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 .
Claim Interpretation
Claim 2 recites “wherein a height of the bottom surface of the first recess is greater than that of the bottom surface of the second recess” the examiner notes that a starting point is not referenced. As such, the examiner is interpreting this from starting from the bottom of the cover plate. As interpreted in light of the instant specification [0069, fig. 6].
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.
Claim(s) 1-6 and 10-12 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Wang (CN213483849U; filed IDS 03/04/24).
Regarding claim 1, Wang discloses a battery cover plate assembly, comprising: a cover plate (1) provided with a filling port (5) [0027-0028, fig. 2-3, Wang]; and a sealing pin (3) for sealing the filling port [0012, fig. 2, Wang]; wherein the sealing pin comprises a main body portion and a welding portion [0012, 0015, fig. 2, Wang], and the welding portion is located at a periphery of the main body portion and extends from the main body portion toward an outer circumferential side [0015, fig. 2, Wang]; and the cover plate is provided with a second recess (6) and a first recess (7) [0028, fig. 3, Wang], which are sequentially arranged from an inside to an outside at a periphery of the filling port [fig. 3, Wang], the main body portion is located in the second recess [fig. 2, Wang], and the welding portion is welded to a bottom surface of the first recess [0012, 0015, fig. 2, Wang].
For clarity of the record, Wang discloses that the safety valve consists of a safety valve body (2) and safety valve cap (“sealing pin”) that are welded to a safety valve mounting position and notes that the “sealing pin” is fixed to the first recess (“second step”). This reads on a “welding portion is welded to a bottom surface of the first recess”.
PNG
media_image1.png
358
670
media_image1.png
Greyscale
Annotated fig. 2, Wang
Regarding claim 2, Wang discloses the battery cover plate assembly according to claim 1, wherein a height of the bottom surface of the first recess is greater than that of the bottom surface of the second recess [fig. 3, Wang].
PNG
media_image2.png
261
760
media_image2.png
Greyscale
Annotated fig. 3, Wang
Regarding claim 3, Wang discloses the battery cover plate assembly, wherein cross-sections of the first recess and the second recess are circular in shape [0027, fig. 1-2, Wang].
Regarding claim 4, Wang discloses the battery cover plate assembly, wherein a diameter of the bottom surface of the first recess is greater than a diameter of the sealing pin [fig. 2, Wang].
Regarding claim 5, Wang discloses the battery cover plate assembly, wherein a depth of the first recess is greater than a thickness of the welding portion [fig. 2, Wang].
Regarding claim 6, Wang discloses the battery cover plate assembly, wherein a buffer portion is provided between the main body portion and the welding portion, and the buffer portion is arched in a thickness direction of the main body portion [fig. 2-3, Wang].
Regarding claim 10, Wang discloses the battery cover plate assembly, wherein the bottom surface of the first recess is a flat surface [fig. 3, Wang].
Regarding claim 11, Wang discloses the battery cover plate assembly, wherein an angle of the bottom surface of the first recess with respect to a horizontal plane is 0° [fig. 3, Wang]
Wang’s disclosure anticipates the applicants claimed range of 0° to 10°.
Regarding claim 12, Wang discloses a battery cell, comprising: a shell (11) [0012, 0030, fig. 4, Wang]; an electrode assembly arranged in the shell [0012, fig. 4, Wang]; and a cover plate assembly [0012, 0030, Wang], which is the battery cover plate assembly of claim 1 and is connected to the shell in a sealing manner [0012, Wang].
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.
Claim(s) 7-8 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Wang as applied to claim 6 above, and further in view of Chen (CN208368558U; filed IDS 03/04/24).
Regarding claim 7, Wang is silent to the buffer portion being arched from the main body portion toward the second recess.
However, Chen discloses a battery cover plate (31) with a sealing pin (32) for sealing a filling port (311) via a welding portion located at a periphery of the main body portion and extends from the main body portion toward an outer circumferential side [0047, 0058, fig. 5, Chen]. The cover plate is provided with a first recess (3111) and a second recess (3112) [0047, fig. 5, Chen]. The sealing pin has a buffer portion that contours (“arches”) from a main body portion (center of 32) towards the second recess [0058, fig. 5, Chen].
The examiner additionally notes that Chen additionally teaches of a sealing nail (33, equivalent to a safety valve body (2, Wang)) that is sealed to the interior of the filling port [0048, fig. 5, Chen].
