DETAILED ACTION
Response to Amendment
Claims 1-13 are pending in the application. New grounds of rejection have been added as a result of the amendment to the claims submitted 4/15/2026.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
The text of those sections of Title 35, U.S. Code not included in this action can be found in a prior Office action.
Claims 1-11 and 13 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Takahashi et al. (US 2015/0) in view of Lee et al. (US 2017/0170437) in view of Ringler (US 2,205,437).
Regarding claims 1 and 6-9, Takahashi et al. discloses in Figs 1-25, a battery cell (ref 40) that has a curved shape (Figs 2A-C, [0051]) so that a cross section (Figs 2A-C) of the battery cell (ref 40) has a curve (ref 1802, [0051], Figs 2A-C), wherein both-sided face sealing parts (refs 17, 15, Fig 6D) of a battery case ([0094], ref 10) are sealed by UV glue coating ([0043]) based on a direction (Figs 2A-C, Fig 6D) in which electrode leads (refs 16) are formed.
Takahashi et al. does not explicitly disclose a cutting part is formed at a central part in the longitudinal direction of each of the both-sided face sealing parts, the cutting part is formed within a point of 1/3 to 2/3 of the total length of the both-sided face sealing parts in the direction in which the electrode leads are formed, the cutting part is cut from the outer end of the both-sided face sealing part in an inward direction toward the storage part of the battery case so that a stress due to the curve of the batter cell is not concentrated in the center, the cutting part is formed in a V-shape, the cutting part is formed to a depth of 10 – 70% based on a sealing width from an outer end of the both-sided face sealing parts toward the storage part of the battery case
Lee et al. discloses in Figs 1-7, a battery cell (ref 200) including an electrode assembly (ref 230) in a pouch casing (ref 250). The pouch casing (ref 250) has edge sealing parts (refs 221-224) with included V-shaped cut recesses (refs 210) at a mid-length (Fig 2) of the cell (ref 200). The V-shaped cut recesses (refs 210) are cut to a depth of between 10 – 70% of a width (ref W, Fig 2, [0062]) the edge sealing parts (refs 222, 223). This configuration enhances the structural integrity and performance of the battery ([0082], [0015], [0016]).
Takahashi et al. and Lee et al. are analogous since both deal in the same field of endeavor, namely, batteries.
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of filing to incorporate the V-shaped cut structure disclosed by Lee et al. into the battery of Takahashi et al. to enhance the structural integrity and performance of the battery.
Takahashi et al. also does not explicitly disclose the cutting part is formed on an opposite side relative to an inner curved side of the battery cell.
Ringler discloses in Figs 1-21, battery container packaging (P1/C1/L10-11, P1/C2/L36-41). It is noted that the reference pertains to “merchandise” packaging (Title), and comprises a number of materials, including batteries (Figs 4-5), light bulbs (Fig 7), etc. Thus the packaging, in general, applies to all the aforementioned items. The packaging includes a packaging structure (ref B) and including scored perforations (at refs 6, Figs 4, 5, 7). The scored perforations (refs 6) are placed at both side walls (refs 5, Figs 4, 5, 7), on each side, of the packaging (ref B). This enhances the packaging structure’s (ref B) bending ability (as depicted in Figs 5, 7).
Ringler and Takahashi et al. are analogous since both deal in the same field of endeavor, namely, battery packaging.
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of filing to incorporate the scored perforations of Ringler on both sides of the battery cell of Takahashi et al. to enhance the battery cell’s bendability. (Note, placing scored perforations on both sides encompasses the limitations of the instant claim).
Regarding claim 2, modified Takahashi et al. discloses all of the claim limitations as set forth above and also discloses the cross section of the battery cell (ref 40) in a direction in which the electrode lead (ref 16) is formed has a curve (Figs 2A-C, [0188]) in which both side ends (refs 15, 17) are bent together in the same direction (Figs 2A-C, [0188]) with respect to the central part (Figs 2A-C, [0188]).
Regarding claim 3, modified Takahashi et al. discloses all of the claim limitations as set forth above and also discloses a curvature radius R (ref 1802) of the curve (Figs 2A-C) of the battery cell (ref 40) is 90 – 100 mm ([0049]).
Regarding claim 4, modified Takahashi et al. discloses all of the claim limitations as set forth above and also discloses the battery case is a pouch-type battery case ([0094], Fig 6D) made of a laminate sheet ([0094]) including a resin layer ([0094]) and a metal layer ([0094]).
Regarding claim 5, modified Takahashi et al. discloses all of the claim limitations as set forth above and also discloses the both-sided face sealing parts (refs 15, 17) are bent in the direction (Figs 2A-C) of the battery cell (ref 40).
Regarding claim 10, modified Takahashi et al. discloses all of the claim limitations as set forth above and also discloses a UV glue coating ([0043]) is further formed on a cutting surface ([0043] discloses UV adhesive sealing across refs 17, 15) of the cutting part (see Claim 1 above, in view of Lee et al., envisaged combination has UV coating on cut structure).
Regarding claim 11, modified Takahashi et al. discloses all of the claim limitations as set forth above and also discloses the UV glue coating ([0043]) is a coating in which a UV curable material is cured ([0043]).
Regarding claim 13, modified Takahashi et al. discloses in Figs 1-25, a battery module ([0198]) comprising the battery cell (ref 40) as set forth above.
Claim 12 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Takahashi et al. (US 2015/0) in view of Lee et al. (US 2017/0170437) and Ringler (US 2,205,437) and as applied to claim 1 above, and further in view of Choi (US 2021/0031462).
Regarding claim 12, modified Takahashi et al. discloses all of the claim limitations as set forth above but does not disclose the UV curable material comprises at least one of unsaturated polyester-based materials, polyester acrylates, epoxy acrylates, or urethane acrylates.
Choi discloses in Figs 1-9, a battery including a UV cured sealing adhesive comprising urethane acrylates ([0058]). This composition enhances performance of the adhesive sealing material ([0058]).
Takahashi et al. and Choi are analogous since both deal in the same field of endeavor, namely, batteries.
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of filing to incorporate the UV cured urethane acrylate disclosed by Choi into the battery of Takahashi et al. to enhance the adhesive sealing of the battery, thereby enhancing overall battery structural integrity and performance.
Response to Arguments
Applicant’s arguments with respect to claims 1-13 have been considered but are moot in view of new grounds of rejection.
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.
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/KENNETH J DOUYETTE/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1725
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