Prosecution Insights
Last updated: April 19, 2026
Application No. 18/019,415

A REACTION MIXTURE FOR MANUFACTURING AN INORGANIC-FILLER BASED CLOSED-CELL RIGID POLYURETHANE OR POLYISOCYANURATE CONTAINING FOAM

Non-Final OA §103§DP
Filed
Feb 02, 2023
Examiner
KRYLOVA, IRINA
Art Unit
1764
Tech Center
1700 — Chemical & Materials Engineering
Assignee
Huntsman International LLC
OA Round
2 (Non-Final)
36%
Grant Probability
At Risk
2-3
OA Rounds
4y 4m
To Grant
84%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants only 36% of cases
36%
Career Allow Rate
274 granted / 753 resolved
-28.6% vs TC avg
Strong +48% interview lift
Without
With
+48.1%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
4y 4m
Avg Prosecution
68 currently pending
Career history
821
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§103
50.6%
+10.6% vs TC avg
§102
11.9%
-28.1% vs TC avg
§112
19.4%
-20.6% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 753 resolved cases

Office Action

§103 §DP
DETAILED ACTION Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status 1. The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA . Response to Amendment 2. The amendment and a Declaration under 37 CFR 1.132 filed by Applicant on November 4, 2025 has been fully considered. In light of the amendment and the Declaration under 37 CFR 1.132, the previous rejections not cited below are withdrawn. The new grounds of rejections are set forth below. The following action is made non-final. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103 The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action: A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made. 3. Claims 1-4, 6-7, 9-10, 19-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kumar et al (US 2017/0114211), as evidenced by Materials Database - Thermal Properties - Thermtest Inc. PNG media_image1.png 28 381 media_image1.png Greyscale In certain circumstances, references cited to show a universal fact need not be available as prior art before applicant’s filing date. In re Wilson, 311 F.2d 266, 135 USPQ 442 (CCPA 1962). Such facts include the characteristics and properties of a material or a scientific truism. See MPEP § 2124. 4. Kumar et al discloses a composition for forming a rigid polyurethane foam composite with closed cells ([0076], [0082]), the composition comprising: - A) a polyisocyanate such as a methylene diphenyl diisocyanate ([0019], as to instant claim 9); - B) at least one polyol having an average functionality of 1.8-8 and an average hydroxyl number of 100-600 ([0037], Abstract, as to instant claim 10); - C) 35-90%wt ([0052], as to instant claim 2, 19) of a particulate filler having a bulk density of 1 g/cc or greater, specifically1-3.5 g/cc ([0049], as to instant claim 20); - D) 0.1-20%wt of a lightweight filler having a bulk density of less than 1 g/cc ([0054], as to instant claims 6, 19); - E) a blowing agent such as water ([0065]), and a - F) a surfactant, a chemical blowing agent ([0066]), Wherein the particulate filler C) is selected from the group of alumina, magnesium oxide, barium sulfate, calcium carbonate ([0050], as to instant claim 3) and the lightweight filler D) comprises an expanded perlite ([0055], as to instant claim 7). 5. The weight ratio of the component D) to the component C) is 1:900 to1:7 ([0058]); therefore, the particulate filler component C) is used in more than 80%wt based on the combined weight of the components C) and D) (as to instant claim 19). 6. Based on the teachings of Kumar et al, it would have been obvious to a one of ordinary skill in the art to choose and use alumina, magnesium oxide and/or barium sulfate, each having the bulk density of as high as 3.5 g/cc as the component C) in the composition of Kumar et al and expanded perlite as the component D) in the composition of Kumar et al as well, since it would have been obvious to choose material based on its suitability (as to instant claims 1, 19). Case law holds that the selection of a known material based on its suitability for its intended use supports prima facie obviousness. Sinclair & Carroll Co vs. Interchemical Corp., 325 US 327, 65 USPQ 297 (1045). 