Office Action Predictor
Last updated: April 16, 2026
Application No. 18/417,932

OVERMOLDED ELECTRICAL DEVICE WITH LOW ELECTRICAL STRESS PARTING LINES

Non-Final OA §102
Filed
Jan 19, 2024
Examiner
BOLTON, WILLIAM A
Art Unit
2831
Tech Center
2800 — Semiconductors & Electrical Systems
Assignee
G & W Electric Company
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
89%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
1y 9m
To Grant
92%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 89% — above average
89%
Career Allow Rate
657 granted / 738 resolved
+21.0% vs TC avg
Minimal +3% lift
Without
With
+3.1%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Fast prosecutor
1y 9m
Avg Prosecution
30 currently pending
Career history
768
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
0.1%
-39.9% vs TC avg
§103
51.6%
+11.6% vs TC avg
§102
32.1%
-7.9% vs TC avg
§112
11.2%
-28.8% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 738 resolved cases

Office Action

§102
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 . Claim Objections Claims 3, 7 and 13 are objected to because: Claim 3, line 3, “ the first terminal” lacks antecedent basis. Claim 7, lines 4-5, “ the first terminal” lacks antecedent basis. Claim 13, line 4, “ the first terminal” lacks antecedent basis. Appropriate corrections are required. 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 – (a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention. Claims 1-22 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Martin, US 7285743. Regarding claim 1, Martin discloses (figs.1-8) an electrical device (100) comprising: a vacuum bottle (110) extending along a longitudinal axis (labeled in fig.4, below) and having a first portion (labeled in fig.4, below) and a second portion (labeled in fig.4, below); a sleeve (190) over molded on the vacuum bottle (110) such that the sleeve (190) includes a first sleeve portion (labeled in fig.4, below), a second sleeve portion (labeled in fig.4, below) and a parting plane (labeled in fig.4, below) at an interface (labeled in fig.4, below) between the first and second sleeve portions (labeled in fig.4, below), where the parting plane (labeled in fig.4, below) intersects the longitudinal axis (labeled in fig.4, below); a terminal (170) extending from the first portion(labeled in fig.4, below) of the vacuum bottle (110); and an interchange (labeled in fig.4, below) coupled to the second portion (labeled in fig.4, below) of the vacuum bottle (110). PNG media_image1.png 766 682 media_image1.png Greyscale Regarding claim 2, Martin further comprising an electrical shield screen (210) positioned adjacent the terminal (170), where the electrical shield screen (210) forms a low-stress area and the parting plane (labeled in fig.4, above) lies entirely within the low-stress area. Regarding claim 3, Martin further discloses where the sleeve (190) is compressed between the terminal (170) and the first portion (labeled in fig.4, above) of the vacuum bottle (110), and no portion of the parting plane (labeled in fig.4, above) passes through an area in which the sleeve (190) contacts the first terminal (170). Regarding claim 4, Martin further discloses where the parting plane (labeled in fig.4, above) is oriented transverse relative to the longitudinal axis (labeled in fig.4, above). Regarding claim 5, Martin further discloses where the sleeve (190) forms a seal (labeled in fig.4, above) between the interchange (labeled in fig.4, above) and the second portion (labeled in fig.4, above) of the vacuum bottle (110), and no portion of the parting plane (labeled in fig.4, above) passes through the seal (labeled in fig.4, above). Regarding claim 6, Martin further discloses wherein the parting plane (labeled in fig.4, above) is a first parting plane, where the second sleeve portion (labeled in fig.4, above) further includes a second parting plane (labeled in fig.4, above) that divides the second sleeve portion (labeled in fig.4, above) in two, and where the second parting plane (labeled in fig.4, above) is oriented at an angle greater than zero degrees relative to the first parting plane (labeled in fig.4, above). Regarding claim 7, Martin further discloses where the sleeve (190) is compressed between the terminal (170) and the first portion (labeled in fig.4, above) of the vacuum bottle (110), wherein the sleeve (190) forms a seal (labeled in fig.4, above) between the interchange (labeled in fig.4, above) and the second portion (labeled in fig.4, above) of the vacuum bottle (110), and where no portion of the first parting plane (labeled in fig.4, above) or second parting plane (labeled in fig.4, above) passes through an area in which the sleeve (190) contacts the first terminal (170) or through the seal (labeled in fig.4, above). Regarding claim 8, Martin further discloses where the second parting plane (labeled in fig.4, above) is oriented transverse relative to the first parting plane (labeled in fig.4, above). Regarding claim 9, Martin further comprising an electrical shield screen (220) positioned adjacent the interchange (labeled in fig.4, above), where the electrical shield screen (220) forms a low-stress area, and the parting plane (labeled in fig.4, above) lies entirely within the low-stress area. Regarding claim 10, Martin further comprising an electrical shield screen (210) positioned adjacent the first portion (labeled in fig.4, above) of the vacuum bottle (110), where the electrical shield screen (210) forms a low- stress area, and the parting plane lies entirely within the low-stress area. Regarding claim 11, Martin further comprising an electrical shield screen (210, 220) at least partially surrounding the vacuum bottle (110), where the electrical shield screen (210, 220) forms a low-stress area, and the parting plane (labeled in fig.4, above) lies entirely within the low-stress area. Regarding claim 12, Martin further discloses where the first sleeve portion (labeled in fig.4, above) includes a first draft portion adjacent to the terminal (170) that becomes wider in a longitudinal direction moving away from the terminal (170) and the second sleeve portion (labeled in fig.4, above) includes a second draft portion adjacent to the interchange (labeled in fig.4, above) that becomes wider in a longitudinal direction moving away from the interchange (labeled in fig.4, above). Regarding claim 13, Martin further discloses where the sleeve (190) is compressed between the terminal (170) and the first portion (labeled in fig.4, above) of the vacuum bottle (110), where the sleeve (190) forms a seal between the interchange (labeled in fig.4, above) and the second portion (labeled in fig.4, above) of the vacuum bottle (110), and no portion of the parting plane (labeled in fig.4, above) passes through an area in which the sleeve (190) contacts the first terminal (170) or through the seal. Regarding claim 14, Martin discloses (figs.1-8) an electrical device (100) comprising: a vacuum bottle (110) extending along a longitudinal axis (labeled in fig.4, above) and having a first portion (labeled in fig.4, above) and a second portion (labeled in fig.4, above), the vacuum bottle (110) including a pair of electrical contacts (120, 130) configured to open and close an electric circuit; and a sleeve (190) over molded on the vacuum bottle (110) such that the sleeve (190) includes a first sleeve portion (labeled in fig.4, above), a second sleeve portion, and a parting plane at an interface between the first and second sleeve portions, where the parting plane (labeled in fig.4, above) intersects the longitudinal axis (labeled in fig.4, above). Regarding claim 15, Martin further comprising an electrical shield screen (210, 220) at least partially surrounding the vacuum bottle (110), where the electrical shield screen (210, 220) forms a low-stress area, and the parting plane (labeled in fig.4, above) lies entirely within the low-stress area. Regarding claim 16, Martin further discloses where the parting plane (labeled in fig.4, above) is a first parting plane (labeled in fig.4, above), where the second sleeve portion (labeled in fig.4, above) further includes a second parting plane (labeled in fig.4, above) that divides the second sleeve portion (labeled in fig.4, above) in two, and where the second parting plane (labeled in fig.4, above) is oriented at an angle greater than zero degrees relative to the first parting plane (labeled in fig.4, above). Regarding claim 17, Martin further discloses where the second parting plane (labeled in fig.4, above) is oriented transverse relative to the first parting plane (labeled in fig.4, above). Regarding claim 18, Martin discloses (figs.1-8) an electrical device (100) comprising: an internal electrical conductor (120, 130) extending along a longitudinal axis (labeled in fig.4, above); an insulator (190) over molded around the internal electrical conductor (120, 130) such that the insulator (190) includes a first insulator portion (labeled in fig.4, above)., a second insulator portion (labeled in fig.4, above)., and a parting plane (labeled in fig.4, above) at an interface (labeled in fig.4, above) between the first and second insulator portions (labeled in fig.4, above), wherein the parting plane (labeled in fig.4, above) intersects the longitudinal axis (labeled in fig.4, above). Regarding claim 19, Martin further comprising a low stress area defined by an electrical shield (210, 220), where the parting plane (labeled in fig.4, above) is disposed entirely within the low stress area. Regarding claim 20, Martin further discloses where the parting plane (labeled in fig.4, above) is oriented transverse relative to the longitudinal axis (labeled in fig.4, above). Regarding claim 21, Martin further discloses where the parting plane( labeled in fig.4, above) is a first parting plane (labeled in fig.4, above), where the second insulator portion (labeled in fig.4, above) includes a second parting plane (labeled in fig.4, above) that divides the second insulator portion(labeled in fig.4, above) in two, and where the second parting plane (labeled in fig.4, above) is oriented at an angle greater than zero degrees relative to the first parting plane (labeled in fig.4, above). Regarding claim 22, Martin further discloses where the second parting plane (labeled in fig.4, above) is oriented transverse relative to the first parting plane (labeled in fig.4, above). Conclusion The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. Wang, Gentsch et al, Gerovac et al, Chapelle et al, Siebens et al and Luzzi are examples of electrical devices comprising vacuum bottles having over molded sleeves, configured similar to the present invention. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to WILLIAM A BOLTON whose telephone number is (571)270-5887. The examiner can normally be reached Mon-Fri: 7:30AM - 5:00PM. 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, Renee S Luebke can be reached at (571)-272-2009. 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. /WILLIAM A BOLTON/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2833
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Prosecution Timeline

Jan 19, 2024
Application Filed
Dec 13, 2025
Non-Final Rejection — §102
Apr 02, 2026
Response Filed

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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
89%
Grant Probability
92%
With Interview (+3.1%)
1y 9m
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 738 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allow rate.

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