Last updated: July 17, 2026

Application No. 18/683,463

BURIED PIPE

Non-Final OA

Filed

Feb 13, 2024

Priority

Aug 16, 2021 — nonprovisional of PCTJP2021029949

Examiner

LU, HAOTIAN

Art Unit

3753

Tech Center

3700 — Mechanical Engineering & Manufacturing

Assignee

Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation

OA Round

1 (Non-Final)

This examiner grants 54% of cases after interview

— +38.3% interview lift. A telephonic interview to clarify the technical implementation could significantly improve the outcome.

Based on 26 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

LU, HAOTIAN View full profile →

Grants 54% of resolved cases

Career Allowance Rate

14 granted / 26 resolved

-16.2% vs TC avg

Strong +38% interview lift

Without

With

+38.3%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Typical timeline

3y 0m

Avg Prosecution

27 currently pending

Career history

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§103

91.6%

+51.6% vs TC avg

§102

1.5%

-38.5% vs TC avg

§112

6.9%

-33.1% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 26 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

Feb 13, 2024

Application Filed

Apr 13, 2026

Non-Final Rejection mailed (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

18/062,451

Patent 12674537

HOSE STOP

3y 7m to grant Granted Jul 07, 2026

18/172,767

Patent 12669210

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR LINING A PIPE WITH A LIGHTED LINER OR BLADDER

3y 4m to grant Granted Jun 30, 2026

18/038,057

Patent 12655925

BLOCKING DEVICE AND METHOD

3y 0m to grant Granted Jun 16, 2026

18/071,204

Patent 12624775

TUBE

3y 5m to grant Granted May 12, 2026

18/168,039

Patent 12624789

THERMALLY INSULATED TRANSFER LINE

3y 2m to grant Granted May 12, 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

54%

Grant Probability

92%

With Interview (+38.3%)

3y 0m (~7m remaining)

Median Time to Grant

Low

PTA Risk

Based on 26 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.