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 .
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 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.
Email Communication
Applicant is encouraged to authorize the Examiner to communicate with applicant via email by filing form PTO/SB/439 either via USPS, Central Fax, or EFS-Web. See MPEP 502.01, 502.03, 502.05.
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.
Claim(s) 21 & 23 is/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.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(d):
(d) REFERENCE IN DEPENDENT FORMS.—Subject to subsection (e), a claim in dependent form shall contain a reference to a claim previously set forth and then specify a further limitation of the subject matter claimed. A claim in dependent form shall be construed to incorporate by reference all the limitations of the claim to which it refers.
The following is a quotation of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, fourth paragraph:
Subject to the following paragraph [i.e., the fifth paragraph of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112], a claim in dependent form shall contain a reference to a claim previously set forth and then specify a further limitation of the subject matter claimed. A claim in dependent form shall be construed to incorporate by reference all the limitations of the claim to which it refers.
Claim(s) 19-20 & 22 rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(d) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, 4th paragraph, as being of improper dependent form for failing to further limit the subject matter of the claim upon which it depends, or for failing to include all the limitations of the claim upon which it depends. Claims 19-20 & 22 for fail to further limit the subject matter of the claim upon which they depend as said limitations amount to a mere reiteration the claim from which they depend as no further limitations are present in the body. Applicant may cancel the claim(s), amend the claim(s) to place the claim(s) in proper dependent form, rewrite the claim(s) in independent form, or present a sufficient showing that the dependent claim(s) complies with the statutory requirements.
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.
Claim(s) 1, 4-5, 9, 12-16, & 18-22 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by Michelazzi et al. (US 2022/0319776).
In regards to claim 1, Michelazzi ‘776 discloses
A capacitor comprising:
a first electrode, a second electrode and a dielectric material arranged between the first electrode and the second electrode (fig. 1; [0021]),
a first terminal (20 – fig. 1; [0022]) electrically connected to the first electrode, and
a second terminal (20 – fig. 1; [0022]) electrically connected to the second electrode, wherein
the first electrode material, the second electrode material and the dielectric material establish a wound-type capacitance element (fig. 1; [0021]) and
the first terminal and the second terminal are surface mountable terminals (fig. 2; [0017]).
In regards to claim 4, Michelazzi ‘776 discloses
The capacitor of claim 1, wherein the dielectric material is selected from PET (Polyethylene terephthalate), PEN (polyethylene naphthalate), PPS (polypropylene sulphide), PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), PS (Polystyrene), PC (polycarbonate) and PET HT ([0038]).
In regards to claim 5, Michelazzi ‘776 discloses
The capacitor of claim 1, further comprising a heat shield (24 or 26 – fig. 2-3; [0022-0023] & [0016]) arranged below the capacitance element.
In regards to claim 9, Michelazzi ‘776 discloses
The capacitor of claim 1, comprising a housing ([0043]) in which the wound capacitance element is arranged.
In regards to claim 12, Michelazzi ‘776 discloses
The capacitor of claim 9, further comprising a filler in the housing such that the capacitance element is arranged in the filler ([0043]).
In regards to claim 13, Michelazzi ‘776 discloses
The capacitor of claim 12, wherein the filler comprises an epoxy resin ([0043]).
In regards to claim 14, Michelazzi ‘776 discloses
The capacitor of claim 1, wherein the capacitor is essentially free from air and/or humidity (fig. 2; [0043]).
In regards to claim 15, Michelazzi ‘776 discloses
The capacitor of claim 1, being usable with a pick-and-place machine (fig. 2 – the capacitor is capable of being used with a pick and place machine).
In regards to claim 16, Michelazzi ‘776 discloses
A method of manufacturing the capacitor of claim 1, comprising the steps of:
providing a material for the first electrode, for the second electrode and for the dielectric (fig. 1-3; [0043]);
providing a first surface mountable terminal and a second surface mountable terminal (fig. 1-3; [0043]);
providing a housing ( [0043]);
winding the material for the first electrode, the material for the second electrode and the dielectric to obtain a wound-type capacitance element ([0021] & [0043]);
connecting the electrodes of the capacitance element to the surface mountable terminals (fig. 1-2; [0043]); and
arranging the capacitance element in a housing ([0043]).
In regards to claim 18, Michelazzi ‘776 discloses
The method according to claim 16, further comprising filling a remaining volume in the housing with a filler to remove air and/or humidity ([0043]).
In regards to claim 19, Michelazzi ‘776 discloses
An EMI reduction circuit comprising the capacitor of claim 1 ([0024] & claim 1).
In regards to claim 20, Michelazzi ‘776 discloses
A DC-Link circuit comprising the capacitor of claim 19 ([0024] & claim 19).
In regards to claim 21, Michelazzi ‘776 discloses
The EMI reduction circuit of claim 19 wherein voltages > 630V ([0024] – it is noted that circuit is useable at voltage greater than 630 V).
In regards to claim 22, Michelazzi ‘776 discloses
An EMI filter circuit, comprising the EMI reduction circuit of claim 19 ([0024] & claim 19).
