DETAILED ACTION
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 Amendment
Claim 1 has been amended and new claims (13-17) have been added. Claims 1-17 are pending and considered in the present Office action.
The rejections of the claims are withdrawn in view of the amendment. However, upon further consideration a new ground of rejection is necessitated by amendment.
Applicant’s arguments with respect to the art of record are not persuasive for the reasons detailed next.
Response to Arguments
In response to applicant's argument that the examiner's conclusion of obviousness is based upon improper hindsight reasoning, it must be recognized that any judgment on obviousness is in a sense necessarily a reconstruction based upon hindsight reasoning. But so long as it takes into account only knowledge which was within the level of ordinary skill at the time the claimed invention was made, and does not include knowledge gleaned only from the applicant's disclosure, such a reconstruction is proper. See In re McLaughlin, 443 F.2d 1392, 170 USPQ 209 (CCPA 1971).
Applicant’s arguments that Ryu would not be used to modify Asako because Ryu does not disclose applying the branched lead for each of the electrode tabs is not persuasive because one cannot show nonobviousness by attacking references individually where the rejections are based on combinations of references. See In re Keller, 642 F.2d 413, 208 USPQ 871 (CCPA 1981); In re Merck & Co., 800 F.2d 1091, 231 USPQ 375 (Fed. Cir. 1986). Further, the test for obviousness is not whether the features of a secondary reference may be bodily incorporated into the structure of the primary reference; nor is it that the claimed invention must be expressly suggested in any one or all of the references. Rather, the test is what the combined teachings of the references would have suggested to those of ordinary skill in the art. See In re Keller, 642 F.2d 413, 208 USPQ 871 (CCPA 1981).
In this case, the claims were rejected over the combination of Asako, Ryu, Matsuyama and Kurita; Matsuyama suggests the application of a branched lead to each of the electrode tabs, see e.g., Fig. 14. Ryu observes an improved binding strength between the tab and lead through the use of the branched conductive member, while Matsuyama suggests the use of such branched conductive members for each tab and results in sufficient electrical communication between the current collectors of the battery and an externa circuit. Thus, one of ordinary skill in the art would be motivated to use the conductive members set forth by Matsuyama and Ryu for each tab with the expectation of improving the binding strength between the tabs and lead through the use of the conductive member, while also expecting electrical communication of the current collectors with an external circuit.
Applicant also argues Ryu fails to suggest “in the first direction, a joint point between the bent section and the first connecting section is at a same position as an end of the electric guiding section of the corresponding current collector that faces away from the plurality of active material layer”. This argument in not persuasive. Matsuyama shows the conductive member, comprising a joint point between a bent section and the first connecting section is at a same position as an end of the electric guiding section of the corresponding current collector that faces away from the plurality of active material layer”. Locating a joint point at the same position as an end of the electric guiding section yields nothing more than predictable results, i.e., connection of the current collectors to an external circuit, hence obvious. Further, Sakashita shows in the first direction, a joint point between the bent section and the first connecting section is at a same position as an end of the electric guiding section of the corresponding current collector that faces away from the plurality of active material layer, and the structure enables the connection of the current collector to the external terminals, see e.g., Fig. 6 and [0006-0008].
Applicant argues Ryu does not suggest the curved profile. However, absent persuasive evidence that a curvature is significant, one of ordinary skill in the art would have found a curvature a matter of choice, see e.g., MPEP 2144.04, IV., B. Further, Sakashita shows conductive members (131, 132) with a curved cross-section, thereby enabling the conductive layers 122 of the current collector to connect to external terminals. Thus, a curvature, as claimed, is obvious from the standpoint of enabling the current collector to connect to external terminals.
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.
Claim(s) 1-11 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Asako et al. (WO 2012/118127), in view of Matsuyama et al. (JP 2009-187675), Ryu et al. (JP 2008-027892), Kurita et al. (US 2020/0144583) and Sakashita et al. (US 2010/0209773), hereinafter Asako, Matsuyama, Ryu, Kurita and Sakashita. (Asako, Matsuyama, Ryu, and Kurita are of record)
Regarding Claim 1, Asako suggests a secondary battery comprising: an electrode assembly (50) comprising: a plurality of active material layers (12); a plurality of current collectors (11) each comprising an embedded section that is embedded in the plurality of active material layers (12) and an electric guiding section (11a) that protrudes out of the plurality of active material layers, each current collector (11) comprising: an insulating layer (13); and a first conductive layer (i.e., 14 "a") and a second conductive layer (i.e., 14 "b") sandwiching the insulating layer (13), see annotated Fig. 17.
