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 .
The Applicant has amended independent claims 1 and 20; and amended dependent claims 5, and canceled dependent claims 3, 4, 6, 13, 16-18. The pending claims are claims 1, 2, 5, 7-12, 14, 15, 19, 20.
Applicant's amendment necessitated the new ground(s) of rejection presented in this Office action. Accordingly, THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. See MPEP § 706.07(a). Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a).
A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the mailing date of this final action.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b):
(b) CONCLUSION.—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph:
The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention.
Claims 1, 2, 5, 7-12, 14, 15, 19, 20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor (or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention.
Regarding claims 1 and 20, the phrase "anions and cations are regularly arranged and have rotation irregularity within a temperature range of use" renders the claim indefinite because it is unclear. See MPEP § 2173.05(d).
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action:
A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made.
Claim(s) 1, 2, 5, 7-12, 14, 15, 19, 20 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Nakamoto et al., WO 2011074088 (translation US 20130084491), in view of Nakagawa et al., JP 2005-135776.
Regarding claim 1, Nakamoto et al., teaches a solid electrolyte (0003; 0030), comprising a plastic crystal (perfluorosulfonic acid; 0081) doped with an electrolyte (0081; 0083; 0094), wherein the plastic crystal contains two or more types of cations in total, at least one of which is selected from the group of imidazoliums (0011; 0013; 0016).
Nakamoto does not teach a crystal lattice structure in which anions and cations are regularly arranged and have rotation irregularity within a temperature range of use of the solid electrolyte.
However, “crystal lattice structure in which anions and cations are regularly arranged and have rotation irregularity within a temperature range of use of the solid electrolyte” is unclear and renders the claim indefinite and a 35 USC 112 Rejection is described above.
Nakamoto does not teach quaternary ammoniums (0015-0018; 0035).
Nakagawa et al., teaches quaternary ammoniums (0005-0006).
Thus, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to insert the teachings of Nakagawa into the teachings of Nakamoto because Nakagawa teaches that the quaternary ammonium is an imidazolium cation (0016) and the quaternary ammonium may be used alone or in combination of two or more kinds (0044).
Regarding claim 2, Nakamoto et al., does not teach wherein the plastic crystal contains two types of cations selected from the group of the quaternary ammoniums.
Nakagawa et al., teaches quaternary ammoniums (0005-0006).
Thus, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to insert the teachings of Nakagawa into the teachings of Nakamoto because Nakagawa teaches that the quaternary ammonium is an imidazolium cation (0016) and the quaternary ammonium may be used alone or in combination of two or more kinds (0044).
Regarding claim 5, Nakamoto et al., teaches wherein the plastic crystal contains: one type of cation (0011; 0013; 0016); and another type of cation excluding the imidazoliums (0011; 0013; 0016).
Nakamoto does not teach the quaternary ammoniums.
Nakagawa teaches quaternary ammoniums (0005-0006).
Thus, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to insert the teachings of Nakagawa into the teachings of Nakamoto because Nakagawa teaches that the quaternary ammonium is an imidazolium cation (0016) and the quaternary ammonium may be used alone or in combination of two or more kinds (0044).
Regarding claim 7, Nakamoto et al., teaches solid electrolyte (0003; 0030).
Nakamoto does not teach the quaternary ammoniums include a tetraalkylammonium represented by the following chemical formula (B) and substituted with a linear alkyl group having any number of carbon atoms: [Formula ]
PNG
media_image1.png
119
306
media_image1.png
Greyscale
wherein a, b, c, and d represent integers of 1 or more, and the number of carbon atoms may be any number.
Nakagawa teaches the quaternary ammoniums (0015-0018) include a tetraalkylammonium (0035; 0037) represented by the following chemical formula (B) and substituted with a linear alkyl group having any number of carbon atoms: [Formula ] (Fig. 1; 0004).
Nakagawa teaches the quaternary ammoniums (0015-0018); include a tetraalkylammonium (0035; 0037; 0071) represented by the following chemical formula (B) and substituted with a linear alkyl group having any number of carbon atoms: [Formula ]
Regarding claim 8, Nakamoto et al., teaches solid electrolyte (0003; 0030).
Nakamoto does not teach according to wherein the quaternary ammoniums include a five-membered ring ammonium pyrrolidinium represented by the following chemical formula (C) and spiro-pyrrolidinium represented by the following chemical formula (D):
PNG
media_image2.png
157
357
media_image2.png
Greyscale
wherein Rl and R2 represent a methyl group, an ethyl group, or an isopropyl group.
Nakagawa teaches the quaternary ammoniums include a five-membered ring ammonium pyrrolidinium (0035; 0071) represented by the following chemical formula (C) and spiro-pyrrolidinium represented by the following chemical formula (D): (0004; Fig. 1).
