Prosecution Insights
Last updated: July 17, 2026
Application No. 18/448,879

ELECTRONIC VAPORIZATION DEVICE AND VAPORIZER

Non-Final OA §102
Filed
Aug 11, 2023
Priority
Aug 12, 2022 — CN 202222131785.9
Examiner
NGUYEN, PHU HOANG
Art Unit
1747
Tech Center
1700 — Chemical & Materials Engineering
Assignee
Shenzhen Verdewell Technology Limited
OA Round
2 (Non-Final)
66%
Grant Probability
Favorable
2-3
OA Rounds
11m
Est. Remaining
84%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 66% — above average
66%
Career Allowance Rate
460 granted / 701 resolved
+0.6% vs TC avg
Strong +19% interview lift
Without
With
+18.9%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
3y 10m
Avg Prosecution
52 currently pending
Career history
759
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
0.3%
-39.7% vs TC avg
§103
71.7%
+31.7% vs TC avg
§102
3.6%
-36.4% vs TC avg
§112
4.3%
-35.7% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 701 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 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)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention. Claim(s) 1-4, 8-14 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by OU et al. (CA 3203877 with corresponding US. Pub. No. 20230329346 (for citation)). Regarding claim 1, OU discloses a vaporizer, comprising: a liquid storage cavity (130, fig. 3); a vent tube (12, fig. 3) at least partially mounted in the liquid storage cavity, the vent tube being partially exposed outside the liquid storage cavity [0056-0057], and configured to be electrically connected to an external power supply assembly (2, fig. 2); and a heating assembly arranged in the vent tube, the heating assembly comprising a first conductive connecting portion (17, fig. 3) electrically connected to the vent tube [0056]. the conductive structure being configured to be electrically connected to the power supply assembly [0104], and wherein the heating assembly comprises a second conductive connecting portion electrically connected to the conductive structure [0104], a connecting structure (11b, figs. 12, 11c, fig. 17) sleeved over an outer periphery of the conductive structure, the connecting structure partially extending through the vent tube and being connected to the power supply assembly [0105-0106], and wherein the second conductive (183b, fig. 13) connecting portion is arranged between the connecting structure and the conductive structure (figs. 12-13), wherein the connecting structure comprises a non-metallic member [0128], a thread structure (1131b, fig. 13) is arranged on the connecting structure. Regarding claim 2, OU discloses the further comprising: an opening (by reference sign 112, fig. 6-7) in communication with the liquid storage cavity, wherein the vent tube comprises a conductive contact portion (1251, fig. 7), and the conductive contact portion is arranged at the opening [0059]. Regarding claim 3, OU discloses the vent tube comprises a main body mounted in the liquid storage cavity, the main body comprises a first end, and the first end is arranged close to the opening, and wherein the conductive contact portion is connected to the first end and presents an angle relative to the main body, and extends toward an end surface of the opening [0059][0062]. Regarding claim 4, OU discloses the conductive structure partially mounted to the vent tube and being insulated from the vent tube [0104]. Regarding claim 8, OU discloses the heating assembly comprises a porous element (141, figs. 7-8), and wherein the first conductive connecting portion extends through the porous element and is electrically connected to the vent tube [0064-0065]. Regarding claim 9, OU discloses a liquid absorbing structure (142, fig. 5) sleeved over an outer periphery of the porous element (fig. 5). Regarding claim 10, OU discloses the heating assembly comprises a heating element (1412, fig. 8) comprising a heating portion, and wherein the first conductive connecting portion is formed at one end of the heating portion [0069-0070]. Regarding claim 11, OU discloses a liquid inlet hole (112, figs. 5-6)in communication with the liquid storage cavity is arranged on the vent tube. Regarding claim 12, OU discloses a vaporization housing (13, fig. 3), wherein the liquid storage cavity is formed in the vaporization housing (fig. 3), wherein an opening in communication with the liquid storage cavity is arranged on the vaporization housing, and wherein the vent tube is partially exposed at the opening (see fig. 3). Regarding claim 13, OU discloses an electronic vaporization device, comprising: the vaporizer of claim 1; and the external power supply assembly connected to the vaporizer (see figs. 1-2). Regarding claim 14, OU discloses wherein the external power supply assembly comprises a power supply and a conductive member connected to the power supply, and wherein the conductive member is electrically connected to the vent tube of the vaporizer [0056-0057]. 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 PHU H NGUYEN whose telephone number is (571)272-5931. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 9-5. 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, Michael H Wilson can be reached at 5712703882. 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. /PHU H NGUYEN/Examiner, Art Unit 1747
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Aug 11, 2023
Application Filed
Oct 03, 2025
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §102
Jan 02, 2026
Response Filed
May 05, 2026
Final Rejection mailed — §102
Jul 06, 2026
Response after Non-Final Action

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

Patent 12677868
SMOKING ARTICLE
1y 10m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026
Patent 12660845
APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR FILLING SMOKING CONES
3y 1m to grant Granted Jun 23, 2026
Patent 12653969
LEAK-RESISTANT VAPORIZER DEVICE
2y 0m to grant Granted Jun 16, 2026
Patent 12648590
HARM-REDUCING CIGARETTE FILTER, PREPARATION METHOND AND APPLICATION THEREOF
2y 9m to grant Granted Jun 09, 2026
Patent 12642294
AEROSOL GENERATING ARTICLE COMPRISING COMBUSTIBLE HEAT SOURCE
3y 8m to grant Granted Jun 02, 2026
Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

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Prosecution Projections

2-3
Expected OA Rounds
66%
Grant Probability
84%
With Interview (+18.9%)
3y 10m (~11m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Moderate
PTA Risk
Based on 701 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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