Prosecution Insights
Last updated: October 04, 2026
Application No. 18/129,666

Brewing Material Holder

Non-Final OA §102§103
Filed
Mar 31, 2023
Priority
Jun 18, 2020 — continuation of 11/737,597
Examiner
NGUYEN, PHUONG T
Art Unit
3761
Tech Center
3700 — Mechanical Engineering & Manufacturing
Assignee
Adrian Rivera Maynez Enterprises Inc.
OA Round
3 (Non-Final)
74%
Grant Probability
Favorable
3-4
OA Rounds
0m
Est. Remaining
99%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 74% — above average
74%
Career Allowance Rate
619 granted / 839 resolved
+3.8% vs TC avg
Strong +37% interview lift
Without
With
+37.0%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
3y 3m
Avg Prosecution
47 currently pending
Career history
869
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
1.2%
-38.8% vs TC avg
§103
47.6%
+7.6% vs TC avg
§102
25.4%
-14.6% vs TC avg
§112
18.6%
-21.4% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 839 resolved cases

Office Action

§102 §103
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 . Continued Examination Under 37 CFR 1.114 A request for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, including the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e), was filed in this application after final rejection. Since this application is eligible for continued examination under 37 CFR 1.114, and the fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.17(e) has been timely paid, the finality of the previous Office action has been withdrawn pursuant to 37 CFR 1.114. Applicant's submission filed on 07/27/2026 has been entered. Claim Objections Claims 22-23 are objected to because of the following informalities: In claim 22: “23. (original) The brewing material holder of claim 21, wherein the recessed portion of the lid is a tamper.” should be changed to: --22. (original) The brewing material holder of claim 21, wherein the recessed portion of the lid is a tamper.--. Appropriate correction is required. Notification regarding 35 USC § 112f The following is a quotation of AIA 35 U.S.C. 112f: An element in a claim for a combination may be expressed as a means or step for performing a specified function without the recital of structure, material, or acts in support thereof, and such claim shall be construed to cover the corresponding structure, material, or acts described in the specification and equivalents thereof. In claims 14-19: Claim limitations “Brewing material holding means”, “holder body means”, “open receiving means”, “receptacle means”, “holder covering means”, “open pass-through means”, “recess means”, “tamping means”, “mesh filter means”, and “nozzle means” have been interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f), because it uses/they use a generic placeholder coupled with functional language without reciting sufficient structure to achieve the function. Furthermore, the generic placeholder is not preceded by a structural modifier. Since the claim limitation(s) invokes 35 U.S.C. 112(f), claims 14-19 have been interpreted to cover the corresponding structure described in the specification that achieves the claimed function, and equivalents thereof. A review of the specification shows that, although it is not clear, the following appears to be the corresponding structure described in the specification for the 35 U.S.C. 112f limitation: “Brewing material holding means”, “holder body means”, “open receiving means”, “receptacle means”, “holder covering means”, “pass-through means”, “recess means”, “tamping means”, and “mesh filter means” have been described in the present disclosure such as “a brewing material holder”, “a holder body”, “an opening receiving end”, ‘an interior”, “a holder lid”, “an aperture”, “a recessed portion”, “a portion of recessed”, “a mesh filter”, and “a nozzle”. If applicant wishes to provide further explanation or dispute the examiner’s interpretation of the corresponding structure, applicant must identify the corresponding structure with reference to the specification by page and line number, and to the drawing, if any, by reference characters in response to this Office action. If applicant does not intend to have the claim limitation(s) treated under 35 U.S.C. 112(f), applicant may amend the claim(s) so that it/they will clearly not invoke 35 U.S.C. 112(f), or present a sufficient showing that the claim recites/recite sufficient structure, material, or acts for performing the claimed function to preclude application of 35 U.S.C. 112(f). For more information, see MPEP § 2173 et seq. and Supplementary Examination Guidelines for Determining Compliance With 35 U.S.C. 112 and for Treatment of Related Issues in Patent Applications, 76 FR 7162, 7167 (Feb. 9, 2011). 