Prosecution Insights
Last updated: July 17, 2026
Application No. 18/683,684

BINDER RESIN COMPOSITION FOR AQUEOUS INK-JET INK APPLICATIONS, AQUEOUS INK-JET INK, AND PRINTING LAYER

Non-Final OA §102
Filed
Feb 14, 2024
Priority
Aug 31, 2021 — JP 2021-140993 +1 more
Examiner
HESTER, HOLLEY GRACE
Art Unit
Tech Center
Assignee
DIC Corporation
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
67%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
9m
Est. Remaining
99%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 67% — above average
67%
Career Allowance Rate
40 granted / 60 resolved
+6.7% vs TC avg
Strong +44% interview lift
Without
With
+44.0%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
3y 2m
Avg Prosecution
27 currently pending
Career history
91
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§103
90.4%
+50.4% vs TC avg
§102
5.5%
-34.5% vs TC avg
§112
3.4%
-36.6% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 60 resolved cases

Office Action

§102
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 Status Claims 1-7 are pending. 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) 1-7 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Kofuji et al (herein ‘Kofuji’; JP 2013249401 A/ JP 6136121 B2; all citations are drawn to the English machine translation). Kofuji is directed toward the preparation of a water-based printer ink comprising a polyurethane binder [p. 0008]. In synthesis example 1 [p. 0049], Kofuji discloses the preparation of a urethane resin comprising polyethylene glycol (a1), isophorone diisocyanate (b), 2-hydrocyethylethylenediamine (c1-1), isophorone diamine (c2-2), monoethanolamine (c2-1). The chain capping of the prepolymer proceeds in an aqueous solution of ammonia. However, Kofuji discloses inorganic alkalis, such as sodium hyrdroxide or potassium hydroxide, as suitable alternatives for the neutralization of the aqueous polyurethane solution [p. 0034]. Kofuji discloses the aqueous printing ink composition can be printed on a plastic film by a known gravure printing, method, a flexographic printing method, an ink jet printing method or the like [p. 0045] Claim(s) 1-7 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Miyamoto (US 5656701 A). Miyamoto is directed toward the preparation of polyurethane based binders for water-based printer inks. Miyamoto discloses the preparation of a polyurethane resin (I) comprising polybutylene glycol (a1), isophorone diisocyanate (b1), ethylenediamine (c1-1) and hydrazine hydrate (c1-2), and triethylamine (emulsifier) [example 10]. Miyamoto discloses alternative organic amines include monoethanolamine (c2-1) [c. 7, ll. 50-55]. Miyamoto discloses alkali metal hydroxides (II) are in the aqueous solution for dispersion in aqueous media [c. 2, ll. 35-40; c. 7, ll. 50-55]. Miyamoto discloses a method of lamination using the aqueous ink composition [c.9, ll. 40-45] Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to HOLLEY GRACE HESTER whose telephone number is (703)756-5435. The examiner can normally be reached Monday - Friday 9:00AM -5:00PM. 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, Randy Gulakowski can be reached at (571) 272-1302. 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. /HOLLEY GRACE HESTER/Examiner, Art Unit 1766 /RANDY P GULAKOWSKI/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 1766
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Feb 14, 2024
Application Filed
Jun 24, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §102 (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

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HYDROXYL-TERMINATED POLYESTER RESIN, PREPARATION METHOD THEREFOR AND USE THEREOF
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Patent 12643982
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3y 7m to grant Granted Jun 02, 2026
Patent 12630707
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Patent 12630676
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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
67%
Grant Probability
99%
With Interview (+44.0%)
3y 2m (~9m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 60 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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