Prosecution Insights
Last updated: August 16, 2026
Application No. 18/017,484

Thermoplastic Compositions Having Low Dielectric Properties and Good Mechanical Performance

Non-Final OA §112
Filed
Jan 23, 2023
Priority
Jul 24, 2020 — EU 20187591.1 +1 more
Examiner
GULAKOWSKI, RANDY P
Art Unit
1766
Tech Center
1700 — Chemical & Materials Engineering
Assignee
SABIC (Saudi Basic Industries Corporation)
OA Round
3 (Non-Final)
22%
Grant Probability
At Risk
3-4
OA Rounds
0m
Est. Remaining
33%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants only 22% of cases
22%
Career Allowance Rate
13 granted / 58 resolved
-42.6% vs TC avg
Moderate +11% lift
Without
With
+11.0%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
3y 4m
Avg Prosecution
11 currently pending
Career history
65
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
0.8%
-39.2% vs TC avg
§103
45.6%
+5.6% vs TC avg
§102
17.5%
-22.5% vs TC avg
§112
25.5%
-14.5% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 58 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 . The 103 rejections based on Peng has been withdrawn in view of applicants’ amendments and arguments. 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 7-10 and 16 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. With regards to claims 7 and 8: Claim 1, from which they depend, now “consist of” an impact modifier (as closed element), while claims 7 and 8 attempt to further include additional impact modifiers. Such is improper and indefinite since the impact modifier component is now closed. With regards to claims 9,10 and 16: they are indefinite since there is a lack of antecedent basis for the “additional” additives. The said claims and independent claims never mention a first additive, so how can there be “additional” additives. The claims require clarification. Claims 1-4, 11, 12,14 and 15 are allowed. The following is an examiner’s statement of reasons for allowance: The claims above are considered allowable over the cited art since they fail to adequately teach the claimed composition having the claimed Df properties, as explained in applicants’ response. Any comments considered necessary by applicant must be submitted no later than the payment of the issue fee and, to avoid processing delays, should preferably accompany the issue fee. Such submissions should be clearly labeled “Comments on Statement of Reasons for Allowance.” Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to RANDY P GULAKOWSKI whose telephone number is (571)272-1302. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 7:30-4pm. 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, Randy P Gulakowski can be reached at 571-272-1302. 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. /RANDY P GULAKOWSKI/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 1766
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Show 3 earlier events
Oct 27, 2025
Final Rejection mailed — §112
Dec 29, 2025
Response after Non-Final Action
Jan 21, 2026
Request for Continued Examination
Jan 27, 2026
Response after Non-Final Action
May 27, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §112
Jul 30, 2026
Interview Requested
Jul 31, 2026
Examiner Interview Summary
Jul 31, 2026
Applicant Interview (Telephonic)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

Patent 12698415
EPOXY POLYSILOXANE COATING COMPOSITIONS WITH POLYURETHANE-METAL OR ORGANIC BASED CURING SYSTEMS
3y 2m to grant Granted Aug 04, 2026
Patent 12649839
PROCESSES FOR RECYCLING POLYSTYRENE WASTE AND/OR POLYSTYRENE COPOLYMER WASTE
2y 0m to grant Granted Jun 09, 2026
Patent 12570593
TRIARYLMETHANE COMPOUNDS
2y 7m to grant Granted Mar 10, 2026
Patent 12534560
COPOLYMERS OF (3-ACRYLAMIDOPROPYL)TRIMETHYL AMMONIUM CHLORIDE AS CORROSION INHIBITOR INTERMEDIATE
3y 2m to grant Granted Jan 27, 2026
Patent 12516155
METHOD OF SYNTHESIZING POLYLACTIC ACID AND CATALYST THEREOF
3y 2m to grant Granted Jan 06, 2026
Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

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Prosecution Projections

3-4
Expected OA Rounds
22%
Grant Probability
33%
With Interview (+11.0%)
3y 4m (~0m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
High
PTA Risk
Based on 58 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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