Last updated: July 17, 2026

Application No. 18/571,637

TREATMENT METHOD OF MOLTEN STEEL AND STEEL PRODUCTION METHOD

Non-Final OA

Filed

Dec 18, 2023

Priority

Jun 22, 2021 — JP 2021-103010 +2 more

Examiner

SHAMS, NAZMUN NAHAR

Art Unit

1738

Tech Center

1700 — Chemical & Materials Engineering

Assignee

JFE Steel Corporation

OA Round

1 (Non-Final)

Interview Optional

— +17.7% interview lift. Examiner has a relatively high allowance rate (81%); +17.7% interview lift. A written response may suffice.

Based on 166 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

SHAMS, NAZMUN NAHAR View full profile →

Grants 81% — above average

Career Allowance Rate

134 granted / 166 resolved

+15.7% vs TC avg

Strong +18% interview lift

Without

With

+17.7%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Typical timeline

2y 11m

Avg Prosecution

29 currently pending

Career history

192

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101

0.5%

-39.5% vs TC avg

§103

79.4%

+39.4% vs TC avg

§102

5.2%

-34.8% vs TC avg

§112

9.0%

-31.0% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 166 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

Dec 18, 2023

Application Filed

Apr 07, 2026

Non-Final Rejection mailed (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

18/039,077

Patent 12678896

Flux

3y 1m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026

18/599,283

Patent 12680144

ENERGY-EFFICIENT PRODUCTION OF A FERRITIC HOT-ROLLED STRIP IN AN INTEGRATED CASTING-ROLLING PLANT

2y 4m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026

18/070,869

Patent 12667888

METHODS FOR IN ISTU FORMATION OF DISPERSOIDS STRENGTHENED REFRACTORY ALLOY IN 3D PRINTING AND ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING

3y 7m to grant Granted Jun 30, 2026

18/246,183

Patent 12668883

METHOD FOR FORMING GROOVE ON METAL STRIP SURFACE AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING GRAIN-ORIENTED ELECTRICAL STEEL SHEET

3y 3m to grant Granted Jun 30, 2026

18/038,096

Patent 12649966

STEEL MATERIAL HAVING LOW SURFACE HARDNESS AND EXCELLENT LOW TEMPERATURE IMPACT TOUGHNESS, AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING SAME

3y 0m to grant Granted Jun 09, 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

81%

Grant Probability

98%

With Interview (+17.7%)

2y 11m (~4m remaining)

Median Time to Grant

Low

PTA Risk

Based on 166 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.