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 .
Priority
Receipt is acknowledged of certified copies of papers required by 37 CFR 1.55.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
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 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.
(a)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
Claims 1-3 and 10-11 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by Park et al.
(US 2021/0344033 A1, cited by Applicant in IDS filed on October 13, 2025, and hereinafter “Park”).
Regarding claim 1, Park discloses a tab plate ([0029]-[0031] and Fig. 1, first positive electrode plate 111 and second negative electrode plate 112), comprising a coating area ([0030]-[0031], [0061], [0063], [0067], and Fig. 2, first and second electrode active materials 111a and insulation layer 111c, second electrode plate 112 has the same structure as first electrode plate 111) and an empty foil area located on one side of the coating area ([0030]-[0031] and Fig. 2, first and second non-coated part 111b), a boundary line being formed at a connection position between the empty foil area and the coating area (see Annotated Fig. 3 below, boundary line), wherein the empty foil area is cut to form a plurality of tabs of quadrilateral structure, and the plurality of tabs are arranged in sequence along a length direction of the tab plate ([0033], Fig. 2 and see Annotated Fig. 3 below, isosceles trapezoidal electrode tabs and length direction), four sides of each tab comprise a first side, a second side, and a third side, the third side is located in the empty foil area and is close to the boundary line, and the third side is parallel to the boundary line and is at a distance of less than 5 mm from the boundary line (see Annotated Fig. 3 below, first side, second side, and third side, third side is on the boundary line); the first side is arranged opposite to the second side, and both the first side and the second side intersect with the third side, an angle a is formed between the first side and the third side, and the angle a is an acute angle (see Annotated Fig. 3 below, acute angle β).
Park et al. Annotated Fig. 3
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Regarding claim 2, Park discloses the limitations of claim 1. Park further discloses wherein the tab plate is a positive electrode tab plate or a negative electrode tab plate ([0030]-[0031], [0063], [0067], first positive electrode plate 111 and second negative electrode plate 112 have the same structure), and a winding direction of the tab plate is the same as an orientation of the angle a ([0045]-[0051] and Fig. 4, winding direction indicated by length L).
Regarding claim 3, Park discloses the limitations of claim 1. Park further discloses wherein the four sides of each tab also comprise a fourth side, the fourth side is away from the boundary line and is arranged opposite to the third side, the fourth side together with the first side, the second side and the third side form a quadrilateral shape ([0033] and see Annotated Fig. 3 below, isosceles trapezoidal electrode tabs with fourth side).
Regarding claim 10, Park discloses the limitations of claim 1. Park further discloses a wound battery ([0028] and Fig. 1, secondary battery 100), comprising a positive electrode tab plate and a negative electrode tab plate ([0028]-[0031] and Fig. 1, electrode assembly 110 with first positive electrode plate 111 and second negative electrode plate 112), wherein the positive electrode tab plate and the negative electrode tab plate are the tab plate as claimed in claim 1 ([0030]-[0031], [0063], [0067]).
Regarding claim 11, Park discloses the limitations of claim 10. Park further discloses wherein the wound battery further comprises a first separator ([0029] and Fig. 1, separator 113), the first separator is sandwiched between the positive electrode tab plate and the negative electrode tab plate ([0034] and Fig. 1), wherein the positive electrode tab plate, the first separator and the negative electrode tab plate are stacked and wound to form a battery cell ([0029]), tabs of the positive electrode tab plate and tabs of the negative electrode tab plate are respectively located at both ends of the battery cell ([0042]-[0043] and Fig. 1, first non-coated part 111b connected to first current collecting plate 141 and second non-coated part connected to second current collecting plate 142, located on opposite ends of secondary battery 100).
Claims 1-3, 5-6, and 10-11 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Tajima et al. (JP 2014022102 A, cited by Applicant in IDS filed on April 20, 2026, machine translation relied upon herein, and hereinafter “Tajima”).