PNG
media_image3.png
494
898
media_image3.png
Greyscale
Annotated fig. 5, Chen
Prior to the effective filing date, one of ordinary skill within the arts would find it obvious to modify Wang such that the buffer portion is arched from the main body portion to the second recess portion. Doing so would allow for the “sealing pin” to contour to the inner peripheral contour of the “second recess” [0058, fig. 1, Chen].
While not present in claim 7, one of ordinary skill within the arts would appreciate that the present modification would coincide with the edges of the safety valve body (2) of Wang. As such, one of ordinary skill within the arts would find it obvious to further modify Wang such that the safety valve body of Wang was replaced with the sealing nail (33) of Chen. Doing so would create a sealing space with an increased volume that can accommodate gas pressure produced during welding [0048, 0060, Chen].
For clarity of the record the examiner has provided an examiner figure depicting the present modification.
PNG
media_image4.png
455
1234
media_image4.png
Greyscale
Annotated examiner figure depicting present modification
Regarding claim 8, Modified Wang is silent to 1) a side wall of the second recess being an inclined surface. 2) the buffer portion having gaps from the inclined surface and a bottom surface of the second recess.
However, Chen discloses a battery cover plate assembly where the side wall of the second recess is an inclined surface [fig. 6, Chen]. Chen additionally teaches and depicts the “buffer portion” having gaps from an inclined surface (of the first recess) and a bottom surface (H) of the first recess [fig. 1, 5-6, Chen].
PNG
media_image5.png
397
441
media_image5.png
Greyscale
Annotated fig. 5, Chen
Prior to the effective filing date, one of ordinary skill within the arts would find it obvious to modify Wang, such that the side wall of the second recess has an inclined surface [0051, fig. 6]. Doing so may reduce the impact force of the electrolyte on the cover plate [0051, Chen].
Additionally, one of ordinary skill within the arts would find it obvious to include gaps between the buffer portion and the inclined and bottom surface of the second recess. Introducing gaps between the surfaces of the cover plate and sealing pin/buffer portion allow for exhaust gas generated during welding to enter the sealed space [0055, Chen].
Claim(s) 9 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Wang as applied to claim 1 above, and further in view of Hirayama (JP2002358948A).
Regarding claim 9, Modified Wang discloses that the safety valve consists of a safety valve body (2) and safety valve cap (“sealing pin”) that are welded to a safety valve mounting position and notes that the “sealing pin” is fixed to the first recess (“second step”) [0012, 0015, fig. 2, Wang].
Modified Wang is explicitly silent to the location of welding/fixing seams.
However, Hirayama teaches of a lid (4, “cover plate”) with a sealing pin (7) and an injection port (5) [0010, fig. 1, Hirayama]. Where the sealing pin is welded (13) to a bottom of a tapered portion (9, “first recess”) [0010, fig. 1d, Hirayama].
Prior to the effective filing date, one of ordinary skill within the arts would find it obvious to modify Wang such that one or more welding seams are welded between the welding portion and the bottom surface of the first recess. Doing so would allow for the welding portion and first recess to form a single unit [0010, Hirayama].
Claim(s) 13-14 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Wang as applied to claim 12 above, and further in view of Yamane (US20020028376A1).
Regarding claim 13 and 14, Modified Wang is silent to 1) a case configured to accommodate the battery cell. 2) a power consuming device comprising a battery for supplying electric energy.
Yamane discloses a case (2) for housing cylindrical batteries (claim 13) and being used to power an electric vehicle (claim 14) [0001, fig. 1, Yamane].
Prior to the effective filing date, one of ordinary skill within the arts would find it obvious to modify Wang such that a case was used to house a battery cell (claim 13) and used to power a power consuming device such as an electric vehicle (claim 14). Doing so allows for one to connect a plurality of battery cells such that they may be mounted and used to power an electronic device such as an electric vehicle [0002, 0041, 0061, Yamane].
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to QUINTIN DALE ELLIOTT whose telephone number is (703)756-5423. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 8:30-6pm (MST).
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, Miriam Stagg can be reached at 5712705256. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
Information regarding the status of published or unpublished applications may be obtained from Patent Center. Unpublished application information in Patent Center is available to registered users. To file and manage patent submissions in Patent Center, visit: https://patentcenter.uspto.gov. Visit https://www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/patent-center for more information about Patent Center and https://www.uspto.gov/patents/docx for information about filing in DOCX format. For additional questions, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000.
/QUINTIN D. ELLIOTT/Examiner, Art Unit 1724
/STEWART A FRASER/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1724
Prosecution Insights