Prosecution Insights
Last updated: August 16, 2026
Application No. 17/122,451

COATING FOR IMPROVED FLAMMABILITY PERFORMANCE IN ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS

Non-Final OA §112
Filed
Dec 15, 2020
Examiner
ABU ALI, SHUANGYI
Art Unit
1731
Tech Center
1700 — Chemical & Materials Engineering
Assignee
TE Connectivity Ltd.
OA Round
5 (Non-Final)
45%
Grant Probability
Moderate
5-6
OA Rounds
0m
Est. Remaining
83%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 45% of resolved cases
45%
Career Allowance Rate
485 granted / 1069 resolved
-19.6% vs TC avg
Strong +38% interview lift
Without
With
+37.9%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
4y 1m
Avg Prosecution
36 currently pending
Career history
1124
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
0.7%
-39.3% vs TC avg
§103
56.1%
+16.1% vs TC avg
§102
12.8%
-27.2% vs TC avg
§112
20.2%
-19.8% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 1069 resolved cases

Office Action

§112
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 . Continued Examination Under 37 CFR 1.114 A request for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, including the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e), was filed in this application after allowance or after an Office action under Ex Parte Quayle, 25 USPQ 74, 453 O.G. 213 (Comm'r Pat. 1935). Since this application is eligible for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, prosecution in this application has been reopened pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114. Applicant's submission filed on 05/22/2026 has been entered. 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 15-17 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. Regarding claims 15-17, the term in the parathesis is indefinite. It is not clear that the limitation in the parathesis is meant to be part of the claims or not. Regarding claims 15-17, ii is not clear that the percentage is based on mass, mole, volume or else. Prior art considered US 20160068627(US’627), which is the most pertinent art found, discloses a coating composition comprising: epoxy resin, additives such as fire retardants, aluminum oxide, polymeric microspheres containing a hydrocarbon liquid, such as “EXPANCEL” and clay. See claim 1; [0044] and [0052-0054]. Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to SHUANGYI ABU ALI whose telephone number is (571)272-6453. The examiner can normally be reached Monday - Friday, 8:00 am- 5:00 pm. 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, Amber Orlando can be reached at (571)270-3149. 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. /SHUANGYI ABU ALI/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1731
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Show 9 earlier events
Jun 06, 2025
Response after Non-Final Action
Jun 11, 2025
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §112
Sep 10, 2025
Response Filed
Dec 11, 2025
Final Rejection mailed — §112
Feb 09, 2026
Response after Non-Final Action
May 22, 2026
Request for Continued Examination
Jun 17, 2026
Response after Non-Final Action
Aug 03, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §112 (current)

Precedent Cases

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3y 1m to grant Granted Aug 11, 2026
Patent 12698237
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2y 6m to grant Granted Aug 04, 2026
Patent 12686620
NEAR INFRARED TRANSMITTING COPPER OXIDE NANOPARTICLES
6y 0m to grant Granted Jul 21, 2026
Patent 12686793
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4y 5m to grant Granted Jul 21, 2026
Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

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Prosecution Projections

5-6
Expected OA Rounds
45%
Grant Probability
83%
With Interview (+37.9%)
4y 1m (~0m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
High
PTA Risk
Based on 1069 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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