Regarding claim 1, Tajima discloses a tab plate ([0022], [0056], and see Annotated Fig. 11 below, positive electrode 24 and negative electrode 25), comprising a coating area ([0056] and see Annotated Fig. 11 below, active material layers 24a and 25a) and an empty foil area located on one side of the coating area ([0056] and see Annotated Fig. 11 below, uncoated active material portions 24b and 25b), a boundary line being formed at a connection position between the empty foil area and the coating area (see Annotated Fig. 11 below, boundary line), wherein the empty foil area is cut to form a plurality of tabs of quadrilateral structure, and the plurality of tabs are arranged in sequence along a length direction of the tab plate (see Annotated Fig. 11 below, tab and length direction), four sides of each tab comprise a first side, a second side, and a third side, the third side is located in the empty foil area and is close to the boundary line, and the third side is parallel to the boundary line and is at a distance of less than 5 mm from the boundary line (see Annotated Fig. 11 below, first side, second side, and third side, third side is on the boundary line); the first side is arranged opposite to the second side, and both the first side and the second side intersect with the third side, an angle a is formed between the first side and the third side, and the angle a is an acute angle (see Annotated Fig. 11 below, acute angle a).
Tajima et al. Annotated Fig. 11
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Regarding claim 2, Tajima discloses the limitations of claim 1. Tajima further discloses wherein the tab plate is a positive electrode tab plate or a negative electrode tab plate ([0046] and Fig. 6, positive electrode 44 and negative electrode 45, with the same structure as positive electrode 24 and negative electrode 25), and a winding direction of the tab plate is the same as an orientation of the angle a (Fig. 6, winding direction parallel to boundary line).
Regarding claim 3, Tajima discloses the limitations of claim 1. Tajima further discloses wherein the four sides of each tab also comprise a fourth side, the fourth side is away from the boundary line and is arranged opposite to the third side, the fourth side together with the first side, the second side and the third side form a quadrilateral shape (see Annotated Fig. 11 above, parallelogram tab with fourth side).
Regarding claim 5, Tajima discloses the limitations of claim 1. Tajima further discloses wherein an angle formed between the second side and the third side is b, the angle b is a right angle or obtuse angle, and the sum of the angle a and the angle b is less than or equal to 180° (see Annotated Fig. 11 above, obtuse angle b).
Regarding claim 6, Tajima discloses the limitations of claim 1. Tajima further discloses wherein the tabs have a parallelogram structure (see Annotated Fig. 11 above, parallelogram tab).
Regarding claim 10, Tajima discloses the limitations of claim 1. Tajima further discloses a wound battery ([0045] and Fig. 6, wound secondary battery 30), comprising a positive electrode tab plate and a negative electrode tab plate wherein the positive electrode tab plate and the negative electrode tab plate are the tab plate as claimed in claim 1 ([0046] and Fig. 6, positive electrode 44 and negative electrode 45, with the same structure as positive electrode 24 and negative electrode 25).
Regarding claim 11, Tajima discloses the limitations of claim 10. Tajima further discloses wherein the wound battery further comprises a first separator, the first separator is sandwiched between the positive electrode tab plate and the negative electrode tab plate ([0046] and Fig. 6, separator 46 interposed between positive electrode 44 and negative electrode 45), wherein the positive electrode tab plate, the first separator and the negative electrode tab plate are stacked and wound to form a battery cell ([0046]), tabs of the positive electrode tab plate and tabs of the negative electrode tab plate are respectively located at both ends of the battery cell (Fig. 7, positive uncoated active material portion 44b and negative active material portion 45b located on opposite ends of secondary battery 30).
Claims 1-4 and 10 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Cho et al. (KR 20160092748 A, machine translation relied upon herein, and hereinafter “Cho”).
Regarding claim 1, Cho discloses a tab plate ([0020] and see Annotated Fig. 6 below, positive plate 111 and negative plate 112), comprising a coating area ([0022], positive active material coating on positive plate 111 and negative active material coating on negative plate 112) and an empty foil area located on one side of the coating area ([0024], [0044], and see Annotated Fig. 6 below, positive tabs 114 and negative tabs 115 formed by cutting uncoated portions of positive plate 111 and negative plate 112), a boundary line being formed at a connection position between the empty foil area and the coating area (see Annotated Fig. 6 below, boundary line), wherein the empty foil area is cut to form a plurality of tabs of quadrilateral structure ([0024] and see Annotated Fig. 6 below, positive tabs 114 and negative tabs 115), and the plurality of tabs are arranged in sequence along a length direction of the tab plate (Fig. 5), four sides of each tab comprise a first side, a second side, and a third side, the third side is located in the empty foil area and is close to the boundary line ([0043] and see Annotated Fig. 6 below, round portions 114c and first region 114a), and the third side is parallel to the boundary line and is at a distance of less than 5 mm from the boundary line (see Annotated Fig. 6 below, first region 114a on boundary line); the first side is arranged opposite to the second side, and both the first side and the second side intersect with the third side, an angle a is formed between the first side and the third side, and the angle a is an acute angle (see Annotated Fig. 6 below, acute angle a).
