PATENT COOPERATION TREATY
`
`From the INTERNATIONAL SEARCHING AUTHORITY
`
`PCT
`
`
`Ghurilla, Paul W:
`BRAKE HUGHES BELLERMANN LLP
`
`
`P.O,Box 1077
`
`
`Middletown, MD 21769
`ETATS-UNIS D'AMERIQUE
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Applicant's or agent'sfile reference
`0210-152WO1
`
`NOTIFICATION OF TRANSMITTAL OF
`THE INTERNATIONAL SEARCH REPORT AND
`THE WRITTEN OPINION OF THE INTERNATIONAL
`SEARCHING AUTHORITY, OR THE DECLARATION
`
`Date of mailing
`(day/month/year)
`
`23 December 2022 (23-12-2022)
`
`FOR FURTHER ACTION
`
`See paragraphs 1 and 4 below
`
`International application No.
`PCT/US2022/077331
`
`Intemational filing date
`{day/monthyear)
`
`30 September 2022 (30-09-2022)
`
`(PCT Rule 44.1)
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Applicant
`
`ATIEVA,ING.
`
`The applicant is hereby notified that the international search report and the written opinion of the International Searching
`Authority have been established and are transmitted herewith.
`Filing ot amendments and statement underArticle 19:
`The applicant is entitled, if he so wishes, to amend the claims of the international application (see Rule 46):
`When? Thetime limit forfiling such amendmentsis normally two months from the date of transmittal of the
`intemational search report.
`How?=Directly to the International Bureau preferably through ePCT,or on paperto:
`The International Bureau of WIPO, 34 chemin des Colombettes, 1211 Geneva 20, Switzerland
`For more detailed instructions, see the PCT Applicant's Guide, International Phase, paragraphs 9.004 - 9.011.
`2. CL] The applicant is hereby notified that no international search report will be established and that the declaration under
`Article 17(2}{a) to that effect and the written opinion of the International Searching Authority are transmitted herewith.
`3. LC) With regard to any protest against payment of (an) additional fee(s) under Rule 40.2, the applicantis notified that:
`C) ihe protest together with the decision thereon has been transmitted to the International Bureau together with any
`request to forward the texts of both the protest and the decision thereon to the designated Offices.
`[] no decision has been made yet on the protest; the applicant will be notified as soon as a decision is made.
`4. Reminders
`
`The applicant may submit comments on ar informal basis on the written opinion of the International Searching Authority
`to the International Bureau. These comments will be made available to the public after international publication. The
`international Bureau will send a copy of such comments to all designated Offices unless an international preliminary
`examination report has beenor is to be established.
`Shortly after the expiration of 18 months from the priority date, the international application will be published by the
`International Bureau. If the applicant wishes to avoid or postpone publication, a notice of withdrawal of the international
`application, or of the priority claim, must reach the International Bureau before the completion of the technical preparations for
`intemational publication (Rules 90D/s.1 and 90b#s.3).
`Within 19 months from the priority date, but only in respect of some designated Offices, a demand for international preliminary
`examination must be filed if the applicant wishes to postponethe entry into the national phase until 30 months from the priority
`date {in some Offices even later); otherwise, the applicant must, within 20 months from the priority date, perform the
`prescribed acts for entry into the national phase before those designated Offices. In respect of other designated Offices, the
`time limit of 30 months (or later) will apply even if no demand is filed within 19 months. For details about the applicable time
`limits, Office by Office, see www.wipo int/pct/en/texts/time_limits.html and the PCT Applicant's Guide, National Chapters.
`Within 22 months from thepriority date, the applicant may request that a supplementary international search be carried
`out by a different International Searching Authority that offers this service (Rule 45b/s.1). The procedure for requesting
`supplementary international search is described in the PCT Applicant's Guide, International Phase, paragraphs §.006-3.032.
`
`Fax: (+31 -70) 340-3016
`
`Name and mailing address of the International Searching Authority
`European Patent Office, P.B. 5818 Patenilaan 2
`
`9») NL-2280 HV Rijswijk
`
`Tel. (431-70) 340-2040
`
`Form PCTASA/220 (revised January 2020)
`
`Authorized officer
`
`PAREDES SANCHEZ,Luis-Miguel
`
`.
`
`.
`
`Tel: +31 (0)70 340-3650
`
`

