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and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114.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 January 2, 2026 has been entered.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
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-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
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.
The factual inquiries for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35 U.S.C. 103 are summarized as follows:
1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art.
2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue.
3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art.
4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or nonobviousness.
Claims 1, 3-4, and 10-11 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Xu et al. (CN 110828716 A, cited on the IDS dated December 1, 2022, see also the EPO machine generated English translation provided with the Office Action dated May 19, 2025), and further in view of Ahn et al. (US PGPub 2021/0265696 A1), Kim et al. (US PGPub 2006/0024571 A1), Kim et al. (US PGPub 2022/0376321 A1), hereinafter referred to as Son, Aoki (US PGPub 2021/0159546 A1), and Park et al. (US PGPub 2016/0126528 A1).
Regarding Claim 1, Xu discloses in Figs. 5-6 a button battery ([0004], [0007]-[0008], [0050]), comprising:
a first shell (2), the first shell (2) comprising a first annular sidewall (22) and a first end cover (21), wherein the first annular sidewall (22) is hermetically provided with the first end cover (21) at one end and is open at the other end ([0050], [0064]);
a second shell (1), the second shell (1) comprising a second annular sidewall (12) and a second end cover (11), wherein the second annular sidewall (12) is hermetically provided with the second end cover (11) at one end and is open at the other end ([0050], [0064]);
the first shell (2) and the second shell (1) are connected together with their open ends opposite to each other, the first annular sidewall (22) is sleeved outside the second annular sidewall (12), an insulating sleeve (4) is provided between the first annular sidewall (22) and the second annular sidewall (12), a first annular protrusion (13) protruding toward the insulating sleeve (4) is formed in the circumferential direction of the outer surface of the second annular sidewall (12), and the first annular protrusion (13) abuts against the insulating sleeve (4) ([0050], [0059]); and
wherein a second annular protrusion (23) protruding toward the insulating sleeve (4) is formed in the circumferential direction of an inner surface of the first annular sidewall (22) , and the second annular protrusion (23) abuts against the insulating sleeve (4) (Figs. 5-6, [0050], [0059]).
However, Xu does not disclose wherein on the first annular sidewall, between the first end cover and the second annular protrusion, a plurality of elongated through-holes or grooves formed by a scribed line process are provided, each of the plurality of elongated through-holes or grooves extending in an axial direction of the first shell.
Ahn teaches in Figs. 9A-11 a cylindrical battery (100) comprising a shell (110, 120, 130) comprising an annular sidewall (110), a first end cover (130), and a second end cover (120), wherein a plurality of elongated grooves (150) are provided on the annual sidewall (110) and extend in an axial direction of the shell (110, 120, 130) and a groove (160) provided on the second end cover (120) ([0141]-[0142]).
Specifically, Ahn teaches wherein the plurality of elongated grooves (150) and the groove (160) break when a pressure inside of the cylindrical battery (100) exceeds a preset pressure in order to discharge gas outside of the cylindrical battery (100) ([0137], [0141]-[0142]).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to provide a plurality of elongated grooves on the first annular sidewall of Xu, each of the plurality of elongated grooves extending in an axial direction of the first shell of Xu, and to provide a groove on the second end cover of Xu, as taught by Ahn, in order to discharge gas outside of the cylindrical battery of Xu when a pressure inside of the cylindrical battery exceeds a preset pressure.
Ahn further teaches in Figs. 9A-11 wherein the plurality of elongated grooves (150) are positioned to be biased toward the first end cover (130) in order to prevent movement within the cylindrical battery (100) by balancing gas discharged from the plurality of elongated through holes (150) on the annual sidewall (110) and the groove (160) on the second end cover (120) ([0147]).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to position the plurality of elongated grooves to be biased toward the first end cover of modified Xu, as further taught by Ahn, such that they are positioned between the first end cover and the second annular protrusion of modified Xu, in order to prevent movement within the cylindrical battery of modified Xu by balancing gas discharged from the plurality of elongated through holes in the first annual sidewall of modified Xu and the groove in the second end cover of modified Xu.
The Examiner notes that the limitation “a plurality of elongated through-holes or grooves formed by a scribed line process are provided” is a product-by-process limitation and therefore is not given patentable weight aside from the implied structure of the product.
The Examiner notes that the instant specification discloses wherein the through-holes or grooves can be formed by a scribed line process such that when the high-pressure gas inside the button battery or cylindrical battery reaches a preset pressure, it can automatically break along the scribed line to release the pressure ([0041]).
Thus, because modified Xu discloses a plurality of elongated grooves (150 of Ahn) that break when a pressure inside of the cylindrical battery (100 of Xu) exceeds a preset pressure in order to discharge gas outside of the cylindrical battery (100 of Xu) ([0141]-[0142] of Ahn), such reads on the limitation “a plurality of elongated through-holes or grooves formed by a scribed line process are provided”.
