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 .
Status of Claims and Other Notes
Claims 1–17 are pending.
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 paragraph numbers cited in this Office Action in reference to the instant application are referring to the paragraph numbering of the PG-Pub of the instant application. See US 2024/0372127 A1.
Priority
Receipt is acknowledged of certified copies of papers required by 37 CFR 1.55.
Information Disclosure Statement
The information disclosure statements (IDS) submitted on 10 April 2024, 15 November 2024, 23 May 2025, and 23 September 2025 were filed before the mailing of a first Office Action on the merits. The submissions comply with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the information disclosure statements are being considered by the examiner.
Drawings
The drawings are objected to because:
The view numbers of FIGS. 1, 3A, and 4 are not larger than the letters, numbers, and reference characters used in the drawing. The view numbers must be larger than the numbers used for reference characters. See 37 CFR 1.84 (u)(2).
Corrected drawing sheets in compliance with 37 CFR 1.121(d) are required in reply to the Office action to avoid abandonment of the application. Any amended replacement drawing sheet should include all of the figures appearing on the immediate prior version of the sheet, even if only one figure is being amended. The figure or figure number of an amended drawing should not be labeled as “amended.” If a drawing figure is to be canceled, the appropriate figure must be removed from the replacement sheet, and where necessary, the remaining figures must be renumbered and appropriate changes made to the brief description of the several views of the drawings for consistency. Additional replacement sheets may be necessary to show the renumbering of the remaining figures. Each drawing sheet submitted after the filing date of an application must be labeled in the top margin as either “Replacement Sheet” or “New Sheet” pursuant to 37 CFR 1.121(d). If the changes are not accepted by the examiner, the applicant will be notified and informed of any required corrective action in the next Office action. The objection to the drawings will not be held in abeyance.
Specification
The title of the invention is not descriptive. A new title is required that is clearly indicative of the invention to which the claims are directed.
The following title is suggested: ELECTRODE ASSEMBLY INCLUDING TWO ZIGZAG-SHAPED SEPARATORS AND METHOD FOR MANFUACTURING SAME, AND SECONDARY BATTERY INCLUDING SAME.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b):
(b) CONCLUSION.—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph:
The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention.
Claims 1–17 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor (or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention.
Claim 1 recites the limitation “the second electrode plate being outside of the two separators” in line 6. Claim 1 recites the limitation “second electrode plates” in line 5. It is unclear if only one of “second electrode plates” recited in line 5 is “outside of the two separators” or the “second electrode plates” recited in line 5 are “outside of the two separators.”
Claims 2–10 are directly or indirectly dependent from claim 1 and include all the limitations of claim 1. Therefore, claims 2–10 are also indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor (or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention.
Claim 11 recites the limitation “a zigzag shape.” Claim 1, which claim 11 is directly dependent, recites the limitation “a zigzag shape” and provides antecedent basis for the term “zigzag shape.” However, claim 11 does not include “the” or “said” indicating “zigzag shape” is further limiting or referencing “a zigzag shape” recited in claim 1. Therefore, it is unclear if “a zigzag shape” recited in claim 11 is further limiting or referencing “a zigzag shape” recited in claim 1.
Claim 12 is directly dependent from claim 1 and includes all the limitations of claim 1. Therefore, claim 12 is also indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor (or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention.
Claim 13 recites the limitation “the electrode assembly as claimed in claim 1” and includes all the limitations of claim 1. Therefore, claim 13 is also indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor (or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention.
Claim 14 recites the limitation "the outside" in line 7. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim.
Claim 15 recites the limitation “fixing at least partial regions of the at least one first electrode plate to two the separators.”
Claims 16 and 17 are directly dependent from claim 15, are indirectly dependent from claim 14, and include all the limitations of claims 14 and 15. Therefore, claims 16 and 17 are also indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor (or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention.
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.
(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 1–9 and 13–17 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Sauerteig et al. (US 2020/0028200 A1, hereinafter Sauerteig).
Regarding claim 1, Sauerteig discloses an electrode assembly (10, [0071]), comprising:
two separators (18, 19; [0071]);
at least one first electrode plate (21) between the two separators (18, 19; [0071]),
the at least one first electrode plate (21) being aligned with the two separators (18, 19) into a zigzag shape (FIG. 4, [0071]); and
second electrode plates (22) coupled to the zigzag shape opposite to the at least one first electrode plate (21, [0071]),
the second electrode plate (22) being outside of the two separators (18, 19; [0071]).
Regarding claim 2, Sauerteig discloses all the claim limitations as set forth above and further discloses an electrode assembly, further comprising:
a fixer (61, [0052]),
the fixer (61) fixing at least partial regions of the at least one first electrode plate (21) to the two separators (18, 19; [0056]).
Regarding claim 3, Sauerteig discloses all the claim limitations as set forth above and further discloses an electrode assembly:
wherein the at least one first electrode plate (21) includes a plurality of first electrode plates (21) spaced apart from each other between the two separators (18, 19; [0071]),
the fixer (61) fixing the plurality of first electrode plates (21) to the two separators (18, 19), respectively (FIG. 4, [0056]).
Regarding claim 4, Sauerteig discloses all the claim limitations as set forth above and further discloses an electrode assembly:
wherein the fixer (61) is in partial areas or rim areas of the two separators (18, 19; [0056]).
Regarding claim 5, Sauerteig discloses all the claim limitations as set forth above and further discloses an electrode assembly:
wherein the plurality of first electrode plates (21) are spaced apart on the two separators (18, 19) by the fixer (61, [0056]).
Regarding claim 6, Sauerteig discloses all the claim limitations as set forth above and further discloses an electrode assembly:
wherein each of the two separators (18, 19) has a length that is the same as or larger than each of the plurality of first electrode plates (21) and the second electrode plates (22, [0071]).