`

`PATENT COOPERATION TREATY
`
`PCT
`
`INTERNATIONAL SEARCH REPORT
`
`(PCT Article 18 and Rules 43 and 44)
`
`-| Applicant's or agent'sfile reference
`0210-152WO1
`
`FOR FURTHER
`ACTION
`
`see Form PCT/ASA/220
`as well as, where applicable, item 5 below.
`
`International application No.
`
`Imernaticnal filing date (day/month/year)
`
`(Earliest) Priority Date (day/month/year)
`
`PCT/US2022/077331
`
`30 September 2022 (30-09-2022)
`
`1 October 2021 (01-10-2021)
`
`Applicant
`
`ATIEVA, INC.
`
`This international search report has been prepared by this International Searching Authority and is transmitted to the applicant
`according to Article 18. A copy is being transmitted to the International Bureau.
`
`sheets.
`4
`This international search report consists of a total of
`It is also accompanied by a copy of each prior art documentcited in this report.
`
`1. Basis of the report
`a. With regard to the language,the intemational search was carried out on the basis of:
`the intemational application in the languagein which it was filed
`, which is the language
`C a translation of ihe international application into
`of a translation furnished for the purposes of international search (Rules 12.3(a) and 23.1(b)}
`
`none of the figures is to be published with ihe abstract
`
`This intemational search report has been established taking into account the rectification of an obvious mistake
`authorized by or notified to this Authority under Rule 91 (Rule 43.6 bis({a}).
`
`With regard to any nucleotide and/or amino acid sequence disclosedin the international application, see Box No. I.
`
`Certain claims were found unsearchable (See Box No.II}
`
`Unity of invention is lacking {see Box NoIll}
`
`4. With regard to the title,
`Cy
`the text is approved as submitted by the applicant
`Cj
`the text has been established by this Authorily to read as follows:
`
`5. With regard to the abstract,
`
`CL)
`
`the text is approved as submitted by the applicant
`the text has been established, according to Rule 38.2, by this Authority as it appears in Box No. IV. The applicant
`may,within one month from the date of mailing of this international search report, submit comments to this Authority
`
`6. With regard to the drawings,
`
`a.
`
`the figure of the drawings to be published with the abstract is Figure No.
`as suggested by the applicant
`[ as selected by this Authority, because the applicant failed to suggest a figure
`C]
`as selected by this Authority, becausethis figure better characterizes the invention
`
`b. C]
`
`Form PCT/ISA/210 (first sheet) (July 2022)
`
`