In regards to claim 23, Michelazzi ‘776 discloses
The EMI reduction circuit of claim 19 wherein AC voltages >100Vac ([0024] – it is noted that circuit is useable at voltage greater than 100 Vac).
Claim(s) 1-3 & 8 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Saito et al. (US 2006/0104006).
In regards to claim 1, Saito ‘006 discloses
A capacitor comprising:
a first electrode, a second electrode and a dielectric material arranged between the first electrode and the second electrode ([0027]),
a first terminal (3 & 4 – fig. 2; [0030]) electrically connected to the first electrode, and
a second terminal (3 & 4 – fig. 2; [0030]) electrically connected to the second electrode, wherein
the first electrode material, the second electrode material and the dielectric material establish a wound-type capacitance element ([0027]) and
the first terminal and the second terminal are surface mountable terminals (3 & 4 – fig. 2; [0030]).
In regards to claim 2, Saito ‘006 discloses
The capacitor of claim 1, having a capacity lager than 1.0 µF ([0030]).
In regards to claim 3, Saito ‘006 discloses
The capacitor of claim 1, wherein the first terminal and the second terminal comprise a material selected from steel, copper, brass, aluminum, a coating with Tin or a tin alloy ([0030]).
In regards to claim 8, Saito ‘006 discloses
The capacitor of claim 1, wherein the first and second terminal have a length > 1 mm in the vertical direction (fig. 1; [0032]).
Claim(s) 1 & 6-7 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Lee et al. (US 2010/0128410).
In regards to claim 1, Lee ‘410 discloses
A capacitor comprising:
a first electrode, a second electrode and a dielectric material arranged between the first electrode and the second electrode (1 – fig. 2-3; [0026] – it is noted that a film capacitor cell has two electrodes with a dielectric therebetween),
a first terminal (17 – fig. 3; [0027]) electrically connected to the first electrode, and
a second terminal (17 – fig. 3; [0027]) electrically connected to the second electrode, wherein
the first electrode material, the second electrode material and the dielectric material establish a wound-type capacitance element (fig. 2-3) and
the first terminal and the second terminal are surface mountable terminals (fig. 4).
In regards to claim 6, Lee ‘410 discloses
The capacitor of claim 1, further comprising a heat sink (9 – fig. 3-4; [0027]) arranged below the capacitance element.
In regards to claim 7, Lee ‘410 discloses
The capacitor of claim 1, further comprising a heat sink (9 – fig. 3-4; [0027]) arranged between the capacitance element and the connection side of the terminals.
Claim(s) 1, 3, & 9-11 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Sano (US 2019/0267191).
In regards to claim 1, Sano ‘1914 discloses
A capacitor comprising:
a first electrode, a second electrode and a dielectric material arranged between the first electrode and the second electrode ([0036-0037]),
a first terminal (22 – fig. 1; [0038]) electrically connected to the first electrode, and
a second terminal (23 – fig. 1; [0038]) electrically connected to the second electrode, wherein
the first electrode material, the second electrode material and the dielectric material establish a wound-type capacitance element ([0036-0037]) and
the first terminal and the second terminal are surface mountable terminals (fig. 5; [0038]).
In regards to claim 3, Sano ‘1914 discloses
The capacitor of claim 1, wherein the first terminal and the second terminal comprise a material selected from steel, copper, brass, aluminum, a coating with Tin or a tin alloy ([0039]).
In regards to claim 9, Sano ‘1914 discloses
The capacitor of claim 1, comprising a housing (3 – fig. 1; [0041]) in which the wound capacitance element is arranged.
In regards to claim 10, Sano ‘1914 discloses
The capacitor of claim 9, wherein the housing comprises an inner wall and an outer wall, wherein the inner wall and the outer wall are separated by a gap (fig. 1 & 9; [0071]).
In regards to claim 11, Sano ‘1914 discloses
The capacitor of claim 10, wherein the gap is filled with air or with another thermally insulating material (fig. 1 & 9; [0071]).
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
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.
Claim(s) 17 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Michelazzi ‘776 in view of Ward (US 2008/0232026).
In regards to claim 17,
Michelazzi ‘776 fails to disclose further comprising annealing the capacitor.
Ward ‘026 discloses annealing the capacitor ([0036]).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art prior to the effective filing date of the claimed invention to anneal the capacitor of Michelazzi ‘776 as taught by Ward ‘026 to fuse the plastic layers together thus recuing air in the capacitor.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
US 2003/0053285 – [0023] US 2009/0141419 – fig. 1-2
US 11,622,478 – fig. 4 US 6,356,431 – fig. 3-4
US 8,018,712 – fig. 1 JP2000323352A – fig. 1-2
JP2014135327A – fig. 1-5 WO2020137041A1 – fig. 1
Communication
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to DAVID M SINCLAIR whose telephone number is (571)270-5068. The examiner can normally be reached M-TH from 8AM-4PM.
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/David M Sinclair/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2848