7. Given i) the component C) is having a bulk density of 3.5 g/cc; ii) the component D) is having a bulk density of 0.99 g/cc ([0054]); ii) the weight ratio between the component D) and C) is 1:7 ([0058]), i.e. 12.5%wt of the component D) and 87.5%wt of the component C); or the weight ratio between the component D) and C) is 1:900 ([0058]), i.e. 0.1%wt %wt of the component D) and 99.9%wt of the component C), therefore, the bult density of the filler composition comprising the components C) and D) will intrinsically and necessarily be more than 2.4 g/cc as well (as to instant claim 20). Since PTO cannot conduct experiments the proof of burden is shifted to the applicants to establish an unobviousness difference, see In re Best, 562 F.2d 1252, 195 USPQ 430 (CCPA 1977). See MPEP § 2112.01. 8. All ranges in the composition of Kumar et al are overlapping with the corresponding ranges of those as claimed in instant invention. It is well settled that where the prior art describes the components of a claimed compound or compositions in concentrations within or overlapping the claimed concentrations a prima facie case of obviousness is established. See In re Harris, 409 F.3d 1339, 1343, 74 USPQ2d 1951, 1953 (Fed. Cir 2005); In re Peterson, 315 F.3d 1325, 1329, 65 USPQ 2d 1379, 1382 (Fed. Cir. 1997); In re Woodruff, 919 F.2d 1575, 1578 16 USPQ2d 1934, 1936-37 (CCPA 1990); In re Malagari, 499 F.2d 1297, 1303, 182 USPQ 549, 553 (CCPA 1974). 9. As evidenced by Materials Database - Thermal Properties - Thermtest Inc. PNG media_image1.png 28 381 media_image1.png Greyscale , aluminum oxide has a thermal conductivity of 17.573 W/m*K, barium sulfate has a thermal conductivity 1.674 W/m*K (as also presented below): PNG media_image2.png 155 756 media_image2.png Greyscale PNG media_image3.png 217 814 media_image3.png Greyscale Given the composition of Kumar et al comprises aluminum oxide, barium sulfate or their combination as the filler component C), the overall filler will have thermal conductivity of less than 25 W/m*K (as to instant claim 4). 10. It is further noted that the limitation “for manufacturing an inorganic-filler based closed-cell rigid polyurethane or polyisocyanurate (PU or PIR) containing foam having a calorific value below 6 MJ/kg” of instant claim 1 is an intended use limitation. Case law holds that a recitation of the intended use of the claimed invention must result in a structural difference between the claimed invention and the prior art in order to patentably distinguish the claimed invention from the prior art. If the prior art structure is capable of performing the intended use, then it meets the claim. See In re Casey, 152 USPQ 235 (CCPA 1967) and In re Otto, 136 USPQ 458, 459 (CCPA 1963). In the alternative, since the polyurethane foams of Kumar et al are produced from substantially the same compositions as claimed in instant invention, therefore, the polyurethane foams of Kumar et al will intrinsically and necessarily be closed-cell rigid polyurethane or polyisocyanurate foams having a calorific value below 6 MJ/kg as well. Where the claimed and prior art products are identical or substantially identical in structure or composition, or are produced by identical or substantially identical processes, a prima facie case of either anticipation or obviousness has been established. In re Best, 562 F.2d 1252, 1255, 195 USPQ 430, 433 (CCPA 1977). MPEP 2112.01(I). Since PTO cannot conduct experiments the proof of burden is shifted to the applicants to establish an unobviousness difference, see In re Best, 562 F.2d 1252, 195 USPQ 430 (CCPA 1977). See MPEP § 2112.01. 11. Claims 1-4, 6-10, 19-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kumar et al (US 2017/0114211) in view of Thiele et al (US 2004/0115415), as evidenced by Materials Database - Thermal Properties - Thermtest Inc. PNG media_image1.png 28 381 media_image1.png Greyscale In certain circumstances, references cited to show a universal fact need not be available as prior art before applicant’s filing date. In re Wilson, 311 F.2d 266, 135 USPQ 442 (CCPA 1962). Such facts include the characteristics and properties of a material or a scientific truism. See MPEP § 2124. 12. The discussion with respect to Kumar et al (US 2017/0114211) set forth in paragraphs 3-10 above, is incorporated here by reference. 13. Though Kumar et al recites the composition comprising blowing agents, Kumar et al does not explicitly teach the blowing agent being a hydrocarbon. 14. However, Thiele et al discloses a composite body made of a foamable composition comprising: A) a polyisocyanate such as toluene diisocyanate, diphenyl methane 4,4’-diisocyanate (MDI) ([0035]); B) a polyol having 2-10 hydroxyl groups per molecule ([0037]); C) a hydrocarbon such as cyclopentane ([0022], [0018], as to instant claim 8); D) a catalyst, water ([0017]) and further D) about 80%wt of at least one filler comprising barium sulfate, aluminum oxide and mixtures thereof ([0015]-[0016], [0069]-[0070]). 