Prosecution Insights
Last updated: May 29, 2026
Application No. 18/370,376

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF STRUCTURES

Non-Final OA §101
Filed
Sep 19, 2023
Examiner
SWANSON, ANDREW L
Art Unit
1745
Tech Center
1700 — Chemical & Materials Engineering
Assignee
Icon Technology Inc.
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
66%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
6m
Est. Remaining
77%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 66% — above average
66%
Career Allowance Rate
209 granted / 316 resolved
+1.1% vs TC avg
Moderate +11% lift
Without
With
+11.2%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
3y 2m
Avg Prosecution
18 currently pending
Career history
344
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
1.7%
-38.3% vs TC avg
§103
83.9%
+43.9% vs TC avg
§102
3.4%
-36.6% vs TC avg
§112
7.0%
-33.0% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 316 resolved cases

Office Action

§101
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 . In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status. Double Patenting A rejection based on double patenting of the “same invention” type finds its support in the language of 35 U.S.C. 101 which states that “whoever invents or discovers any new and useful process... may obtain a patent therefor...” (Emphasis added). Thus, the term “same invention,” in this context, means an invention drawn to identical subject matter. See Miller v. Eagle Mfg. Co., 151 U.S. 186 (1894); In re Vogel, 422 F.2d 438, 164 USPQ 619 (CCPA 1970); In re Ockert, 245 F.2d 467, 114 USPQ 330 (CCPA 1957). A statutory type (35 U.S.C. 101) double patenting rejection can be overcome by canceling or amending the claims that are directed to the same invention so they are no longer coextensive in scope. The filing of a terminal disclaimer cannot overcome a double patenting rejection based upon 35 U.S.C. 101. Claim 1 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 101 as claiming the same invention as that of claim 1 of prior U.S. Patent No. 11,761,195. This is a statutory double patenting rejection. The claims are identical. Conclusion The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. Calvo Duarte (EP4484102A1) discloses a method for additive manufacturing a cementitious material wherein the flow of material is controlled via valves including a valve at the nozzle (Figs. 3 and 4). Diebold (US20200048919A1) discloses a method for delivering concrete (abstract) comprising valves to maintain pressure (claim 5). Giles (US20180071949) discloses a method of additively manufacturing cement comprising regulating gate valves to control and adjust pressures (para 0581). The following applications were considered for prior art and double patenting purposes: Le Roux (US10851538B2) Le Roux (US11408166B2) Le Roux (US11167444B2) Le Roux (US11485044B2) Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to ANDREW L SWANSON whose telephone number is (571)272-1724. The examiner can normally be reached M-Th 0800-1900 and every other Friday 0800-1600. 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, Phillip Tucker can be reached on (571)272-1095. 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 L SWANSON/Examiner, Art Unit 1745
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Sep 19, 2023
Application Filed
Apr 08, 2025
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §101
Aug 08, 2025
Response after Non-Final Action
Aug 08, 2025
Response Filed
Nov 17, 2025
Response Filed
Nov 17, 2025
Response after Non-Final Action

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

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3y 7m to grant Granted May 12, 2026
Patent 12617165
METHOD FOR PRINTING A THERMOPLASTIC FILM ON AN OPTICAL MOLD
3y 1m to grant Granted May 05, 2026
Patent 12617163
AUTOMATED FIBER PLACEMENT OF GLASS FIBER THERMOPLASTIC TOW AS FIRST PLY
2y 5m to grant Granted May 05, 2026
Patent 12612731
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3y 11m to grant Granted Apr 28, 2026
Patent 12611856
APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING LED REFLECTIVE SHEET
1y 9m to grant Granted Apr 28, 2026
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
66%
Grant Probability
77%
With Interview (+11.2%)
3y 2m (~6m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 316 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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