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Further, Asako suggests each electric guiding section (11a) comprises: a first protruding section, of the first conductive layer (section 11a of 14”a”) of one current collector, that protrudes to an outside of the corresponding active material layer (12) corresponding to the one current collector; a second protruding section, of the second conductive layer (11a of 14”b”) of the one current collector, that protrudes to the outside of the corresponding active material layer (12); and a section, of the insulating layer (i.e., section 13 of 11a) of the one current collector, that is between the first protruding section and the second protruding section, see Fig. 17.
Asako further suggests a plurality of conductive structures (80) each corresponding to one of the plurality of electric guiding sections and comprising: a first conductive member (80) comprising: a first section (i.e., at M1) connected to the first protruding section of the corresponding electric guiding section; and a second section (i.e., about M2) extending from the first section and beyond the corresponding electric guiding section in a direction away from the one or more active material layers (12).
Asako does not suggest a second conductive member (indicated as a dotted line in annotated Fig. 17 of Asako) comprising: a first connecting section connected to the second protruding section of the corresponding electric guiding section; a bent section connected to the first connecting section and bent towards the first conductive member of the corresponding electric guiding section relative to the first connecting section; and a second connecting section connected between the bent section and the second section of the first conductive member. Further, Asako does not suggest in the first direction, a joint point between the bent section and the first connecting section is at a same position as an end of the electric guiding section of the corresponding current collector that faces away from the plurality of active material layers, and the bent section bends relative to the first connecting section at the joint point to form an angle smaller than 180° with the first connecting section. However, Matsuyama suggests a first conductive member (1st CM) and a second conductive member (2nd CM) about the current collector (2A,5), wherein the second conductive member comprises a first connecting section (1st CS) connected to the second protruding section of the corresponding electric guiding section; a bent section connected to the first connecting section (1st CS) and bent towards the first conductive member (1st CM) of the corresponding electric guiding section relative to the first connecting section; and a second connecting section (2nd CS) connected between the bent section and the second section (2nd section) of the first conductive member (1st CM).
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Further, a joint point between the bent section and the first connecting section (1st CS) is at a same position as an end of the electric guiding section (end EGS) of the corresponding current collector that faces away from the plurality of active material layers, and the bent section bends relative to the first connecting section (1st CS) at the joint point to form an angle smaller than 180° with the first connecting section, see annotated Fig. 14. Matsuyama suggests the first conductive member and the second conductive member on each current collector enables the connection of the current collectors to an external circuit, [0003-0004]. Further, Ryu suggests a second conductive member (110; 410) in combination with a first conductive member (120; 420, 421), see e.g., Figs. 3 and 5, comprising a first connecting section (1st CS, see annotated Fig. 5) connected to the second protruding section of the corresponding electric guiding section, a bent section ("B") connected to the first connecting section ("1st CS") and bent towards the first conductive member (i.e., 420, 421) of the corresponding electric guiding section relative to the first connecting section ("1st CS"); and a second connecting section ("2nd CS") connected between the bent section and the second section ("2nd section") of the first conductive member (420, 421).
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Ryu suggests the first conductive member and second conductive member connected to a tab results in improved binding force between the lead and the tab, [0043]. It would be obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art the conductive structure on each current collector of Asako includes a second conductive member in combination with the first conductive member (80) such that in the first direction a joint point between the bent section and the first connecting section is at a same position as an end of the electric guiding section of the corresponding current collector that faces away from the plurality of active material layers, and the bent section bends relative to the first connecting section (1st CS) at the joint point to form an angle smaller than 180° with the first connecting section, with the expectation of connecting the electrode assembly to an external circuit, and an improved binding force of the conductive structure with the tab (11a) of each current collector (11), as suggested by Ryu and Matsuyama.
