Last updated: July 17, 2026

Application No. 18/570,789

MOLTEN STEEL REFINING METHOD

Non-Final OA

Filed

Dec 15, 2023

Priority

Jun 23, 2021 — JP 2021-104031 +1 more

Examiner

CARPENTER, JOSHUA S

Art Unit

1738

Tech Center

1700 — Chemical & Materials Engineering

Assignee

JFE Steel Corporation

OA Round

1 (Non-Final)

This examiner grants 51% of cases after interview

— +38.4% interview lift. A telephonic interview to clarify the technical implementation could significantly improve the outcome.

Based on 233 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

CARPENTER, JOSHUA S View full profile →

Grants 51% of resolved cases

Career Allowance Rate

118 granted / 233 resolved

-14.4% vs TC avg

Strong +38% interview lift

Without

With

+38.4%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Typical timeline

3y 3m

Avg Prosecution

43 currently pending

Career history

286

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101

0.4%

-39.6% vs TC avg

§103

76.7%

+36.7% vs TC avg

§102

6.4%

-33.6% vs TC avg

§112

6.4%

-33.6% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 233 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

Dec 15, 2023

Application Filed

May 27, 2026

Non-Final Rejection mailed

Jul 13, 2026

Interview Requested

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

17/920,166

Patent 12649958

PROCESS FOR SMELTING STEEL FOR ULTRAFINE CARBORUNDUM WIRE

3y 7m to grant Granted Jun 09, 2026

18/247,953

Patent 12629751

METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING HETEROGENEOUS COMPOSITE MATERIAL THIN PLATE THROUGH SEQUENTIAL PLATIC WORKING PROCESSES, AND HETEROGENEOUS COMPOSITE MATERIAL THIN PLATE MANUFACTURED THEREBY

3y 1m to grant Granted May 19, 2026

17/414,555

Patent 12624409

STEEL FOR HIGH-STRENGTH ALUMINUM CLAD SUBSTRATE AND MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREFOR

4y 11m to grant Granted May 12, 2026

17/759,672

Patent 12559819

PLATINUM-GROUP METAL RECOVERY METHOD, COMPOSITION CONTAINING PLATINUM-GROUP METALS, AND CERAMIC MATERIAL

3y 7m to grant Granted Feb 24, 2026

17/421,762

Patent 12553136

GRAIN-ORIENTED ELECTRICAL STEEL SHEET AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING THE SAME

4y 7m to grant Granted Feb 17, 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

51%

Grant Probability

89%

With Interview (+38.4%)

3y 3m (~8m remaining)

Median Time to Grant

Low

PTA Risk

Based on 233 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.