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
`
`17/633,370
`
`02/07/2022
`
`SHOTA NORIMINE
`
`083710-3697
`
`1046
`
`Rimon PC - Panasonic Corporation
`8300 Greensboro Dr.
`Suite 500
`McLean, VA 22102
`
`CANTELMO, GREGG
`
`1725
`
`PAPER NUMBER
`
`NOTIFICATION DATE
`
`DELIVERY MODE
`
`07/30/2024
`
`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)
`
`

`

`
`
`Disposition of Claims*
`1-13 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`5a) Of the above claim(s) _ is/are withdrawn from consideration.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 and 12-13 is/are rejected.
`Claim(s) 11 is/are objectedto.
`4 Claim(s
`are subject to 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:/Awww.uspto.gov/patents/init_events/pph/index.jsp or send an inquiry to PPHfeedback@uspto.gov.
`
`) ) ) )
`
`Application Papers
`10) The specification is objected to by the Examiner.
`11)0) The drawing(s) filedon__ is/are: a)C) 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)
`
`Information Disclosure Statement(s) (PTO/SB/08a and/or PTO/SB/08b)
`2)
`Paper No(s)/Mail Date
`2/7/2022;6/8/2023.
`
`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 20240723
`
`Application No.
`Applicant(s)
`171633,370
`NORIMINE et al.
`
`Office Action Summary Art Unit|AIA (FITF)StatusExaminer
`GREGG CANTELMO
`1725
`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)C) Responsive to communication(s) filed on
`CA declaration(s)/affidavit(s) under 37 CFR 1.130(b) was/werefiledon
`
`2a)C) 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)() 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: 17/633,370
`Art Unit: 1725
`
`Page 2
`
`DETAILED ACTION
`
`Notice of Pre-AlA or AIA Status
`
`The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined
`
`underthe first inventor to file provisions of the AIA.
`
`Responseto Preliminary Amendment
`
`1.
`
`The preliminary amendment received on February 7, 2022 is acknowledged.
`
`Action on the merits of claims 1-13 follows.
`
`Priority
`
`2.
`
`Receipt is acknowledgedof certified copies of papers required by 37 CFR 1.55.
`
`Information Disclosure Statement
`
`3.
`
`The information disclosure statements filed February 7, 2022 and June 8, 2023
`
`have been placedin the application file and the information referred to therein has been
`
`considered as to the merits.
`
`With respectto foreign language references with no translation of the document:
`
`“If no translation is submitted, the examiner will consider the information in view of the
`
`concise explanation and insofarasit is understoodon its face, e.g., drawings, chemical
`
`formulas, English language abstracts, in the same mannerthat non-English language
`
`information in Office searchfiles is considered by examiner in conducting searches.”
`
`See MPEP §609.04(a)(II) (D) and 37 CFR 1.98(a)(3)(ii).
`
`Drawings
`
`4.
`
`The drawings received February 7, 2022 are acceptable for examination
`
`purposes.
`
`Specification
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/633,370
`Art Unit: 1725
`
`Page 3
`
`5.
`
`The specification received February 7, 2022 has been reviewed for examination
`
`purposes.
`
`Claim Interpretation
`
`6.
`
`With respectto claim 13, the invention is to the buffer layer alone. The claim
`
`recitation to the buffer layer “arrayedin a first direction together with at least one
`
`electrical storage device and receives a load in the first direction from a corresponding
`
`one of the electrical storage devices”is intended use of the buffer layer and does not
`
`further limit the buffer layer.
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
`
`In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35
`
`U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103)is incorrect, any
`
`correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AlA) for the rejection will
`
`not be considered a new ground ofrejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale
`
`supporting the rejection, would be the same undereither status.
`
`The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that
`
`form the basis for the rejections under this section madein this Office action:
`
`A personshall be entitled to a patent unless —
`
`(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use,
`on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effectivefiling date of the claimed
`invention.
`
`7.
`
`Claims 1-4 and 12-13 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being
`
`anticipated by Seto et al. (JP 2014-010983A).
