122 has
`
`contact with the first surface; see e.g., Figure 2, the arrangement of 130 is the
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/441,235
`Art Unit: 1728
`
`Page 14
`
`same as 120; see e.g., paragraph [0075], the insulating members 120 and 130
`
`are fixed to the container 100).
`
`Regarding claim 15, Kishimoto teaches the power storage device, wherein:
`
`the pair of first surfaces extend in a direction intersecting the terminal
`
`arrangement part (See e.g., paragraph [0081], an insulating member wall 122 has
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`contact with the first surface; see e.g., Figure 3, the pair of first surfaces extend
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`in adirection that intersect the lid),
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`the electrode assembly includes a second surface that connects end portions of
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`the pair of first surfaces opposite to the terminal arrangementpart (see e.g.,
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`Figure 3, the second surface along the bottom of the container 100 connects the
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`end portions of the pair of first surfaces), and
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`the power storage device comprises an additional electrode assembly holder
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`different from and separately provided from the electrode assembly holder (see
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`e.g., paragraph [0059], the spacers 400 and 500), and
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`the additional electrode assembly holder includes:
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`a pair of side plate parts that have contact with the pair of the first surfaces, and
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`a bottom plate part that has contact with the second surface and is connectedto
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`both the pair of side plate parts (see e.g., Figure 8, the spacer 400 has a spacer
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`body 410 (side plate part) in contact with the first surface and a spacer bottom
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`face 400 (bottom plate part) that is in contact with the second surface and
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`connected to the spacer body 410; this is the same arrangementfor the spacer
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`500).
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 17/441,235
`Art Unit: 1728
`
`Page 15
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`20.
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`Regarding claim 16, Kishimoto teaches the powerstorage device, wherein the
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`second plate part of the first holder unit is disposed separately from the fourth plate part
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`of the second holder unit (see e.g., Figure 2, the insulating member 120 is separate
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`from the spacer 400).
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`21.
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`Regarding claim 17, Kishimoto teaches the powerstorage device, wherein the
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`second holder part of the first holder unit includes a through hole through which a
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`corresponding one of the pair of output terminal passes (see e.g., paragraph [0076], the
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`insulating member 120 has an opening 120a into which the below mentioned
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`connection part 210 of the positive electrode terminal 200 is inserted).
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`22.
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`Regarding claim 18, Kishimoto teaches the powerstorage device, wherein the
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`first holder part partially covers only an upperportion of the one of the pair offirst
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`surfaces (see e.g., Figure 2, the insulating member 120 covers only an upper portion of
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`the first surfaces).
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`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
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`23.
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`The text of those sections of Title 35, U.S. Code not included in this action can
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`be found in a prior Office action.
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`24.
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`Claim 19 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kishimoto
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`(Published U.S. Patent Application US 2015/0207125 A1) in view of Maedaetal.
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`(Published U.S. Patent Application US 2018/0097208 A1), hereinafter referred to as
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`Maeda.
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`25.
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`Regarding claim 19, Kishimoto teaches the powerstorage device, wherein:
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`e
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`the first plate part extendsin thefirst direction (See e.g., Figure 7, the insulating
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`memberwalls 122 of the insulating member 120 and 130 extendin thefirst
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`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/441,235
`Art Unit: 1728
`
`Page 16
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`direction) and the second plate part extends in a second direction in which the
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`pair of first surfaces extend (see e.g., Figure 7, the insulating member body 121
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`extend in a second direction to the pair of first surfaces).
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`However, Kishimoto is silent to the power storage device, wherein a length ofthefirst
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`plate part in the first direction is greater than a length of the second plate part in the
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`second direction.
