DETAILED ACTION
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Continued Examination Under 37 CFR 1.114
A request for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, including the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e), was filed in this application after final rejection. Since this application is eligible for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114. Applicant's submission filed on 8/26/2025 has been entered.
Response to Arguments
Applicant's Request for Continued Examination filed 8/26/2025 includes claim amendments and arguments corresponding to the new limitation(s). The Claim Objection set forth in the previous action for Claim 1 has been withdrawn due to Applicant’s amendments.
Applicant argues the art of record does not disclose new Claim 23, and also does not disclose the new limitation in amended Claim 1 (“the bonding member is gum”). Applicant’s amendments and the new claim are supported by the instant disclosure.
Examiner agrees the references cited in the previous action do not disclose “the bonding member is gum” and also do not disclose all of the limitations of new Claim 23. After an updated search and consideration, before the effective filing date of the present invention, a gum bonding member for attaching an explosion-proof valve to a battery case was taught by Liu et al., CN 210429943 U. See enclosed PTO-892 and updated action below.
Claim Objections
Claim 23 is objected to because of the following informality: Claim 23 comprises the limitation “a bonding member connecting the protective member connected to the first wall,” on line 12 of the claim. Examiner recommends removing “connected” from the claim language, so the limitation will read “a bonding member connecting the protective member
Appropriate correction is required.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
The text of those sections of Title 35, U.S. Code not included in this action can be found in a prior Office action.
Claims 1, 15, 16, 19, and 20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Zhang et al., CN 210403875 U (previously cited), and further in view of Liu et al., CN 210429943 U (see enclosed PTO-892).
Regarding Claim 1, Zhang discloses a battery cell (battery cell 200 [0043], Fig. 4), comprising:
a battery box (aluminum shell [0047]) comprising a first wall (top cover of battery cell [0047]) and a pressure relief mechanism (explosion-proof valve sheet 210 [0004, 0044], Figs. 3-4), wherein the pressure relief mechanism is arranged on the first wall (an explosion-proof valve sheet 210 is provided on the top of the battery cell 200 [0044, 0047]) and the pressure relief mechanism is actuated to relieve internal pressure of the battery cell when the internal pressure or temperature reaches a threshold value ([0047, 0051]);
a protective member (protective plate 410 of bracket 400 [0047], Figs. 1-6) positioned on an outer side of the first wall (arranged on an upper surface of battery cell 200 [0047]), and comprising a body portion (plate body 411 [0047]), a shielding portion (portion of protrusion 412, see Annotated Fig. 6), and a weak portion (notched thinning area on plate 410 [0018, 0046-0047], see Annotated Fig. 6), wherein the body portion is configured to be connected to the first wall (protective cover 300 attached to the top of the battery cells 200, and bracket 400 arranged between the protective cover 300 and the battery cells 200 [0044-0047]), the shielding portion is configured to shield the pressure relief mechanism (protective plate is arranged above the explosion-proof valve plate 210 to provide protection for it [0045]), the weak portion is configured to connect the body portion to the shielding portion (see Annotated Fig. 6), and the weak portion is configured to be broken, disconnecting the body portion from the shielding portion, when the pressure relief mechanism is actuated ([0045-0047]).
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Zhang – Fig. 4 (left) and Annotated Fig. 6 (right)
Zhang does not disclose how the body portion (411) of the protective member is connected to the first wall (top of 200). Therefore, Zhang does not disclose the Claim 1 limitations “a bonding member connecting the protective member to the first wall, wherein the bonding member is gum arranged at a surface of the body portion facing the first wall but not at a surface of the shielding portion facing the first wall and a surface of the weak portion facing the first wall, and the body portion and the bonding member are stacked together in a thickness direction of the first wall.” However, these limitations are taught by Liu et al.
Liu teaches a gum bonding member connects a protective member to a first wall of a battery (gum sealing pad 5 adheres and connects metal connecting plate 4 of explosion-proof valve to battery box body 1, pg. 2-4, Figs. 1-3). Liu teaches the gum is arranged at a surface of the body portion facing a first wall but not at a surface of the shielding portion facing the first wall and a surface of the weak portion facing the first wall (Annotated Fig. 1), and the body portion and the bonding member are stacked together in a thickness direction of the first wall (Annotated Fig. 1). Liu teaches the gum bonding member establishes a stable and reliable seal between the first wall and outer circumference of the protective member, and the gum bonding member also does not need any curing time during assembly (Abstract, pg. 2).