The modification of Asako with Matsuyama and Ryu suggests the electrode assembly (50) comprises a plurality of current collecting sections each comprising a portion of the second section (e.g., about M2) of the first conductive member (80) of one conductive structure beyond the second conductive member (dotted line in annotated in Fig. 17 of Asako as suggested by Fig. 5 of Ryu) of the one conductive structure. Asako suggests an electrode terminal (e.g., 64, Fig. 2) and an adaptor sheet (e.g., 41, see e.g., Fig. 2, 17) connected thereto; the adapter sheet connecting the plurality of current collecting sections to the electrode terminal, wherein the current collecting sections are laminated with each other (see in fig. 17), with one of the current collecting sections directly contacting a first surface of the adapter sheet (Fig. 17); neighboring ones of the current collecting sections directly contact each other (i.e., about M2, Fig. 17), without the second conductive member (dotted line in annotated Fig. 17 as suggested by Ryu, and Matsuyama) of any of the plurality of conductive structures arranged therebetween.
Asako suggests the adapter sheet (41) as a whole has a plate shape (see e.g., Figs. 2 and 17) and the current collecting sections associated with the electrode assembly (50) are electrically connected to the terminal (64) through the adaptor sheet (41). However, the physical connection between the adaptor sheet and the current collecting sections once inside the assembled/closed cell are not shown (e.g., Fig. 4); thus, Asako does not shows the adapter sheet extends in a second direction perpendicular to an extension direction of the electrode terminal, and is perpendicular to the embedded sections of the plurality of current collectors; the electrode terminal directly contacts a second surface of the adapter sheet that is opposite to the first surface of the adapter sheet; and the extension direction of the electrode terminal is perpendicular to the first surface and the second surface of the adapter sheet. However, Kurita shows a plurality of current collecting sections (e.g., 42 of 19, Fig. 1-4) connected to the terminal (e.g., 16, Fig. 1) through an adaptor sheet (e.g., 16a, Fig. 1) having a first surface (71, Fig. 7) and a second surface (72, Fig. 7), wherein the current collecting sections are laminated with each other (see in Figs. 2-3), with one of the current collecting sections (e.g., 19b) directly contacting a first surface (e.g., 71) of the adapter sheet (16a) , see e.g., Figs. 3, 5, 7. Further, the adapter sheet (i.e., 16a) extends in a direction (i.e., stacking direction) perpendicular to an extension direction (i.e., up and down direction) of the electrode terminal (i.e.,16); the electrode terminal (e.g., 16) directly contacts a second surface (e.g., 72, Fig. 7) of the adapter sheet (16a) that is opposite to the first surface (e.g., 71, Fig. 7) of the adapter sheet (16a); and the extension direction (i.e., up and down direction, Fig. 1) of the electrode terminal is perpendicular to the first surface and the second surface of the adapter sheet (provided the first surface and second surface (71, 72) extend in the stacking direction, see Fig. 7). Kurita suggests the aforementioned connection between the terminal (16), the adaptor sheet (16a), and the current collecting sections (42 of 19b) enables a low resistance electric connection between the electrode assembly and external terminal ([0020, 0070]); additionally, one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize the bending/folding of the current collecting sections minimizes the space used to house the electrical connection of the current collecting sections to the terminal (compared to keeping the current collecting sections straight/unfolded). It would be obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art the terminal, adaptor sheet, and current collecting sections of Asako are structured as set forth in Kurita with the expectation of forming an electrical connection of reduced resistance between the electrode assembly and terminal, and an expectation of minimizing the space to house the current collecting sections, as suggested by Kurita.
Regarding the “curved profile” limitation, absent persuasive evidence that a curvature is significant, one of ordinary skill in the art would have found a curvature a matter of choice, see e.g., MPEP 2144.04, IV., B. Further, Sakashita shows conductive members (131, 132) with a curved cross-section (Fig. 5), thereby enabling the conductive layers 122 of the current collector to connect to external terminals, [0006]. Thus, a curvature, as claimed, is obvious from the standpoint of enabling the current collector to connect to external terminals.
