DETAILED CORRESPONDENCE
1. The text of those sections of Title 35, U.S. Code not included in this action can be found in a prior Office action.
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
2. 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
3. In response to the amendment received on 01/06/2026:
Claims 1-2, 4, 6-7, 9-10, 14-16, and 18-21 are pending in the current application. Claims 1, 10, 18, and 19 are amended, Claims 3, 5, 8, 11-13, and 17 are cancelled, and Claims 2 and 10 stand withdrawn.
The cores of the previous prior art-based rejections have been overcome in light of the amendment and arguments.
Elections/Restriction
4. Claims 1, 4, 6-7, 9, 14-16, and 18-21 are allowable. The restriction requirement among species, as set forth in the Office action mailed on 9/11/2024, has been reconsidered in view of the allowability of claims to the elected invention pursuant to MPEP § 821.04(a). The restriction requirement is hereby withdrawn as to any claim that requires all the limitations of an allowable claim. Specifically, the restriction requirement of 3/7/2025 is withdrawn. Claims 2 and 10, directed to a non-elected species, are no longer withdrawn from consideration because the claim(s) requires all the limitations of an allowable claim.
In view of the above noted withdrawal of the restriction requirement, applicant is advised that if any claim presented in a divisional application is anticipated by, or includes all the limitations of, a claim that is allowable in the present application, such claim may be subject to provisional statutory and/or nonstatutory double patenting rejections over the claims of the instant application.
Once a restriction requirement is withdrawn, the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 121 are no longer applicable. See In re Ziegler, 443 F.2d 1211, 1215, 170 USPQ 129, 131-32 (CCPA 1971). See also MPEP § 804.01.
Claim Interpretation
5. All “wherein” clauses are given patentable weight unless otherwise noted. Please see MPEP 2111.04 regarding optional claim language.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112
6. Claim 2 is 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 2 recites wherein the compound of Chemical Formula 1 or Chemical Formula 2 is attached to the surface of the sulfide-containing solid state electrolyte material by chemisorption, van der Waals interaction, or ionic interaction, but this conflicts with the independent Claim 1 requirement for said formation of a covalent bond between the electrolyte and Formula 1 or 2, and so this limitation is unclear and indefinite.
Allowable Subject Matter
7. Claims 1, 2, 4, 6-7, 9-10, 14-16, and 18-21 are allowed over the prior art.
The following is an examiner’s statement of reasons for allowance: none of the prior art of record, alone or in combination, appears to teach, suggest, or render obvious the invention of Claims 1, 2, 4, 6-7, 9-10, 14-16, and 18-21.
Independent Claims 1, 18, and 19 recite a solid electrolyte composition comprising a sulfide solid electrolyte having an organic coating formed from Chemical Formula 1 or 2 having the defined groups/moieties and R values. As Applicant correctly and convincingly points out in the remarks filed 1/6/2026, the closest prior art, cited previously, does not teach the claimed electrolyte and there is no other prior art available to teach or otherwise render obvious the claimed invention. Thus none of the prior art of the record, alone or in combination, appears to teach, suggest, or render obvious the invention of independent Claims 1, 18, and 19. Since Claims 4, 6-7, 9, 14-16, and 20-21 depend on Claims 1 and 19, they are allowable for the same reason.
Any comments considered necessary by applicant must be submitted no later than the payment of the issue fee and, to avoid processing delays, should preferably accompany the issue fee. Such submissions should be clearly labeled “Comments on Statement of Reasons for Allowance.”
Double Patenting
8. Claims 1, 2, 4, 6-7, 9-10, 14-16, and 18-21 are rejected on the ground of nonstatutory obviousness-type double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-8 and 9-36 of US Patent 12,125,974.
Although the conflicting claims are not identical, they are not patentably distinct from each other because:
The combination of conflicting claims 1-7 and 9-36 read on currently pending claims 1-2, 4-10, 12-16, and 18-21.
1. A solid electrolyte composition comprising: a sulfide-containing solid electrolyte material, having a surface; and an organic coating, wherein the organic coating is formed on the surface of the sulfide-containing solid state electrolyte material, wherein the coating is formed from at least one compound of Chemical Formula 1, and optionally Chemical Formula 2:
R-A Chemical Formula (1)
R-A′-R Chemical Formula (2) wherein: A is a SH group, an isocyanate, an amine, or a leaving group; A′ is a —S-moiety or a —S—S— moiety; and each R is independently a substituted or unsubstituted C3-C20 alkyl group, and wherein the compound of Chemical Formula 1 is 1-undecanethiol.