15. Since both Kumar et al and Thiele et al are related to compositions for making a polyurethane foam including polyisocyanate, a polyol, inorganic fillers and further a blowing agent, and thereby belong to the same field of endeavor, wherein Thiele et al teaches the use of cyclopentane as the blowing agent in such compositions, therefore, it would have been obvious to a one of ordinary skill in the art to combine the teachings of Thiele et al and Kumar et al, and to use or obvious to try to use, at least in a minor amount, cyclopentane as the blowing agent in the composition of Kumar et al, since it would have been obvious to choose material based on its suitability, thereby arriving at the present invention. Case law holds that the selection of a known material based on its suitability for its intended use supports prima facie obviousness. Sinclair & Carroll Co vs. Interchemical Corp., 325 US 327, 65 USPQ 297 (1045). Case law holds that the mere substitution of an equivalent (something equal in value or meaning, as taught by analogous prior art) is not an act of invention; where equivalency is known to the prior art, the substitution of one equivalent for another is not patentable. See In re Ruff 118 USPQ 343 (CCPA 1958). 16. Claims 1-4, 6-7, 9-11, 19-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kumar et al (US 2017/0114211) in view of Ward, III et al (US 5,371,113), as evidenced by Materials Database - Thermal Properties - Thermtest Inc. PNG media_image1.png 28 381 media_image1.png Greyscale In certain circumstances, references cited to show a universal fact need not be available as prior art before applicant’s filing date. In re Wilson, 311 F.2d 266, 135 USPQ 442 (CCPA 1962). Such facts include the characteristics and properties of a material or a scientific truism. See MPEP § 2124. 17. The discussion with respect to Kumar et al (US 2017/0114211) set forth in paragraphs 3-10 above, is incorporated here by reference. 18. Though Kumar et al does not teach the composition further comprising carbon dioxide scavenger, Ward, III et al discloses an insulating polyurethane foam, produced from a foaming composition comprising a solid reagent capable of removing carbon dioxide, specifically alkali metal oxides and hydroxides (col. 1, lines 58-64; col. 2, lines 27-47), wherein the produced foam is having low thermal conductivity (col. 1, lines 5-15). 19. Since addition of solid reagents capable of removing carbon dioxide, specifically alkali metal oxides and hydroxides, to foamable compositions for producing polyurethane foams allows formation of said foams having low thermal conductivity, as taught by Ward, III et al, therefore, it would have been obvious to a one of ordinary skill in the art to combine the teaching of Ward, III et al and Kumar et al, and to include, or obvious to try to include a solid reagent capable of removing said carbon dioxide, specifically alkali metal oxides and hydroxides, into the composition of Kumar et al, so to produce the polyurethane foam having a low thermal conductivity as well, given such is desired, and since it would have been obvious to choose material based on its suitability. Case law holds that the selection of a known material based on its suitability for its intended use supports prima facie obviousness. Sinclair & Carroll Co vs. Interchemical Corp., 325 US 327, 65 USPQ 297 (1045). Case law holds that the mere substitution of an equivalent (something equal in value or meaning, as taught by analogous prior art) is not an act of invention; where equivalency is known to the prior art, the substitution of one equivalent for another is not patentable. See In re Ruff 118 USPQ 343 (CCPA 1958). 20. Claims 1-7, 9-10, 19-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Kumar et al (US 2017/0114211) in view of Kuwabara et al (US 5,779,775) and Laoutid et al (US 2008/0203348), as evidenced by Materials Database - Thermal Properties - Thermtest Inc. PNG media_image1.png 28 381 media_image1.png Greyscale In certain circumstances, references cited to show a universal fact need not be available as prior art before applicant’s filing date. In re Wilson, 311 F.2d 266, 135 USPQ 442 (CCPA 1962). Such facts include the characteristics and properties of a material or a scientific truism. See MPEP § 2124. 