Before the effective filing date of the present invention, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to connect the body portion to the first wall with gum, in the battery cell of Zhang, as Liu teaches gum can adhere a body portion of an explosion-proof valve to a battery wall in a reliable and stable manner.
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Liu – Annotated Fig. 1
Regarding Claim 15, modified Zhang discloses all limitations as set forth above. Modified Zhang discloses a second groove is provided in a surface of one side of the protective member, close to the first wall, and the weak portion is a bottom wall of the second groove. (Zhang, inner surface of protective plate 410 facing the explosion-proof valve plate 210 can be provided with a notched thinning area [0046], Fig. 6).
Regarding Claim 16, modified Zhang discloses all limitations as set forth above. Modified Zhang discloses the second groove is an annular groove surrounding the shielding portion (Zhang, notched thinning area shown in Fig. 6 is consistent with an annular cross-section; Annotated Zhang Fig. 2 shows shielding portion 412 as circular):
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Zhang – Annotated Fig. 2
Regarding Claim 19, modified Zhang discloses all limitations as set forth above. Modified Zhang discloses a battery (Zhang, battery module [0044]), comprising a box (Zhang, shell 100 [0044]) and at least one battery cell, the battery cell being received in the box (Zhang, a plurality of battery cells 200 accommodated in shell 100 [0044]).
Regarding Claim 20, modified Zhang discloses all limitations as set forth above. Modified Zhang discloses an electric device, configured to receive electrical energy provided by the battery (Zhang, battery module is used in a battery pack for a vehicle [0019-0020]).
Claims 4-6 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over modified Zhang as applied to Claim 1 above, and further in view of Capati et al., US 20190077276 A1 (previously cited).
Regarding Claims 4-6, modified Zhang discloses all limitations as set forth above. Modified Zhang does not disclose a melting point of the protective member is higher than that of the pressure relief mechanism (Claim 4), the melting point of the protective member is not lower than 600 degrees Celsius (Claim 5), and also does not disclose the protective member is made from materials that include at least one of mica, rubber or ceramic (Claim 6). However, these limitations are taught by Capati et al.
Capati teaches a protective member (ceramic top layer 110 [0036], Fig. 1) for a battery pack, wherein a pressure relief mechanism (inserts 220 [0036]) is disposed in a plurality of openings 215 on the top layer 110 to achieve a watertight seal under pressure ([0036]). Capati teaches the melting temperature of the pressure relief mechanism can range from 70° C to 400° C, whereas the melting temperature of the protective member can be 600° C ([0035]). Capati teaches the pressure relief mechanism (220) melts before the protective member (110), in order to alleviate pressure in the battery pack, while the protective member (110) remains fully functional until much higher temperatures are reached ([0042-0043]).
Before the effective filing date of the present invention, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to have a melting point of a ceramic protective member be higher than the pressure relief mechanism, as taught by Capati, in the battery cell of modified Zhang, in order to ensure the pressure relief mechanism melts and properly relieves internal pressure.
Claims 7-9 and 21 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over modified Zhang as applied to the claims above, and further in view of Nogami et al., US 20220021072 A1 (previously cited).
Regarding Claim 7, modified Zhang discloses all limitations as set forth above. Modified Zhang does not disclose a thickness of the shielding portion is less than that of the body portion. However, this limitation is disclosed by Nogami.
Nogami teaches a battery sealing assembly 17 comprising a shielding portion (top part 32 [0026]) and a body portion (flange part 31 ([0030]). Nogami teaches a weak subarea between the shielding portion must be the thinnest component of the sealing assembly to ensure proper fracturing, but the thicknesses of the top part 32 and the flange part 31 may be the same or different from each other ([0031-0034]).
Before the effective filing date of the present invention, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to have a thickness of the shielding portion be less than that of the body portion, as disclosed by Nogami, in the battery cell of modified Zhang, as Nogami teaches the thicknesses of the two components may be different from each other.