2. The solid electrolyte composition according to claim 1, wherein the compound of Chemical Formula 1 or Chemical Formula 2 is attached to the surface of the sulfide-containing solid state electrolyte material by chemisorption, van der Waals interaction, or ionic interaction.
3. The solid electrolyte composition according to claim 1, wherein the compound of Chemical Formula 1 or Chemical Formula 2 reacts with the sulfide-containing solid state electrolyte material to form a covalent bond.
4. The solid electrolyte composition according to claim 1, wherein in the compound of Chemical Formula 2, at least one of R is a C6-C16 alkyl group.
5. The solid electrolyte composition according to claim 1, wherein in the compound of Chemical Formula 2, at least one of R is a C8-C12 alkyl group.
6. The solid electrolyte composition according to claim 1, wherein the compound of Chemical Formula 2 has a total of 6 to 16 carbons.
7. The solid electrolyte composition according to claim 1, wherein in the compound of Chemical Formula 2 has a total of 8 to 12 carbons.
8. The solid electrolyte composition according to claim 1, wherein in the compound of Chemical Formula 2, at least one of R is a substituted C3-C20 alkyl group, wherein there are one or more substituents selected from fluorine, chlorine, bromine, ester or ketone moieties.
9. The solid electrolyte composition according to claim 1, wherein the solid electrolyte composition is in pellet form.
10. The solid electrolyte composition according to claim 1, wherein the sulfide-containing solid electrolyte material is an inorganic electrolyte.
11. The solid electrolyte composition according to claim 1, wherein the sulfide-containing solid electrolyte comprises at least one selected from Li.sub.3P.sub.7S.sub.11, Li.sub.10GeP.sub.2S.sub.12, and Na.sub.3PS.sub.4 and/or Li.sub.6PS.sub.5Cl.
12. The solid electrolyte composition according to claim 1, wherein the sulfide-containing solid electrolyte comprises at least one selected from LPS-based glass or glass ceramic of formula xLi.sub.2S.Math.yP.sub.2S.sub.5, wherein x+y=1.
13. The solid electrolyte composition according to claim 1, wherein the sulfide-containing solid electrolyte comprises an argyrodite-based solid electrolyte of formula Li.sub.6PS.sub.5X, wherein X is Cl, Br, or I.
14. The solid electrolyte composition according to claim 1, wherein the sulfide-containing solid electrolyte comprises an argyrodite-based solid electrolyte of formula Li.sub.6−yPS.sub.5−yCl.sub.1+y, where y is <1.
15. A method for making the solid electrolyte composition according to claim 1, comprising: providing a sulfide-containing solid electrolyte material, and combining the solid electrolyte with at least one compound of Chemical Formula 1, and optionally Chemical Formula 2:
R-A Chemical Formula (1)
R-A′-R Chemical Formula (2) wherein: A is a SH group, an isocyanate, an amine, or a leaving group; A′ is a —S— moiety or a —S—S— moiety; and each R is independently a substituted or unsubstituted C3-C20 alkyl group, wherein the compound of Chemical Formula 1 is 1-undecanethiol.
16. A method for making a solid electrolyte, comprising: providing a sulfide-containing solid electrolyte, combining the solid electrolyte with at least one compound of Chemical Formula 1, and optionally Chemical Formula 2 to form a coated solid electrolyte composition:
R-A Chemical Formula (1)
R-A′-R Chemical Formula (2) wherein: A is a SH group, an isocyanate, an amine, or a leaving group; A′ is a —S; and each R is independently a substituted or unsubstituted C3-C20 alkyl group; forming pellets from the coated solid electrolyte composition; and pressing the pellets to form a solid electrolyte, wherein the compound of Chemical Formula 1 is 1-undecanethiol.
17. An all solid state battery comprising: a negative electrode, a positive electrode; and a solid electrolyte comprising the solid electrolyte composition according to claim 1, wherein the solid electrolyte is interposed between the negative electrode and the positive electrode.
18. A solid electrolyte composition comprising: a sulfide-containing solid electrolyte material, having a surface; and an organic coating, wherein the organic coating is formed on the surface of the sulfide-containing solid state electrolyte material, and wherein the coating is formed from at least one compound of Chemical Formula 1 or Chemical Formula 2:
R-A Chemical Formula (1)
R-A′-R Chemical Formula (2) wherein: A is a SH group, an isocyanate, or an amine; A′ is a —S-moiety or a —S—S— moiety; and each R is independently a substituted or unsubstituted C3-C20 alkyl group.