`
`Asto claim 1, Seto discloses an electrical storage module (Figs. 1-3 comprising:
`
`at least one electrical storage device 1; and
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/633,370
`Art Unit: 1725
`
`Page 4
`
`Seto discloses the buffer member 2(2H) comprising:
`
`a soft part (thinner inner part of buffer member 2H); and
`
`a hard part (thicker peripheral edge portion of buffer member 2H) positioned on
`
`an outer edge part of the buffer member than the soft part, wherein
`
`as the inner part is thinner, the inner part (soft part) is more easily deformed
`
`than the hard edge part of buffer member 2H (see Figs. 1-3 and 14-15 for example).
`
`Asto claim 2, each electrical storage device 1 includes a housing, pair of output
`
`terminals 1b disposed onafirst upper edge face of the housing and an electrode
`
`assembly (not shown) with the housing,
`
`The housing including side surfaces which extend perpendicularly (up and down
`
`relative to the top edge face whereterminals 1b reside) and the side surfaces face
`
`adjacent buffer members 2. The thinner region is located relative to the center of the
`
`side surfaces of adjacent devices 1 and the solid peripheral edge region of member
`
`(hard) is located to overlap at least part of an outer edge of the same side surfacesof
`
`devices 1 (Figs 7-10 and 14-15).
`
`Asto claim 3, each electrical storage device 1 includes a housing, pair of output
`
`terminals 11 disposed on a first upper edge face of the housing and an electrode
`
`assembly (not shown but understood to include a positive and negative electrode
`
`arranged within the housing and along the various width and thickness of the housing
`
`with the housing,
`
`The housing including side surfaces which extend perpendicularly (up and down
`
`relative to the top edge face whereterminals 1b reside) and the side surfaces face
`
`adjacent buffer members 2. The thinner region (soft) is located relative to the centerof
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/633,370
`Art Unit: 1725
`
`Page 5
`
`the side surfaces of adjacent devices 1 and the solid peripheral edge region of member
`
`2 (hard) is located to overlap at least part of an outer edge of the same side surfacesof
`
`devices 1 (Figs 7-10 and 14-15).
`
`Asto claim 4, the buffer member includes a concavepart in the center (soft)
`
`portion and the ratio of concavity in the soft area is larger than the edge (hard) area
`
`which has no concavity (Figs. 4-5 and 8-10).
`
`Asto claim 12, the buffer member such asin Fig. 14, is provided on base
`
`portion 14 which servesto electrically isolate adjacent cells 1 (Fig. 13) and the buffer
`
`memberportions 7 and 8 serve as part of the separator.
`
`Asto claim 13, as noted above, the buffer layer : that is arrayed in a first
`
`direction together with at least one electrical storage device and receives a load in the
`
`first direction from a corresponding oneof the electrical storage devices”is interpreted
`
`as intended use of the buffer layer.
`
`It is further noted that the buffer layer 2H of Seto
`
`is arrayed in the same manneradjacent to at least one electrical storage device 1.
`
`With respect to the buffer layer, Seto discloses the buffer member 2H
`
`comprising:
`
`a soft part (thinner inner part of buffer member 2H); and
`
`a hard part (thicker peripheral edge portion of buffer member 2H) positioned on
`
`an outer edge part of the buffer member than the soft part, wherein
`
`as the inner part is thinner, the inner part (soft part) is more easily deformed
`
`than the hard edge part of buffer member 2H (see Figs. 14-15 for example).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/633,370
`Art Unit: 1725
`
`Page 6
`
`Bre)
`
`Other embodiments of Seto (such as Figs. 7-10) also teach of buffer members
`
`wherein the outer peripheral edgeis thicker relative to a thinner inner portion, thus the
`
`outer thicker edge is harder than the thinner softer portion.
`
`8.
`
`Claims 1-3, 10 and 13 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being
`
`anticipated by Lim et al. (U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0129038).
