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and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114.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 07/07/2026 has been entered.
Claim Status
Claim 1 has been amended; support for claim 1 is found in [0041-0044] and Figures 8, 12, 14, and 18.
Claims 11, 13-15, 17-18, 20, 23, and 28-29 have been cancelled.
Claims 1-10, 12, 16, 19, 21-22, 24-27 and 30 are currently pending and have been examined on the merits in this office action.
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments filed 07/07/2026 have been fully considered and are noted. Applicant argues that the amended claims overcome the previous rejection of record. Examiner notes that the rejection of record has been withdrawn in view of the amendments to the claims.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
7. 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 1-10, 12, 16, 19, 21-22, 24-27, and 30 has 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 1-3, Applicant claims, “a projection” in claim 1 and then further claims “ a first projection” and “a second projection” in claims 2-3. It is unclear if “a projection” of claim 1 and the first and second projections of claims 2-3 are the same or different element of the invention as both appear to be referencing the same part and thus the claims 1-3 are rejected for being indefinite. The other cited claims are rejected for depending upon a rejected claim.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
Jones et al. (US 2001/0049051 A1)-discloses a lead acid battery having a vent body and cap fixed to the body that form a vent assembly having a pressure relief valve.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Adam J Francis whose telephone number is (571)272-1021. The examiner can normally be reached M-Th: 7 am-4 pm EST.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Matthew Martin can be reached at (571)270-7871. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/ADAM J FRANCIS/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1728
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