Regarding Claim 2, Asako was modified as set forth in the rejection of claim 1; the modification suggests the second conductive member of each of the plurality of conductive structures is located at a side of the corresponding current collecting section (M2) away from the adapter sheet (41), see e.g., annotated Fig. 17 under the rejection of claim 1.
Regarding Claim 3, Asako was modified as set forth in the rejection of claim 1; the modification suggests the current collecting sections include a first part (closest to the electrode assembly) and a second part (closest to the adaptor sheet), the second part is bent backward with respect to the first part to form an acute angle (see folds in Kurita, e.g., Figs.), and the second part is connected to the adapter sheet (e.g., see Figs. 2-3 showing the end of 19b connected to adaptor sheet 16a).
Regarding Claim 4, Asako was modified as set forth in the rejection of claim 1; the modification suggests the first connecting section (around M1) of the second conductive member (dotted line in annotated Fig. 17) of one of two neighboring conductive structures of the plurality of conductive structures is in direct contact with the first section (around M1) of the first conductive member (80) of another one of the two neighboring conductive structures.
Regarding Claims 5-6, Asako was modified as set forth in the rejection of claim 1; the modification suggests the first conductive layer of each of the one or more current collectors further comprises: a first body section, wherein a surface of the first body section that is away from the corresponding insulating layer is covered by the corresponding active material layer, and the second conductive layer of each of the one or more current collectors further comprises: a second body section, wherein a surface of the second body section that is away from the corresponding insulating layer is covered by the corresponding active material layer, see Fig. 17.
Regarding Claim 7, Asako was modified as set forth in the rejection of claim 1; the modification suggests the bent section (B, see annotated Fig. 5 of Ryu) of the second conductive member (dotted line in annotated Fig. 17) of each of the plurality of conductive structures is located at a side of the corresponding second protruding section that is away from the corresponding active material layer.
Regarding Claim 8, Asako was modified as set forth in the rejection of claim 1; the modification suggests the second connecting section (“2nd CS”, see annotated Fig. 5 of Ryu) of the second conductive member of each of the plurality of conductive structures connects to an end of the corresponding bent section that is closer to the corresponding first conductive member and extends away from the corresponding current collector.
Regarding Claims 9-10, Asako does not suggests the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer of each of the one or more current collectors has a thickness of 0.7µm~0.9 µm. However, Matsuyama suggests a thin current collector light in weight comprising a resin film sandwiched by two metal films, [0016, 0019]; the metal films are 0.5 to 10 microns thick from the standpoint of resistance in battery characteristics. It would be obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art the conductive layers of Asako are between 0.5 to 10 microns thick to reduce the weight and thickness of the collector, and from the standpoint of resistance in the battery, as suggested by Matsuyama.
Regarding Claim 11, Applicant attempts to differentiate the claimed product by the process in which it was made, i.e., “soldered”. Applicant is reminded that “even though product-by-process claims are limited by and defined by the process, determination of patentability is based on the product itself. The patentability of a product does not depend on its method of production. If the product in the product-by-process claim is the same or obvious from a product of the prior art, the claim is unpatentable even though the prior product was made by a different process” (see In re Thorpe, 111 F.2d 695, 698, 227 USPQ 964, 966 (Fed. Cir. 1985); MPEP 2113. In this case, the process of connecting metals (i.e., via soldering, welding, etc.) is nothing more than a design choice with predictable results; Asako suggests utilizes soldering and/or welding between metals to establish an electrical connection.
Asako suggests the first conductive member (80) is connected to the protruding section (11a), i.e., via weld M1. Ryu suggests the second conductive member is also connected to the protruding section of the current collector, i.e., via weld, see [0020-0021]. Asako suggests the connection of the metals is necessary to establish and electrical connection between the electrode and adaptor sheet. It would be obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art the first connecting section of the second conductive member of each of the plurality of conductive structures is soldered to the corresponding second protruding section, the first section of the first conductive member of each of the plurality of conductive structures is soldered to the corresponding first protruding section, and the second connecting section of the second conductive member of each of the plurality of conductive structures is soldered to the second section of the corresponding first conductive member to establish an electrical connection between the active material and the terminal of the cell, thereby allowing current to be carried out therefrom (i.e., to the application).
