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 .
Response to Arguments
Applicant's arguments filed 05/11/2026 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive. Applicant argues that Moriya does not teach “the outer end surface of each of the first flange portion and the second flange portion has a first ridge extending along a ridgeline where the outer end surface intersects the first side surface and a second ridge extending along a ridgeline where the outer end surface intersects the second side surface” as recited in claim 1. Applicant asserts that “ridge” in mechanical engineering arts generally means a narrow, raised structure. The annotated flat portions 12g and 12h at the corners of Moriya’s outer surfaces 12b do not appear to be “ridges” but wide rectangular structure defined by both the length of the vertical direction extension parts 32a and the length of horizontal direction extension parts 32b. Accordingly, applicant alleges the examiner’s interpretation of “ridge” is unreasonable. In addition, even if Moriya teaches “ridge” as claimed, applicant submits that annotated ridge portions 12g and 12h are not located “where the outer end surface[s]” of the flange portions intersect the side surfaces as required by claim 1.
After careful consideration without passion or prejudice, the argument is found not persuasive, respectfully. Assuming “ridge” in mechanical engineering arts means “a narrow, raised structure” as applicant states, “narrow” is still a relative term that can be interpreted differently among a skilled person in the art, let alone broadest reasonable claim interpretation afforded to examiners. While the “ridge” as shown in the drawings of the present invention appears to be narrower than the ridge in the drawings of Moriya, the annotated ridges 12g and 12h are still reasonably narrow in relation to the entire outer end surface in y axis direction between the end surfaces of the flange. In addition, paragraph [0053] of the originally filed specification of the present invention discloses that the sum of ridges 25 and 26 could be less than half in the width direction between side surfaces 15 and 17. In other words, the total width of the ridges 25 and 26 in WD direction between the side surfaces 15 and 17 could be almost half the of the outer end surface in WD direction. This allows each ridges 25 and 26 could start at the corner between the side surface 15 or 17 and the outer end surface and extend close to ¼ of the outer end surface in WD direction. In this case, the ridge 25 and or 26 in the present invention would be longer (i.e., longer flat surface) than the annotated “flat portions” ridges 12g and 12h of Moriya. In this regard, the argument appears to be contradicting applicant’s own disclosure.
As seen in the drawings in Moriya, the annotated ridge portions 12g and 12h are between the side surfaces and the outer end surface. Therefore, the examiner’s interpretation is reasonable and consistent with applicant’s specification. Accordingly, in light of the specification of the present invention, Moriya teaches “the outer end surface of each of the first flange portion and the second flange portion has a first ridge extending along a ridgeline where the outer end surface intersects the first side surface and a second ridge extending along a ridgeline where the outer end surface intersects the second side surface” as recited in claim 1. Even if applicant amends the sum of the ridges are 1/3 of the flange in WD direction as disclosed in paragraph [0053] of the present invention, Moriya may still anticipate such features or such limitations would be obvious over Moriya.
The drawings objection made in the Office action dated 02/09/2026 is withdrawn.
Drawings
The drawings received on 02/16/2023 are acceptable.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
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 made in this Office action:
A person shall 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 effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claims 1-3, 6-10 and 16-19 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Moriya et al. (U.S. PG. Pub. No. 2019/0148055 A1).
With respect to claim 1, Moriya et al., hereinafter referred to as “Moriya,” teaches a coil component 100 (Figs. 1-5) comprising:
a core 10 that has a winding core portion 11 extending in an axial direction (x axis direction, annotated Fig. 1) and a first flange portion 12 and a second flange portion 13 at end portions (ends in x axis direction) of the winding core portion opposite to each other in the axial direction;
a first terminal electrode (terminal electrode 30 on first flange) at the first flange portion;
a second terminal electrode (terminal electrode 30 on second flange) at the second flange portion; and
at least one wire 41 and or 42 that is connected to the first terminal electrode and the second terminal electrode, and is wound around the winding core portion,
wherein each of the first flange portion and the second flange portion includes:
a mounting surface 12a facing a mounting board side (“principal surface of an electronic board” para. [0048]) during mounting,
a top surface facing 12d (Fig. 3) opposite to the mounting surface,
an inner end surface 12c that faces the winding core portion side and is at a respective one of the end portions of the winding core portion in the axial direction,
an outer end surface 12b that faces opposite to the inner end surface, the inner and outer end surfaces connecting the mounting surface and the top surface, and
a first side surface 12e (annotated Fig. 1) and a second side surface 12f that connect the inner end surface and the outer end surface, and face opposite to each other, and
the outer end surface of each of the first flange portion and the second flange portion has a first ridge 12g extending along a ridgeline 12i where the outer end surface intersects the first side surface and a second ridge 12h extending along a ridgeline 12j where the outer end surface intersects the second side surface (paras. [0046], [0057] and [0063]).