21. The discussion with respect to Kumar et al (US 2017/0114211) set forth in paragraphs 3-10 above, is incorporated here by reference. 22. Though Kumar et al does not teach the particle size of the particulate filler component C), 1) Kuwabara et al teaches the use of inorganic fillers having a bulk density of up to 10 g/cc and particle diameters of 1 mm or less as flame retardants in compositions for making a hard polyurethane foam (col. 3, lines 27-33). 2) Though Kuwabara et al does not specifically recite said inorganic flame retardants used for making said polyurethane foam being aluminum oxide or magnesium oxide, Laoutid et al teaches the inorganic flame retardants used for polyurethane foams including aluminum oxide and magnesium oxide ([0060], [0061], Abstract, claim 7). 23. Since i) Kumar et al discloses the composition comprising aluminum oxide and magnesium oxide as the particulate filler component C) ([0050]), but does not specify the particle size of said filler, ii) the inorganic filler particles, such as aluminum oxide or magnesium oxide, having bulk density of as high as 10 g/cc and particle size of 1 mm or less are used in the compositions for making polyurethane foam as flame retardant, as shown by Kuwabara et al and Laoutid et al, therefore, it would have been obvious to a one of ordinary skill in the art to combine the teachings of Kuwabara et al, Laoutid et al and Kumar et al, and to include, or obvious to try to include at least partially, the inorganic filler particles including aluminum oxide and/or magnesium oxide having a bulk density of as high as 3.5 g/cc and particle size of 1 mm or less into the composition of Kumar et al, so to further improve flame retardant properties of the composition of Kumar et al, and since it would have been obvious to choose material based on its suitability, thereby arriving at the present invention. Case law holds that the selection of a known material based on its suitability for its intended use supports prima facie obviousness. Sinclair & Carroll Co vs. Interchemical Corp., 325 US 327, 65 USPQ 297 (1045). Case law holds that the mere substitution of an equivalent (something equal in value or meaning, as taught by analogous prior art) is not an act of invention; where equivalency is known to the prior art, the substitution of one equivalent for another is not patentable. See In re Ruff 118 USPQ 343 (CCPA 1958). The key to supporting any rejection under 35 USC 103 is the clear articulation of the reason(s) why the claimed invention would have been obvious. The Supreme Court in KSR noted that the analysis supporting a rejection under 35 USC 103 should be made explicit. The Court quoting In re Kahn, 441 F.3d 977, 988, 78 USPQ2d 1329, 1336 (Fed. Cir. 2006), stated that "‘[R]ejections on obviousness cannot be sustained by mere conclusory statements; instead, there must be some articulated reasoning with some rational underpinning to support the legal conclusion of obviousness.’" KSR, 550 U.S. at 418, 82 USPQ2d at 1396. Exemplary rationales that may support a conclusion of obviousness include: PNG media_image4.png 18 19 media_image4.png Greyscale (A) Combining prior art elements according to known methods to yield predictable results; PNG media_image4.png 18 19 media_image4.png Greyscale (B) Simple substitution of one known element for another to obtain predictable results; PNG media_image4.png 18 19 media_image4.png Greyscale (C) Use of known technique to improve similar devices (methods, or products) in the same way; PNG media_image4.png 18 19 media_image4.png Greyscale (D) Applying a known technique to a known device (method, or product) ready for improvement to yield predictable results; PNG media_image4.png 18 19 media_image4.png Greyscale (E) "Obvious to try" – choosing from a finite number of identified, predictable solutions, with a reasonable expectation of success; PNG media_image4.png 18 19 media_image4.png Greyscale (F) Known work in one field of endeavor may prompt variations of it for use in either the same field or a different one based on design incentives or other market forces if the variations are predictable to one of ordinary skill in the art; (G) Some teaching, suggestion, or motivation in the prior art that would have led one of ordinary skill to modify the prior art reference or to combine prior art reference teachings to arrive at the claimed invention. MPEP 2141 24. It is further noted that the limitation “for manufacturing an inorganic-filler based