Last updated: July 17, 2026

Application No. 18/392,246

Workpiece Support For Backside Processing Using Edge Grip

Non-Final OA

Filed

Dec 21, 2023

Examiner

VAUGHAN, JASON L

Art Unit

1717

Tech Center

1700 — Chemical & Materials Engineering

Assignee

Applied Materials Inc.

OA Round

1 (Non-Final)

Interview Optional

— +20.1% interview lift. Examiner has a relatively high allowance rate (79%); +20.1% interview lift. A written response may suffice.

Based on 698 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

VAUGHAN, JASON L View full profile →

Grants 79% — above average

Career Allowance Rate

549 granted / 698 resolved

+13.7% vs TC avg

Strong +20% interview lift

Without

With

+20.1%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Typical timeline

2y 7m

Avg Prosecution

17 currently pending

Career history

711

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101

0.5%

-39.5% vs TC avg

§103

78.0%

+38.0% vs TC avg

§102

11.5%

-28.5% vs TC avg

§112

7.8%

-32.2% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 698 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

Dec 21, 2023

Application Filed

May 07, 2026

Non-Final Rejection mailed (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

18/234,019

Patent 12667702

JOINING DISSIMILAR METALS FOR GUIDEWIRE APPLICATIONS

2y 10m to grant Granted Jun 30, 2026

18/376,860

Patent 12669150

Pressing Apparatus

2y 8m to grant Granted Jun 30, 2026

18/106,723

Patent 12661095

SAMPLE RETRIEVAL TOOL WITH COMPLIANT RETENTION MEMBER

3y 4m to grant Granted Jun 23, 2026

18/467,882

Patent 12665527

MEMBER FOR SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING APPARATUS

2y 9m to grant Granted Jun 23, 2026

18/214,314

Patent 12654221

C-SHAPED TOOL HOLDER, SETTING DEVICE WITH THE C-SHAPED TOOL HOLDER AND METHOD FOR SETTING AN OFFSET DIFFERENCE OF THE C-SHAPED TOOL HOLDER

2y 11m to grant Granted Jun 16, 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

1-2

Expected OA Rounds

79%

Grant Probability

99%

With Interview (+20.1%)

2y 7m (~0m remaining)

Median Time to Grant

Low

PTA Risk

Based on 698 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.