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 .
DETAILED ACTION
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 1-12 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Kiyama et al (US 20110206958). Regarding claim 1, the reference teaches an energy storage cell (10) comprising a housing (40) closed by a cover, and an electrolyte assembly (80) accommodated in the housing, wherein the cover has an outer contact element (20) that is electrically connected to an intermediate contact element (23), the intermediate contact element being electrically connected to an inner contact element (30) (Fig. 1A), wherein the intermediate and inner elements are connected to each other in a contact zone (24, 34) provided with a predetermined breaking point (Figs. 2 and 3), and a sealing element (44) insulates the intermediate and inner contact elements outside of the contact zone and insulates the cover with respect to the housing. Regarding claim 2, the cell is cylindrical and the housing is closed by the cover at an end side. Regarding claims 3 and 4, the sealing element is formed of an injection moldable, elastomeric material such as EPDM ([0042]). Regarding claim 5, the sealing element is formed throughout of the same material and in one piece. Regarding claims 6 and 7, the sealing element circumferentially surrounds the outer and intermediate contact elements, and covers the outer and intermediate elements in an outer circumferential peripheral zone at both ends. Regarding claim 8, each of the outer, intermediate and inner contact elements is made of metal ([0040], [0045], [0047]). Regarding claim 9, the intermediate and inner elements are welded together ([0047]). Regarding claim 10, a first indentation (37, Fig. 1B) is created in the inner contact element to create the predetermined breaking point. Regarding claim 11, the first indentation has an annular shape and defines the contact zone. Regarding claim 12, the predetermined breaking point is centrally formed on the intermediate element and the inner contact element. Thus, the instant claims are anticipated.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Jonathan Crepeau whose telephone number is (571) 272-1299. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Friday from 9:30 AM - 6:00 PM EST.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner's supervisor, Nicole Buie-Hatcher, can be reached at (571) 270-3879. The phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is (571) 272-1700. Documents may be faxed to the central fax server at (571) 273-8300.
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/Jonathan Crepeau/
Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1725
June 12, 2026
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