Regarding claim 7, Sauerteig discloses all the claim limitations as set forth above and further discloses an electrode assembly:
wherein each of the plurality of first electrode plates (21) and the second electrode plates (22) has a shape of a rectangle or an inverted L (FIG. 2c, [0071]).
Regarding claim 8, Sauerteig discloses all the claim limitations as set forth above and further discloses an electrode assembly:
wherein the fixer (61) is in any one of rim areas, partial areas, and corner areas of the at least one first electrode plate (21) and the second electrode plates (22, [0056]).
Regarding claim 9, Sauerteig discloses all the claim limitations as set forth above and further discloses an electrode assembly:
wherein the fixer (61, [0052]) is an adhesive or fused with the at least one first electrode plate (21) and the two separators (18, 19) into a single structure (50, [0071]).
Regarding claim 13, Sauerteig discloses a secondary battery (2) comprising an electrode assembly (10, [0047]), wherein the electrode assembly (10, [0071]) comprises:
two separators (18, 19; [0071]);
at least one first electrode plate (21) between the two separators (18, 19; [0071]),
the at least one first electrode plate (21) being aligned with the two separators (18, 19) into a zigzag shape (FIG. 4, [0071]); and
second electrode plates (22) coupled to the zigzag shape opposite to the at least one first electrode plate (21, [0071]),
the second electrode plate (22) being outside of the two separators (18, 19; [0071]).
Regarding claim 14, Sauerteig discloses a method for manufacturing an electrode assembly (10, [0071]), the method comprising:
preparing two separators (18, 19; [0071]);
aligning at least one first electrode plate (21) between the two separators (18, 19; [0071]);
forming an overlapping stack (50) by bending the two separators (18, 19) with the at least one first electrode plate (21) therebetween in a zigzag manner at preset intervals (FIG. 4, [0071]); and
inserting second electrode plates (22) from outside of the stack (50, [0071]).
Regarding claim 15, Sauerteig discloses all the claim limitations as set forth above and further discloses a method, wherein aligning the at least one first electrode plate (21) between the two separators (18, 19) includes:
fixing at least partial regions of the at least one first electrode plate (21) to the two separators (18, 19; [0056]).
Regarding claim 16, Sauerteig discloses all the claim limitations as set forth above and further discloses a method:
wherein the at least partial regions of the at least one first electrode plate are fixed to partial regions or rim regions of the two separators (18, 19; [0056]).
Regarding claim 17, Sauerteig discloses all the claim limitations as set forth above and further discloses a method, wherein aligning the at least one first electrode plate (21) between the two separators (18, 19) further includes:
fixing the at least partial regions of the at least one first electrode plate (21) to the two separators (18, 19) through fusion or adhesion (FIG. 2c, [0056]).
Claims 1, 2, 9, and 10 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Watanuki et al. (JP 2009-117291, hereinafter Watanuki).
Regarding claim 1, Watanuki discloses an electrode assembly (FIG. 4, [0023]), comprising:
two separators (4, [0018]);
at least one first electrode plate (2) between the two separators (4, [0018]),
the at least one first electrode plate (2) being aligned with the two separators (4) into a zigzag shape (FIG. 4, [0023]); and
second electrode plates (3) coupled to the zigzag shape opposite to the at least one first electrode plate (2, [0023]),
the second electrode plate (3) being outside of the two separators (4, [0023]).
Regarding claim 2, Watanuki discloses all the claim limitations as set forth above and further discloses an electrode assembly, further comprising:
a fixer (5, [0018]),
the fixer (5) fixing at least partial regions of the at least one first electrode plate (2) to the two separators (4, [0019]).
Regarding claim 9, Watanuki discloses all the claim limitations as set forth above and further discloses an electrode assembly:
wherein the fixer (5, [0021]) is an adhesive or fused with the at least one first electrode plate (2) and the two separators (4) into a single structure (FIG. 4, [0023]).
Regarding claim 10, Watanuki discloses all the claim limitations as set forth above and further discloses an electrode assembly:
wherein the fixer (5, [0021]) includes polyimide, polypropylene, or polyethylene terephthalate (see polypropylene, [0003]).
Claims 1, 11, and 12 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Sato et al. (US 2014/0230239 A1, hereinafter Sato).
Regarding claim 1, Sato discloses an electrode assembly (3A, [0065]), comprising:
two separators (4A, [0065]);
at least one first electrode plate (6A) between the two separators (4A, [0065]),
the at least one first electrode plate (6A) being aligned with the two separators (4A) into a zigzag shape (FIG. 10, [0065]); and
second electrode plates (5) coupled to the zigzag shape opposite to the at least one first electrode plate (6A, [0065]),
the second electrode plate (5) being outside of the two separators (4A, [0065]).
Regarding claim 11, Sato discloses all the claim limitations as set forth above and further discloses an electrode assembly:
wherein each of the two separators (4A) has a zigzag shape (FIG. 4, [0065]),
the two separators (4A) extending adjacent to each other in parallel zigzags with the at least one first electrode (6A) stacked therebetween (FIG. 10, [0065]).
Regarding claim 12, Sato discloses all the claim limitations as set forth above and further discloses an electrode assembly:
wherein the at least one first electrode plate (6A) is a single continuous electrode plate (6A) extending along an entire length of at least one of the two separators (4A, [0065]).
Conclusion
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Sean P Cullen, Ph.D. whose telephone number is (571)270-1251. The examiner can normally be reached Monday to Thursday 6:00 am to 4:00 pm CT, Friday 6:00 am to 12:00 pm CT.
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, Basia A Ridley can be reached at (571)272-1453. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/Sean P Cullen, Ph.D./Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1725
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