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Nogami – Fig. 2
Regarding Claim 8, modified Zhang discloses all limitations as set forth above. Modified Zhang discloses the pressure relief mechanism includes a first groove (Zhang, notched thinning area of sheet 210 [0051]), and the pressure relief mechanism is configured to be broken at the first groove to relieve the internal pressure of the battery cell when the internal pressure or temperature reaches a threshold value (Zhang, explosion-proof valve sheet 210 is provided with a notched thinning area so that the high-pressure gas inside the battery cell 200 can flush it open [0051]), and the shielding portion completely covers the first groove (Zhang, protective plate 410 is arranged above the explosion-proof valve plate 210 to provide protection for it [0045], Fig. 6).
Regarding Claim 9, modified Zhang discloses all limitations as set forth above. Modified Zhang discloses the shielding portion (Zhang, protrusion 412) protrudes outward from the body portion (Zhang, plate body 411) in a direction perpendicular to the first wall (Zhang [0047], Fig. 6).
Regarding Claim 21, modified Zhang discloses all limitations as set forth above. Modified Zhang discloses a groove is provided on a surface of the weak portion (Zhang, a notched thinning area is provided on the inner surface of the protection plate facing the explosion-proof valve plate [0018, 0046-0047]). Modified Zhang does not disclose “the weak portion has an acute angle or an obtuse angle relative to the shielding portion.” However, this limitation is taught by Nogami.
Nogami teaches a thin inclined part 33 between a flange part 31 and top part 32, wherein the thin inclined part fractures due to high internal pressure of a battery ([0027-0029]). Nogami teaches in order to ensure sufficient tensile stress acts on the thin inclined part 33 to create the fracture, it is important for an angle θ formed by the flange part and the inclined part be between 90º and 135º ([0027], Annotated Fig. 2).
Before the effective filing date of the present invention, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to have the weak portion be inclined to the flange part between 90º and 135º, as taught by Nogami, in the protective member of modified Zhang, in order to ensure sufficient tensile stress acts on the thin inclined part (groove) to create a fracture.
Examiner notes this structure places the groove on an inclined portion of the protective member, with an acute angle between outer surfaces of the weak portion and shielding portion (see angle “β” in Annotated Fig. 2) and an obtuse angle between the inner surfaces of the weak portion and shielding portion (see “λ” in Annotated Fig. 2), thus meeting the limitation “the weak portion has an acute angle or an obtuse angle relative to the shielding portion.”
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Nogami – Annotated Fig. 2
Claims 10-12 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over modified Zhang as applied to the claims above, and further in view of Asahina et al., US 20090155672 A1 (previously cited).
Regarding Claims 10-12, modified Zhang discloses all limitations as set forth above. Although Modified Zhang discloses a protective film (Zhang, protective sheet 220), modified Zhang does not disclose the claimed protrusion or other limitations of Claims 10-12. However, these limitations are taught by Asahina.
Asahina teaches a protrusion (sealed surface 33A [0048], Fig. 4B) placed at an outer surface of a first wall (cover plate 31 [0027]), and a shielding portion is positioned on one side of the protrusion, in the direction perpendicular to the first wall (holding member 212 [0048], Annotated Fig. 4B). Asahina also teaches a protective element (sealing portion 11A of valve member 11 [0047]) arranged on a surface of the protrusion facing the shielding portion (first sealing portion 11A1 is pressed to sealed surface 33A [0048]), wherein the shielding portion compresses the protective element (pressing portion 212T of holding member 212 elastically presses a first sealing portion 11A1 [0048]). Asahina teaches the protective element can be secured by the protrusion under various pressures, by adjusting the amount of compression on the shielding portion ([0050-0053]).
Before the effective filing date of the present invention, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to add a protrusion at an outer surface of the first wall, as taught by Asahina, in the battery cell of modified Zhang, in order to compress and secure the protective film.
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Asahina – Annotated Fig. 4B
Addition of the protrusion to modified Zhang would establish a structure meeting the limitation the shielding portion is positioned on one side of the protrusion, away from the pressure relief mechanism and would also meet the limitation of the protective film covering the pressure relief mechanism (Zhang, protective sheet 220 can be provided on the top of the explosion-proof valve sheet 210 [0051]).