Regarding Claim 12, Asako does not suggest the plurality of current collecting sections are a first group of current collecting sections; the electrode assembly further comprises a second group of current collecting sections each comprising a portion of the second section of the first conductive member of one conductive structure beyond the second conductive member of the one conductive structure; and the first group of current connecting sections and the second group of current connecting sections are connected to two end regions of the adapter sheet, respectively, and the electrode terminal contacts the adapter sheet in a region between the two end regions. However, Kurita suggests the plurality of current collecting sections are a first group of current collecting sections (i.e., 19a, see e.g., Fig. 2-3, etc.); the electrode assembly (12a, 12b) further comprises a second group of current collecting sections (i.e., 19b); the first group of current connecting sections and the second group of current connecting sections are connected to two end regions (left and right, see e.g., Figs. of Kurita) of the adapter sheet (16a), respectively, and the electrode terminal (e.g., 16) contacts the adapter sheet (16a) in a region between the two end regions (see e.g., Fig. 1, where the terminal 16 is in the center of the adapter sheet 16a between the left and right end regions connected to 19a and 19b). Kurita suggests splitting the current collecting portions into two groups reduces the amount of energy necessary for welding, thereby avoiding the use of a large welding device, see e.g., [0003]. Additionally, folding extensions of the first group (19a) and the second group (19b) connected on the ends of the adaptor sheet toward each other limits the contact of the distal portions of each of the groups, thereby reducing the space used for the current collecting portions (19a, 19b) in the stacking direction, see e.g., [0009]. It would be obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art the current collecting sections of the electrode assembly of Asako are split into two groups such that the first group of current connecting sections and the second group of current connecting sections are connected to two end regions of the adapter sheet, respectively, and the electrode terminal contacts the adapter sheet in a region between the two end regions, as shown in Kurita, with the expectation of reducing the amount of energy necessary for welding the current collecting sections to the adaptor sheet, thereby avoiding a large welding device, and to reduce the space used for the current collecting portions in the stacking direction.
As set forth under the rejection of claim 1, the current collecting sections include a portion of the second section of the first conductive member of one conductive structure beyond the second conductive member of the one conductive structure. Further, Asako was modified as set forth in the rejection of claim 1; the modification suggests splitting the current collecting sections into two groups; thus, the modification suggests the second group of current collectors each comprising a portion of the second section of the first conductive member of one conductive structure beyond the second conductive member of the one conductive structure.
Claim(s) 13-14 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Asako et al. (WO 2012/118127), in view of Matsuyama et al. (JP 2009-187675), Ryu et al. (JP 2008-027892), Kurita et al. (US 2020/0144583) and Avetik (US 20190088925), hereinafter Asako, Matsuyama, Kurita and Avetik (Asako, Matsuyama, Ryu, and Kurita are of record).
Regarding Claim 13, most of the features of claim 13 mirror the limitations of claim 1, which where already rejected over Asako, Matsuyama, Ryu and Kurita above, hence not repeated here. The main difference in claims 1 and 13 is related to the shape of the second conductive member, and specifically the structure of the bent section, which is addressed here. The modification of Asako with Matsuyama, Ryu and Kurita does not suggest the bent section of the second conductive member of each of the plurality of conductive structures is located on a side of the electric guiding section of a corresponding one of the plurality of current collectors that is parallel to both the stacking direction and the first direction. However, Avetik shows a tab/current collector configuration (e.g., Fig. 1E) comprising a first conductive member (1st CM) and a second conductive member (2nd CM) on the current collector 104; a bent section of the second conductive member is located on a side of the electric guiding section of a corresponding one of the plurality of current collectors that is parallel to both the stacking direction and the first direction. The tab on the current collector is intended to connect to another electrode or another tab, thereby allowing the cells to electrically connect to an external load. It would be obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art the second conductive member is shaped to include a bent section located on a side of the electric guiding section of a corresponding one of the plurality of current collectors that is parallel to both the stacking direction and the first direction, with the expectation of electrically connecting to another tab, and providing electrical connectivity of the battery to an external load, as suggested by Avetik.
Regarding Claim 14, the second conductive member was modified with Avetik which suggests an end of the electric guiding section of each of the plurality of current collectors that faces away from the plurality of active material layers in the first direction is further away from the plurality of active material layers than an end of the second conductive member of a corresponding one of the plurality of conductive structures that faces away from the plurality of active material layers in the first direction (see Fig. 1E).