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 – (a1) the invention was patented or described in a printed publication in this or a foreign country or in public use or on sale in this country, more than one year prior to the date of application for patent in the United States. Claims 1, 14, and 20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a1) as being anticipated by Nordskog (US 3878772). Regarding claim 1, Nordskog discloses A brewing material holder (reuseable container 10, fig.7) separate from a beverage brewer (base 50, fig.7), comprising: a holder body (undercup 14, fig.7) configured to be arranged in a brewing chamber (inside of base 50, fig.7) of the beverage brewer (base 50); and a holder lid (cover 48, fig.7); wherein the holder body (undercup 14) includes: a holder base (bottom portion of undercup 14, fig.7), a holder sidewall (sidewall of undercup 14) extending from the base (base 50) and defining an interior configured to receive and hold ground brewing material, and an open receiving end (open top of undercup 14, fig.7) opposite the base (base 50), wherein the holder lid (cover 48) is configured to engage the holder body (undercup 14) to cover the open receiving end (open top of undercup 14); wherein the holder lid (cover 48) includes an opening aperture (cover 48 has an opening to insert conduit 56, fig.7) configured to allow fluid to flow into the interior of the holder body (undercup 14) from a nozzle (outlet of conduit 56, fig.7) of the beverage brewer (base 50). Regarding claim 14, Nordskog discloses Brewing material holding means (reuseable container 10, fig.7) separate from a beverage brewer (base 50, fig.7), comprising: holder body means (undercup 14, fig.7) for receiving and holding ground brewing material and for being arranged in a brewing chamber (inside of base 50, fig.7) of the beverage brewer (base 50), the holder body means (undercup 14) including open receiving means (open top of undercup 14, fig.7) for receiving the ground brewing material and receptacle means (chamber of undercup 14) for holding the ground brewing material; and holder covering means (cover 48, fig.7) for engaging the holder body means (undercup 14) to cover the open receiving means (open top of undercup 14); wherein the holder covering means (cover 48) includes an open pass-through means (cover 48 has an opening to insert conduit 56, fig.7) for allowing fluid to flow into an interior of the holder body means (undercup 14) from a nozzle means (outlet of conduit 56, fig.7) of the beverage brewer (base 50). PNG media_image1.png 566 403 media_image1.png Greyscale Regarding claim 20, Nordskog discloses A brewing material holder (reuseable container 10, fig.7) separate from a beverage brewer (base 50, fig.7), comprising: a holder body (undercup 14, fig.7) configured to be arranged in a brewing chamber (inside of base 50, fig.7) of the beverage brewer (base 50); and a holder lid (cover 48, fig.7); wherein the holder body (undercup 14) includes: a holder base (bottom portion of undercup 14, fig.7), a holder sidewall (sidewall of undercup 14) surrounding the base (base 50), and an open receiving end (open top of undercup 14, fig.7) opposite the base (base 50), wherein the holder sidewall (sidewall of undercup 14) and the holder base (base 50) define an interior above the base (base 50) configured to receive ground brewing material through the open receiving end (open top of undercup 14); wherein the holder base (base 50) includes an opening (central discharge opening 56, fig.7) within a periphery of the base (base 50) wherein the holder lid (cover 48) is configured to engage the holder body (undercup 14) to cover the open receiving end (open top of undercup 14). wherein a portion of the holder lid (cover 48) includes an open aperture (cover 48 has an opening to insert conduit 56, fig.7) configured to allow fluid to flow into an interior of the holder body (undercup 14) from a nozzle (outlet of conduit 56, fig.7) of the beverage brewer (base 50). Claims 1-5, 