`

`A. CLASSIFICATION OF SUBJECT MATTER
`INV. HO1M50/503
`B23K20/00
`ADD.
`
`HO1M50/516
`
`HO1L23/00
`
`PcT/US2022/077331
`
`According to International Patent Classification (IPC) or to both national classification and IPC
`B. FIELDS SEARCHED
`Minimum documentation searched (classification aystern followed by classification symbols}
`HOIM B23K HO01L
`
`Documentation searched other than minimum documentation to the extent that such documents are included in the fields searched
`
`Electronic data base consulted during the international search (name of data base and, where practicable, search terms used}
`
`EPO-Internal
`
`C. DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED TO BE RELEVANT
`
`
`
`INTERNATIONAL SEARCHREPORT International application No
`
`[J Further documents ara listed in the continuation of Box C.
`* Special categories of clted documents :
`,
`ny
`waa
`se
`'A" document defining the general state of the art which is not considered
`to be of particular relevance
`“RE” earlier application or patent but published on or after the international
`filing date
`"LT document which may throw doubts on priority claim(s) or which is
`cited
`to establish the publication date of another citation or other
`special reason (as specified)
`'
`.
`—
`“©” document referring to an oral disclosure, use, exhibition or other
`means
`“P" document published prior to the internationalfiling date but later than
`the priority date claimed
`
`
`
`Gategory*|Citation of document, with indication, where appropriate, of Ihe relevant passages Relevant to claim No.
`
`(BOSCH GMBH ROBERT
`DE 10 2014 212247 Al
`[DE]}) 31 December 2015 (2015-12-31)
`paragraphs [0003],
`[o0c5],
`£0012],
`[0013],
`[0030],
`[0031]
`claims i,2,93
`fagure 1
`
`(BOSCE GMBH ROBERT
`DE 10 2013 213527 Al
`[DE]) 15 January 2015 (2015-01-15)
`paragraphs [0003],
`[oo0s],
`(9010],
`[0011],
`[0026]
`-—
`[00629]
`elaims 1,2,93
`figure 2
`
`
`
`[x] See patent family annex.
`
`*T" later document published afterthe international filing,date or priority
`ate and not in conflict with
`the application but cited
`to understan
`isl
`‘
`:
`‘
`the principle or theory underlying the invention
`“x* documentof particular relevance: the claimed invention cannot be
`considered novel or cannot be considered to inveive an inventive
`step when the documentis taken alone
`myn
`:
`.
`:
`:
`:
`¥° document of particular relevance;; the claimed invention cannot be
`considered to involve an inventive step when tha documentis
`combined with one or more other such documents, such combination
`being obvious to a person skilled in the art
`
`.
`
`"&" document member of the same patent family
`
`Date of the actual completion of the international search
`
`Date of mailing of the international search report
`
`16 December 2022
`
`Name and mailing address of the ISA/
`European Patent Office, P.B. 5818 Patentlaan 2
`NL - 2280 HV Rijswik
`Tal. (431-70) 340-2040,
`Fax: (+31-70} 340-3016
`Form PCTASA/210 (second sheet) (April 2005)
`
`23/12/2022
`
`Authorized officer
`
`:
`Knoflacher, Andreas
`
`
`page 1 of 2
`
`

`

`INTERNATIONAL SEARCH REPORT
`
`International application No
`
`PCT/U8S2022/077331.
`
`C(Continuation). DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED TO BE RELEVANT
`
`
`
`Category*|Citation of document, with indication, where appropriate, of the relevant passages Relevant to claim No.
`
`A
`
`(BOSCH GMBH ROBERT
`DE 10 2013 213524 Al
`{DE]) 15 January 2015 (2015-01-15)
`Paragraphs [0010],
`[O011],
`[9032] -
`[0038]
`claims 1,2,9
`figure 2
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`(BAYERISCHE MOTOREN
`DE 10 2013 203280 Al
`WERKE AG [DE]) 28 August 2014 (2014-08-28)
`claims 1,8
`figures 3-7
`
`Form PGTASA/210 (continuation of second sheet) (April 2005)
`
`page 2 of 2
`
`

`

`INTERNATIONAL SEARCH REPORT
`Information on patent family members
`
`
`
`International application No
`
`PCT/US2022/077331
`
`
`
`cited in search report
`
`date
`
`member(s
`
`DE 102014212247 Ail
`
`31-12-2015
`
`106463790 A
`
`DEOE 102014212247 Al
`
`date
`
`22-02-2017
`
`31-12-2015
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`EP
`3161896 Al
`03-05-2017
`us
`2017133725 Al
`11-05-2017
`
`30-12-2015 2015197311
`
`
`
`
`
`DE 102013213527 Al
`15-01-2015
`105378976 A
`02-03-2016
`DE 102013213527 Al
`15-01-2015
`Us
`2016164063 Al
`09-06-2016
`
`
`
`15-01-2015 2015003897 Al
`
`
`
`
`DE 102013213524 Al
`15-01-2015
`CN
`105378975 A
`02-03-2016
`DE 102013213524 Al
`15-01-2015
`
`JP
`6148406 B2
`14-06-2017
`
`
`
`
`05-09-2016
`2016526776 A
`JP
`2016141585 Al
`19-05-2016
`Us
`
`
`15-01-2015
`2015003896
`
`
`
`
`DE 102013203280 Al
`28-08-2014
`104853877
`19-08-2015
`
`
`
`
`
`DE 102013203280 Al
`28-08-2014
`EP
`2961558 Al
`06-01-2016
`
`JP
`6335930 B2
`30-05-2018
`JP
`2016513347 A
`12-05-2016
`
`Us
`2015364740 Al
`17-12-2015
`
`
` 2014131541 04-09-2014
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Form PCTASA/210 (patent family annex) (April 2005)
`
`