Cho et al. Annotated Fig. 6
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Regarding claim 2, Cho discloses the limitations of claim 1. Cho further discloses wherein the tab plate is a positive electrode tab plate or a negative electrode tab plate ([0044], positive tab 114 and negative tab 115 may have the same structure), and a winding direction of the tab plate is the same as an orientation of the angle a (Figs. 3 and 4).
Regarding claim 3, Cho discloses the limitations of claim 1. Cho further discloses wherein the four sides of each tab also comprise a fourth side, the fourth side is away from the boundary line and is arranged opposite to the third side, the fourth side together with the first side, the second side and the third side form a quadrilateral shape ([0043] and see Annotated Fig. 11 above, tab 114 with second region 114b).
Regarding claim 4, Cho discloses the limitations of claim 3. Cho further discloses wherein an angle formed between the first side and the fourth side is rounded, and an angle formed between the second side and the fourth side is rounded ([0046] and see Annotated Fig. 6 above, angle between second region 114b and round portion 114c is a concave rounded corner).
Regarding claim 10, Cho discloses the limitations of claim 1. Cho further discloses a wound battery ([0019]-[0021] and Fig. 3, secondary battery 100 with wound electrode assembly 110) comprising a positive electrode tab plate and a negative electrode tab plate ([0021], positive plate 111 and negative plate 112), wherein the positive electrode tab plate or the negative electrode tab plate are the tab plate as claimed in claim 1 ([0022]-[0023] and [0044]).
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
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.
This application currently names joint inventors. In considering patentability of the claims the examiner presumes that the subject matter of the various claims was commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the claimed invention(s) absent any evidence to the contrary. Applicant is advised of the obligation under 37 CFR 1.56 to point out the inventor and effective filing dates of each claim that was not commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the later invention in order for the examiner to consider the applicability of 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(C) for any potential 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) prior art against the later invention.
Claims 4, 7-8, and 13-15 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Park (US 2021/0344033 A1) in view of Tanaka (JP 2014022116 A, machine translation relied upon herein).
Regarding claim 4, Park discloses the limitations of claim 3. Park does not disclose wherein an angle formed between the first side and the fourth side is rounded, and/or an angle formed between the second side and the fourth side is rounded.
Tanaka discloses positive electrode tab portions 37 and 39 with rounded obtuse angles ([0035] and Fig. 4, rounded angles θ5-θ8), and that the positive electrode plate 30 and negative electrode plate 40 have the same configuration ([0031]).
Park and Tanaka are considered to be analogous to the claimed invention because they are in the same field of wound tab plates. It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified the electrode plates of Park with the teachings of Tanaka, and one of ordinary skill in the art would have a reasonable expectation of success in doing so. Doing so would suppress deformation of the tip of the electrode tab (Tanaka [0035]).
Regarding claims 7, 13, 14, and 15, Park and modified Park disclose the limitations of 1, 2, 3, and 4 respectively. Park and modified Park further disclose wherein there is a spacing between every two adjacent tabs, but do not disclose that the length of the spacing is 1/10-1/2 of the length of the tab.
Tanaka discloses a slit with width 2 mm between current collector tab portions with width 15 mm each ([0037], Example 1), and width 20 mm ([0038], Example 2). In Example 1, the length of the spacing is 1/7.5 of the length of the tab, and in Example 2, the length of the spacing is 1/10 of the length of the tab.
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified the electrode plates of Park with the teachings of Tanaka, and one of ordinary skill would have a reasonable expectation of success in doing so. Doing so would suppress deformation of the tab when an external force is applied along the side surface of the tab, preventing bending, cracking, and deforming of the base of the tab (Tanaka [0013]).
Regarding claim 8, modified Park discloses the limitations of claim 8. Modified Park further discloses wherein the length of the spacing is 0.1 mm-10 mm (Tanaka [0037], slit with width 2 mm).
Claim 12 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Park (US 2021/0344033 A1) in view of Xing et al. (CN 104409768 A, machine translation relied upon herein, and hereinafter “Xing”).
Regarding claim 12, Park discloses flattening the electrode tab during winding and contacting the electrode tab with a current collecting plate [0014]). Park does not disclose wherein a distance of the tabs of the positive electrode tab plate beyond a top end of the first separator after being flattened is 0.5-5 mm, and a distance of the tabs of the negative electrode tab plate beyond a bottom end of the first separator after being flattened is less than 5 mm.
