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 .
Information Disclosure Statement
1. The information disclosure statement (IDS) submitted on 12/16/2025 is in compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the information disclosure statement is being considered by the examiner.
Response to Amendment
2. Applicant’s amendments with respect to claims filed on 02/25/2026 have been entered. Claims 1-9 and 11-16 remain pending in this application and are currently under consideration for patentability under 37 CFR 1.104. Claim 10 has been cancelled.
The amendments and remarks filed are sufficient to cure the previous Drawing Objections set forth in the Non-Final office action mailed on 11/28/2025.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
3. 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.
4. Claim(s) 1-16 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Pasma et al. (Pub. No. US 20190341587 A1) in view of Tsutsumi et al. (Pub. No. US 20170214030 A1).
Regarding claim 1, Pasma teaches a battery unit (100, Fig. 1, see [0032]), comprising: a housing assembly (110, Fig. 1, see [0032]), an electrode assembly (810, Fig. 8, see [0046]), a conductive plate (820A, Fig. 8, see [0046]) electrically connected to the electrode assembly (810, Fig. 8, see [0046] where the tab is extended from the cathode of the electrode assembly), and a feedthrough assembly (120, Fig. 1, see [0032]); wherein the housing assembly (110, Fig. 1, see [0032]) accommodates the electrode assembly (810, Fig. 8, see [0046] where 810 is inside 110) and the conductive plate (820A, Fig. 8, see [0046] see Fig. 8 where 820A is inside 110), and the housing assembly (110, Fig. 1, see [0032]) is provided with an opening (112, Fig. 2A, see [0034]) for mounting the feedthrough assembly (120, Fig. 1, see [0032], see [0034] and Fig. 2A where 120 is mounted through 112); the feedthrough assembly (120, Fig. 1, see [0032]) comprises a first washer (222, Fig. 2A, see [0034]), a second washer (224, Fig. 2A, see [0034]), a conductive terminal (226, Fig. 2A, see [0034]), a rivet (221, Fig. 2A, see [0034]) and an insulation sleeve (430, Fig. 4B, see [0036] where 222 including the 430 portion is formed of an insulating material); the first washer (222, Fig. 2A, see [0034]) is disposed on an outer surface (surface of 110 where 222 is disposed on, see Fig. 2A) of the housing assembly (110, Fig. 1, see [0032]); the second washer (224, Fig. 2A, see [0034]) is disposed on an inner surface (surface of 110 where 224 is disposed on, see Fig. 2B) of the housing assembly (110, Fig. 1, see [0032]) and is disposed opposite to the first washer (222, Fig. 2A, see [0034], see Fig. 2A/2B where 222 and 224 are disposed on opposite sides of 110); the conductive terminal (226, Fig. 2A, see [0034]) is accommodated in the housing assembly (110, Fig. 1, see [0032], see Fig. 2B where 226 is inside of 110, also seen in Fig. 8) and disposed on a side (side of 224 with 226, Fig. 2A) of the second washer (224, Fig. 2A, see [0034]) facing away from the first washer (222, Fig. 2A, see [0034], see 226 on side of 224 away from 222); the rivet (221, Fig. 2A, see [0034]) comprising a shaft portion (shank, see [0035], labelled in Fig. 9A below), an end portion (310, Fig. 3, see [0035]), and a limiting portion (320 after assembly, Fig. 3, see [0035] the tail is undeployed in Fig. 3 or shown prior to assembly, and Fig. 9D below shows 320 after assembly); wherein the shaft portion (shank, see [0035], labelled in Fig. 9A below) sequentially passes through the first washer (222, Fig. 2A, see [0034]), the opening (112, Fig. 2A, see [0034]), the second washer (224, Fig. 2A, see [0034]), and the conductive terminal (226, Fig. 2A, see [0034], see Fig. 2A shows a line drawn through 222, 112, 224, and 226 in that order, see Fig. 9D below assembled view); the end portion (310, Fig. 3, see [0035]) is disposed at an end of the shaft portion (shank, see [0035] where the shank extends from 310, labelled in Fig. 9D below where 310 is on the end of the shank) extending out of the housing assembly (110, Fig. 1, see [0032], see Fig. 9D below where 310 is outside of 110), the limiting portion (320 after assembly, Fig. 3, see [0035] the tail is undeployed in Fig. 3 or shown prior to assembly, and Fig. 9D below