Last updated: May 29, 2026

Application No. 18/011,727

SOLVENT EXTRACTION METHOD FOR SEPARATION AND RECOVERY OF NICKEL, COBALT, AND MANGANESE

Non-Final OA

Filed

Dec 20, 2022

Priority

Apr 08, 2022 — RE 10-2022-0043985 +1 more

Examiner

BAUM, ZACHARY JOHN

Art Unit

1736

Tech Center

1700 — Chemical & Materials Engineering

Assignee

Ecopro Materials Co. Ltd.

OA Round

1 (Non-Final)

Interview Optional

— +13.5% interview lift. Interview lift (+13.5%) is below the 15.0% threshold. A written response is recommended.

Based on 117 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

BAUM, ZACHARY JOHN View full profile →

Grants 80% — above average

Career Allowance Rate

93 granted / 117 resolved

+14.5% vs TC avg

Moderate +14% lift

Without

With

+13.5%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Typical timeline

2y 11m

Avg Prosecution

27 currently pending

Career history

140

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§103

60.0%

+20.0% vs TC avg

§102

10.5%

-29.5% vs TC avg

§112

19.5%

-20.5% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 117 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

Dec 20, 2022

Application Filed

Sep 11, 2025

Non-Final Rejection mailed

Apr 20, 2026

Response after Non-Final Action

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

18/044,043

Patent 12637362

PROCESS FOR PREPARING BATTERY GRADE METAL SULPHATE SOLUTIONS

3y 2m to grant Granted May 26, 2026

18/339,554

Patent 12636605

INDUSTRIAL AIR POLLUTION REMOVAL SYSTEM

2y 11m to grant Granted May 26, 2026

17/760,230

Patent 12630900

METHOD FOR RECOVERING METAL ZINC FROM SOLID METALLURGICAL WASTES

3y 9m to grant Granted May 19, 2026

17/909,541

Patent 12630898

METHOD FOR RECOVERING ACTIVE METAL OF LITHIUM SECONDARY BATTERY

3y 8m to grant Granted May 19, 2026

18/109,939

Patent 12623915

COLLOIDAL FLOW-GATE

3y 2m to grant Granted May 12, 2026

Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

Strategy Recommendation AI-generated — please review before filing

Get a prosecution strategy drawn from examiner precedents, rejection analysis, and claim mapping.

Typically takes 5-10 seconds — AI-generated, attorney review required before filing

Prosecution Projections

1-2

Expected OA Rounds

80%

Grant Probability

93%

With Interview (+13.5%)

2y 11m (~0m remaining)

Median Time to Grant

Low

PTA Risk

Based on 117 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.