Claim 13 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over modified Zhang as applied to the claims above, and further in view of Newman et al., US 20190006776 A1 (previously cited).
Regarding Claim 13, modified Zhang discloses all limitations as set forth above. Modified Zhang does not disclose the battery cell “includes a plurality of through open holes between the body portion and the shielding portion, the weak portion comprises a plurality of weak subareas, and the plurality of weak subareas and the plurality of open holes are alternately and circumferentially arranged in the shielding portion.” However, these limitations are taught by Newman et al.
Newman teaches a battery cell cap comprising a plurality of through open holes (vent spaces 214 [0042]) between a body portion (base ring 204 [0041]) and a shielding portion (disk 208 [0042]). Newman teaches a weak portion (legs 212 [0042-0045], Figs. 2-5) comprises a plurality of weak subareas (controlled cross-sectional area 216 [0043]), and the plurality of weak subareas (216) and the plurality of open holes (214) are alternately and circumferentially arranged in the shielding portion (see Figs. 2A-D). Newman teaches the through open holes (214) provide an open gas vent path for the battery, and the weak subareas (216) ensure a specific failure point for the battery cap ([0039, 0043-0044]).
Before the effective filing date of the present invention, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to add a plurality of through open holes, and weak subareas, as taught by Newman, in the battery cell of modified Zhang, in order to have additional vent paths for the battery gas and ensure a specific failure point for the battery cap.
Modified Zhang does not disclose “the thickness of the weak subarea is less than or equal to that of the shielding portion.” However, this limitation is also taught by Nogami.
Nogami teaches the thickness of a weak subarea (shown by arrows on inclined part 33, Fig. 2) is less than that of the shielding portion (top part 32 [0026]). Nogami teaches when the thickness of the thin part is 30% to 50% relative to a thickness of the top part 32, high durability and stable gas discharge performance can be compatible with each other, as the thin part takes priority in fracturing when the internal pressure of the battery case exceeds a predetermined threshold ([0023, 0032]).
Before the effective filing date of the present invention, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to have the thickness of the weak subarea be less than or equal to that of the shielding portion, as taught by Nogami, in the battery cell of modified Zhang, in order to ensure the weak subarea takes priority in fracturing during a high pressure event.
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Nogami – Fig. 2
Claims 17 and 18 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over modified Zhang as applied to the claims above, and further in view of Suzuki et al., US 20100233520 A1 (previously cited).
Regarding Claims 17 and 18, modified Zhang discloses all limitations as set forth above. Modified Zhang does not disclose the limitations of Claims 17 and 18. However, Suzuki teaches these details.
Suzuki teaches a battery box (battery case 110 [0048], Fig. 1) comprising a casing with an accommodation cavity and an opening (walls 112-116 [0049]); and an end cover assembly comprising a cover plate (case upper wall 111 [0049-0050]) and an electrode terminal (positive terminal 161/negative terminal 163 [0050]), wherein the cover plate (111) covers the opening of the casing ([0050]), the electrode terminal is arranged on the cover plate ([0050]), and the first wall is the cover plate (Suzuki Fig. 1). Suzuki teaches an electrode assembly is accommodated in the accommodation cavity (electrode body housed in battery case 110 [0048-0050]). Suzuki teaches a battery box (110) comprising these features are compatible with and benefit from having a safety valve ([0010-0013]).
Before the effective filing date of the present invention, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to have Zhang’s battery box further comprise a casing with an electrode assembly in an accommodation cavity, an end cover assembly covering an opening of the casing and having a cover plate and an electrode terminal, wherein the electrode terminal is arranged on the cover plate and the first wall is a cover plate, in the battery cell of modified Zhang, as Suzuki teaches these battery box components are appropriate for use in combination with a safety valve.
Claim 22 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over modified Zhang as applied to Claim 1 above, and further in view of Kim, US 20050181272 A1 (previously cited).