closed-cell rigid polyurethane or polyisocyanurate (PU or PIR) containing foam having a calorific value below 6 MJ/kg” of instant claim 1 is an intended use limitation. Case law holds that a recitation of the intended use of the claimed invention must result in a structural difference between the claimed invention and the prior art in order to patentably distinguish the claimed invention from the prior art. If the prior art structure is capable of performing the intended use, then it meets the claim. See In re Casey, 152 USPQ 235 (CCPA 1967) and In re Otto, 136 USPQ 458, 459 (CCPA 1963). In the alternative, since the polyurethane foams of Kumar et al in view of Kuwabara et al and Laoutid et al are produced from substantially the same compositions as claimed in instant invention, therefore, the polyurethane foams of Kumar et al in view of Kuwabara et al and Laoutid et al will intrinsically and necessarily be closed-cell rigid polyurethane or polyisocyanurate foams having a calorific value below 6 MJ/kg as well. Where the claimed and prior art products are identical or substantially identical in structure or composition, or are produced by identical or substantially identical processes, a prima facie case of either anticipation or obviousness has been established. In re Best, 562 F.2d 1252, 1255, 195 USPQ 430, 433 (CCPA 1977). MPEP 2112.01(I). Since PTO cannot conduct experiments the proof of burden is shifted to the applicants to establish an unobviousness difference, see In re Best, 562 F.2d 1252, 195 USPQ 430 (CCPA 1977). See MPEP § 2112.01. Double Patenting The nonstatutory double patenting rejection is based on a judicially created doctrine grounded in public policy (a policy reflected in the statute) so as to prevent the unjustified or improper timewise extension of the “right to exclude” granted by a patent and to prevent possible harassment by multiple assignees. A nonstatutory obviousness-type double patenting rejection is appropriate where the conflicting claims are not identical, but at least one examined application claim is not patentably distinct from the reference claim(s) because the examined application claim is either anticipated by, or would have been obvious over, the reference claim(s). See, e.g., In re Berg, 140 F.3d 1428, 46 USPQ2d 1226 (Fed. Cir. 1998); In re Goodman, 11 F.3d 1046, 29 USPQ2d 2010 (Fed. Cir. 1993); In re Longi, 759 F.2d 887, 225 USPQ 645 (Fed. Cir. 1985); In re Van Ornum, 686 F.2d 937, 214 USPQ 761 (CCPA 1982); In re Vogel, 422 F.2d 438, 164 USPQ 619 (CCPA 1970); and In re Thorington, 418 F.2d 528, 163 USPQ 644 (CCPA 1969). A timely filed terminal disclaimer in compliance with 37 CFR 1.321(c) or 1.321(d) may be used to overcome an actual or provisional rejection based on a nonstatutory double patenting ground provided the conflicting application or patent either is shown to be commonly owned with this application, or claims an invention made as a result of activities undertaken within the scope of a joint research agreement. Effective January 1, 1994, a registered attorney or agent of record may sign a terminal disclaimer. A terminal disclaimer signed by the assignee must fully comply with 37 CFR 3.73(b). Obviousness Double Patenting Rejection I 25. Claims 1-11 are provisionally rejected on the ground of nonstatutory obviousness-type double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-11 of a copending application 18/832,271 (published US 2025/0101198). 26. The rejection is adequately set forth on pages 17-21 of an Office action mailed on August 8, 2025 and is incorporated here by reference. 27. The application 18/832,271 claims a reaction mixture for manufacturing an inorganic-filler based closed-cell rigid polyurethane or polyisocyanurate (PU or PIR) containing foam having a calorific value below 6 MJ/kg, measured according to EN ISO 1716, the reaction mixture comprising: - At least one polyisocyanate-containing compound; - At least one isocyanate-reactive compound; - An inorganic filler composition having at least 1 inorganic filler compound and wherein the bulk density of the inorganic filler composition originating from all inorganic fillers in the inorganic filler composition is ranging from 1 to 2 g/cm3, - At least one physical blowing agent; - Optionally, a surfactant, a chemical blowing agent, a catalyst, a chain extender, a crosslinker, an antioxidant, a fire retardant and/or mixtures thereof; and wherein the total amount of inorganic fillers in the reaction mixture