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With respect to claim 2, Moriya teaches the coil component according to claim 1, wherein
the first terminal electrode and the second terminal electrode are configured of a metal plate having a thickness (thickness of the metal plate) equal to or less than protrusion heights (deep of the ridges) of the first ridge and the second ridge, and have fixing portions 32 disposed along regions 14 of the outer end surfaces where the first ridge and the second ridge are absent, the fixing portions being fixed to the first flange portion and the second flange portion with an adhesive interposed therebetween (paras. [0070], [0071] and [0093]).
With respect to claim 3, Moriya teaches the coil component according to claim 2, wherein
an adhesive layer of the adhesive fills a space between each of the first ridge and the second ridge and the fixing portion (para. [0093]).
With respect to claims 6 and 16, Moriya teaches the coil component according to claims 1 and 2, respectively, wherein
the first terminal electrode and the second terminal electrode are configured of a metal plate,
when a direction in which the first side surface and the second side surface face is defined as a width direction, a raised portion raised at a central portion in the width direction is on the mounting surface of each of the first flange portion and the second flange portion, and shoulder portions lower than the raised portion are on both sides of the raised portion in the width direction,
the first terminal electrode and the second terminal electrode have portions of the mounting surfaces of the first flange portion and the second flange portion extending along the raised portions and portions of the mounting surfaces of the first flange portion and the second flange portion extending along the shoulder portions,
each of the first terminal electrode and the second terminal electrode includes a first connection portion (connection to the board) with the mounting board which is configured by the portion extending along the raised portion, and a second connection portion (connection to the wire) with the wire which is configured by the portion extending along the shoulder portions, and
at least one of the first ridge and the second ridge is in contact with the portion of each of the first terminal electrode and the second terminal electrode extending along the shoulder portions (paras. [0046]).
With respect to claim 7, Moriya teaches the coil component according to claim 1, wherein
in the axial direction, a dimension (dimension in x axis direction) of the winding core portion is from three times to four times (by visual inspection as shown in Fig. 3) of a dimension (dimension in x axis direction) of each of the first flange portion and the second flange portion (para. [0046]).
With respect to claims 8 and 18, Moriya teaches the coil component according to claims 1 and 2, respectively, wherein
when a direction (dimension in y axis direction) in which the first side surface and the second side surface face is defined as a width direction, a total of a dimension (dimension in y axis direction) of the first ridge in the width direction and a dimension (dimension in y axis direction) of the second ridge in the width direction is 1/2 or less (by visual inspection) of a distance (distance in y axis) between the first side surface and the second side surface (para. [0063]).
With respect to claim 9, Moriya teaches the coil component according to claim 8, wherein
the total of the dimension of the first ridge in the width direction and the dimension of the second ridge in the width direction is 1/3 or less (by visual inspection) of the distance between the first side surface and the second side surface (para. [0063]).
With respect to claims 10 and 19, Moriya teaches the coil component according to claims 1 and 2, respectively, wherein
at least one third ridge 12m (annotated Fig. 1) is on the outer end surface between the first ridge and the second ridge (para. [0063]).
With respect to claim 17, Moriya teaches the coil component according to claim 2, wherein
in the axial direction, a dimension of the winding core portion is from three times to four times (by visual inspection as seen in Fig. 3) of a dimension (dimension in x axis direction) of each of the first flange portion and the second flange portion (para. [0063]).
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.
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 4, 11-13 and 20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Moriya.
With respect to claim 4, Moriya teaches the coil component according to claim 3, wherein
first rounded surfaces 12R1 (annotated Fig. 4) are at an end edge of the second side surface side of the first ridge and at an end edge of the first side surface side of the second ridge, and second rounded surfaces 12R2 are at an end edge of the first side surface side of the first ridge and at an end edge of the second side surface side of the second ridge (para. [0052]).
