Prosecution Insights
Last updated: May 29, 2026
Application No. 18/558,712

A METHOD FOR PRODUCING CERAMIC TILES, AND CERAMIC TILES

Non-Final OA §103
Filed
Nov 02, 2023
Priority
May 03, 2021 — IT 102021000011135 +1 more
Examiner
EWALD, MARIA VERONICA
Art Unit
1783
Tech Center
1700 — Chemical & Materials Engineering
Assignee
Marazzi Group Srl
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
59%
Grant Probability
Moderate
1-2
OA Rounds
6m
Est. Remaining
65%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 59% of resolved cases
59%
Career Allowance Rate
180 granted / 307 resolved
-6.4% vs TC avg
Moderate +7% lift
Without
With
+6.8%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
3y 1m
Avg Prosecution
34 currently pending
Career history
325
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
0.2%
-39.8% vs TC avg
§103
81.3%
+41.3% vs TC avg
§102
12.3%
-27.7% vs TC avg
§112
3.6%
-36.4% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 307 resolved cases

Office Action

§103
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 § 103 The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action: A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made. Claim(s) 16-30 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Mushovic (US 2002/0098362) in view of Li (US 2021/0147307). Mushovic (US 2002/0098362) teaches a ceramic tile that can be coated with a 2 layer coating including aluminum trihydrate (ATH) (see [0033, 0045], Example IV and claims). Mushovic teaches a multilayer structure with the particles in the base layer (See above, Examples, claims, figures). Mushovic may not teach all the limitations of the claims. Li (US 2021/0147307) teaches an antiskid ceramic tile (see claims) with a s coating. [0129] In a preferred embodiment, in Step (g), the polishing is carried out through a soft-mold brush-polishing technology, and polishing molds are arranged in the following order 4 400-mesh soft rubber profiling molds with a pressure of 3 kilograms, 6 600-mesh soft rubber profiling molds with a pressure of 2 kilograms, 6 800-mesh soft rubber profiling molds with a pressure of 1 kilogram, 6 120-mesh abrasive brushes without pressure, 6 200-mesh abrasive brushes without pressure, 4 320-mesh abrasive brushes without pressure, 4 100-mesh sponge molds without pressure, and 8 1000-mesh soft rubber profiling molds without pressure, at a linear velocity of 10 cm/s. After the polishing is completed, a matte liquid wax is sprayed, followed by edging to obtain a product with glossiness of 20±5 degrees. [0130] By carrying out the soft-mold brush-polishing technology, the antiskid, wear-resistant and easy-to-clean ceramic tile is more mellow and stereoscopic, the product is upgraded, the decoration effect of the product on buildings is enhanced, thus increasing additional values, and creating more social economic benefits. It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill at the relevant time of filing to provide a brushing technique to carrying out the soft-mold brush-polishing technology, the antiskid, wear-resistant and easy-to-clean ceramic tile is more mellow and stereoscopic, the product is upgraded, the decoration effect of the product on buildings is enhanced, thus increasing additional values, and creating more social economic benefits (see Examples and [0173]). The ceramic tile has particle containing coating within the claimed range (see claims). Regarding claims to protective, base, or decorative layers these terms do not denote any particular material, structure or composition. While the art of record teaches protective or decorative layers it is also noted that any of the multiple layered structure can meet these limitations (See claims). Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to DANIEL H MILLER whose telephone number is (571)272-1534. The examiner can normally be reached M-TH 9-6. 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, Veronica Ewald can be reached at 571-272-8519. 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. /DANIEL H MILLER/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1783
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Nov 02, 2023
Application Filed
Mar 17, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §103 (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

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NONWOVEN FABRIC; POUCHED PRODUCT AND RELATED METHODS
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Patent 12565452
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3y 10m to grant Granted Mar 03, 2026
Patent 12551889
MODIFICATION OF SURFACE PROPERTIES OF MICROFLUIDIC DEVICES
2y 6m to grant Granted Feb 17, 2026
Patent 12442591
VACUUM INSULATION PANEL, APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING VACUUM INSULATION PANEL, AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING VACUUM INSULATION PANEL
1y 10m to grant Granted Oct 14, 2025
Patent 12409634
VACUUM INSULATED PANEL WITH SEAL FOR PUMP-OUT TUBE AND/OR METHOD OF MAKING SAME
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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
59%
Grant Probability
65%
With Interview (+6.8%)
3y 1m (~6m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 307 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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