`

`CLASSIFICATION SYMBOLS DEFINING EXTENT OF THE SEARCH:
`
`IPc:
`
`CPc: HO1M50/503, B23K20/004, HO1M50/516, B23K2101/36, B23K2101/38, B23K2101/32,
`HO1L24/78
`
`FL/F-TERMS ;
`
`KEYWORDS OR OTHER ELEMENTS FEATURING THE INVENTION:
`
`Information on Search Strategy- pilot phase (see OJ 2015, A86)
`thoaxefuieseoFtisnewgarvise. > Sneet may change duringthe pilot ferimproving
`
`Application Number
`
`PCT/US2022/077331
`
`TITLE: MULTI-AXIS ULTRASONIC WEDGE WIRE BONDING
`
`APPLICANT: ATIEVA,
`
`INC.
`
`IPC CLASSIFICATION: HO1M50/503, B23K20/00, HO1M50/516, HO1L23/00
`
`EXAMINER: Knoflacher, Andreas
`
`CONSULTED DATABASES: EPODOC
`
`the first width being greater than the second width.
`
`An electrical davice assembly comprising: a first electrical contact surface; a
`sacond electrical contact surface; and a ribbon wire extending along a
`longitudinal axis,
`the ribbon wire including: a first portion that is coupled
`with the first electrical contact surface via a first wedge bond; a second
`portion that is coupled with the second electrical contact surface via a second
`wedge bond; and a third portion extending between the first portion and the
`second portion, the first portion of the ribbon wire having a first width
`transverse to the longitudinal axis of the ribbon wire, and the third portion
`of the ribbon wire having a second width transverse to the longitudinal axis,
`
`EPOFORMPO4ad2
`
`

`

`PATENT COOPERATION TREATY
`
`From the
`INTERNATIONAL SEARCHING AUTHORITY
`
`see form PCTASA220
`
`PCT
`
`WRITTEN OPINION OF THE
`INTERNATIONAL SEARCHING AUTHORITY
`
`(PCT Rule 43bis.1)
`
` Date of mailing
`(daymonthyear}
`
`see form PCGTASA210 (second sheet)
`
`
`
`Applicant's or agent's file reference
`FOR FURTHER ACTION
`see form PCTASA220
`See paragraph 2 below
`
`
`International application No.
`PCTAU82022077331
`
`
`Intemational filing date (daysnonthyvear)
`30.09.2022
`
`Priority date (dayinonth/year)
`01.10.2021
`
`International Patent Classification (IPC) or both national classification and IPC
`INV. HO1M504503 B23K20/00 H0O1M50416 HO1L23.00
`
`
`
`Applicant
`ATIEVA, INC.
`
`
`1.
`
`This opinion contains indications relating to the following items:
`
`Basis of the opinion
`J Box No.}
`Priority
`O Box No.II
`Non-establishment of opinion with regard to noveity, inventive step and industrial applicability
`O Box No.II
`Lack of unity of invention
`O Box No. IV
`[EK Box No. V¥-Reasoned statement under Rule 436j/s.1(a)(i) with regard to novelly, inventive step and industrial
`applicability; citations and explanations supporting such statement
`Certain documents cited
`[) Box No. VI
`O Box No. Vil Certain defects in the international application
`Box No. VIH Certain observations on the international application
`
`2.
`
`FURTHER ACTION
`
`If a demandfor international preliminary examination is made, this opinion will usually be considered to be a
`written opinion of the International Preliminary Examining Authority ("IPEA") except that this does not apply where
`the applicant chooses an Authority other than this one to be the IPEA and the chosen IPEA has notifed the
`International Bureau under Rule 66.1 bis(b) that written opinions of this International Searching Authority
`will not be so considered.
`
`If this opinion is, as provided above, considered to be a written opinion of the IPEA, the applicantis invited to
`submit to the IPEA a written reply together, where appropriate, with amendments, before the expiration of 3 months
`from the date of mailing of Form PCTASA20 or before the expiration of 22 months from the priority date,
`whichever expireslater.
`
`For further options, see Form PCTASA220.
`
` Name and mailing address of the ISA:
`
`Date of completion of
`rae
`this opinion
`—__
`? 6 *
`see form
`Dd European Patent Office
`
`
` Knoflacher, Andreas 3PCTASA210 , x éP_B. 5818 Patentlaan 2 )—= NL-2280 HV Rijswijk - Pays Bas
`
`
`
`
`
`Tel. +31 70 340 - 2040
`thresoso
`Telephone No. +31 70 340-0
`
`Fax: +31 70 340 - 3016
`
`Authorized Officer
`
`Form PCTASA237 (Cover Sheet) (July 2022)
`
`

