Last updated: July 15, 2026

Application No. 18/628,006

DEVICE AND METHOD FOR IMPROVED CMP PROCESS WITH CMP HEAD

Non-Final OA

Filed

Apr 05, 2024

Examiner

HAWKINS, JASON KHALIL

Art Unit

3723

Tech Center

3700 — Mechanical Engineering & Manufacturing

Assignee

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.

OA Round

1 (Non-Final)

Interview Optional

— +45.3% interview lift. Examiner has a relatively high allowance rate (66%); +45.3% interview lift. A written response may suffice.

Based on 186 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

HAWKINS, JASON KHALIL View full profile →

Grants 66% — above average

Career Allowance Rate

123 granted / 186 resolved

-3.9% vs TC avg

Strong +45% interview lift

Without

With

+45.3%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Typical timeline

2y 11m

Avg Prosecution

38 currently pending

Career history

229

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101

0.4%

-39.6% vs TC avg

§103

81.6%

+41.6% vs TC avg

§102

7.8%

-32.2% vs TC avg

§112

7.8%

-32.2% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 186 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

Apr 05, 2024

Application Filed

Aug 16, 2024

Response after Non-Final Action

Apr 03, 2026

Non-Final Rejection mailed (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

17/768,376

Patent 12678799

POLISHING TANK WITH REMOVABLE SOCK AND INTEGRATED SENSORS

4y 3m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026

18/302,238

Patent 12673398

METHOD OF MANUFACTURING GRINDING WHEEL

3y 2m to grant Granted Jul 07, 2026

17/055,376

Patent 12643189

MOBILE MACHINE TOOL FOR MACHINING A SURFACE

5y 6m to grant Granted Jun 02, 2026

17/186,721

Patent 12614896

MOUNTING A ROBOTIC ARM IN AN INVERTED POSITION TO SUSPEND AN ELECTRICAL BYPASS

5y 2m to grant Granted Apr 28, 2026

17/803,642

Patent 12611747

Shot Cascading Apparatus For Cleaning 3D Printed Components

3y 7m to grant Granted Apr 28, 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.

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Prosecution Projections

1-2

Expected OA Rounds

66%

Grant Probability

99%

With Interview (+45.3%)

2y 11m (~8m remaining)

Median Time to Grant

Low

PTA Risk

Based on 186 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.