is at least 70 wt % calculated on the total weight of said reaction mixture, without taking into account the weight of said at least one physical blowing agent. The inorganic filler composition comprises a first inorganic filler selected from the group comprising magnesium carbonate, silica, quartz, aluminum silicate, magnesium silicate, calcium fluoride, Iron (III) sulfate, calcium sulfate, calcium carbonate, magnesium sulfate, silicon oxide, sodium carbonate, aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, sodium chloride, calcium chloride, perlite, vermiculite, talc and combinations thereof. The inorganic filler composition has a thermal conductivity lower than 25 W/m.K, measured according to ISO22007-2. The inorganic filler composition further comprises a second inorganic filler having bulk density higher than 2 g/cm3, wherein said second inorganic filler is selected from the group comprising bismuth oxide, zirconium (IV) oxide, iron (III) oxide, barium sulfate, barium carbonate, titanium (IV) oxide, aluminum oxide, magnesium oxide and combinations thereof. 28. Since no Terminal Disclaimer has been provided, the rejection is maintained. Obviousness Double Patenting Rejection II 29. Claims 1-11 are provisionally rejected on the ground of nonstatutory obviousness-type double patenting as being unpatentable over claims 1-12 of a copending application 18/833,019 (published US 2025/0129227). 30. The rejection is adequately set forth on pages 21-24 of an Office action mailed on August 8, 2025 and is incorporated here by reference. 31. The application 18/833,019 claims a reaction mixture for manufacturing an inorganic-filler based closed-cell rigid polyisocyanurate (PIR) comprising foam, having a calorific value below 6 MJ/kg, measured according to EN ISO 1716, the reaction mixture comprising: - At least one polyisocyanate-containing compound; - At least one isocyanate-reactive compound; - At least one PIR promoting catalyst; - An inorganic filler composition having at least 1 inorganic filler compound and wherein the bulk density of the inorganic filler composition originating from all inorganic fillers in the inorganic filler composition is ranging from 1 to 2 g/cm3; - At least one physical blowing agent; - Optionally, a surfactant, a chemical blowing agent, other catalysts, a chain extender, a crosslinker, an antioxidant, a fire retardant and/or mixtures thereof; wherein the total amount of inorganic fillers in the reaction mixture is at least 70 wt % calculated on the total weight of said reaction mixture, without taking into account the weight of said at least one physical blowing agent, The inorganic filler composition comprises a first inorganic filler selected from the group comprising magnesium carbonate, silica, quartz, aluminum silicate, magnesium silicate, calcium fluoride, Iron (III) sulfate, calcium sulfate, calcium carbonate, magnesium sulfate, silicon oxide, sodium carbonate, aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, sodium chloride, calcium chloride, perlite, vermiculite, talc and combinations thereof; said inorganic filler composition has a thermal conductivity lower than 25 W/m.K, measured according to ISO22007-2. The inorganic filler composition further comprises a second inorganic filler having bulk density higher than 2 g/cm3, wherein said second inorganic filler is selected from the group comprising bismuth oxide, zirconium (IV) oxide, iron (II) oxide, barium sulfate, barium carbonate, titanium (IV) oxide, aluminum oxide, magnesium oxide and combinations thereof. 32. Since no Terminal Disclaimer has been provided, the rejection is maintained. Response to Arguments 33. Applicant's arguments filed on August 8, 2025 have been fully considered but they are moot in light of new grounds of rejections and discussion set forth above. Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to IRINA KRYLOVA whose telephone number is (571)270-7349. The examiner can normally be reached 9am-5pm EST 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, Arrie Lanee Reuther can be reached at 571-270-7026. 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. /IRINA KRYLOVA/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1764
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Feb 02, 2023
Application Filed
Aug 06, 2025
Non-Final Rejection — §103, §DP
Nov 04, 2025
Response Filed
Jan 12, 2026
Non-Final Rejection — §103, §DP (current)

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