Prosecution Insights
Last updated: April 19, 2026
Application No. 18/680,068

SPINNING MACHINE AND METHOD

Non-Final OA §102§112
Filed
May 31, 2024
Examiner
HURLEY, SHAUN R
Art Unit
3732
Tech Center
3700 — Mechanical Engineering & Manufacturing
Assignee
Saurer Spinning Solutions GmbH & Co. Kg
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
78%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
2y 5m
To Grant
95%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 78% — above average
78%
Career Allow Rate
1285 granted / 1655 resolved
+7.6% vs TC avg
Strong +17% interview lift
Without
With
+17.4%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 5m
Avg Prosecution
28 currently pending
Career history
1683
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
0.1%
-39.9% vs TC avg
§103
32.8%
-7.2% vs TC avg
§102
28.3%
-11.7% vs TC avg
§112
28.5%
-11.5% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 1655 resolved cases

Office Action

§102 §112
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 . Specification The disclosure is objected to because of the following informalities: Paragraphs 6-8 recite specific claim numbers, which is improper. Appropriate correction is required. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112 The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b): (b) CONCLUSION.—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention. The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph: The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention. Claim 10 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor (or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention. Specifically, it is unclear whether this is a dependent claim or an independent claim. 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. Claim(s) 1-11 is/are rejected, to the degree definite, under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Lovas et al (DE 102005008450; see translation). In regards to Claim 1, Lovas teaches a textile machine (Figure 3) comprising: at least one first negative pressure point for producing a thread (Detail 22); at least one second negative pressure point for sucking in the thread (Detail 16); at least one first negative pressure system (Detail 19) that is designed and arranged in order to be brought into a fluidic connection with the at least one first negative pressure point or is designed and arranged in order to be in a fluidic connection with the at least one first negative pressure point; and at least one second negative pressure system (Detail 17) that is designed and arranged in order to be brought into a fluidic connection with the at least one second negative pressure point or is designed and arranged in order to be in a fluidic connection with the at least one second negative pressure point; wherein a connection is formed (Detail 20) between the first negative pressure system and the second negative pressure system in such a way that the connection can be selectively established or interrupted. In regards to Claim 2, Lovas teaches the at least one first negative pressure point comprises a spinning apparatus for producing the thread (Details 6, 14). In regards to Claim 3, Lovas teaches the at least one second negative pressure point for sucking in the thread comprises at least one of the following: a suction nozzle for picking up the thread from a take-up bobbin; a thread storage nozzle for picking up the thread; and a working element (nozzle, Detail 16) that can be subjected to negative pressure. In regards to Claim 4, Lovas teaches the connection between the at least one first negative pressure system and the at least one second negative pressure system is arranged in at least one of the following regions: a negative pressure source chamber; a filter chamber; and a negative pressure channel (Details 17 and 19 are negative pressure channels). In regards to Claim 5, Lovas teaches the connection between the at least one first negative pressure system and the at least one second negative pressure system can be adjusted (Detail 20 can be rotated). In regards to Claim 6, Lovas teaches the connection between the at least one first negative pressure system and the at least one second negative pressure system can be adjusted via at least one of the following: at least one control device (Description: “If it depends on a very precise adjustment of the pressure conditions, it is well-known from pneumatics throttle points, such as valves, to use their regulation. These can also be driven by a motor, wherein a control device monitors the pressure conditions by means of sensors and outputs appropriate control instructions to the motors as needed. In particular, this task can be taken over by control devices on open-end spinning machines”); and at least one frequency converter; in each case designed and configured in order to control at least one negative pressure source. In regards to Claim 7, Lovas teaches the connection is designed and arranged in order to be automatically adjusted as a function of respective operating states of the at least one first negative pressure system and the at least one second negative pressure system (See Claim 6 explanation above). In regards to Claim 8, Lovas teaches the connection is designed and arranged in order to adjust a fluid flow by a fluid flow adjustment apparatus (Detail 20). In regards to Claim 9, Lovas teaches a method for allocating negative pressure for the textile machine above, comprising: actuating at least one fluid flow adjustment apparatus in order to adjust a fluid flow between the at least one first negative pressure system and the at least one second negative pressure system in order to adjust the connection between the at least one first negative pressure system and the at least one second negative pressure system (rotation of Detail 20). In regards to Claim 10, Lovas teaches a control device which is designed and configured for a textile machine as described above (See Claim 6 explanation above). In regards to Claim 11, Lovas teaches the connection comprises a bypass connection (Detail 20 is a bypass valve). Conclusion The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. See of Record. Specifically, at least Bahlmann et al (CN 113388927) Description, Ralf (BR 102020010144) Figure 1 and Abstract, and Brakensiek et al (20200180900) Figure 2 and Abstract teach elements similar to those as currently claimed. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Shaun R Hurley whose telephone number is (571)272-4986. The examiner can normally be reached Monday thru Friday, 8:00am - 3:00pm. 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, Clinton T Ostrup can be reached at (571) 272-5559. 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. /SHAUN R HURLEY/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3732
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

May 31, 2024
Application Filed
Oct 10, 2025
Non-Final Rejection — §102, §112 (current)

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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
78%
Grant Probability
95%
With Interview (+17.4%)
2y 5m
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 1655 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allow rate.

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