`
`Asto claim 1, Lim discloses an electrical storage module (Figs. 1-5 comprising:
`
`at least one electrical storage device 10; and
`
`the buffer member 250, for example comprising:
`
`a soft part 251; and
`
`a hard part 252 positioned on an outer edge part of the buffer member than the
`
`soft part, wherein
`
`the inner soft part 251 is more easily deformed than the hard edge part of buffer
`
`member 252 (see 1-5 for example).
`
`Asto claim 2, each electrical storage device 10 includes a housing, pair of
`
`output terminals 11/12 disposed onafirst upper edge face of the housing and an
`
`electrode assembly (not shown) with the housing,
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/633,370
`Art Unit: 1725
`
`Page 7
`
`The housing including side surfaces which extend perpendicularly (up and down
`
`relative to the top edge face where terminals 11/12 reside) and the side surfaces face
`
`adjacent buffer members 250. The region having softer portion 251 is located relative
`
`to the center of the side surfaces of adjacent devices 10 and the harderportion 252
`
`located peripheral edge region of memberis located to overlap at least part of an outer
`
`edge of the same side surfaces of devices 10 (Figs 1-4).
`
`Asto claim 3, each electrical storage device 10 includes a housing, pair of
`
`output terminals 11/12 disposed onafirst upper edge face of the housing and an
`
`electrode assembly (not shown but understood to include a positive and negative
`
`electrode arranged within the housing and along the various width and thicknessof the
`
`housing (para. [0039]) with the housing,
`
`The housing including side surfaces which extend perpendicularly (up and down
`
`relative to the top edge face where terminals 11/12 reside) and the side surfaces face
`
`adjacent buffer members 250. The soft region 251 is located relative to the centerof
`
`the side surfaces of adjacent devices 10 and the hard peripheral edge region 252 of
`
`member250 is located to overlap at least part of an outer edge of the same side
`
`surfaces of devices 10 (Figs. 1-5).
`
`Asto claim 10, the buffer member includes convex parts (hemispherical) 352
`
`protruding towards adjacent device 10, and, parts 352 and 351 are such that the
`
`numberof parts 352 and the height of parts 351 relative to parts 351 are greaterin
`
`numberand height and therefore defines a higher ratio of parts 351 (hard) to parts 352
`
`(soft, Fig. 5).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/633,370
`Art Unit: 1725
`
`Page 8
`
`Asto claim 13, as noted above, the buffer layer : that is arrayed in a first
`
`direction together with at least one electrical storage device and receives a load in the
`
`first direction from a corresponding oneof the electrical storage devices”is interpreted
`
`as intended use of the buffer layer.
`
`It is further noted that the buffer layer 250 of Lin is
`
`arrayed in the same manneradjacent to at least one electrical storage device 10.
`
`With respect to the buffer layer, Lim discloses the buffer member 250
`
`comprising:
`
`a soft part 251; and
`
`a hard part 252 positioned on an outer edge part of the buffer member than the
`
`soft part, wherein
`
`as the softer part 251 is more easily deformed than the hard edge part 252 of
`
`buffer member(see Figs. 14-15 for example).
`
`FA
`
`
`
`
`~ en
`
` i
`8 arex
`
`9.
`
`Claims 1-3, 8-9 and 13 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being
`
`anticipated by Yoshida et al. (WO 2018/207607).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/633,370
`Art Unit: 1725
`
`Page 9
`
`As to claim 1, Yoshida discloses anelectrical storage module (Figs. 1-3
`
`comprising:
`
`at least one electrical storage device 1; and
`
`a buffer member 12 that is arrayedinafirst direction together with the at least
`
`one electrical storage device 1 and receivesa loadin the first direction from a
`
`corresponding oneofthe at least one electrical storage device 1,
`
`wherein
`
`the buffer member 12 includes a soft part (perforated region 12X), and a hard
`
`part (solid peripheral region of buffer 12) positioned closer an outer edge part of the
`
`buffer memberthan the soft part, and the soft part is more easily deformed than the
`
`hard part (see Figs. 2-3 below for example).
