Prosecution Insights
Last updated: May 29, 2026
Application No. 17/917,344

Method for Manufacturing Mixture of Positive Electrode Active Material Particles of Nickel-Rich Lithium Composite Transition Metal Oxide

Final Rejection §103
Filed
Oct 06, 2022
Priority
Oct 06, 2020 — RE 10-2020-0128912 +1 more
Examiner
UTECH, BENJAMIN L
Art Unit
1700
Tech Center
1700 — Chemical & Materials Engineering
Assignee
LG Chem, Ltd.
OA Round
2 (Final)
100%
Grant Probability
Favorable
3-4
OA Rounds
0m
Est. Remaining
99%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 100% — above average
100%
Career Allowance Rate
15 granted / 15 resolved
+35.0% vs TC avg
Minimal +0% lift
Without
With
+0.0%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
3y 2m
Avg Prosecution
8 currently pending
Career history
48
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§103
75.0%
+35.0% vs TC avg
§102
5.3%
-34.7% vs TC avg
§112
17.1%
-22.9% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 15 resolved cases

Office Action

§103
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 . The text of those sections of Title 35, U.S. Code not included in this action can be found in a prior Office action. Claims 1-9 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Choi (WO 2020055198A1) Applicant's arguments filed 9/26/25 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive. In part 1 of the arguments, applicant takes the position that Choi “corresponds” to the mixed washing process of Comparative Example 2 of the present application. What evidence is this position based on? What criteria were used to establish, objectively, that Choi “corresponds” to Comparative Example 2? In part 2 of the arguments, applicant asserts that Choi is limited to mixing precursor particles which are distinct from the positive electrode active particles instantly claimed but does not establish that the Choi particles are different from the instant particles in matters other than the terminology being used to refer to same. THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. 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 BENJAMIN L UTECH whose telephone number is (571)272-1137. The examiner can normally be reached M-F. 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, Shawn Decenzo can be reached at (571)270-3227. 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. /BENJAMIN L UTECH/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 6212
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Oct 06, 2022
Application Filed
Jun 26, 2025
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §103
Sep 26, 2025
Response Filed
May 22, 2026
Final Rejection mailed — §103 (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

Patent 12637385
DECORATIVE COMPOSITION AND UTILIZATION THEREOF
2y 8m to grant Granted May 26, 2026
Patent 12630461
GLASS COMPOSITION FOR GLASS FIBER, GLASS FIBER, GLASS FIBER WOVEN FABRIC, AND GLASS FIBER REINFORCED RESIN COMPOSITION
3y 3m to grant Granted May 19, 2026
Patent 12617710
GLASS COMPOSITIONS WITH IMPROVED BIOACTIVITY
3y 6m to grant Granted May 05, 2026
Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 3 most recent grants.

Strategy Recommendation AI-generated — please review before filing

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Prosecution Projections

3-4
Expected OA Rounds
100%
Grant Probability
99%
With Interview (+0.0%)
3y 2m (~0m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Moderate
PTA Risk
Based on 15 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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