Regarding Claim 22, modified Zhang discloses all limitations as set forth above. Modified Zhang discloses an inner groove is provided on a surface of the weak portion (Zhang, a notched thinning area is provided on the inner surface of the protection plate facing the explosion-proof valve plate [0018, 0046]). Modified Zhang does not disclose the inner groove and an outer groove are respectively provided on two opposite surfaces of the weak portion, and the inner groove and the outer groove at least partially overlap with each other in a thickness direction of the weak portion. However, these limitations are taught by Kim.
Kim teaches a battery safety vent on a battery wall, wherein the safety vent is ruptured due to battery pressure (inner notch 125 [0032, 0053-0056], Fig. 1C). Kim teaches the safety vent, which is an inner groove on an inner surface of a battery wall, can be improved by adding another groove on an outer surface corresponding to the inner groove (auxiliary notch 226 on an outer surface of inner notch 225 [0033, 0063-0065], Figs. 2A-D). Kim discloses the inner groove (inner notch 225) and outer groove (auxiliary notch 226) overlap with each other in a thickness direction of the weak portion (thin wall portion [0032], Figs. 2B-D), which allows the battery safety vent to open at a lower pressure, thereby increasing the safety of the battery ([0032-0033, 0065]).
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Kim – Fig. 2B (left) and Fig. 2D (right)
Before the effective filing date of the present invention, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to add an outer groove opposite the inner groove, wherein the inner groove and outer groove at least partially overlap with each other in a thickness direction of the weak portion, as taught by Kim, in the weak portion of modified Zhang, in order for the weak portion to break at a low pressure.
Claim 23 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Zhang et al., CN 210403875 U (previously cited); and further in view of Kim et al., US 20140045009 A1; Nogami et al., US 20220021072 A1; and Liu et al., CN 210429943 U (see enclosed PTO-892 for Kim and Liu).
Regarding Claim 23, Zhang discloses a battery cell (battery cell 200 [0043], Fig. 4), comprising:
a battery box (aluminum shell [0047]) comprising a first wall (top cover of battery cell [0047]) and a pressure relief mechanism (explosion-proof valve sheet 210 [0004, 0044], Figs. 3-4), wherein the pressure relief mechanism is arranged on the first wall (an explosion-proof valve sheet 210 is provided on the top of the battery cell 200 [0044, 0047]) and the pressure relief mechanism is actuated to relieve internal pressure of the battery cell when the internal pressure or temperature reaches a threshold value ([0047, 0051]);
a protective member (protective plate 410 [0047], Figs. 1-6) positioned on an outer side of the first wall (arranged on an upper surface of battery cell 200 [0047]), and comprising a body portion (plate body 411 [0047]), a shielding portion (portion of protrusion 412, see Annotated Fig. 6), and a weak portion (notched thinning area [0018, 0046], Annotated Fig. 6), wherein the body portion is configured to be connected to the first wall ([0044-0047]), the shielding portion is configured to shield the pressure relief mechanism (protective plate is arranged above the explosion-proof valve plate 210 to provide protection for it [0045]), the weak portion is configured to connect the body portion to the shielding portion (see Annotated Fig. 6), and the weak portion is configured to be broken, disconnecting the body portion from the shielding portion, when the pressure relief mechanism is actuated ([0045-0047]).
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Zhang – Fig. 4 (left) and Annotated Fig. 6 (right)
Zhang also discloses the weak portion comprises two surfaces parallel to each other (Annotated Fig. 6), a groove is provided on one of the two surfaces of the weak portion (inner surface [0018, 0047], Annotated Fig. 6), and the groove comprises two side surfaces (Annotated Fig. 6):
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Zhang – Annotated Fig. 6
Regarding the shape of the claimed groove, Zhang discloses a bottom of the groove (apex of groove/where both side surfaces meet, Fig. 6) is “not coplanar with the two surfaces of the weak portion” (bottom portion of groove is between the two planes, see Fig. 6). Should Zhang’s groove not disclose “a bottom surface of the groove not coplanar with the two surfaces of the weak portion” with sufficient specificity, the limitation is taught by Kim.