10-18, and 31-32 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a1) as being anticipated by Mulle (US 5865095). Regarding claim 1, Mulle discloses A brewing material holder (filter holder 60, filter cover 54, figs.2, 4) separate from a beverage brewer (assembled coffee maker and grinder 10, fig.1), comprising: a holder body (filter holder 60) configured to be arranged in a brewing chamber (inside of assembled coffee maker and grinder 10); and a holder lid (filter cover 54) configured to be arranged in a brewing chamber (inside of assembled coffee maker and grinder 10) of the beverage brewer (assembled coffee maker and grinder 10); wherein the holder body (filter holder 60) includes: a holder base (bottom of filter holder 60, figs.2, 4), a holder sidewall (side wall of filter holder 60, figs.2, 4) extending from the base (bottom of filter holder 60) and defining an interior configured to receive and hold ground brewing material, and an open receiving end (open top of filter holder 60, figs.2, 4) opposite the base (bottom of filter holder 60), wherein the holder lid (filter cover 54) is configured to engage the holder body (filter holder 60) to cover the open receiving end (open top of filter holder 60); wherein the holder lid (filter cover 54) includes an opening aperture (filter cover 54 has an opening to insert fluid distributor 42, fig.7) [see fig.2, Col.3, line 47 cited: “…a hole positioned in the center of circular filter lid 55…”] configured to allow fluid to flow into the interior of the holder body (filter holder 60) from a nozzle (fluid distributor 42, fig.) of the beverage brewer (assembled coffee maker and grinder 10) [Col.3, line 66-Col.4, line 1 cited: “…hot water is allowed to flow from flow chamber 44, through filter connector 52 and into filter holder 60…”]. PNG media_image2.png 638 471 media_image2.png Greyscale Regarding claim 2, Mulle discloses the portion of the holder lid (filter cover 54, figs.2, 4) is a recessed portion (center of circular filter lid 55, figs.2, 4) [Col.3, line 47 cited: “…the center of circular filter lid 55…”] of the lid (filter cover 54) [downwardly recessed portion in the center of circular filter lid 55, where it mates and contacts fluid distributor 42, figs.2, 4]. Regarding claim 3, Mulle discloses the holder lid aperture (hole of filter cover 54, figs.2, 4) is arranged in the recessed portion (center of circular filter lid 55, figs.2, 4) of the lid (filter cover 54, figs.2, 4). Regarding claim 4, Mulle discloses the brewing material holder (filter holder 60, filter cover 54, figs.2, 4) is configured to accept input fluid through the holder lid aperture (hole of filter cover 54, figs.2, 4) to wet the ground brewing material when held in the holder body (filter holder 60, figs.2, 4) [Col.3, line 66 to Col.4, line 1]. Regarding claim 5, Mulle discloses the brewing material holder (filter holder 60, filter cover 54, figs.2, 4) is configured to accept input fluid through the holder lid aperture (hole of filter cover 54, figs.2, 4) and to provide a corresponding outflow of fluid [Col.3, line 66 to Col.4, line 1]. Regarding claim 10, Mulle discloses the holder base (bottom surface of filter holder 60, figs.2, 4) is configured to rest on a surface of a brewing chamber (chamber of coffee maker and grinder 10, fig.1) of the beverage brewer (coffee maker and grinder 10, fig.1). Regarding claim 11, Mulle discloses the holder body (filter holder 60, figs.2, 4) is configured to receive the ground brewing material before the brewing material holder (filter holder 60, filter cover 54, figs.2, 4) is arranged in the beverage brewer (coffee maker and grinder 10, fig.1). Regarding claim 12, Mulle discloses the holder lid (filter cover 54, figs.2, 4) is configured to engage the holder body (filter holder 60, figs.2, 4) to cover the open receiving end after the holder body (filter holder 60) receives the ground brewing material. Regarding claim 13, Mulle discloses the holder lid (filter cover 54, figs.2, 4) is configured to engage the holder body (filter holder 60, figs.2, 4) to cover the open receiving end of the holder body (filter holder 60) before the brewing material holder (filter holder 60, filter cover 54, figs.2, 4) is arranged in the beverage brewer (coffee maker and grinder 10, fig.1). Regarding claim 14, Mulle discloses Brewing material holding means (filter holder 