Modified Xu further discloses wherein the first shell (2 of Xu) and the second shell (1 of Xu) enclose a receiving cavity in which a roll-core (3 of Xu) is provided, the roll-core (3 of Xu) is connected with the first shell (2 of Xu) and the second shell (1 of Xu) respectively via a tab (31 of Xu) (Figs. 5-6, [0050], [0072] of Xu).
However, modified Xu does not disclose wherein one end surface of the roll-core and the first end cover are provided with an insulating spacer therebetween, or the end surface and the second end cover are provided with an insulating film spacer therebetween.
Kim teaches in Fig. 1b a cylindrical battery (100) ([0026]) comprising a first shell (400) and a second shell (300) enclosing a receiving cavity in which a roll-core (200) is provided, wherein the roll-core (200) is connected with the first shell (400) and the second shell (300) respectively via a tab (215, 225) ([0027]-[0028]).
Specifically, Kim teaches in Fig. 1b wherein one end surface of the roll-core (200) and the first shell (400) are provided with an insulating spacer (214) therebetween in order to insulate the roll-core (200) from the first shell (400) ([0028]).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to provide an insulating spacer between one end surface of the roll-core of modified Xu and the first end cover of modified Xu, as taught by Kim, in order to insulate the roll-core from the first end cover.
Modified Xu further discloses wherein the roll-core (3 of Xu) comprises an insulating film (35 of Xu), a positive material (341 of Xu) and a negative material (342 of Xu), the positive material (341 of Xu) being sandwiched between the insulating film (35 of Xu) and the negative material (342 of Xu) being located outside the insulating film (35 of Xu) (Figs. 5-6, [0072] of Xu).
However, modified Xu does not disclose a first insulating film and a second insulating film, the positive material being sandwiched between the first insulating film and the second insulating film, and the negative material being located outside the first insulating film or the second insulating film.
Son teaches in Figs. 1-3 a roll-core (100) comprising an insulating film (160) in order to separate and electrically insulate the positive material (110) from the negative material (120) ([0024]-[0025]).
Specifically, Son teaches in Figs. 1-3 wherein the insulating film (160) may comprise a first insulating film (140) and a second insulating film (150) such that the positive material (112) is sandwiched between the first insulating film (140) and the second insulating film (150) and the negative material (120) is located outside the first insulating first insulating film (140) or the second insulating film (150) ([0038], [0040]-[0041]).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to form the insulating film of modified Xu to comprise a first insulating film and a second insulating film, the positive material of modified Xu being sandwiched between the first insulating film and the second insulating film, and the negative material of modified Xu being located outside the first insulating film or the second insulating film, as taught by Son, as such is a known configuration in the art for a roll-core that separates and electrically insulates a positive material from a negative material and therefore the skilled artisan would have reasonable expectation that such would successfully form the roll-core desired by modified Son.
Modified Xu discloses wherein during winding, the positive material (341 of Xu) is located on the side close to a winding center and the negative material (342 of Xu) is located on the side away from the winding center (Figs. 5-6, [0072]).
Consequently, modified Xu does not disclose wherein during winding, the negative material is located on the side close to a winding center and the positive material is located on the side away from the winding center.
The Examiner notes wherein during winding, either the positive material or the negative material is located on the side close to the winding center and either the positive material or the negative material is located on the side away from the winding center and therefore the order of the positive material and the negative material is simply a design choice.
Aoki teaches in Fig. 4 a cylindrical battery comprising a roll-core (60) comprising an insulating film (6), a positive material (4) and a negative material (2), wherein during winding, the negative material (2) is located on the side close to a winding center (18) and the positive material (4) is located on the side away from the winding center (18) ([0097]).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to form the roll-core of modified Xu such that during winding, the negative material of modified Xu is located on the side close to a winding center and the positive material of modified Xu is located on the side away from the winding center, as taught by Aoki, as the order of the positive material and the negative material is simply a design choice and such is a known configuration in the art and therefore the skilled artisan would have reasonable expectation that such would successfully form the roll-core desired by modified Xu.
Modified Xu discloses wherein the insulating film comprises a first insulating film (140 of Son) and a second insulating film (150 of Son) (Figs. 1-3, [0038], [0040]-[0041] of Son).
However, modified Xu does not disclose wherein the first insulating film and/or the second insulating film forms an extension with respect to the negative material at a tail of the roll-core, and the extension surrounds the roll-core by at least one turn.
Park teaches a battery with improved safety ([0014]).
