Prosecution Insights
Last updated: August 06, 2026
Application No. 18/135,209

ELectric kettle with a cover that can be opened automatically at a constant speed

Final Rejection §102§112
Filed
Apr 17, 2023
Examiner
BRADEN, SHAWN M
Art Unit
3736
Tech Center
3700 — Mechanical Engineering & Manufacturing
Assignee
Guangdong Huijun Technology Group Co. Ltd.
OA Round
2 (Final)
67%
Grant Probability
Favorable
3-4
OA Rounds
0m
Est. Remaining
99%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 67% — above average
67%
Career Allowance Rate
763 granted / 1142 resolved
-3.2% vs TC avg
Strong +32% interview lift
Without
With
+32.3%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 10m
Avg Prosecution
14 currently pending
Career history
1157
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
0.9%
-39.1% vs TC avg
§103
33.4%
-6.6% vs TC avg
§102
33.3%
-6.7% vs TC avg
§112
24.8%
-15.2% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 1142 resolved cases

Office Action

§102 §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 . Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112 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 1-7, 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. Claim 1, recites the limitation "the upper end " in line 3. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim. Claim 1, recites the limitation "the lower end" in line 5. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim. Claim 1, recites the limitation "the inner surface" in line 6. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim. Claim 1, recites the limitation "the upper surface" in line 7. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim. Claim 1, recites the limitation "the inner surface" in line 8. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim. Claim 1, recites the limitation "the lower end" in line 11. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim. Claim 1, recites the limitation "the outer surface " in line 12. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim. Claim 1, recites the limitation "the surface of the cord storage box" in line 13. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim. Claim 1, recites the limitation "the surface of the cord storage box" in line 14. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim. Claim 3, recites the limitation "the inner surface" in line 2. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim. Claim 3, also has a typo, “the pull wire One end” suggest -the pull wire at one end-- Claim 4, should not have a “.” In the middle. Claim 5, recites the limitation "the upper end" in line 4. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102 No prior art applied. Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to SHAWN M BRADEN whose telephone number is (571)272-8026. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 8am-5pm. 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, Orlando E Aviles-Bosques can be reached at 571 270-5531. 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. /SHAWN M BRADEN/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3736
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Prosecution Timeline

Apr 17, 2023
Application Filed
Apr 23, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §102, §112
Jun 29, 2026
Response Filed
Aug 03, 2026
Final Rejection mailed — §102, §112 (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

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5y 7m to grant Granted Aug 04, 2026
Patent 12698124
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2y 5m to grant Granted Aug 04, 2026
Patent 12690707
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Patent 12686558
HIGH-SURFACE AREA THERMAL PROTECTION MODULES FOR CARGO CONTAINERS AND CARGO CONTAINERS INCLUDING THE SAME
1y 10m to grant Granted Jul 21, 2026
Patent 12680655
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1y 7m to grant Granted Jul 14, 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
67%
Grant Probability
99%
With Interview (+32.3%)
2y 10m (~0m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Moderate
PTA Risk
Based on 1142 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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