Claim(s) 15-17 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Asako et al. (WO 2012/118127), in view of Matsuyama et al. (JP 2009-187675), Ryu et al. (JP 2008-027892), Guo et al. (US 2017 /0207437), and Okuda (US 2015/0236329), hereinafter Asako, Matsuyama, Ryu, Guo and Okuda.
Regarding Claim 15, most of the features of claim 15 mirror the limitations of claim 1, which were already rejected over Asako, Matsuyama, Ryu, and Kurita above. Thus, the rejection of identical limitations (i.e., those rejected over Asako, Matsuyama, and Ryu) are not repeated here with the exception of those related to the plurality of current collecting section (rejected in claim 1 in view of Kurita); to satisfy the plurality of current collecting limitations recited in claims 15 and 16, Kurita is replaced with Guo, as detailed below. Further, the rejection of claim 15 differs from claim 1 with respect to limitations related to the electrode terminal; Okuda is additionally relied upon in the rejection of claim 15 for limitations related to the electrode terminal not recited in claim 1.
Asako suggests the adapter sheet (41) as a whole has a plate shape (see e.g., Figs. 2 and 17) and the current collecting sections associated with the electrode assembly (50) are electrically connected to the terminal (64) through the adaptor sheet (41). However, the physical connection between the adaptor sheet and the current collecting sections once inside the assembled/closed cell are not shown (e.g., Fig. 4); thus, Asako does not shows the adapter sheet extends in a second direction perpendicular to an extension direction of the electrode terminal, and is perpendicular to the embedded sections of the plurality of current collectors; the electrode terminal directly contacts a second surface of the adapter sheet that is opposite to the first surface of the adapter sheet; and the extension direction of the electrode terminal is perpendicular to the first surface and the second surface of the adapter sheet. However, Guo shows a plurality of current collecting sections (e.g., 22, Figs. 3-5, 8-9) connected to the terminal (e.g., 11, Figs. 5, 9) through an adaptor sheet (e.g., 31, 32, Fig. 3) having a first surface (e.g., on 31, Fig. 3) and a second surface (e.g., on 32, Fig. 3), wherein the current collecting sections are laminated with each other (see in Figs. 8-9), with one of the current collecting sections (e.g., 22) directly contacting a first surface (of 31, see Fig. 3) of the adapter sheet (31, 32) , see e.g., Figs. 3, 9. Further, the adapter sheet (i.e., 31, 32) extends in a direction (i.e., stacking direction) perpendicular to an extension direction (i.e., up and down direction) of the electrode terminal (i.e., 11); the electrode terminal (e.g., 11) directly contacts a second surface (e.g., of 32, Fig. 9) of the adapter sheet (31, 32) that is opposite to the first surface (e.g., of 31, Fig. 9) of the adapter sheet (31, 32); and the extension direction (i.e., up and down direction T, Fig. 9) of the electrode terminal is perpendicular to the first surface and the second surface of the adapter sheet (provided the first surface and second surface (of 31, and 32) extend in the stacking direction, see Fig. 9). Guo suggests the aforementioned connection between the terminal (11), the adaptor sheet (31, 32), and the current collecting sections (22) increase an available space in the secondary battery (with respect to height, see e.g., [0007]). It would be obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art the terminal, adaptor sheet, and current collecting sections of Asako are structured as set forth in Guo with the expectation of forming an electrical connection between the electrode assembly and terminal, while increasing the available space in the battery (height wise), as suggested by Guo.