Specifically, Park teaches in Fig. 3 a roll-core (110) comprising an insulating film (13), a positive material (11) and a negative material (12), wherein the insulating film (13) forms an extension with respect to the negative material (12) at a tail of the roll-core (110), and the extension surrounds the roll-core (110) by at least one turn ([0034]).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to modify the first insulating film of modified Xu and/or the second insulating film of modified Xu to form an extension with respect to the negative material of modified Xu at a tail of the roll-core of modified Xu, wherein the extension surrounds the roll-core by at least one turn, as taught by Park, in order to improve safety of the button battery of modified Xu.
Regarding Claim 3, modified Xu discloses all of the limitations as set forth above and further discloses wherein the first annular protrusion (13 of Xu) and the second annular protrusion (23 of Xu) are staggered in an axial direction of the first shell (2 of Xu) (Figs. 5-6 of Xu).
Regarding Claim 4, modified Xu discloses all of the limitations as set forth above. Modified Xu remains silent regarding a distance between the first annular protrusion and the second annular protrusion and consequently does not disclose wherein such is less than or equal to 4 mm.
Though, modified Xu discloses wherein a height of the button battery is 3 to 6 mm ([0050] of Xu) and therefore modified Xu discloses wherein the distance between the first annular protrusion (13 of Xu) and the second annular protrusion (23 of Xu) is necessarily and inherently less than 3 mm when the height of the button battery is 3 mm, which falls within and therefore reads on the instantly claimed range of less than or equal to 4 mm.
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to form the button battery to have a height of 3 mm, as disclosed by modified Xu, such that the distance between the first annular protrusion and the second annular protrusion is less than 3 mm, wherein the skilled artisan would have reasonable expectation that such would successfully form the button battery desired by modified Xu.
Regarding Claim 10, modified Xu discloses all of the limitations as set forth above and further discloses a central post, and the first insulating film (140 of Son), the second insulating film (150 of Son), the positive material (341 of Xu) and the negative material (342 of Xu) wind around the central post (Figs. 5-6, [0072] of Xu and Figs. 1-3, [0038], [0040]-[0041] of Son).
Regarding Claim 11, modified Xu discloses all of the limitations as set forth above and further discloses wherein the tab (31 of Xu) is respectively connected with the first shell (2 of Xu) and the second shell (1 of Xu) ([0072] of Xu).
However, modified Xu does not disclose wherein such is done by resistance welding, laser welding or ultrasonic welding.
Kim further teaches in Fig. 1b wherein the roll-core (200) is connected to the first shell (400) and the second shell (300) via the tab (215, 225]) by laser welding in order to reduce the amount of impurities and prevent the roll-core from being damaged from sparks which may be generated during a resistance welding process while providing uniform welding strength ([0025], [0027]).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to respectively connect the tab of modified Xu with the first shell of modified Xu and the second shell of modified Xu by laser welding, as further taught by Kim, in order to reduce the amount of impurities and prevent the roll-core of modified Xu from being damaged while providing uniform welding strength.
Claim 8 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable Xu et al. (CN 110828716 A, cited on the IDS dated December 1, 2022, see also the EPO machine generated English translation provided with the Office Action dated May 19, 2025) in view of Ahn et al. (US PGPub 2021/0265696 A1), Kim et al. (US PGPub 2006/0024571 A1), Kim et al. (US PGPub 2022/0376321 A1), hereinafter referred to as Son, Aoki (US PGPub 2021/0159546 A1), and Park et al. (US PGPub 2016/0126528 A1), as applied to Claim 1 above, and further in view of Lee et al. (KR 2018-0025542 A, see also the EPO machine generated English translation provided with the Office Action dated May 19, 2025).
Regarding Claim 8, modified Xu discloses all of the limitations as set forth above. Modified Xu further discloses wherein the positive material (341 of Xu) and the negative material (342 of Xu) include a current collector and an electrode active material covering a surface of the current collector ([0072] of Xu).
However, modified Xu does not disclose wherein the electrode active material covers both surfaces of the current collector and further does not disclose wherein the negative material has an extension with respect to the positive material at a tail of the roll-core, and a surface of the extension away from the winding center forms a vacant area which surrounds the roll-core by at least one turn.
Lee teaches a cylindrical battery comprising a positive material and a negative material including an electrode active material, wherein the electrode active material may be applied to one or both sides ([0015]).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to cover both sides of the current collector of modified Xu with the electrode active material of modified Xu, as taught by Lee, as such is a known configuration in the art and therefore the skilled artisan would have reasonable expectation that such would successfully form the positive material and the negative material desired by modified Xu.
Lee further teaches in Figs. 4-6 wherein a negative material (120) has an extension (124) with respect to a positive material (119) at a tail of a roll-core (100), and a surface of the extension (124) away from the winding center forms a vacant area which surrounds the roll-core (100) by at least one turn in order improve the resistance characteristics of the cylindrical battery ([0020], [0034]-[0035], [0039], [0043], [0049]).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to form the negative material of modified Xu to have an extension with respect to the positive material of modified Xu at a tail of the roll-core of modified Xu, wherein a surface of the extension away from the winding center of modified Xu forms a vacant area which surrounds the roll-core by at least one turn, as further taught by Lee, in order improve the resistance characteristics of the button battery of modified Xu.