Xing discloses a tab 16 with a bending dimension of 0.3 to 3 mm in the height direction of cell 14 ([0030] and Figs. 1 and 6).
Xing is considered to be analogous to the claimed invention because it is in the same field of wound tab plates. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified the electrode plates of Park with the teachings of Xing, and one of ordinary skill in the art would have a reasonable expectation of success in doing so. Doing so would improve connection reliability between the tab and the terminal post, suppressing the possibility of breakage during assembly or use (Xing [0030]). In the case where the claimed ranges "overlap or lie inside ranges disclosed by the prior art" a prima facie case of obviousness exists. See In re Wertheim, 541 F.2d 257, 191 USPQ 90 (CCPA 1976) (see MPEP § 2144.05(I)).
Claims 4, 7-8, and 13-17 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Tajima (JP 2014022102 A) in view of Tanaka (JP 2014022116 A).
Regarding claim 4, Tajima discloses the limitations of claim 3. Tajima does not disclose wherein an angle formed between the first side and the fourth side is rounded, and/or an angle formed between the second side and the fourth side is rounded.
Tanaka discloses positive electrode tab portions 37 and 39 with rounded obtuse angles ([0035] and Fig. 4, rounded angles θ5-θ8), and that the positive electrode plate 30 and negative electrode plate 40 have the same configuration ([0031]).
Tajima is considered to be analogous to the claimed invention because it is in the same field of wound tab plates. It would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified the electrodes of Tajima with the teachings of Tanaka, and one of ordinary skill in the art would have a reasonable expectation of success in doing so. Doing so would suppress deformation of the tip of the electrode tab (Tanaka [0035]).
Regarding claims 7, 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17, Tajima and modified Tajima disclose the limitations of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 respectively. Tajima and modified Tajima further disclose wherein there is a spacing between every two adjacent tabs, but do not disclose that the length of the spacing is 1/10-1/2 of the length of the tab.
Tanaka discloses a slit with width 2 mm between current collector tab portions with width 15 mm each ([0037], Example 1), and width 20 mm ([0038], Example 2). In Example 1, the length of the spacing is 1/7.5 of the length of the tab, and in Example 2, the length of the spacing is 1/10 of the length of the tab.
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified the electrodes of Tajima with the teachings of Tanaka, and one of ordinary skill would have a reasonable expectation of success in doing so. Doing so would suppress deformation of the tab when an external force is applied along the side surface of the tab, preventing bending, cracking, and deforming of the base of the tab (Tanaka [0013]).
Regarding claim 8, modified Tajima discloses the limitations of claim 7. Modified Tajima further discloses wherein the length of the spacing is 0.1 mm-10 mm (Tanaka [0037], slit with width 2 mm).
Claims 9 and 18-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Cho (KR 20160092748 A).
Regarding claims 9, 18, 19, and 20, Cho discloses the limitations of claim 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. Cho further discloses that the radius of the round portion is 1 to 1.5 times the length of the second region 114b ([0048]) and the radius of the round portion 114c is 0.35 to 1 times the height of the tab 114 ([0050]). Therefore, a ratio of the second region length to the height of the tab is (2-8.6):2. In the case where the claimed ranges "overlap or lie inside ranges disclosed by the prior art" a prima facie case of obviousness exists. See In re Wertheim, 541 F.2d 257, 191 USPQ 90 (CCPA 1976) (see MPEP § 2144.05(I)).
Double Patenting
The nonstatutory double patenting rejection is based on a judicially created doctrine grounded in public policy (a policy reflected in the statute) so as to prevent the unjustified or improper timewise extension of the “right to exclude” granted by a patent and to prevent possible harassment by multiple assignees. A nonstatutory double patenting rejection is appropriate where the conflicting claims are not identical, but at least one examined application claim is not patentably distinct from the reference claim(s) because the examined application claim is either anticipated by, or would have been obvious over, the reference claim(s). See, e.g., In re Berg, 140 F.3d 1428, 46 USPQ2d 1226 (Fed. Cir. 1998); In re Goodman, 11 F.3d 1046, 29 USPQ2d 2010 (Fed. Cir. 1993); In re Longi, 759 F.2d 887, 225 USPQ 645 (Fed. Cir. 1985); In re Van Ornum, 686 F.2d 937, 214 USPQ 761 (CCPA 1982); In re Vogel, 422 F.2d 438, 164 USPQ 619 (CCPA 1970); In re Thorington, 418 F.2d 528, 163 USPQ 644 (CCPA 1969).
