Last updated: July 17, 2026

Application No. 18/560,823

METHOD OF MINING A ROCK FORMATION USING A DISC CUTTER AND A ROCK BREAKER TOOL

Non-Final OA

Filed

Nov 14, 2023

Priority

May 19, 2021 — GB 2107150.1 +1 more

Examiner

SINGH, SUNIL

Art Unit

3678

Tech Center

3600 — Transportation & Electronic Commerce

Assignee

Element Six (Uk) Limited

OA Round

3 (Non-Final)

Interview Optional

— +24.5% interview lift. Examiner has a relatively high allowance rate (68%); +24.5% interview lift. A written response may suffice.

Based on 1107 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

SINGH, SUNIL View full profile →

Grants 68% — above average

Career Allowance Rate

747 granted / 1107 resolved

+15.5% vs TC avg

Strong +24% interview lift

Without

With

+24.5%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Typical timeline

2y 6m

Avg Prosecution

29 currently pending

Career history

1132

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101

0.3%

-39.7% vs TC avg

§103

72.4%

+32.4% vs TC avg

§102

5.2%

-34.8% vs TC avg

§112

15.9%

-24.1% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 1107 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

Nov 14, 2023

Application Filed

Sep 17, 2025

Non-Final Rejection mailed

Dec 10, 2025

Response Filed

Jan 07, 2026

Final Rejection mailed

Apr 07, 2026

Response after Non-Final Action

Apr 14, 2026

Request for Continued Examination

Apr 27, 2026

Response after Non-Final Action

Jun 02, 2026

Non-Final Rejection mailed (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

18/665,095

Patent 12680260

FRENCH DRAIN DRAINPIPE

2y 2m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026

19/192,863

Patent 12680256

DETERMINING PILE HEIGHT FOR AUTONOMOUS PILE DRIVING SYSTEM

1y 2m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026

19/288,930

Patent 12669055

PERMEABILITY ENHANCEMENT DEVICE FOR COAL-SEAM GAS DRAINAGE

11m to grant Granted Jun 30, 2026

18/540,994

Patent 12662368

TRENCHES FOR DELIVERING SERVICE SUPPLIES

2y 6m to grant Granted Jun 23, 2026

18/095,265

Patent 12654230

CUTTING TOOL MOUNTING ASSEMBLY WITH SPLIT, MODULAR AND WIRELESS WEAR DETECTION SYSTEM

3y 5m 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

3-4

Expected OA Rounds

68%

Grant Probability

92%

With Interview (+24.5%)

2y 6m (~0m remaining)

Median Time to Grant

High

PTA Risk

Based on 1107 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.