Prosecution Insights
Last updated: April 19, 2026
Application No. 18/080,975

LOW OIL BLEEDING THERMAL GAP PAD MATERIAL

Non-Final OA §102
Filed
Dec 14, 2022
Examiner
OYER, ANDREW J
Art Unit
1767
Tech Center
1700 — Chemical & Materials Engineering
Assignee
Tianjin Laird Technologies Limited
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
79%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
2y 7m
To Grant
96%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 79% — above average
79%
Career Allow Rate
467 granted / 589 resolved
+14.3% vs TC avg
Strong +16% interview lift
Without
With
+16.4%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 7m
Avg Prosecution
32 currently pending
Career history
621
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
1.8%
-38.2% vs TC avg
§103
36.2%
-3.8% vs TC avg
§102
20.8%
-19.2% vs TC avg
§112
24.5%
-15.5% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 589 resolved cases

Office Action

§102
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. Election/Restrictions Applicant’s election without traverse of Group I, claims 1-12 in the reply filed on 3 March 2026 is acknowledged. Claims 13-28 are withdrawn from further consideration pursuant to 37 CFR 1.142(b) as being drawn to a nonelected inventions , there being no allowable generic or linking claim. Election was made without traverse in the reply filed on 3 March 2026. Information Disclosure Statement The information disclosure statement (IDS) submitted on 31 March 2023 was filed. The submission is in compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the information disclosure statement has been considered by the Office. The information disclosure statement (IDS) submitted on 7 June 2023 was filed. The submission is in compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the information disclosure statement has been considered by the Office. The information disclosure statement (IDS) submitted on 5 April 2024 was filed. The submission is in compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the information disclosure statement has been considered by the Office. The information disclosure statement (IDS) submitted on 16 July 2024 was filed. The submission is in compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the information disclosure statement has been considered by the Office. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102 The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action: A person shall be entitled to a patent unless – (a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale , or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention. Claims 1-12 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102 (a)(1) as being anticipated by Nara et al. (WO2018/131486, from the IDS filed 7 June 2023, English translation provided for citations, hereinafter referred to as “Nara”) . As to Claim 1 : Nara teaches a thermally conductive resin composition (Abstract) and specifically teaches the use of an organosilicone resin as a matrix material and thermally conductive filler particles [0013]. Nara further teaches the thermally conductive filler can be DAW-45S which has a particle size of 45 microns and a sphericity of 0.85 [0053,0076]. As to Claim 2 : Nara teaches the thermal interface material of claim 1 (supra). Nara further teaches that the matric material is an organopolysiloxane having vinyl groups [0072]. As to Claim 3 : Nara teaches the thermal interface material of claim 1 (supra). Nara further teaches that the thermally conductive filler is made of aluminum oxide [0076]. As to Claim 4 : Nara teaches the thermal interface material of claim 1 (supra). Nara further teaches that the thermally conductive filler can be DAW-45S which has a specific surface area of 0.4m 2 /g [0076]. As to Claim 5 : Nara teaches the thermal interface material of claim 1 (supra). Nara further teaches an example containing 85 % by weight of the thermally conductive filler (Table 1, Example 7 [0051]). As to Claim 6 : Nara teaches the thermal interface material of claim 1 (supra). Nara further teaches that an example wherein the matrix material is included in an amount of 15% based on the total weight (Table 1, Example 7). As to Claim 7 : Nara teaches the thermal interface material of claim 1 (supra). Nara further teaches that thermally conductive resin material has a thermal conductivity of 7 W/ mK (Table 1, Example 7) . As to Claim 8 : Nara teaches the thermal interface material of claim 1 (supra). Nara further teaches that the thermally conductive filler can further include graphite which is an electrically conductive filler [0052]. As to Claim 9 : Nara teaches the thermal interface material of claim 1 (supra). Nara further teaches that the matric material is an organopolysiloxane having vinyl groups [0072]. Nara further teaches that the thermally conductive filler is made of aluminum oxide [0076]. Nara further teaches that the thermally conductive filler can be DAW-45S which has a specific surface area of 0.4m 2 /g [0076]. Nara further teaches an example containing 85 % by weight of the thermally conductive filler, the matrix material is included in an amount of 15% based on the total weight and has a thermal conductivity of 7 W/ mK (Table 1, Example 7). As to Claim 10 : Nara teaches the thermal interface material of claim 1 (supra). The instant claims are considered to be drawn to an intended use of the material and as Nara teaches the same composition it is considered to be capable of use as a thermally conductive gasket or thermally conductive pad. Additionally, Nara teaches that the composition can be a sheet which reads as a thermally conductive pad. As to Claim 11 : Nara teaches the thermal interface material of claim 1 (supra). Nara further teaches that the amount of alkyloxysilane component (C) is controlled in order to control the viscosity and make it harder for the filler material to settle (i.e., decrease migration of materials) [0050]. As to Claim 12 : Nara teaches the thermal interface material of claim 1 1 (supra). Nara do es not expressly teach the filler particles are configured to adsorb grease from the matrix material thereby reducing or preventing the occurrence of oil leakage from the thermal interface material . Consequently, the Office recognizes that all of the claimed effects or physical properties are not positively stated by Nara . However, Nara teaches a product prepared with all of the claimed ingredients in the claimed amounts by a substantially similar process. According to the original specification, the specific surface area is selected to a specific range (recited in claim 4) in order adsorb excess grease and prevent oil bleeding (Instant Specification [0061]) . Nara teaches that the thermally conductive filler can be DAW-45S which has a specific surface area of 0.4m 2 /g [0076]. Therefore, the claimed effects and physical properties, i.e. the filler particles are configured to adsorb grease from the matrix material thereby reducing or preventing the occurrence of oil leakage from the thermal interface material , would naturally flow from a composition with all the claimed ingredients in the claimed amounts prepared by a similar process. See In re Spada , 911 F.2d 705, 709, 15 USPQ2d 1655, 1658 (Fed. Cir. 1990) and MPEP 2111.01 (I)(II). If it is the applicant’s position that this would not be the case: (1) evidence would need to be provided to support the applicant’s position; and (2) it would be the Office’s position that the application contains inadequate disclosure as to how to obtain the claimed properties with only the claimed ingredients, claimed amounts, and substantially similar process. Conclusion The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. US 2022/0372359, hereinafter referred to as “Iwata”. Iwata teaches a thermally conductive silicone composition comprising an organopolysiloxane and aluminum oxide having an average sphericity of 0.8 or more and a particle size of 7-60 microns (Abstract). Correspondence Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to FILLIN "Examiner name" \* MERGEFORMAT ANDREW J OYER whose telephone number is FILLIN "Phone number" \* MERGEFORMAT (571)270-0347 . The examiner can normally be reached FILLIN "Work Schedule?" \* MERGEFORMAT 9AM-6PM 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, FILLIN "SPE Name?" \* MERGEFORMAT Mark Eashoo can be reached at FILLIN "SPE Phone?" \* MERGEFORMAT (571)272-1197 . 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. /Andrew J. Oyer/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1767
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Dec 14, 2022
Application Filed
Mar 26, 2026
Non-Final Rejection — §102 (current)

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

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Prosecution Projections

1-2
Expected OA Rounds
79%
Grant Probability
96%
With Interview (+16.4%)
2y 7m
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 589 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allow rate.

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