60, filter cover 54, figs.2, 4) separate from a beverage brewer (assembled coffee maker and grinder 10, fig.1), comprising: holder body means (filter holder 60) for receiving and holding ground brewing material and for being arranged in a brewing chamber (inside of assembled coffee maker and grinder 10) of the beverage brewer (assembled coffee maker and grinder 10), the holder body means (filter holder 60) including open receiving means (open top of filter holder 60, figs.2, 4) for receiving the ground brewing material and receptacle means (chamber of filter holder 60) for holding the ground brewing material; and holder covering means (filter cover 54) for engaging the holder body means (filter holder 60) to cover the open receiving means (open top of filter holder 60); wherein the holder covering means (filter cover 54) includes an open pass-through means (filter cover 54 has an opening to insert fluid distributor 42, fig.7) [see fig.2, Col.3, line 47 cited: “…a hole positioned in the center of circular filter lid 55…”] for allowing fluid to flow into an interior of the holder body means (filter holder 60) from a nozzle (fluid distributor 42, fig.7) of the beverage brewer (assembled coffee maker and grinder 10) [Col.3, line 66-Col.4, line 1 cited: “…hot water is allowed to flow from flow chamber 44, through filter connector 52 and into filter holder 60…”]. PNG media_image2.png 638 471 media_image2.png Greyscale Regarding claim 15, Mulle discloses the holder covering means (filter cover 54, figs.2, 4) includes recess means (center of circular filter lid 55, figs.2, 4) [Col.3, line 47 cited: “…the center of circular filter lid 55…”] for accommodating the nozzle (fluid distributor 42, figs.2, 4) of the beverage brewer (coffee maker and grinder 10, fig.1). Regarding claim 16, Mulle discloses the pass-through means (hole of filter cover 54, figs.2, 4) is arranged in the recess means (center of circular filter lid 55, figs.2, 4). Regarding claim 17, Mulle discloses the recess means (center of circular filter lid 55, figs.2, 4) includes tamping means (convex-shaped hanging water deflector 56, fig.2) for contacting the ground brewing material when the ground brewing material is held in the receptacle means (center of circular filter lid 55, figs.2, 4). Regarding claim 18, Mulle discloses the brewing material holding means (filter holder 60, filter cover 54, figs.2, 4) is configured to accept input fluid through the pass-through means (hole of filter cover 54, figs.2, 4) and to provide a corresponding outflow of fluid. Regarding claim 31, Mulle discloses a portion of the holder lid (filter cover 54) is configured to accommodate a nozzle (fluid distributor 42, figs.2, 4) of the beverage brewer (coffee maker and grinder 10). Regarding claim 32, Mulle discloses a portion of the holder covering means (filter cover 54) is configured to accommodate a nozzle (fluid distributor 42, figs.2, 4) of the beverage brewer (coffee maker and grinder 10). Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103 The following is a quotation of AIA 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action: A patent may not be obtained though the invention is not identically disclosed or described as set forth in section 102 of this title, if the differences between the subject matter sought to be patented and the prior art are such that the subject matter as a whole would have been obvious at the time the invention was made to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which said subject matter pertains. Patentability shall not be negatived by the manner in which the invention was made. The factual inquiries set forth in Graham v. John Deere Co., 383 U.S. 1, 148 USPQ 459 (1966), that are applied for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35 U.S.C. 103 are summarized as follows: 1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art. 2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue. 3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art. 4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or nonobviousness. This application currently names joint inventors. In considering patentability of the claims the examiner presumes that the subject matter of the various claims was commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the claimed invention(s) absent any evidence to the contrary. Applicant