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Moriya does not expressly teach a radius of curvature defining the first rounded surface is smaller than a radius of curvature defining the second rounded surface. However, it would be within the skill of a person with ordinary skill in the art to change the radius as claimed to reduce corner sharpness. It would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to have the claimed radius to reduce corner sharpness to improve ease of handling during assembly.
With respect to claim 11, Moriya teaches the coil component according to claim 10. Moriya does not expressly teach when a direction in which the first side surface and the second side surface face is defined as a width direction, a dimension of the region of the outer end surface in the width direction where none of the first ridge, the second ridge, and the third ridge are present is larger than a dimension of the winding core portion in the width direction. However, it would be within the skill of a person with ordinary skill in the art to change the ridge dimension as claimed to provide sufficient space for the terminal electrodes. It would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to change the ridge dimension as claimed to provide extra space for the terminal electrode to improve ease of installing the terminal electrodes on the outer end surface.
With respect to claims 12 and 20, Moriya teaches the coil component according to claims 10 and 11, respectively. Moriya does not expressly teach
when a direction in which the first side surface and the second side surface face is defined as a width direction, a total of a dimension of the first ridge in the width direction, a dimension of the second ridge in the width direction, and a dimension of the third ridge in the width direction is 1/2 or less of a distance between the first side surface and the second side. However, it would be within the skill of a person with ordinary skill in the art to change the ridge dimension as claimed to provide sufficient space for the terminal electrodes. It would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to change the ridge dimension as claimed to provide extra space for the terminal electrode to improve ease of installing the terminal electrodes on the outer end surface.
With respect to claim 13, Moriya teaches the coil component according to claim 12. Moriya does not expressly teach the total of the dimension of the first ridge in the width direction, the dimension of the second ridge in the width direction, and the dimension of the third ridge in the width direction is 1/3 or less of the distance between the first side surface and the second side surface. However, it would be within the skill of a person with ordinary skill in the art to have to change the ridge dimension as claimed to provide sufficient space for the terminal electrodes. It would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to change the ridge dimension as claimed to provide extra space for the terminal electrode to improve ease of installing the terminal electrodes on the outer end surface.
Claims 5, 14 and 15 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Moriya, as applied to claim 2 above, and further in view of Kitagawa et al. (U.S. Patent No. 6,100,782).
With respect to claim 5, Moriya teaches the coil component according to claim 2. Moriya does not expressly teach
when a direction in which the first side surface and the second side surface face is defined as a width direction, a dimension in the width direction of the region of the outer end surface where the first ridge and the second ridge are absent is larger than a dimension in the width direction of the winding core portion.
Kitagawa et al., hereinafter referred to as “Kitagawa,” teaches a coil component (FIG. 1), wherein
when a direction (horizontal direction) in which the first side surface 12a (annotated FIG. 1) and the second side surface 12b face is defined as a width direction, a dimension in the width direction of the region 12c of the outer end surface where the first ridge 12d and the second ridge 12e are absent is larger than a dimension in the width direction of the winding core portion 11 (col. 2, lines 21-30).
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It would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to have the winding core portion dimension as taught by Kitagawa to the coil component of Moriya to reduce size.
With respect to claims 14 and 15, Moriya teaches the coil component according to claims 3 and 4, respectively, wherein
when a direction (horizontal direction) in which the first side surface and the second side surface face is defined as a width direction, and a dimension of the region of the outer end surface in the width direction where the first ridge and the second ridge are absent is larger than a dimension of the winding core portion in the width direction.
Kitagawa teaches a coil component (FIG. 1), wherein
when a direction in which the first side surface 12a (annotated FIG. 1) and the second side surface 12b face is defined as a width direction, and a dimension (dimension of region 12c) of the region 12c of the outer end surface in the width direction where the first ridge 12d and the second ridge 12e are absent is larger than a dimension of the winding core portion11 in the width direction (col. 2, lines 21-30). It would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to have the winding core portion dimension as taught by Kitagawa to the coil component of Moriya to reduce size.
Conclusion
THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. 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.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to MANGTIN LIAN whose telephone number is (571)270-5729. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Friday 0800-1700.
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, Shawki S. Ismail can be reached at 571-272-3985. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/MANG TIN BIK LIAN/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2837
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