`
`Asto claim 2, each electrical storage device 1 includes a housing, pair of output
`
`terminals 11 disposed on a first upper edge face of the housing and an electrode
`
`assembly (not shown) with the housing,
`
`The housing including side surfaces which extend perpendicularly (up and down
`
`relative to the top edge face whereterminals 11 reside) and the side surfaces face
`
`adjacent buffer members 12. The perforated region 12x (soft) is located relative to the
`
`center of the side surfaces of adjacent devices 1 and the solid peripheral edge region of
`
`member12 (hard) is located to overlap at least part of an outer edge of the same side
`
`surfaces of devices 1 (Figs 2-3).
`
`Asto claim 3, each electrical storage device 1 includes a housing, pair of output
`
`terminals 11 disposed on a first upper edge face of the housing and an electrode
`
`assembly (not shown but understood to include a positive and negative electrode
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/633,370
`Art Unit: 1725
`
`Page 10
`
`arranged within the housing and along the various width and thickness of the housing
`
`(para. [0023]-[0024]) with the housing,
`
`The housing including side surfaces which extend perpendicularly (up and down
`
`relative to the top edge face whereterminals 11 reside) and the side surfaces face
`
`adjacent buffer members 12. The perforated region 12x (soft) is located relative to the
`
`center of the side surfaces of adjacent devices 1 and the solid peripheral edge region of
`
`member12 (hard) is located to overlap at least part of an outer edge of the same side
`
`surfaces of devices 1 (Figs 2-3).
`
`Asto claims 8 and 9,the buffer member 12 includes an array of through holes
`
`penetrating through the memberin region 12x and the through holeratio in the soft area
`
`is larger than that of the solid edge (hard) area (Fig. 3). Region 12x includes a plurality
`
`of holes which extend outward radially from a center point of region 12x (Fig. 3).
`
`Asto claim 13, as noted above, the buffer layer : that is arrayed in a first
`
`direction together with at least one electrical storage device and receives a load in the
`
`first direction from a corresponding oneof the electrical storage devices”is interpreted
`
`as intended use of the buffer layer.
`
`It is further noted that the buffer layer 12 of
`
`Yoshida is arrayed in the same manneradjacentto at least one electrical storage device
`
`1.
`
`With respect to the buffer layer, Yoshida discloses the buffer member 12
`
`comprising:
`
`a soft part (perforated inner part 12x of buffer member 12); and
`
`a hard part (solid peripheral edge portion of buffer member 12) positioned on an
`
`outer edge part of the buffer member than the soft part, wherein
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/633,370
`Art Unit: 1725
`
`Page 11
`
`the perforated (softer) part is more easily deformed than the solid (hard) edge
`
`part of buffer member 12 (see Figs. 2-3 for example). The inner part being softer
`
`relative to the solid outer part.
`
`
`
`10.
`
`Claims 1-3, 10 and 13 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being
`
`anticipated by Pffuegeret al. (U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019/0097287).
`
`Asto claim 1, Pffueger discloses an electrical storage module (Figs. 1-4b
`
`comprising:
`
`at least one electrical storage device 4; and
`
`the buffer member 13, for example comprising:
`
`a thinner (soft) part 15; and
`
`a thicker (hard) part 31 positioned on an outer edge part of the buffer member
`
`13 than the soft part 15, wherein
`
`the thinner inner soft part 15, is thinner relative to the thicker edge part 31, is
`
`more easily deformed than the hard edge part 31 of buffer member 13 (see 4a-4bfor
`
`example).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/633,370
`Art Unit: 1725
`
`Page 12
`
`
`
`
`
`Asto claim 2, each electrical storage device 4 includes a housing, pair of output
`
`terminals 261/262 disposed onafirst side edge face of the housing and anelectrode
`
`assembly (not shown) with the housing,
`
`The housing including side surfaces which extend perpendicularly (left/right
`
`relative to the side edge face whereterminals 261/262 reside) and the side surfaces
`
`face adjacent buffer members 13. The region having softer portion 15 is located relative
`
`to the center of the side surfaces of adjacent devices 4 and the harderportion 31
`
`located peripheral edge region of memberis located to overlap at least part of an outer
`
`edge of the same side surfaces of devices 4 (Figs 1-4b, such as Fig. 2 below).