is advised of the obligation under 37 CFR 1.56 to point out the inventor and effective filing dates of each claim that was not commonly owned as of the effective filing date of the later invention in order for the examiner to consider the applicability of 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(2)(C) for any potential 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) prior art against the later invention. Claims 6-8 and 19 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Mulle (US 5,865,095) in view of Gauger (US 20090202691 A1). Regarding claims 6-8 and 19, Mulle discloses substantially all the features as set forth above but does not disclose a mesh filter, and the mesh filter is made of material including nylon mesh or steel mesh. Gauger discloses a coffee machine (coffee making, abstract) comprises a mesh filter, and the mesh filter is made of material including nylon mesh or steel mesh [Par.0036 cited: “… there are several suitable materials for the mesh cone and mesh disc bottom 5 including stainless steel, nylon, gold plated stainless steel, and others…”]. It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to modify a coffee holder of Mulle, by including a mesh filter, and the mesh filter is made of material including nylon mesh or steel mesh, as taught by Gauger, in order to facilitate agitation of the filter while the filter is in a brewing vessel during the brewing process (Gauger, Abstract). Claims 20-25, 29-30, and 33 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Mulle (US 5,865,095) in view of Nordskog (US 3878772). Regarding claim 20, Mulle discloses A brewing material holder (filter holder 60, filter cover 54, figs.2, 4) separate from a beverage brewer (assembled coffee maker and grinder 10, fig.1), comprising: a holder body (filter holder 60, figs.2, 4) configured to be arranged in a brewing chamber (inside of assembled coffee maker and grinder 10, fig.1) of the beverage brewer (assembled coffee maker and grinder 10); and a holder lid (filter cover 54, figs.2, 4); wherein the holder body (filter holder 60) includes: a holder base (bottom part of filter holder 60, figs.2, 4), a holder sidewall (side wall of filter holder 60, figs.2, 4) surrounding the base (bottom part of filter holder 60), and an open receiving end (open top of filter holder 60, figs.2, 4) opposite the base (bottom part of filter holder 60), wherein the holder sidewall (side wall of filter holder 60) and the holder base (bottom part of filter holder 60) define an interior above the base (bottom part of filter holder 60) configured to receive ground brewing material through the open receiving end (open top of filter holder 60); wherein the holder lid (filter cover 54) is configured to engage the holder body (filter holder 60) to cover the open receiving end (open top of filter holder 60). PNG media_image2.png 638 471 media_image2.png Greyscale However, Mulle does not explicitly disclose the holder base includes an opening within a periphery of the base; and the portion of the holder lid includes an aperture configure to allow fluid to flow into interior of the holder body from a nozzle of the beverage brewer. Nordskog discloses a brewing material holder (reuseable container 10, fig.7) comprising a holder base (base 50, fig.7) includes an opening (central discharge opening 56, fig.7) within a periphery of the base (base 50); wherein a portion of the holder lid (cover 48) includes an opening aperture (cover 48 has an opening to insert conduit 56, fig.7) configured to allow fluid to flow into the interior of the holder body (undercup 14) from a nozzle (outlet of conduit 56, fig.7) of the beverage brewer (base 50). PNG media_image1.png 566 403 media_image1.png Greyscale It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to modify a brewing material holder of Mulle, by including the holder base includes an opening within a periphery of the base; and the portion of the holder lid includes an aperture configure to allow fluid to flow into interior of the holder body from a nozzle of the beverage brewer, as taught by Nordskog, in order to discharge the beverage. Regarding claim 21, Mulle discloses the portion of the holder lid (filter cover 54, figs.2, 4) is a recessed portion (center of circular filter lid 55, figs.2, 4) [Col.3, line 47 cited: “…the center of circular filter lid 55…”] of