shows 320 after assembly) is accommodated in the housing assembly (110, Fig. 1, see [0032], see Fig. 9D below where 320 is inside 110) and is electrically connected to the conductive terminal (226, Fig. 2A, see [0034], see [0041] where the electrical energy conducts from the cathode electrodes to 226 then to 221), and the end portion (310, Fig. 3, see [0035]) and the limiting portion (320 after assembly, Fig. 3, see [0035] the tail is undeployed in Fig. 3 or shown prior to assembly, and Fig. 9D below shows 320 after assembly) abut against the first washer (222, Fig. 2A, see [0034]) and the second washer (226, Fig. 2A, see [0034]) so as to seal the opening (112, Fig. 2A, see [0034] where the components create a seal, see Fig. 9D below where 310 and 320 abut against 222 and 224); and the insulation sleeve (430, Fig. 4B, see [0036] where 222 including the 430 portion is formed of an insulating material) fits around an outer wall of the shaft portion (shank, see [0035], labelled in Fig. 9A below, see Fig. 9D where 430 fits around the outer wall of the shank), so as to prevent contact between the shaft portion (shank, see [0035], labelled in Fig. 9A below) and the housing assembly (110, Fig. 1, see [0032], see Fig. 9D below where 410 prevents direct contact between 110 and the shank); and the conductive plate (820A, Fig. 8, see [0046]) is electrically connected to the conductive terminal (226, Fig. 2A, see [0034], see [0046] where 820A is welded to 226, see [0041] where the tab connects electrically through 226), wherein the first washer (222, Fig. 2A, see [0034]) comprises a washer body (washer body, see Fig. 4B below) and the washer body (washer body, see Fig. 4B below) is provided with a through hole (420, Fig. 4A, see [0036]) for the rivet (221, Fig. 2A, see [0034]) to pass through (see [0036] where the shank of 221 passes through 420); and the battery unit (100, Fig. 1, see [0032]) further comprises an insulation partition (228, Fig. 2A, [0034]) disposed axially between the limiting portion (320 after assembly, Fig. 3, see [0035] the tail is undeployed in Fig. 3 or shown prior to assembly, and Fig. 9D below shows 320 after assembly) and the electrode assembly (810, Fig. 8, see [0046], see Fig. 9A above where 228 is between 320 after assembly and 810), the insulation partition (228, Fig. 2A, [0034]) having a through groove (610A, Fig. 6, see [0044]) configured as an internal channel (see Fig. 6, 610a is set inside of 228, therefore it is an internal channel) spaced apart from a peripheral edge (peripheral edge, see Fig. 6 below where 610a is spaced apart from the peripheral edge) of the insulation partition (228, Fig. 2A, [0034]), wherein the conductive plate (820A, Fig. 8, see [0046]) passes through the through groove (610A, Fig. 6, see [0044], see Fig. 9c where 820A passes through 610A) and is laterally surrounded by the insulation partition (228, Fig. 2A, [0034], see [0044] where 820A passes through the 610A, and as seen in Fig. 6 610A has a c-shape, therefore it is the examiner’s position the shape of 610A constitutes the insultation partition laterally surrounding 820A as the sides of 820A are surrounded by 228) to electrically connect to the rivet (221, Fig. 2A, see [0034], see [0041] where tabs including 820A conduct electricity from battery cells to 226 to 221) but fails to teach an annular protrusion, and the annular protrusion is disposed on an end surface of the washer body and surrounds an end portion of the through hole.
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However, Tsutsumi teaches an annular protrusion (925, Fig. 6, see [0145]) and the annular protrusion (925, Fig. 6, see [0145]) is disposed on an end surface (9210, Fig. 6, see [0145]) of the washer body (body of 92 which includes surface 9120 and 9125, see Fig. 6) and surrounds an end portion of the through hole (926, Fig. 6, see [0109] where 415 passes through 926, see [0126] where 925 surrounds 415 and as seen by position of cross section of Fig. 6 surrounds end portion of 926), and wherein two end surfaces (9120 and 9125, Fig. 6, see [0126]) of the washer body (body of 92 which includes surface 9120 and 9125, see Fig. 6) are each provided with the annular protrusion (925, Fig. 6, see [0145], see [0126] where 925 is provided on both 9120 and 9125).