Regarding claim 9, Nakamoto et al., teaches solid electrolyte according to claim 5, wherein the another type of cation is one of phosphoniums represented by the following chemical formula (E):[Formula ]
PNG
media_image3.png
120
306
media_image3.png
Greyscale
wherein e, f, g, and h represent integers of 1 or more, and the number of carbon atoms may be any number.
Regarding claim 10, Nakamoto et al., teaches solid electrolyte (0030; 0071; 0075) according to wherein the plastic crystal contains two or more types of anions (0011; 0016; 0020).
Regarding claim 11, Nakamoto et al., teaches power storage device (0008; 0066; 0071), comprising: the solid electrolyte (0030; 0071) according to claim 1; and both electrodes disposed opposite to each other (0028) with the solid electrolyte sandwiched therebetween (0028).
Regarding claim 12, Nakamoto et al., teaches wherein one or both of both the electrodes are polarizable electrode (0028) having: an active material layer composed of a porous material (0074; 0080); and a current collector (0097), and an electric double layer is formed on an interface between the polarizable electrode and the solid electrolyte (0028; 0030).
Regarding claim 14, Nakamoto et al., teaches a solid electrolyte (0003; 0030).
Nakamoto does not teach solid electrolyte according to claim 2, wherein the quaternary ammoniums include a tetraalkylammonium represented by the following chemical formula (B) and substituted with a linear alkyl group having any number of carbon atoms: [Formula (B) ]
PNG
media_image4.png
119
306
media_image4.png
Greyscale
wherein a, b, c, and d represent integers of 1 or more, and the number of carbon atoms may be any number.
Nakagawa teaches the quaternary ammoniums (0015-0018) include a tetraalkylammonium (0035; 0037; 0071) represented by the following chemical formula (B).
Regarding claim 15, Nakamoto et al., teaches a solid electrolyte (0003; 0030), according to claim 2, wherein the quaternary ammoniums (0015-0018) include a five-membered ring ammonium pyrrolidinium (0035) represented by the following chemical formula (C) and spiro-pyrrolidinium represented by the following chemical formula (D):[Formula (C)]
PNG
media_image5.png
125
302
media_image5.png
Greyscale
wherein Rl and R2 represent a methyl group, an ethyl group, or an isopropyl group; [Formula (D) ]
PNG
media_image6.png
149
299
media_image6.png
Greyscale
Regarding claim 19, Nakamoto et al., teaches wherein the plastic crystal (0081; 0083; 0094) contains two or more types of anions (0052).
Regarding claim 20, Nakamoto et al., teaches method of manufacturing a solid electrolyte, comprising: a step of producing a plastic crystal (perfluorosulfonic acid; 0081) (0083; 0094) containing two or more types of cations at least one of which is selected from the group of imidazoliums (0011; 0013; 0016).
Nakamoto does not teach quaternary ammoniums.
Nakagawa et al., teaches quaternary ammoniums (0005-0006).
Nakamoto does not teach a crystal lattice structure in which anions and cations are regularly arranged and have rotation irregularity within a temperature range of use of the solid electrolyte.
However, “crystal lattice structure in which anions and cations are regularly arranged and have rotation irregularity within a temperature range of use of the solid electrolyte” is unclear and renders the claim indefinite.
Thus, it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to insert the teachings of Nakagawa into the teachings of Nakamoto because Nakagawa teaches that the quaternary ammonium is an imidazolium cation (0016) and the quaternary ammonium may be used alone or in combination of two or more kinds (0044).
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments filed 10/7/2025 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive. The Applicant argues that “Nakamoto fails to teach or suggest a plastic crystal doped with an electrolyte.”
However, Nakamoto teaches a plastic crystal (perfluorosulfonic acid-based polymer, as perfluorosonlfonic acid is a plastic) (0081) doped with an electrolyte (0094).
Additionally, the Applicant argues that the prior art of record does not teach “the plastic crystal has a three-dimensional crystal lattice structure in which anions and cations are regularly arranged and gave rotation irregularity within a temperature range of use of the solid electrolyte.”
However, a 35 USC 112 Rejection is described above; the phrase "anions and cations are regularly arranged and have rotation irregularity within a temperature range of use" is unclear and renders the claim indefinite.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to ANGELA J MARTIN whose telephone number is (571)272-1288. The examiner can normally be reached 7am-4pm.
Examiner interviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video conferencing using a USPTO supplied web-based collaboration tool. To schedule an interview, applicant is encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR) at http://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Barbara Gilliam can be reached at 571-272-1330. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
Information regarding the status of published or unpublished applications may be obtained from Patent Center. Unpublished application information in Patent Center is available to registered users. To file and manage patent submissions in Patent Center, visit: https://patentcenter.uspto.gov. Visit https://www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/patent-center for more information about Patent Center and https://www.uspto.gov/patents/docx for information about filing in DOCX format. For additional questions, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000.
ANGELA J. MARTIN
Examiner
Art Unit 1727
/ANGELA J MARTIN/Examiner, Art Unit 1727
/BARBARA L GILLIAM/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 1727