19. The solid electrolyte composition according to claim 18, wherein the compound of Chemical Formula 1 or Chemical Formula 2 is attached to the surface of the sulfide-containing solid state electrolyte material by chemisorption, van der Waals interaction, or ionic interaction.
20. The solid electrolyte composition according to claim 18, wherein the compound of Chemical Formula 1 or Chemical Formula 2 reacts with the sulfide-containing solid state electrolyte material to form a covalent bond.
21. The solid electrolyte composition according to claim 18, wherein in the compound of Chemical Formula 1, A is the SH group.
22. The solid electrolyte composition according to claim 18, wherein in the compound of Chemical Formula 1 or Chemical Formula 2, at least one of R is a C6-C16 alkyl group.
23. The solid electrolyte composition according to claim 18, wherein in the compound of Chemical Formula 1 or Chemical Formula 2, at least one of R is a C8-C12 alkyl group.
24. The solid electrolyte composition according to claim 18, wherein the compound of Chemical Formula 1 or Chemical Formula 2 has a total of 6 to 16 carbons.
25. The solid electrolyte composition according to claim 18, wherein in the compound of Chemical Formula 1 or Chemical Formula 2 has a total of 8 to 12 carbons.
26. The solid electrolyte composition according to claim 18, wherein in the compound of Chemical Formula 1 or Chemical Formula 2, at least one of R is a substituted C3-C20 alkyl group, wherein there are one or more substituents selected from fluorine, chlorine, bromine, ester or ketone moieties.
27. The solid electrolyte composition according to claim 18, wherein the compound of Chemical Formula 1 is 1-undecanethiol.
28. The solid electrolyte composition according to claim 18, wherein the solid electrolyte composition is in pellet form.
29. The solid electrolyte composition according to claim 18, wherein the sulfide-containing solid electrolyte material is an inorganic electrolyte.
30. The solid electrolyte composition according to claim 18, wherein the sulfide-containing solid electrolyte comprises at least one selected from Li.sub.3P.sub.7S.sub.11, Li.sub.10GeP.sub.2S.sub.12, and Na.sub.3PS.sub.4 and/or Li.sub.6PS.sub.5Cl.
31. The solid electrolyte composition according to claim 18, wherein the sulfide-containing solid electrolyte comprises at least one selected from LPS-based glass or glass ceramic of formula xLi.sub.2S.Math.yP.sub.2S.sub.5, wherein x+y=1.
32. The solid electrolyte composition according to claim 18, wherein the sulfide-containing solid electrolyte comprises an argyrodite-based solid electrolyte of formula Li.sub.6PS.sub.5X, wherein X is Cl, Br, or I.
33. The solid electrolyte composition according to claim 18, wherein the sulfide-containing solid electrolyte comprises an argyrodite-based solid electrolyte of formula Li.sub.6−yPS.sub.5−yCl.sub.1+y, where y is <1.
34. A method for making the solid electrolyte composition according to claim 18, comprising: providing a sulfide-containing solid electrolyte material, and combining the solid electrolyte with at least one compound of Chemical Formula 1 or Chemical Formula 2:
R-A Chemical Formula (1)
R-A′-R Chemical Formula (2) wherein: A is a SH group, an isocyanate, or an amine; A′ is a —S— moiety or a —S—S— moiety; and each R is independently a substituted or unsubstituted C3-C20 alkyl group.
35. A method for making a solid electrolyte, comprising: providing a sulfide-containing solid electrolyte, combining the solid electrolyte with at least one compound of Chemical Formula 1 or Chemical Formula 2 to form a coated solid electrolyte composition:
R-A Chemical Formula (1)
R-A′-R Chemical Formula (2) wherein: A is a SH group, an isocyanate, or an amine; A′ is a —S—; and each R is independently a substituted or unsubstituted C3-C20 alkyl group; forming pellets from the coated solid electrolyte composition; and pressing the pellets to form a solid electrolyte.
36. An all solid state battery comprising: a negative electrode, a positive electrode; and a solid electrolyte comprising the solid electrolyte composition according to claim 18, wherein the solid electrolyte is interposed between the negative electrode and the positive electrode.
Currently pending claims:
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Response to Arguments
9. Applicant's arguments have been carefully considered and are persuasive with respect to the prior art rejections, which have been withdrawn.
Conclusion
10. 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 LISA S PARK whose telephone number is (571)270-3597. The examiner can normally be reached M-Th 5:30a to 3p Eastern Time.
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 Tavares-Crockett can be reached on 5712721481. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
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/LISA S PARK/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1729