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to modify Pasma to add a projecting portion on two end surfaces of the washer body as taught by Tsutsumi to ensure sufficient sealability (see [0145] of Tsutsumi). Further Pasma teaches that modifications can be made (see [0062] of Pasma).
Regarding claim 2, Pasma in view of Tsutsumi teaches wherein two end surfaces (end surface 1 and 2, Fig. 4B above) of the washer body (washer body, Fig. 4B above) are each provided with the annular protrusion (925, Fig. 6, see [0145] of Tsutsumi, see modification above).
Regarding claim 3, Pasma in view of Tsutsumi teaches wherein the limiting portion (320 after assembly, Fig. 3, see [0035] the tail is undeployed in Fig. 3 or shown prior to assembly, and Fig. 9D below shows 320 after assembly) is formed through compression and deformation of the rivet (221, Fig. 2A, see [0034]) during riveting (see [0035] where 320 is configured to expand in diameter, causing compression stress, therefore through compression).
Regarding claim 4, Pasma in view of Tsutsumi teaches wherein a side wall (wall of 224 in contact with 110, see [0040]) of the second washer (224, Fig. 2A, see [0034]) is at least partially attached to the inner surface (see inside surface of 110 in direct contact with 224, Fig. 9D above) of the housing assembly (110, Fig. 1, see [0032], see [0034] where the rivet compresses 222, 224, and 226 into 110, therefore all the components are compressed together and therefore attached), so as to prevent the second washer (224, Fig. 2A, see [0034]) from rotating around the rivet (221, Fig. 2A, see [0034]) relative to the housing assembly (110, Fig. 1, see [0032], see [0040] where the configuration of 224 in contact with 110 prevents rotation of 224 with respect to 110).
Regarding claim 5, Pasma in view of Tsutsumi teaches wherein the second washer (224, Fig. 2A, see [0034]) is fastened to the housing assembly (110, Fig. 1, see [0032], see [0034] where the rivet compresses 222, 224, and 226 into 110, therefore all the components are compressed together and therefore fastened together).
Regarding claim 6, Pasma in view of Tsutsumi teaches wherein the second washer (224, Fig. 2A, see [0034]) is provided with an accommodation groove (730, Fig. 7A, see [0037]) for accommodating at least a part of the conductive terminal (226, Fig. 2A, see [0034], see [0037] where 226 is seated in 730); and a side wall (First side wall 1 and First side wall 2, Fig. 5 below) of the conductive terminal (226, Fig. 2A, see [0034]) and a groove wall (groove wall 1 and 2, Fig. 7A below) of the accommodation groove (730, Fig. 7A, see [0037]) are at least partially attached to each other (see [0037] where 226 is seated in 730, see [0034] where the rivet compresses 222, 224, and 226 into 110, therefore all the components are compressed together and therefore fastened together, so as to prevent the conductive terminal (226, Fig. 2A, see [0034]) from rotating relative to the second washer (224, Fig. 2A, see [0034], see [0037] where 226 seated in 224 prevents rotation of 226 relative to 224).
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Regarding claim 7, Pasma in view of Tsutsumi teaches wherein the side wall (First side wall 1 and First side wall 2, Fig. 5 above) of the conductive terminal (226, Fig. 2A, see [0034]) comprises two first side wall units (First side wall 1/First side wall 2, Fig. 5 above) disposed opposite to each other (see First side wall 1 and 2 opposite each other in Fig. 5 above), the groove wall (groove wall 1 and 2, Fig. 7A above) of the accommodation groove (730, Fig. 7A, see [0037]) comprises two second side wall units (groove wall 1 and 2, Fig. 7A above) disposed opposite to each other (see groove wall 1 and 2 opposite each other in Fig. 7A above), and one of the first side wall units (First side wall 1 is in contact with Groove wall 2 as seen in Fig. 2B where 226 fits into 224) is correspondingly attached to one of the second side wall units (groove wall 2, Fig. 7A above).