`

`International application No.
`WRITTEN OPINION OF THE
`
`INTERNATIONAL SEARCHING AUTHORITY PGTAUS2022077331
`
`Box No.| Basis of the opinion
`
`1. With regard to the language, this opinion has been estabiished on the basis of:
`
`bd
`
`O
`
`the international application in the language in which it was filed.
`
`_a translation of the international application into , which is the language of a translation furnished for the
`purposes of international search (Rules 12.3(a} and 23.1 (b)).
`
`This opinion has been established taking into account the rectification of an obvious mistake authorized
`by or notified to this Authority under Rule 91 (Rule 436/s.1(a}) |
`
`With regard to any nucleotide and/or amino acid sequence disclosed in the international application, this
`opinion has been esiablished on the basis of a sequencelisting:
`
`a. 1 forming part of the international application asfiled.
`
`b. O furnished subsequentto the international filing date for the purposes of international
`search (Rule 13ter.1(a)),
`
`O accompanied by a statementto the effect that the sequence listing does nat go beyond the
`disciosure in the international application as filed.
`
`With regard to any nucleotide and/or amino acid sequence disciosed in the international application, this
`opinion has been established to the extent that a meaningful opinion could be formed without a WIPO
`Standard ST.26 compliant sequencelisting.
`
`on
`
`. Additional comments:
`
` Reasoned statement under Rule 435/s.1(a)(i) with regard to novelty, inventive step or
`Box No.¥
`industrial applicability; citations and explanations supporting such statement
`
`1. Statement
`
`Novelty (N}
`
`Inventive step (IS)
`
`Industrial applicabitity (IA)
`
`ho . Citations and explanations
`
`see separate sheet
`
`Yes: Claims
`No: Claims
`
`Yes: Claims
`No: Claims
`
`Yes: Claims
`No: Claims
`
`9-22
`1-8
`
`1-22
`
`1-22
`
`Box No. Vill Certain observations on the international application
`
`The following observations on the clarity of the claims, description, and drawings or on the question whether the
`claims are fully supported by the description, are made:
`
`see separate sheet
`
`Form PCTASA/237 (July 2022)
`
`

`

`WRITTEN OPINION OF THE
`INTERNATIONAL SEARCHING
`AUTHORITY (SEPARATE SHEET)
`
`,
`
`International application No.
`
`PCT/US2022/077331
`
`Re tiem V
`
`Reasoned statement with regard to novelty, inventive step or industrial
`applicability; citations and explanations supporting such statement
`
`Reference is made to the following documents:
`
`D1
`
`D2
`
`D3
`
`D4
`
`DE 10 2014 212247 A1 (BOSCH GMBH ROBERT[DE]) 31 December
`2015 (2015-12-31)
`
`DE 10 2013 213527 A1 (BOSCH GMBH ROBERT[DE]) 15 January 2015
`(2015-01-15)
`
`DE 10 2013 213524 A1 (BOSCH GMBH ROBERT[DE]) 15 January 2015
`(2015-01-15)
`
`DE 10 2013 203280 A1 (BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKEAG [DE]) 28
`August 2014 (2014-08-28)
`
`NOVELTY(Art. 33(2) PCT)
`
`1.1
`
`The present application does not meetthe criteria of Article 33(1) PCT, because
`the subject-matter of claims 1-8 is not new in the sense of Article 33(2) PCT.
`
`1.2
`
`D1 discloses an electrical device assembly (1) comprising:
`a first electrical contact surface;
`a second electrical contact surface; and
`a ribbon wire (5(2),6(2}) extending along a longitudinal axis, the ribbon wire
`including:
`a first portion that is coupled with the first electrical contact surface viaafirst
`wedge bond;
`a second portion that is coupled with the second electrical contact surface via a
`second wedge bond; and
`a third portion extending betweenthe first portion and the second portion,
`the first portton of the ribbon wire having a first width transverse to the |
`longitudinal axis of the ribbon wire, and
`
`Form PCT/ISA/237 (Separate Sheet) (Sheet 1) (EPO-April 2005)
`
`