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`26. Maeda teaches an energy storage deviceincludesafirst locking portion for
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`locking a rotation of a positive electrode current collecting member about a shaft portion
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`of a positive electrode terminal with respect to a lower insulating member(see e.g.,
`
`Abstract). With regard to claim 19, Maeda teaches the powerstorage device(see e.g.,
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`Abstract, an energy storage device), wherein:
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`e
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`thefirst plate part extendsin thefirst direction (see e.g., Figure 3, the leg portions
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`72 extendin the first direction) and the second plate part extend in a second
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`direction in which the pair of first surfaces extend (see e.g., Figure 3, a
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`rectangular plate-like base portion 71 extend in a second direction), and
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`e
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`alength of thefirst plate part in the first direction is greater than a length of the
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`second plate part in the second direction (see e.g., Figure 3, the length of the leg
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`portions are greater in length than the rectangular plate-like base portion 71).
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`
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`27._It would be obviousto oneof ordinary skill in the art before the effectivefiling
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`date of the claimed invention to have the length of the first plate part be greater in length
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`than the length of the second plate part as disclosed by Maedato the teachings of
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`Kishimoto in order to prevent the rotation of the electrode current collecting membersin
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`the power storage device (see e.g., paragraph [0064]) and, therefore, increasing the
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 17/441,235
`Art Unit: 1728
`
`Page 17
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`volume of the electrode assembly and enhance the energy density (see e.g., paragraph
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`[0006)).
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`Response to Arguments
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`28.
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` Applicant’s argumentsfiled July 17, 2024 have beenfully considered. Applicant
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`arguesthat (a) Kishimoto fails to disclose or suggest that an end portion of the belt-
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`shaped current collecting tab close to the electrode assembly extendsin thefirst
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`direction and (b) one of ordinary skill in the art would not be motivated to regulate the
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`swinging of the electrode body of Kishimoto by the teachings of Okuda.
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`29.
`
`Regarding argument A, Kishimoto teaches a coupling part 148 of the positive
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`electrode current collector 140 with a belt-shape that is close to the electrode assembly
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`and extendsin thefirst direction (see e.g., Figures 2-4). This is the similar arrangement
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`of the negative electrode current collector. The coupling part 148 of the positive
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`electrode current collector (and the coupling part of the negative electrode current
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`collector) meets the broadest reasonable interpretation of the claim because the
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`coupling part has a belt-shape that is connected to the electrode assemblies (see e.g.,
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`paragraph [0098]), thus making it close to the electrode assembly, and the coupling part
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`extends in the Z-direction (see e.g., Figure 4), which is the /nstant Application’s first
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`direction. Therefore, the argument has been fully considered but is not persuasive.
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`30.
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`Regarding argumentB, the rejection has been updated above and, thus, render
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`the argument moot.
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`Conclusion
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`31.
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`Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in
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`this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 17/441,235
`Art Unit: 1728
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`Page 18
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`§ 706.07(a). Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37
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`CFR 1.136(a).
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`32.|Ashortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE
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`MONTHS from the mailing date of this action.
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`In the event a first reply is filed within
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`TWO MONTHS ofthe mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not
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`mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTHshortened statutory period, then the
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`shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any
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`extension fee pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of
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`the advisory action.
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`Inno event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later
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`than SIX MONTHS from the date of this final action.
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`33.
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`Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the
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`examiner should be directed to Katherine N Higgins whose telephone numberis
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`(703)756-1196. The examiner can normally be reached Mondays - Thursdays 7:30-4:30
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`EST, Fridays 7:30 - 11:30 EST.
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`
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`34.|Examinerinterviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video
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`conferencing using a USPTO supplied web-based collaboration tool. To schedule an
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`interview, applicant is encouraged to use the USPTO AutomatedInterview Request
`
`(AIR) at http:/Awww.uspto.gov/interviewpractice.
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`35.—If attempts to reach the examinerby telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s
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`supervisor, Matthew T Martin can be reached on (571) 270-7871. The fax phone
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`number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-
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`273-8300.
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 17/441,235
`Art Unit: 1728
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`Page 19
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`36.—Information regarding the status of publishe