Regarding claim 8, Pasma in view of Tsutsumi teaches wherein the conductive terminal (226, Fig. 2A, see [0034]) is provided with an accommodating groove (540, Fig. 5, see [0042]) for accommodating the limiting portion (320 after assembly, Fig. 3, see [0035] the tail is undeployed in Fig. 3 or shown prior to assembly, and Fig. 9D below shows 320 after assembly, see [0042] where the deformable tail is expanded the compression region 540).
Regarding claim 9, Pasma in view of Tsutsumi teaches wherein a side wall (side wall of 320 after assembly, see Fig. 9D below) of the limiting portion (320 after assembly, Fig. 3, see [0035] the tail is undeployed in Fig. 3 or shown prior to assembly, and Fig. 9D below shows 320 after assembly) and a side wall (side wall of 540, Fig. 9D below) of the accommodating groove (540, Fig. 5, see [0042]) are at least partially attached to each other (see [0034] where the rivet compresses 222, 224, and 226 into 110, therefore all the components are compressed together and therefore fastened together), so as to prevent the rivet (221, Fig. 2A, see [0034]) from rotating relative to the conductive terminal (226, Fig. 2A, see [0034], see [0035] where the compression force generated by the rivet prevents undesired rotation of the rivet within the terminal 226, therefore the compression taking place in 540, allows the compression force to be expressed and prevent rotation).
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Regarding claim 11, Pasma in view of Tsutsumi teaches a feedthrough assembly (120, Fig. 1, see [0032]) comprises a first washer (222, Fig. 2A, see [0034]), a second washer (224, Fig. 2A, see [0034]), a conductive terminal (226, Fig. 2A, see [0034]), a rivet (221, Fig. 2A, see [0034]) and an insulation sleeve (430, Fig. 4B, see [0036] where 222 including the 430 portion is formed of an insulating material); the second washer (224, Fig. 2A, see [0034]) is disposed opposite to the first washer (222, Fig. 2A, see [0034], see Fig. 2A/2B where 222 and 224 are disposed on opposite sides of 110); the conductive terminal (226, Fig. 2A, see [0034]) is disposed on a side (side of 224 with 226, Fig. 2A) of the second washer (224, Fig. 2A, see [0034]) facing away from the first washer (222, Fig. 2A, see [0034], see 226 on side of 224 away from 222); the rivet (221, Fig. 2A, see [0034]) is comprising a shaft portion (shank, see [0035], labelled in Fig. 9A below) and an end portion (310, Fig. 3, see [0035]), wherein the shaft portion (shank, see [0035], labelled in Fig. 9A below) sequentially passes through the first washer (222, Fig. 2A, see [0034]), the second washer (224, Fig. 2A, see [0034]), and the conductive terminal (226, Fig. 2A, see [0034], see Fig. 2A shows a line drawn through 222, 112, 224, and 226 in that order, see Fig. 9D below assembled view), the end portion (310, Fig. 3, see [0035]) is disposed at a first end of the shaft portion (shank, see [0035] where the shank extends from 310, labelled in Fig. 9D below where 310 is on the end of the shank), a second end of the shaft portion (shank, see [0035], labelled in Fig. 9A below, opposite end of 310 is second end) is compressed during riveting to form a limiting portion (320 after assembly, Fig. 3, see [0035] the tail is undeployed in Fig. 3 or shown prior to assembly, and Fig. 9D below shows 320 after assembly, see [0035] where the tail 320 expands in diameter after the rivet is installed as shown in Fig. 9D below), so that one of the end portion (310, Fig. 3, see [0035]) and the limiting portion (320 after assembly, and Fig. 9D below shows 320 after assembly, see [0035] where the tail 320 expands in diameter after the rivet is installed as shown in Fig. 9D below) is connected to the conductive terminal (226, Fig. 2A, see [0034], see [0041] where the electrical energy conducts from the