Prosecution Insights
Last updated: May 29, 2026
Application No. 17/831,783

METHOD AND ARRANGEMENT FOR MIXING A LIQUID

Non-Final OA §112
Filed
Jun 03, 2022
Priority
Dec 05, 2019 — AT A 51064/2019 +1 more
Examiner
SORKIN, DAVID L
Art Unit
1774
Tech Center
1700 — Chemical & Materials Engineering
Assignee
Single Use Support GmbH
OA Round
2 (Non-Final)
67%
Grant Probability
Favorable
2-3
OA Rounds
0m
Est. Remaining
80%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 67% — above average
67%
Career Allowance Rate
792 granted / 1175 resolved
+2.4% vs TC avg
Moderate +12% lift
Without
With
+12.5%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
3y 2m
Avg Prosecution
34 currently pending
Career history
1216
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
0.7%
-39.3% vs TC avg
§103
54.8%
+14.8% vs TC avg
§102
21.6%
-18.4% vs TC avg
§112
11.7%
-28.3% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 1175 resolved cases

Office Action

§112
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 . 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 1-9 and 14-24 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: In independent claim 1, the new recitation that the axis of the container lies within the plane of the shelf contradicts the requirement that a shell is located between the container and the shelf. When a container lies on a planar shelf the container is necessarily above the shelf and if there as shell between the object and the shelf, the object must be spaced from the shelf by at least the thickness of the shell In new independent claim 18, the requirement that the axis of the container lies within a plane of the shell contradicts the requirement that the container is supported on the plane of the shell. The container would need to be half above and half below the plane of the shell for the axis to of the container to lie within the plane, rather than being supported on the plane. The following is a quotation of the first paragraph of 35 U.S.C. 112(a): (a) IN GENERAL.—The specification shall contain a written description of the invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and use the same, and shall set forth the best mode contemplated by the inventor or joint inventor of carrying out the invention. The following is a quotation of the first paragraph of pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112: The specification shall contain a written description of the invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and use the same, and shall set forth the best mode contemplated by the inventor of carrying out his invention. Claims 1-9 and 14-24 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(a) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), first paragraph, as failing to comply with the written description requirement: In independent claim 1, the new recitation that the axis of the container lies within a horizontal plane of the shelf is new matter. Instead, as seen in Fig. 2a, the axis of the container is above any plane on which it is supported. In independent claim 1, the new recitation that the axis of the container lies within a horizontal plane of the shell is new matter. Instead, as seen in Fig. 2a, the axis of the container is above any plane on which it is supported. Response to Arguments Applicant’s arguments are moot due the new grounds for rejection. Conclusion 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 DAVID L SORKIN whose telephone number is (571)272-1148. The examiner can normally be reached 7am-3:30pm. 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, Claire X Wang can be reached at (571) 270-1051. 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. DAVID L. SORKIN Examiner Art Unit 1774 /DAVID L SORKIN/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1774
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Jun 03, 2022
Application Filed
Aug 15, 2025
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §112
Dec 15, 2025
Response Filed
Jan 08, 2026
Final Rejection mailed — §112
Apr 08, 2026
Response after Non-Final Action
May 08, 2026
Request for Continued Examination
May 11, 2026
Response after Non-Final Action

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

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Container with Both Dispensation and Fill Dedicated Valved Tube Assemblies
4y 0m to grant Granted May 26, 2026
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STATIC MIXER ASSEMBLIES AND RELATED METHODS OF FABRICATION AND USE
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Patent 12623375
MULTI-SHAFT PREPARATION UNIT FOR PLASTIC MELTS
3y 0m to grant Granted May 12, 2026
Patent 12616946
APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING SLURRY FOR BATTERY
3y 3m to grant Granted May 05, 2026
Patent 12617124
Homogenizing method and device for mixing cow dung granules into clay bricks
2y 6m to grant Granted May 05, 2026
Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

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Prosecution Projections

2-3
Expected OA Rounds
67%
Grant Probability
80%
With Interview (+12.5%)
3y 2m (~0m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Moderate
PTA Risk
Based on 1175 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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