Kim teaches a battery cap 140 comprising a groove which ruptures to vent high pressure battery gas (safety vent 144 [0045-0058] Figs. 2A-2C). Kim teaches the groove includes a bottom surface (first surface 144a [0058]) between two side surfaces (pair of second surfaces 144b and 144c [0058]), and the bottom surface is not coplanar with two surfaces of the battery cap (first surface 144a not coplanar with 141a or 141b in Fig. 2C). Kim teaches the rupture pressure of the battery cap can be controlled by adjusting the depth D1 of the safety vent, and/or the angle θ1 formed between the pair of second surfaces ([0054-0058]).
Before the effective filing date of the present invention, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to have the groove of Zhang comprise two side surfaces and a bottom surface between the two side surfaces, wherein the bottom surface is not coplanar with two surfaces of the weak portion, in the protective member of Zhang, as Kim teaches dimensions of a groove comprising two side surfaces and a bottom surface can be adjusted to control the battery rupture pressure.
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Kim – Fig. 2C
Modified Zhang does not disclose “the weak portion has an acute angle or an obtuse angle relative to the shielding portion” as required by the claim. However, this limitation is taught by Nogami.
Nogami teaches a thin inclined part 33 between a flange part 31 and top part 32, wherein the thin inclined part fractures due to high internal pressure of a battery ([0027-0029]). Nogami teaches in order to ensure sufficient tensile stress acts on the thin inclined part 33 to create the fracture, it is important for an angle θ formed by the flange part and the inclined part be between 90º and 135º ([0027], Annotated Fig. 2).
Before the effective filing date of the present invention, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to have the weak portion be inclined to the flange part between 90º and 135º, as taught by Nogami, in the protective member of modified Zhang, in order to ensure sufficient tensile stress acts on the thin part (groove) to create a fracture.
Examiner notes this structure changes modified Zhang’s weak portion to an incline shape and places modified Zhang’s groove on the inclined portion of the protective member. This structure has an acute angle between outer surfaces of the weak portion and shielding portion (see angle “β” in Annotated Fig. 2) and an obtuse angle between the inner surfaces of the weak portion and shielding portion (see “λ” in Annotated Fig. 2), thus meeting the limitation “the weak portion has an acute angle or an obtuse angle relative to the shielding portion.”
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Nogami – Annotated Fig. 2
Modified Zhang does not disclose how the body portion (411) of the protective member is connected to the first wall (top of 200). Therefore, modified Zhang does not disclose the Claim 23 limitations “a bonding member connecting the protective member to the first wall, wherein the bonding member arranged at a surface of the body portion facing the first wall but not at a surface of the shielding portion facing the first wall and a surface of the weak portion facing the first wall, and the body portion and the bonding member are stacked together in a thickness direction of the first wall.” However, these limitations are taught by Liu et al.
Liu teaches a bonding member connects a protective member to a first wall of a battery (sealing pad 5 adheres and connects metal connecting plate 4 of explosion-proof valve to battery box body 1, pg. 2-4, Figs. 1-3). Liu teaches the bonding member (5) is arranged at a surface of the body portion facing a first wall but not at a surface of the shielding portion facing the first wall and a surface of the weak portion facing the first wall (Annotated Fig. 1), and the body portion and the bonding member are stacked together in a thickness direction of the first wall (Annotated Fig. 1). Liu teaches the bonding member establishes a stable and reliable seal between the first wall and outer circumference of the protective member, and the bonding member also does not need any curing time during assembly (Abstract, pg. 2).
Before the effective filing date of the present invention, it would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art to connect the body portion to the first wall with a bonding member, in the battery cell of modified Zhang, as Liu teaches a bonding member (sealing pad) can adhere a body portion of an explosion-proof valve to a battery wall in a reliable and stable manner.
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Liu – Annotated Fig. 1
Pertinent Prior Art
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure: Geshi et al., US 20210159571 A1. Geshi discloses a thin-walled portion 313B of a sealing body breaking upon high internal battery pressure ([0086] Fig. 9):
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Geshi – Fig. 9
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to BETHANY C GARCIA whose telephone number is (571)272-2475. The examiner can normally be reached Mon-Fri, 0800 - 1730 MT.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Allison Bourke can be reached at 303-297-4684. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/BETHANY C GARCIA/Examiner, Art Unit 1721
/ALLISON BOURKE/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 1721