`

`WRITTENOPINION OF THE
`INTERNATIONAL SEARCHING
`AUTHORITY (SEPARATE SHEET)
`
`International application No.
`
`PCT/US2022/077331
`
`the third portion of the ribbon wire having a second width transverseto the
`longitudinal axis, the first width being greater than the second width.
`(paragraphs [0003], [0005], [0012], [0013], [0030], [0031]; claims 1,2,9; figure 1)
`
`The subject-matter of independent claim 1 is not new.
`
`Remark: The end portions of the ribbon disclosed an Figure 1 of D1 are rather
`schematic. But they are drawn broader than the therest of the ribbon, which might also
`be a consequenceof the wedge bonding process.
`
`1.3
`
`Dependent claims 2-8 do not appearto contain any additional features which, in
`combination with the features of any claim to which they refer, meet the
`requirements of the PCT in respect of novelty, the reasons being as follows:
`
`- claims 2,3: D1 discloses that the second portion of the ribbon wire has a third
`width transverse to the longitudinal axis of the ribbon wire, the third width being
`approximately (see point 3.2 below) equal to the second width; and that the
`second portion of the ribbon wire has a third width transverse to the longitudinal
`axis of the ribbon wire, the third width being approximately (see point 3.2 below)
`equalto the first width. (figure 1}
`
`- claims 4,5: D1 discloses that intermetallics of the first wedge bond onthe first
`electrical contact surface are, at least in part, circular; and that intermetallics of
`the second wedge bond on the secondelectrical contact surface are, at least in
`part, circular. (see point 3.4 below)
`
`- claim 6: D1 discloses that the first electrical contact surface and the second
`electrical contact surface are each respectively included in one of a busbar of a
`battery module, or in a terminal located at an end of an electrochemicalcell of
`the battery module. (paragraphs [0030],[0031})
`
`- claim 7: D1 discloses that the terminal of the electrochemical cell includes one
`of a rim or a cap of the electrochemical cell. (paragraph [0031] implicit)
`
`- claim 8: D1 discloses that the ribbon wire includes a copper ribbon wire. (claim
`2)
`
`1.4
`
`The subject-matter of claims 9-22 has not been disclosed in any prior art cited.
`Therefore it is new.
`
`Form POT/ISA/237 (Separate Sheet) (Sheet 2) (EPO-April 2005)
`
`

`

`WRITTEN OPINION OF THE
`INTERNATIONAL SEARCHING
`AUTHORITY (SEPARATE SHEET)
`
`International application No.
`
`PCT/US2022/077331
`
`2
`
`INVENTIVE STEP (Art. 33(3) PCT)
`
`2.1
`
`2.2
`
`2.2.1.
`
`2.2.2
`
`2.2.3.
`
`2.2.4
`
`The present application dces not meetthe criteria of Article 33(1} PCT, because
`the subject-matter of claims 1-22 does notinvolve an inventive step in the sense
`of Article 33(3) PCT.
`
`D1 is regarded as being the prior art closest to the subject-matter of
`independent claim 9, and discloses an electrical device assembly (1)
`comprising:
`an electrical contact surface; and
`a ribbon wire (5(2),6(2)) including a portion that is coupled with the electrical
`' contact surface via a wedge bond,
`wherein intermetallics of the wedge bond on the electrical contact surface
`define, at least in part, circular patterns. (paragraphs [0003], [0005], [0012],
`[0013], [0030}, [0031]; claims 1,2,9; figure 1}
`
`The subject-matter of claim 9 therefore differs from this known devicein that
`intermetallics of the wedge bond onthe electrical contact surface define, at least
`in part, concentric circular patterns.
`
`The technical effect of said distinguishing feature is not disclosedin the present
`application.
`
`The problem to be solved by said distinguishing feature is not disclosed in the
`present application.
`:
`
`The solution proposedin claim 9 of the present application cannot be
`considered to involve an inventive step (Article 33(3) PCT). The reasons being
`as follows:
`
`- The distinguishing feature is merely one of several straightforward possibilities
`from which the skilled person would select, in accordance with circumstances,
`without the exercise of inventive skill, in order to solve the problem posed. Since
`no specific technical effect and no problem to be solved by said feature is
`disclosed, it can only be considered as an arbitrary selection.
`The same reasoning applies, mutatis mutandis, to the method for producing
`said wedge bond disclosed in independent claim 14 and dependentclaims
`15-22.
`
`The subject-matter of claims 9 and 14-22 does not include an inventive step.
`
`Form PCTASA/237 (Separate Sheet) (Sheet 3) (EPO-April 2005)
`
`