the lid (filter cover 54) [downwardly recessed portion in the center of circular filter lid 55, where it mates and contacts fluid distributor 42, figs.2, 4]. Regarding claim 22, Mulle discloses the recessed portion (center of circular filter lid 55, figs.2, 4) [Col.3, line 47 cited: “…the center of circular filter lid 55…”] of the lid (filter cover 54) is a tamper (convex-shaped hanging water deflector 56, fig.2). Regarding claim 23, Mulle discloses the tamper (convex-shaped hanging water deflector 56, fig.2) is configured to contact the ground brewing material when the ground brewing material is held in the holder body interior (chamber of filter holder 60). Regarding claim 24, Mulle discloses the brewing material holder (filter holder 60, filter cover 54, figs.2, 4) is configured to accept input fluid through the holder lid apertures (hole of filter cover 54, figs.2, 4) to wet the ground brewing material when held in the holder body (filter holder 60, figs.2, 4). Regarding claim 25, Mulle discloses the brewing material holder (filter holder 60, filter cover 54, figs.2, 4) is configured to accept input fluid through the holder lid apertures (hole of filter cover 54, figs.2, 4) and to provide a corresponding outflow of fluid. Regarding claim 29, Mulle discloses a lower end of the holder sidewall (bottom sidewall of filter holder 60, figs.2, 4) is configured to rest on a surface of a brewing chamber (chamber of coffee maker and grinder 10) of the beverage brewer (coffee maker and grinder 10, fig.1). Regarding claim 30, Mulle discloses the holder base (bottom of filter holder 60, figs.2, 4) has at least one opening [bottom part of filter holder 60 inherently has a space/opening to contain the filter]. Regarding claim 33, Mulle discloses the portion of the holder lid (filter cover 54) is configured to accommodate a nozzle (fluid distributor 42, figs.2, 4) of a beverage brewer (coffee maker and grinder 10). Claims 26-28 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Mulle (US 5,865,095) in view of Nordskog (US 3878772) in view of Gauger (US 20090202691 A1). Regarding claims 26-28, the modification of Mulle and Nordskog discloses substantially all the features as set forth above but does not disclose a mesh filter, and the mesh filter is made of material including nylon mesh or steel mesh. Gauger discloses a coffee machine (coffee making, abstract) comprises a mesh filter, and the mesh filter is made of material including nylon mesh or steel mesh [Par.0036 cited: “… there are several suitable materials for the mesh cone and mesh disc bottom 5 including stainless steel, nylon, gold plated stainless steel, and others…”]. It would have been obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date of the claimed invention to modify a coffee holder of Mulle, by including a mesh filter, and the mesh filter is made of material including nylon mesh or steel mesh, as taught by Gauger, in order to facilitate agitation of the filter while the filter is in a brewing vessel during the brewing process (Gauger, Abstract). Response to Amendment With respect to Drawing Objection: the applicant’s argument in the Remark, filed on 07/27/2026, has been fully considered and it is persuasive, such that the Drawing Objection is withdrawn. With respect to Double Patenting Rejection: since the Terminal Disclaimer filed on 07/28/2026 was approved, such that the Double Patenting Rejection is withdrawn. Response to Argument Applicant's arguments filed 07/27/2026 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive as the following reasons: With respect to Nordskog: The applicants argue: the reference Nordskog does not disclose or suggest …separate from a beverage brewer…a holder body configured to be arranged in a brewing chamber of the beverage brewer …wherein the holder lid includes an open aperture configured to allow fluid to flow into the interior of the holder from a nozzle of the beverage brewer…, in the Remark. The examiner’s response: the applicant’s argument is not persuasive because the task of 102 rejections is “a claim is anticipated only if each and every element as set forth in the claim is found, either expressly or inherently described, in a single prior art reference”. Verdagaal Bros. v. Union Oil Co. of California, 814 F.2d 628,631,2 USPQ2d 1051, 1053 (Fed. Cir. 1987). In this case, the Nordskog reference