A timely filed terminal disclaimer in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(c) or 1.321(d) may be used to overcome an actual or provisional rejection based on nonstatutory double patenting provided the reference application or patent either is shown to be commonly owned with the examined application, or claims an invention made as a result of activities undertaken within the scope of a joint research agreement. See MPEP § 717.02 for applications subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA as explained in MPEP § 2159. See MPEP § 2146 et seq. for applications not subject to examination under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA . A terminal disclaimer must be signed in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(b).
The filing of a terminal disclaimer by itself is not a complete reply to a nonstatutory double patenting (NSDP) rejection. A complete reply requires that the terminal disclaimer be accompanied by a reply requesting reconsideration of the prior Office action. Even where the NSDP rejection is provisional the reply must be complete. See MPEP § 804, subsection I.B.1. For a reply to a non-final Office action, see 37 CFR 1.111(a). For a reply to final Office action, see 37 CFR 1.113(c). A request for reconsideration while not provided for in 37 CFR 1.113(c) may be filed after final for consideration. See MPEP §§ 706.07(e) and 714.13.
The USPTO Internet website contains terminal disclaimer forms which may be used. Please visit www.uspto.gov/patent/patents-forms. The actual filing date of the application in which the form is filed determines what form (e.g., PTO/SB/25, PTO/SB/26, PTO/AIA /25, or PTO/AIA /26) should be used. A web-based eTerminal Disclaimer may be filled out completely online using web-screens. An eTerminal Disclaimer that meets all requirements is auto-processed and approved immediately upon submission. For more information about eTerminal Disclaimers, refer to www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/applying-online/eterminal-disclaimer.
Claims 1-12 and 18-20 are provisionally rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 2-3, 5-8, 10-14, and 15-17 of copending Application No. 18/563,928 in view of Park (US 2021/0344033 A1).
Claim 1 of the instant application claims a tab plate, comprising a coating area and an empty foil area located on one side of the coating area, a boundary line being formed at a connection position between the empty foil area and the coating area, wherein the empty foil area is cut to form a plurality of tabs of quadrilateral structure, and the plurality of tabs are arranged in sequence along a length direction of the tab plate, four sides of each tab comprise a first side, a second side, and a third side, the third side is located in the empty foil area and is close to the boundary line, and the third side is parallel to the boundary line and is at a distance of less than 5 mm from the boundary line; the first side is arranged opposite to the second side, and both the first side and the second side intersect with the third side, an angle a is formed between the first side and the third side, and the angle a is an acute angle.
Claim 3 of the reference application claims a tab plate, comprising a coating area and an empty foil area located on one side of the coating area, wherein the empty foil area comprises a cutting area and a reserved area, the reserved area is located between the coating area and the cutting area, the cutting area is cut to form a plurality of tabs, wherein the plurality of tabs are arranged in sequence along a length direction of the tab plate; a partition line is formed at a connection position between the cutting area and the reserved area, each tab comprises a first side and a second side which are oppositely arranged, and both the first side and the second side intersect with the partition line, an angle a is formed between the first side and the partition line, and the angle a is an acute angle, wherein a boundary line is formed at the connection position between the empty foil area and the coating area, and a distance between the partition line and the boundary line is less than or equal to 5 mm. Claim 3 of the reference application does not disclose that the plurality of tabs are of quadrilateral structure, and that the third side is close to and parallel to the boundary line.
Park discloses tabs that are isosceles trapezoids ([0033] and Figs. 2 and 3), and that the third side is close to and parallel to the boundary line (see Park Annotated Fig. 3 above).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to have modified the tab plate of the reference application with the teachings of Park, and one of ordinary skill in the art would have a reasonable expectation of success in doing so. Doing so would improve flatness during winding, providing uniform welding strength and resistance and improving welding quality (Park [0059]-[0060]).
Claims 2, 7, 10, 5, 6, 11-14, 15-17 of the reference application recite the additional limitations of claim 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9-12, and 18-20 of the instant application, respectively. Claim 8 of the reference application recites the additional limitations of claims 3 and 4 of the instant application.
This is a provisional nonstatutory double patenting rejection because the patentably indistinct claims have not in fact been patented.
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Jackie Liang whose telephone number is (571)-272-0880. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 8:45AM - 4:45PM.
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/J.L./Examiner, Art Unit 1726
/JEFFREY T BARTON/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 1726 9 July 2026
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