Prosecution Insights
Last updated: September 17, 2026
Application No. 18/606,760

MANDREL ASSEMBLY FOR SECONDARY BATTERY CELL STACK MANUFACTURING EQUIPMENT

Non-Final OA §102
Filed
Mar 15, 2024
Priority
Jul 13, 2023 — RE 10-2023-0090860
Examiner
HONG, SEAHEE
Art Unit
Tech Center
Assignee
Wonik Pne Co. Ltd.
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
69%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
4m
Est. Remaining
98%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 69% — above average
69%
Career Allowance Rate
544 granted / 793 resolved
+8.6% vs TC avg
Strong +30% interview lift
Without
With
+29.7%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 10m
Avg Prosecution
35 currently pending
Career history
818
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
0.3%
-39.7% vs TC avg
§103
39.7%
-0.3% vs TC avg
§102
24.9%
-15.1% vs TC avg
§112
32.6%
-7.4% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 793 resolved cases

Office Action

§102
DETAILED ACTION 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 In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status. 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)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale, or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention. (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 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1)/(a)(2) as being anticipated by Kim et al (KR 102429790 B1). Regarding claim 1, Kim et al (‘790) discloses a mandrel assembly (fig5) comprising: a moving block 46 (figs4-5, abstract); a mandrel mounting part (figs1,4, a part attaching a mandrel 30 to a top of the moving block 46) provided with a mandrel 30 (fig4, abstract) and mounted on the moving block 46; a hinge part 48HP,48HG,48A (pg6 of the translation; fig4) configured to rotatably couple the mandrel mounting part to the moving block 46 (figs1,4); and a pressurization part 48B (pg6 paragraph 6 of the translation) configured to elastically pressurize one side of the mandrel mounting part so that the mandrel 30 is tilted at a predetermined angle to an electrode plate. Regarding claim 4, Kim et al discloses the mandrel assembly of claim 1, wherein a guide member 48HH (figs4-5) configured to provide guidance to a rotation direction of the mandrel mounting part is installed in the moving block 46 (fig4). Regarding claim 8, Kim et al discloses the mandrel assembly of claim 1, wherein the pressurization pat pressurizes the mandrel mounting part by using air (pg6 paragraph 6 of the translation, “air cylinder”). Allowable Subject Matter Claims 2-3, 5-7, 9-10 are objected to as being dependent upon a rejected base claim, but would be allowable if rewritten in independent form including all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims. The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter: The subject matter of the claim(s) could either not be found or was not suggested in the prior art of record. The subject matter of claim 2 not found was a use of a contact stage extended and formed on a rear side of the mandrel mounting part and configured to come into contact with the pressurization part; in combination with the limitations set forth in claim 2 and any intervening claim(s) of the instant invention. Claims 9-10 depend on claim 2. The subject matter of claim 3 not found was a use of a ball hinge coupled to a bottom of the mandrel mounting part and a hinge housing fixed to the moving block; in combination with the limitations set forth in claim 3 and any intervening claim(s) of the instant invention. Claims 5-6 depend on claim 3. The subject matter of claim 7 not found was a use of a gap formed between a bottom of the mandrel mounting part and a top of the moving block; in combination with the limitations set forth in claim 7 and any intervening claim(s) of the instant invention. None of the prior arts of record considered as a whole, alone or in combination, teaches or renders obvious the allowable subject matter of the instant invention. Conclusion The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. Kim (US 2021/0265650 A1) and Mendoza et al (5,494,400) teach similar mandrel assemblies. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Seahee Hong whose telephone number is (571)270-5778. The examiner can normally be reached M-Th 8am-4pm ET. 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, Brian Keller can be reached at (571) 272-8548. 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. /SEAHEE HONG/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3723
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Mar 15, 2024
Application Filed
Aug 10, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §102 (current)

Precedent Cases

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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
69%
Grant Probability
98%
With Interview (+29.7%)
2y 10m (~4m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 793 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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