`
`

`

`Page 13
`
`Application/Control Number: 17/633,370
`Art Unit: 1725
`
`AIS A
`
`
`
`Asto claim 3, each electrical storage device 4 includes a housing, pair of output
`
`terminals 261/262 disposed onafirst side edge face of the housing and anelectrode
`
`assembly (not shown but understood to include a positive and negative electrode
`
`arranged within the housing and along the various width and thickness of the housing)
`
`with the housing,
`
`The housing including side surfaces which extend perpendicularly (left/right
`
`relative to the top edge face where terminals 261/262 reside) and the side surfaces face
`
`adjacent buffer members 13. The soft region 15 is located relative to the centerof the
`
`side surfaces of adjacent devices 4 and the hard peripheral edge region 31 of member
`
`13 is located to overlap at least part of an outer edge of the same side surfacesof
`
`devices 4 (Figs. 1-4b).
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/633,370
`Art Unit: 1725
`
`Page 14
`
`Asto claim 10, the buffer member includes convex edge parts 31 protruding
`
`towards adjacent device 4, and, part 15 are void of any convex parts. Thus the ratio of
`
`convex parts in the soft part is smaller than the convex parts of the hard parts 31 (Figs.
`
`4a-4b).
`
`Asto claim 13, as noted above, the buffer layer : that is arrayed in a first
`
`direction together with at least one electrical storage device and receives a load in the
`
`first direction from a corresponding oneof the electrical storage devices”is interpreted
`
`as intended use of the buffer layer.
`
`It is further noted that the buffer layer 13 of
`
`Pffueger is arrayed in the same manneradjacent to at least one electrical storage
`
`device 4.
`
`With respect to the buffer layer, Pffueger discloses the buffer member 13
`
`comprising:
`
`A thinner (soft) part 15; and
`
`a thicker (hard) part 31 positioned on an outer edge part of the buffer member
`
`than the soft part, wherein
`
`the thinner parts 15, thinner relative to the thicker parts 31, are considered to be
`
`softer part 15 which is more easily deformed than the thicker (hard) edge part 31 of
`
`buffer member(see Figs. 4a-4b for example).
`
`11.
`
`Claims 1-7 and 13 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated
`
`by Motohashi (U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0070718).
`
`As to claim 1, Motohashi discloses an electrical storage module (Figs. 1-10
`
`comprising:
`
`at least one electrical storage device 23; and
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/633,370
`Art Unit: 1725
`
`Page 15
`
`Motohashi discloses the buffer member 11a or 12a comprising:
`
`a soft part (thinner inner part of buffer member which deflects or deforms, Figs.
`
`3 and 6, for example); and
`
`a hard part (thicker peripheral edge portion of buffer member which does not
`
`deform, Figs. 3 and 6) positioned on an outer edge part of the buffer member than the
`
`soft part, wherein
`
`as the inner part is more easily deformed than the hard edge part of buffer
`
`member(Figs. 3 and 6, for example).
`
`FIG. 6
`
`

`

`Application/Control Number: 17/633,370
`Art Unit: 1725
`
`Page 16
`
`Asto claim 2, each electrical storage device 1 includes a housing, pair of output
`
`terminals 1b disposed onafirst side edge face of the housing and an electrode
`
`assembly (not shown) with the housing,
`
`The housing including side surfaces which extend perpendicularly (left/right
`
`relative to the top edge face where terminals reside) and the side surfaces face
`
`adjacent buffer members 11a or 12a. The innerregion is located relative to the center
`
`of the side surfaces of adjacent devices and the harder peripheral edge region of
`
`memberis located to overlap at least part of an outer edge of the same side surfacesof
`
`devices (Figs. 3 and 6, for example).