discloses or suggests all the limitations as shown in in fig.7, with a reusable container 10 is separated from a base 50, comprising: an undercup 14 is located inside of the base 50, … a cover 48 has an opening to allow a conduit 56 is inserted therein, the conduit 56 allows fluid to flow into the undercup 14 from the outlet of the conduit 56. With respect to Mulle: The applicants argue: the reference Mulle does not disclose or suggest …separate from a beverage brewer…a holder body configured to be arranged in a brewing chamber of the beverage brewer …wherein the holder lid includes an open aperture configured to allow fluid to flow into the interior of the holder from a nozzle of the beverage brewer…, in the Remark. The examiner’s response: In claims 1 and 14: the applicant’s argument is not persuasive because the task of 102 rejections is “a claim is anticipated only if each and every element as set forth in the claim is found, either expressly or inherently described, in a single prior art reference”. Verdagaal Bros. v. Union Oil Co. of California, 814 F.2d 628,631,2 USPQ2d 1051, 1053 (Fed. Cir. 1987). In this case, the Mulle reference discloses or suggests all the limitations as shown in figs.2, 4, and 7, with a filter holder 60 and filter cover 54 (considered as a brewing material holder) is separated from an assembled coffee maker and grinder 10, comprising: a filter holder 60 is positioned inside the assembled coffee maker and grinder 10; and wherein the filter cover 54 has an opening to allow a fluid distributor 42 is inserted in, that allow fluid to flow into the filter holder 60 from the outlet of fluid distributor 42. In claim 20: the applicant’s argument is not persuasive because Mulle reference discloses as shown in figs.2, 4, and 7, with a filter holder 60 and filter cover 54 (considered as a brewing material holder) is separated from an assembled coffee maker and grinder 10, comprising: a filter holder 60 is positioned inside the assembled coffee maker and grinder 10. Also, Nordskog reference discloses as shown in fig.7, with a central portion of cover 48 has an opening to allow a conduit 56 is inserted therein, the conduit 56 allows fluid to flow into the undercup 14 from the outlet of the conduit 56. Conclusion The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. Daswick (US 3971305) is a relevant prior art in field of a coffee brewer, as shown in figs.1-2, having a brewer, a holder, and a holder sidewall, but silent a holder cap. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to PHUONG T NGUYEN whose telephone number is (571)270-1834. The examiner can normally be reached 9.00am-5.00pm. If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Steven Crabb can be reached on 571-270-5095. 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. /PHUONG T NGUYEN/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3761 09/07/2026
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Mar 31, 2023
Application Filed
Oct 23, 2025
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §102, §103
Apr 21, 2026
Response Filed
May 20, 2026
Final Rejection mailed — §102, §103
Jun 30, 2026
Response after Non-Final Action
Jul 27, 2026
Request for Continued Examination
Jul 29, 2026
Response after Non-Final Action
Sep 10, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §102, §103 (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

Patent 12750926
INDUCTION HEATING COOKTOP AND WIRELESS INDICATOR FOR INDICATING OPERATION STATE THEREOF
3y 7m to grant Granted Sep 29, 2026
Patent 12747646
SYSTEMS, TOOLS AND METHODS FOR WELL DECOMMISSIONING
3y 2m to grant Granted Sep 29, 2026
Patent 12740666
FLUID TEXTURING DEVICE
3y 11m to grant Granted Sep 22, 2026
Patent 12734996
HEATING STICKER FOR VEHICLE WINDOW
4y 4m to grant Granted Sep 15, 2026
Patent 12733682
ELECTRONIC VAPING DEVICE, BATTERY SECTION, AND CHARGER
3y 5m to grant Granted Sep 15, 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

3-4
Expected OA Rounds
74%
Grant Probability
99%
With Interview (+37.0%)
3y 3m (~0m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
High
PTA Risk
Based on 839 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

Sign in with your work email

Enter your email to receive a magic link. No password needed.

Personal email addresses (Gmail, Yahoo, etc.) are not accepted.

Free tier: 3 strategy analyses per month