cathode electrodes to 226 then to 221), (310, Fig. 3, see [0035]) and the limiting portion (320 after assembly, Fig. 3, see [0035] the tail is undeployed in Fig. 3 or shown prior to assembly, and Fig. 9D below shows 320 after assembly) abut against the first washer (222, Fig. 2A, see [0034]) and the second washer (226, Fig. 2A, see [0034]); and the insulation sleeve (430, Fig. 4B, see [0036] where 222 including the 430 portion is formed of an insulating material) fits around the shaft portion (shank, see [0035], labelled in Fig. 9A below, see Fig. 9D where 430 fits around the outer wall of the shank); wherein the first washer (222, Fig. 2A, see [0034]) comprises a washer body (washer body, see Fig. 4B below) and the washer body (washer body, see Fig. 4B below) is provided with a through hole (420, Fig. 4A, see [0036]) for the rivet (221, Fig. 2A, see [0034]) to pass through (see [0036] where the shank of 221 passes through 420); and the feedthrough assembly (120, Fig. 1, see [0032]) further comprises an insulation partition (228, Fig. 2A, [0034]), wherein the insulation partition (228, Fig. 2A, [0034]) is provided with a through groove (610A, Fig. 6, see [0044]) configured as an internal channel (see Fig. 6, 610a is set inside of 228, therefore it is an internal channel) spaced apart from a peripheral edge (peripheral edge, see Fig. 6 below where 610a is spaced apart from the peripheral edge) of the insulation partition (228, Fig. 2A, [0034]), the through groove (610A, Fig. 6, see [0044], see Fig. 9c where 820A passes through 610A) being configured for a conductive plate (820A, Fig. 8, see [0046], see [0044]) to pass through and be laterally surrounded by the insulation partition (228, Fig. 2A, [0034], see [0044] where 820A passes through the 610A, and as seen in Fig. 6 610A has a c-shape, therefore it is the examiner’s position the shape of 610A constitutes the insultation partition laterally surrounding 820A as the sides of 820A are surrounded by 228) but fails to teach an annular protrusion, and the annular protrusion is disposed on an end surface of the washer body and surrounds an end portion of the through hole.
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However, Tsutsumi teaches an annular protrusion (925, Fig. 6, see [0145]) and the annular protrusion (925, Fig. 6, see [0145]) is disposed on an end surface (9210, Fig. 6, see [0145]) of the washer body (body of 92 which includes surface 9120 and 9125, see Fig. 6) and surrounds an end portion of the through hole (926, Fig. 6, see [0109] where 415 passes through 926, see [0126] where 925 surrounds 415 and as seen by position of cross section of Fig. 6 surrounds end portion of 926), and wherein two end surfaces (9120 and 9125, Fig. 6, see [0126]) of the washer body (body of 92 which includes surface 9120 and 9125, see Fig. 6) are each provided with the annular protrusion (925, Fig. 6, see [0145], see [0126] where 925 is provided on both 9120 and 9125).
It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the invention to modify Pasma to add a projecting portion on two end surfaces of the washer body as taught by Tsutsumi to ensure sufficient sealability (see [0145] of Tsutsumi). Further Pasma teaches that modifications can be made (see [0062] of Pasma).
Regarding claim 12, Pasma in view of Tsutsumi teaches wherein two end surfaces (end surface 1 and 2, Fig. 4B above) of the washer body (washer body, Fig. 4B above) are each provided with the annular protrusion (925, Fig. 6, see [0145] of Tsutsumi, see modification above).
Regarding claim 13, Pasma in view of Tsutsumi teaches wherein the end portion (310, Fig. 3, see [0035]) is disposed on a side of the first washer (222, Fig. 2A, see [0034], see Fig. 2A where 310 is disposed on side of 221 away from 224) away from the second washer (224, Fig. 2A, see [0034]).