`

`WRITTEN OPINION OF THE
`INTERNATIONAL SEARCHING
`AUTHORITY (SEPARATE SHEET)
`
`International application No.
`
`~
`
`PCTAUS2022/077331
`
`2.3
`
`Dependent claims 10-13 do not appear to contain any additional features which,
`in combination with the features of any claim to which theyrefer, meet the
`requirements of the PCTin respect of inventive step, the reasons being as
`follows:
`
`- claim 10: D1 discloses that the portion of the ribbon wireis a first portion of the
`ribbon wire;
`the ribbon wire extends along a longitudinal axis;
`the ribbon wire includes a second portion forming a wire loop (according to the
`definition of paragraph [0029) of the present description}, the first portion of the
`ribbon wire and the second portion of the ribbon wire being electrically
`continuous;
`the first portion of the ribbon wire has a first width transverse to the longitudinal
`axis of the ribbon wire; and
`the second portion of the ribbon wire has a second width transverse to the
`longitudinal axis of the ribbon wire, the first width being greater than the second
`width. (paragraphs [0003], [0005], [0072], [0013], [0030], [0031]; claims 1,2,9;
`figure 1)
`
`- claim 11: D1 discloses that the electrical contact surface is inctuded in one of a
`busbarof a battery module,or in a terminal located at an end of an
`electrochemical cell of the battery module. (paragraphs (0030],[0031]}
`
`- claim 12: D1 discloses that the terminal of the electrochemical cell includes
`one of arim or a cap of the electrochemical cell. (paragraph [0031] implicit}
`
`- Claim 13: D1 discloses that the ribbon wire includes a copperribbon wire.
`(claim 2)
`
`2.4
`
`The subject-matter of claims 1-8 is not new. Thereforeit is not inventive.
`
`Form PCT/SA/237(Separate Sheet) (Sheet 4) (EPO-April 2005)
`
`

`

`WRITTEN OPINION OF THE
`INTERNATIONAL SEARCHING
`AUTHORITY (SEPARATE SHEET)
`
`International application No.
`
`PCT/US2022/077331
`
`ReItemVill
`
`Certain observations on the international application
`
`3
`
`CLARITY (Art. 6 PCT)
`
`3.1
`
`3.2
`
`3.3
`
`3.4
`
`The application does not meet the requirements of Article 6 PCT, because
`claims 2-5 are not clear.
`
`The term "approximately" used in claims 2 and 3 is vague and unclear and
`leaves the reader in doubt as to the meaning of the technical features to whichit
`refers, thereby rendering the definition of the subject-matter of said claims
`unclear, Article 6 PCT.
`
`Claims 4 and 5 are unclear because the term "intermetallics" is doubtful within
`the claims themselves. To clarify said claims the definition given in paragraph
`[0028] of the description is necessary
`
`Claims 4 and 5 are unclear because the definition "at least in part circular”is
`alwaysfulfilled, depending on the size range of observing said geometrical
`feature.
`
`The same reasoning applies to independent claim 9 and therefore also on
`dependent claims 10-13.
`
`Form PCTASA/237 (Separate Sheet) (Sheet 5) (EPO-April 2005)
`
`