Claim 12 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Xu et al. (CN 110828716 A, cited on the IDS dated December 1, 2022, see also the EPO machine generated English translation provided with the Office Action dated May 19, 2025) in view of Ahn et al. (US PGPub 2021/0265696 A1), Kim et al. (US PGPub 2006/0024571 A1), Kim et al. (US PGPub 2022/0376321 A1), hereinafter referred to as Son, Aoki (US PGPub 2021/0159546 A1), and Park et al. (US PGPub 2016/0126528 A1), as applied to Claim 11 above, and further in view of Jeung et al. (US PGPub 2007/0154790 A1).
Regarding Claim 12, modified Xu discloses all of the limitations as set forth above. However, modified Xu does not disclose wherein at least one of the first insulating film and the second insulating film protrudes from the positive material and the negative material, and a protruded portion forms an insulating protective layer between the first end cover and the roll-core; and/or the protruded portion forms an insulating protective layer between the second end cover and the roll-core.
Jeung teaches a roll-core that minimizes thermal damage to roll-core and prevents the occurrence of short circuits due to introduction of foreign matter into the roll-core ([0011]).
Specifically, Jeung teaches in Figs. 1-4 a roll-core (100) comprising an insulating film (130), a positive material (110) and a negative material (120), wherein the insulating film (130) protrudes from the positive material (110) and the negative material (120), and a protruded portion forms an insulating protective layer between a first end cover (cap plate) and the roll-core (100) ([0032]-[0034]).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to form at least one of the first insulating film of modified Xu and the second insulating film of modified Xu to protrude from the positive material of modified Xu and the negative material of modified Xu, wherein a protruded portion forms an insulating protective layer between the first end cover of modified Xu and the roll-core of modified Xu, as taught by Jeung, in order to minimize thermal damage to roll-core and prevent the occurrence of short circuits due to introduction of foreign matter into the roll-core.
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments filed December 1, 2025/December 2, 2025 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive.
Regarding amended Claim 1, the Applicant argues that the claim is directed to a unique combination of structural features that interact in an advantageous fashion to provide a button or cylindrical battery with excellent sealing, safety (via controlled pressure relief), internal insulation, and a specific roll-core configuration that prevents short circuit and enhances reliability. This combination is not taught by the prior art.
The Applicant submits that, regarding the feature of the insulating film extension, the combination of Xu, Kim, Son, Aoki, and Park would not lead the skilled artisan to the claimed invention.
The Examiner respectfully disagrees and notes that the prior art does not need to recognize the same technical effect or solve the same problem as that of the claimed invention. So long as the structure of the button battery is the same as that of the claimed invention, the prior art will read on the claimed invention no matter the motivation for arriving at said structure or the recognized technical effects of said structure.
The Applicant further argues that Park fails to teach or suggest the claimed feature of an insulating film forming an extension that surrounds the roll-core. Park discloses a rechargeable battery with an electrode assembly having “uncoated regions” (11b, 12b) on the positive and negative electrodes. These uncoated regions are exposed current collectors designed to create an initial short-circuit in case of penetration by a conductive member, thereby improving safety by generating heat to blow a fuse.
The “uncoated regions” in Park are fundamentally different from the “insulating film extension” in the instant amended Claim 1 in structure/material, function, and position/configuration.
Therefore, Park teaches away from the invention as set forth in the claims as amended herein. One skilled in the art would not look to Park’s teaching of creating a short circuit using conductive uncoated regions to arrive at the concept, as currently claimed, of using an insulating film extension to prevent short circuit. Park does not disclose or suggest an insulating film, let alone an insulating film that forms an extension surrounding the roll-core.
The Examiner respectfully disagrees and notes that, as set forth in the prior Office Action and the rejection set forth above, Park teaches an insulating film (13) that forms an extension with respect to a negative material (12) at a tail of a roll-core (110), and the extension surrounds the roll-core (110) by at least one turn in order to improve safety of a battery (Fig. 3, [0014], [0034]).
PNG
media_image1.png
708
1215
media_image1.png
Greyscale
Specifically, the Examiner notes that the uncoated regions (11b, 12b) of Park argued by the Applicant were not relied on to teach the extension as claimed.
Moreover, the Examiner notes that the Applicant has not addressed the insulating film (13) of Park that was relied on to teach the argued limitations.
Thus, the arguments are not persuasive.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to KIMBERLY WYLUDA whose telephone number is (571)272-4381. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Thursday 7 AM - 3 PM EST.
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, BASIA RIDLEY can be reached at (571)272-1453. 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.
/KIMBERLY WYLUDA/Examiner, Art Unit 1725