Prosecution Insights
Last updated: April 19, 2026
Application No. 18/266,036

Producing Isocyanate-Terminated, Urethane Group-Containing Prepolymers

Final Rejection §102
Filed
Jun 08, 2023
Examiner
LEONARD, MICHAEL L
Art Unit
1763
Tech Center
1700 — Chemical & Materials Engineering
Assignee
Covestro Deutschland AG
OA Round
2 (Final)
64%
Grant Probability
Moderate
3-4
OA Rounds
3y 3m
To Grant
72%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 64% of resolved cases
64%
Career Allow Rate
839 granted / 1319 resolved
-1.4% vs TC avg
Moderate +8% lift
Without
With
+8.0%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
3y 3m
Avg Prosecution
64 currently pending
Career history
1383
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
0.6%
-39.4% vs TC avg
§103
50.5%
+10.5% vs TC avg
§102
19.2%
-20.8% vs TC avg
§112
18.7%
-21.3% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 1319 resolved cases

Office Action

§102
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 § 102 The text of those sections of Title 35, U.S. Code not included in this action can be found in a prior Office action. Claims 11, 13-15 and 17 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by U.S. Patent Pub. No. 2020/0270390 to Irle et al. As to claim 11, Irle discloses a clear, colorless (turbidity less than 2.0) polyisocyanate containing allophanate and isocyanurate groups derived from 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate that an average isocyanate functionality of ≥4 to <10.0 (Abstract) and a monomeric HDI content of < 0.3% by weight (See Example 1). As to claim 13, Irle discloses a two component system comprising the polyisocyanate containing allophanate and isocyanurate groups and at least one NCO-reactive compound (0095). As to claims 14-15 and 17, Irle discloses a two-component coating system obtained by reacting the polyisocyanate containing allophanate and isocyanurate groups with an isocyanate reactive component in the presence of catalyst and/or heat (0096-0099) on a substrate (0101). Allowable Subject Matter Claims 1-4, 6-10 and 12 are allowed. Response to Arguments Applicant's arguments filed 12/22/2025 have been fully considered but they are not persuasive. The applicant argued that Irle does not teach the claimed turbidity values. It is noted that Irle does not expressly disclose turbid values, however, the reference teaches colorless, clear isocyanurate and allophanate containing urethanes with low viscosities. Visual clarity is taken to meet the claim limitation with regards to turbidity. Evidence should be provided to show that isocyanurate and allophanate containing urethanes that are clear, derived from aliphatic diisocyanates, and that are freed of low monomer NCO groups do not necessarily possess the claimed turbidity values. This evidence has not been presented. Conclusion THIS ACTION IS MADE FINAL. Applicant is reminded of the extension of time policy as set forth in 37 CFR 1.136(a). A shortened statutory period for reply to this final action is set to expire THREE MONTHS from the mailing date of this action. In the event a first reply is filed within TWO MONTHS of the mailing date of this final action and the advisory action is not mailed until after the end of the THREE-MONTH shortened statutory period, then the shortened statutory period will expire on the date the advisory action is mailed, and any nonprovisional extension fee (37 CFR 1.17(a)) pursuant to 37 CFR 1.136(a) will be calculated from the mailing date of the advisory action. In no event, however, will the statutory period for reply expire later than SIX MONTHS from the mailing date of this final action. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to MICHAEL L LEONARD whose telephone number is (571)270-7450. The examiner can normally be reached M - F 7:00-4:00. 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, Joseph Del Sole can be reached at 571-272-1130. 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. /MICHAEL L LEONARD/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1763
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Jun 08, 2023
Application Filed
Sep 18, 2025
Non-Final Rejection — §102
Sep 23, 2025
Applicant Interview (Telephonic)
Sep 23, 2025
Examiner Interview Summary
Dec 22, 2025
Response Filed
Mar 03, 2026
Final Rejection — §102 (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

Patent 12600811
CROSSLINKING AGENT COMPOSITION FOR WATER-COMPATIBLE RESIN, AND WATER-COMPATIBLE RESIN COMPOSITION
2y 5m to grant Granted Apr 14, 2026
Patent 12583819
POLYTHIOL COMPOSITION, OPTICAL POLYMERIZABLE COMPOSITION, AND OPTICAL PRODUCT
2y 5m to grant Granted Mar 24, 2026
Patent 12583993
RECYCLED POLYOL
2y 5m to grant Granted Mar 24, 2026
Patent 12570789
CURABLE COMPOUND, CURABLE COMPOSITION, AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING CURABLE COMPOSITION
2y 5m to grant Granted Mar 10, 2026
Patent 12565561
HEAT-SHRINKABLE POLYESTER-BASED FILM, HEAT-SHRINKABLE LABEL, AND PACKAGING BODY
2y 5m to grant Granted Mar 03, 2026
Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

AI Strategy Recommendation

Get an AI-powered prosecution strategy using examiner precedents, rejection analysis, and claim mapping.
Powered by AI — typically takes 5-10 seconds

Prosecution Projections

3-4
Expected OA Rounds
64%
Grant Probability
72%
With Interview (+8.0%)
3y 3m
Median Time to Grant
Moderate
PTA Risk
Based on 1319 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allow 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