`
`Asto claim 3, each electrical storage device includes a housing, pair of output
`
`terminals disposed on a first side edge face of the housing and an electrode assembly
`
`(not shown but understoodto include a positive and negative electrode arranged within
`
`the housing and along the various width and thickness of the housing) with the housing,
`
`The housing including side surfaces which extend perpendicularly (left/right
`
`relative to the side edge face where terminals reside) and the side surfaces face
`
`adjacent buffer members 11a or 12a. The inner region (soft) is located relative to the
`
`center of the side surfaces of adjacent devices and the harder peripheral edge region of
`
`members 11a or 12a is located to overlap at least part of an outer edge of the same
`
`side surfaces of devices (Figs. 3 and 6, for example).
`
`Asto claim 4, the buffer member includes concave part 19A in the center (soft)
`
`portion and the ratio of concavity in the soft area is larger than the edge (hard) area
`
`which has no concavity (Figs. 3 and 6, for example).
`
`

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`Application/Control Number: 17/633,370
`Art Unit: 1725
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`Page 17
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`As to claim 5, the concave parts 19A radially expand from the centerof the
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`buffer plate (Fig. 3, for example).
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`Asto claim 6, each electrical storage device includes a housing, pair of output
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`terminals disposed on a first side edge face of the housing and an electrode assembly
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`(not shown but understoodto include a positive and negative electrode arranged within
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`the housing and along the various width and thickness of the housing) with the housing,
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`The housing including side surfaces which extend perpendicularly (left/right
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`relative to the side edge face where terminals reside) and the side surfaces face
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`includes a central expansion region defined by elements 151A andthe line parts 19A
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`are positioned outside of the expansion region defined by elements 151A (Fig. 6 for
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`example).
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`Asto claim 7, the line parts of concave parts 19A extend to an outer edge frame
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`part of a corresponding perimeter of buffer plates 11a or 12a (Figs. 2, 3, 6).
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`Asto claim 13, as noted above, the buffer layer: that is arrayed in a first
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`direction together with at least one electrical storage device and receives a load in the
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`first direction from a corresponding oneof the electrical storage devices”is interpreted
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`as intended useof the buffer layer.
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`It is further noted that the buffer layer 11a/12a of
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`Motohashi is arrayed in the same manneradjacent to at least one electrical storage
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`device 1.
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`With respect to the buffer layer, Motohashi discloses the buffer member 11a/12a
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`comprising:
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`a soft part (inner part of buffer member 11a or 12a); and
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 17/633,370
`Art Unit: 1725
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`Page 18
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`a hard part (peripheral edge portion of buffer member 11a or 12a) positioned on
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`an outer edge part of the buffer member than the soft part, wherein
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`as the inner part is deformable relative to the outer part (Figs. 3 and 6), the
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`inner part (soft part) is more easily deformed than the hard edge part of buffer member
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`2H (see Figs. 3 and 6 for example).
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`Allowable Subject Matter
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`12.
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`Claim 11 is objected to as being dependent upona rejected baseclaim, but
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`would be allowableif rewritten in independent form including all of the limitations of the
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`base claim and any intervening claims.
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`The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject
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`matter:
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`With respectto claim 11, none of the cited prior art of record, alone or in
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`combination, are held to reasonably teach, suggestor render obvious the electrical
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`storage module ofat least claim 11, including all of the limitations of base claim 1 and
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`intervening claim 10, wherein the buffer memberincludes a plurality of convex parts
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`each being the convexpart, and the plurality of convex parts are arrayed to radially
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`expand, and include an area that increases toward an outside of a radiation.
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`The particular features to certain structural embodiments are found to bedistinct
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`and patentable for at least those limitations expressedin claim 11 respectively and the
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`cited prior art of record, including those references applied above, while teaching of
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`various buffer members, do not teach or suggest the features of claim 11.
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`Conclusion
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`

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`Application/Control Number: 17/633,370
`Art Unit: 1725
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`Page 19
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`13.=Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the
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`examiner should be directed to GREGG CANTELMO whosetelephone numberis
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`If attempts to reach the examinerby telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s
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`supervisor, Basia Ridley can be reached on (571) 272-1453. The fax phone numberfor
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`the organization wherethis application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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`/GREGG CANTELMO/
`Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1725
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`