Regarding claim 14, Pasma in view of Tsutsumi teaches wherein the second washer (224, Fig. 2A, see [0034]) is provided with an accommodation groove (730, Fig. 7A, see [0037]) for accommodating at least a part of the conductive terminal (226, Fig. 2A, see [0034], see [0037] where 226 is seated in 730); and a side wall (First side wall 1 and First side wall 2, Fig. 5 below) of the conductive terminal (226, Fig. 2A, see [0034]) and a groove wall (groove wall 1 and 2, Fig. 7A below) of the accommodation groove (730, Fig. 7A, see [0037]) are at least partially attached to each other (see [0037] where 226 is seated in 730, see [0034] where the rivet compresses 222, 224, and 226 into 110, therefore all the components are compressed together and therefore fastened together, so as to prevent the conductive terminal (226, Fig. 2A, see [0034]) from rotating relative to the second washer (224, Fig. 2A, see [0034], see [0037] where 226 seated in 224 prevents rotation of 226 relative to 224).
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Regarding claim 15, Pasma in view of Tsutsumi teaches wherein the side wall (First side wall 1 and First side wall 2, Fig. 5 above) of the conductive terminal (226, Fig. 2A, see [0034]) comprises two first side wall units (First side wall 1/First side wall 2, Fig. 5 above) disposed opposite to each other (see First side wall 1 and 2 opposite each other in Fig. 5 above), the groove wall (groove wall 1 and 2, Fig. 7A above) of the accommodation groove (730, Fig. 7A, see [0037]) comprises two second side wall units (groove wall 1 and 2, Fig. 7A above) disposed opposite to each other (see groove wall 1 and 2 opposite each other in Fig. 7A above), and one of the first side wall units (First side wall 1 is in contact with Groove wall 2 as seen in Fig. 2B where 226 fits into 224) is correspondingly attached to one of the second side wall units (groove wall 2, Fig. 7A above).
Regarding claim 16, Pasma in view of Tsutsumi teaches wherein the conductive terminal (226, Fig. 2A, see [0034]) is provided with a via hole (520, Fig. 5, see [0041]) for the shaft portion (shank, see [0035], labelled in Fig. 9A above) to pass through (see [0041] where 520 is for receiving 221), and a side of the conductive terminal (226, Fig. 2A, see [0034], side of the conductive terminal is side away from 224 and facing 226 in Fig. 2B) facing away from the second washer (224, Fig. 2A, see [0034]) is provided with an accommodating groove (540, Fig. 5, see [0042], in Fig. 5 the dashed lines indicate the accommodating region is on the opposite side of 226, as evidenced by Fig. 9A above where the 320 after assembly is on the side facing away from 224, and see [0042] 540 contacts 320 after assembly or when it is expanded) in communication with the via hole (520, Fig. 5, see [0041] where 520 receives the shank and then contacts 540, see Fig. 5 where 540 surrounds 520 on side facing away from 224).
Response to Arguments
5. Applicant's arguments filed 02/25/2026 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive.
Regarding applicant’s arguments that the through groove taught by Pasma cannot laterally surround a conductive plate because the edge-opening leaves one side of the plate laterally exposed to the periphery, and the internal architecture as claimed provides a closed-loop 360-degree lateral enclosure. The Examiner respectfully disagrees as the limitation of laterally surround encompasses an embodiment wherein one side is open to the periphery as it was not required that the conductive plate be completely or entirely laterally surrounded or have a closed-loop 360 degree lateral enclosure. Further, even if the claims were amended to recite such a limitation of a closed-loop 360 degree lateral enclosure, there is no support for that limitation in the instant specification or drawings.
In response to applicant's argument that the references fail to show certain features of the invention, it is noted that the features upon which applicant relies (i.e., closed-loop 360 degree lateral enclosure) are not recited in the rejected claim(s). Although the claims are interpreted in light of the specification, limitations from the specification are not read into the claims. See In re Van Geuns, 988 F.2d 1181, 26 USPQ2d 1057 (Fed. Cir. 1993). Further, even if the claims were amended to recite such a limitation of a closed-loop 360 degree lateral enclosure, there is no support for that limitation in the instant specification or drawings.
Conclusion
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.
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to DOUGLAS CALEB MARROQUIN whose telephone number is (571)272-0166. The examiner can normally be reached Monday - Friday 7:30-5:00 EST.
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If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Tiffany Legette can be reached at 571-270-7078. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/DOUGLAS C MARROQUIN/Examiner, Art Unit 1723 /TIFFANY LEGETTE/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 1723
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