Asako does not suggest the electrode terminal comprises a first part and a second part, wherein the first part directly contacts a second surface of the adapter sheet that is opposite to the first surface of the adapter sheet, and a size of the first part in a plane perpendicular to the extension direction of the electrode terminal is greater than a size of the second part in the plane; and the extension direction of the electrode terminal is perpendicular to the first surface and the second surface of the adapter sheet. The limitations related to the electrode terminal appear to highlight the width of the electrode terminal in contact with the adaptor sheet with respect to the height of the electrode terminal extending away from the adaptor sheet. Okuda suggests an electrode terminal (7, 8) comprises a first part (plate shaped portion of 7, 8 connected to 23, 24) and a second part (cylindrical portion of 7, 8), wherein the first part directly contacts a second surface of the adapter 23, 24 sheet that is opposite to the first surface of the adapter sheet, and a size of the first part in a plane perpendicular to the extension direction of the electrode terminal is greater than a size of the second part in the plane (see e.g., Figs.); and the extension direction of the electrode terminal is perpendicular to the first surface and the second surface of the adapter sheet. Okuda suggests increasing the joint area improves current collection efficiency, [0039]. It would be obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art a first part of the electrode terminal connected to the second surface of the adaptor sheet is greater than a size of the second part in the plan perpendicular to the extension direction provided a larger joint area between the terminal first part and adaptor sheet is expected to provide improved current collector efficiency, as suggested by Okuda.
Regarding Claim 16, Asako does not suggest the plurality of current collecting sections are a first group of current collecting sections; the electrode assembly further comprises a second group of current collecting sections each comprising a portion of the second section of the first conductive member of one conductive structure beyond the second conductive member of the one conductive structure; and the first group of current connecting sections and the second group of current connecting sections are connected to two end regions of the adapter sheet, respectively, and a first end of the first group of current connecting sections in the second direction faces a second end of the second group of current connecting sections in the second direction; and the electrode terminal contacts the adapter sheet in a region between the two end regions two ends of the electrode terminal in the second direction align with the first end of the first group of current connecting sections and the second end of the second group of current connecting sections, respectively. However, Guo suggests the electrode assembly includes two cells (2, 2; 21, 21) hence a plurality of current collecting sections (22, 22), where a first group of current collecting sections belongs to one cell (21, 21) and a second group of current collecting sections (22) belongs to the other cell (21, 21), see Fig. 9 were cells 21, 21 on the left include current collecting sections 22, and cells 21, 21 on the right include current collecting section 22; the first group of current connecting sections and the second group of current connecting sections are connected to two end regions of the adapter sheet (i.e., 31, 32 see e.g., Figs. 3, 5), respectively, and a first end of the first group of current connecting sections in the second direction faces a second end of the second group of current connecting sections in the second direction (see e.g., Fig. 3, where the first end and the second end face each other in the space between the first group 22 and the second group 22, see also Fig. 9 where 221 of cells 21, 21 on left face 221 of cells 21, 21 on the right); and the electrode terminal (11) contacts the adapter sheet (31, 32) in a region between the two end regions two ends of the electrode terminal in the second direction align with the first end of the first group of current connecting sections and the second end of the second group of current connecting sections, respectively, see Figs. 3, 5 and 8-9. Guo suggests the connection of multiple current collecting section by way of an adaptor and bending of the tabs such that the face each other lead to an increase in available space (height) in the battery, [0007]. It would be obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art to modify the plurality of current connecting section such that the first group of current connecting sections and the second group of current connecting sections are connected to two end regions of the adapter sheet, respectively, and a first end of the first group of current connecting sections in the second direction faces a second end of the second group of current connecting sections in the second direction, and the electrode terminal contacts the adapter sheet in a region between the two end regions two ends of the electrode terminal in the second direction align with the first end of the first group of current connecting sections and the second end of the second group of current connecting sections, respectively, with the expectation of increasing the available space in the battery from whole height, as suggested by Guo.
Regarding Claim 17, this claim is interpreted as shown in instant Fig. 3; Asako was further modified by Guo who suggests the first group of current collecting sections extend in the second direction towards the second group of current collecting sections without bending back; and the second group of current collecting sections extend in the second direction towards the first group of current collecting sections without bending back, see e.g., Fig. 9 of Guo which appears to structurally mimic instant Fig.3., and would be obvious from the standpoint of increasing the available space in the battery from whole height, [0007], as suggested by Guo.
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 ANNA KOROVINA whose telephone number is (571)272-9835. The examiner can normally be reached M-Th 7am - 6 pm.
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, Ula Ruddock can be reached at 5712721481. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/ANNA KOROVINA/Examiner, Art Unit 1729
/ULA C RUDDOCK/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 1729