Prosecution Insights
Last updated: October 02, 2026
Application No. 18/715,265

IMPROVED ELECTRODE MATERIAL FOR PRINTING ORGANIC POLYMER BATTERIES

Non-Final OA §102§103
Filed
Jul 05, 2024
Priority
Dec 02, 2021 — nonprovisional of PCTEP2021083885
Examiner
SHEWAREGED, BETELHEM
Art Unit
Tech Center
Assignee
Evonik Operations GmbH
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
72%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
4m
Est. Remaining
81%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 72% — above average
72%
Career Allowance Rate
745 granted / 1041 resolved
+11.6% vs TC avg
Moderate +9% lift
Without
With
+9.2%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 7m
Avg Prosecution
30 currently pending
Career history
1061
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
0.1%
-39.9% vs TC avg
§103
62.8%
+22.8% vs TC avg
§102
21.6%
-18.4% vs TC avg
§112
7.5%
-32.5% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 1041 resolved cases

Office Action

§102 §103
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 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. Claims 1 and 4-12 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Cochet et al. (WO 2020/182327 A1). Claim 1: Cochet teaches an electrode slurry mixture M1 comprising at least one organic redox-active polymer Predox1, at least one conductivity additive L1, at least one solvent Solv1, optionally at least one binder additive B1 and optionally at least one ionic liquid IL1 (page 5, lines 1-8), wherein a sodium carboxymethyl cellulose is one of suitable examples the binder additive B1 (page 15, line 4). The electrode slurry mixture M1 meets the claimed electrode material and the binder additive B1 meets the claimed cellulose ether C. Cochet teaches the organic redox-active polymer Predox1, is a polyimide which comprises n repeat units of formula (IV-9) (page 9, lines 10 and 14): PNG media_image1.png 162 301 media_image1.png Greyscale wherein ArII represents a hydrocarbyl group having at least one aryl radical and having 6-30 carbon atoms (page 10, line 7) which meets the claimed alkylene; wherein n is an integer ≥ 4 (page 9, line 15) which overlaps with the claimed ≥2; wherein in the structure (IV-9) at least one aromatic carbon atom may be substituted by a group selected from alkyl, halogen, alkoxy and OH (page 10, lines 4-5); and wherein the bond identified by (iv) in the structure (IV-9) binds in each case to the bond identified by (v) (page 9, lines 18-19). Since structure (IV-9) is repeated at least 4 times (page 9, line 15) which would meet the claimed repeat units of the structural formula (I) comprised by the polymer Predox are identical. Claim 4: Cochet teaches the ArII represents a hydrocarbyl group having at least one aryl radical and having 6-30 carbon atoms (page 10, line 7) which meets the claimed alkylene. Alkylene is broader because it does not have restriction on the number of carbon atoms and aliphatic. Claim 5: Cochet teaches the total weight of all binder additives B1 based on the total weight of the redox polymer Predox1 is in the range of 0.001 % to 100% by weight (page 15, lines 11-13). Claim 6: Cochet teaches carbon materials, electrically conductive polymers, metals, semimetals, (semi)metal compounds as suitable examples of the conductivity additive L1 (page 13, lines 27-29). Claim 7: Cochet teaches the total weight of all conductivity additives L1 based on the total weight of the redox polymers Predox1 is in the range of 0.1 % to 1000% by weight (page 14, lines 15-17). Claim 8: Cochet teaches the electrode slurry mixture M1 comprises at least one ionic liquid IL1 (page 15, line 20). Claim 9: Cochet teaches the ionic liquid IL1 has a Q+A- structure (page 15, line 27), wherein A- an anion (page 17, line 11) and Q+ is a cation selected from the group consisting of (Q1), (Q2), (Q3), (Q4) and (Q5): PNG media_image2.png 443 742 media_image2.png Greyscale Claim 10: Since the ionic liquid IL1 of Cochet is substantially identical to the claimed the ionic liquid IL1, the ionic liquid IL1 of Cochet would possess a melting point of ≤ 100 ̊C. Claim 11: Cochet teaches the total molar amount of all ionic liquids IL1 based on the total molar amount of all organic redox-active polymers Predox1 is in the range from 0.1 % to 1000% by weight (page 18, lines 18-20). Claim 12: Cochet teaches the solvent Solv1 can be water (Page 14, line 24). Claim 13 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Cochet et al. (WO 2020/182327 A1). Claim 13: Cochet teaches an electrode slurry (page 5, line 7) mixture M1 applied to a substrate S (page 4, lines 3-6) to obtain an electrode E1 (page 5, line 7-8). The electrode slurry mixture M1 meets the claimed electrode material, the substrate S meets the claimed substrate and the electrode E1 meets the claimed electrode. Cochet teaches the electrode slurry mixture M1 comprises at least one organic redox-active polymer Predox1, at least one conductivity additive L1, at least one solvent Solv1, optionally at least one binder additive B1 and optionally at least one ionic liquid IL1 (page 5, lines 1-8), wherein a sodium carboxymethyl cellulose is one of suitable examples the binder additive B1 (page 15, line 4). The binder additive B1 meets the claimed cellulose ether C. Cochet teaches the organic redox-active polymer Predox1, is a polyimide which comprises n repeat units of formula (IV-9) (page 9, lines 10 and 14): PNG media_image1.png 162 301 media_image1.png Greyscale wherein ArII represents a hydrocarbyl group having at least one aryl radical and having 6-30 carbon atoms (page 10, line 7) which meets the claimed alkylene; wherein n is an integer ≥ 4 (page 9, line 15) which overlaps with the claimed ≥2; wherein in the structure (IV-9) at least one aromatic carbon atom may be substituted by a group selected from alkyl, halogen, alkoxy and OH (page 10, lines 4-5); and wherein the bond identified by (iv) in the structure (IV-9) binds in each case to the bond identified by (v) (page 9, lines 18-19). Since structure (IV-9) is repeated at least 4 times (page 9, line 15) which would meet the claimed repeat units of the structural formula (I) comprised by the polymer Predox are identical. Claims 14 and 15 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Cochet et al. (WO 2020/182327 A1). Claim 14: Cochet teaches a shaped organic charge storage unit Lorg comprising a substrate S1 and an electrode E1 applied on the substrate S1 (page 36, lines 29-34). The shaped organic charge storage unit Lorg meets the claimed charge storage element, the substrate S1 meets the claimed substrate and the electrode E1 meets the claimed electrode. Cochet teaches the electrode E1 comprises at least one organic redox-active polymer Predox1, at least one conductivity additive L1, at least one solvent Solv1, optionally at least one binder additive B1 and optionally at least one ionic liquid IL1 (page 36, lines 34-36 and page 5, lines 1-8), wherein a sodium carboxymethyl cellulose is one of suitable examples the binder additive B1 (page 15, line 4). The binder additive B1 meets the claimed cellulose ether C. Cochet teaches the organic redox-active polymer Predox1, is a polyimide which comprises n repeat units of formula (IV-9) (page 9, lines 10 and 14): PNG media_image1.png 162 301 media_image1.png Greyscale wherein ArII represents a hydrocarbyl group having at least one aryl radical and having 6-30 carbon atoms (page 10, line 7) which meets the claimed alkylene; wherein n is an integer ≥ 4 (page 9, line 15) which overlaps with the claimed ≥2; wherein in the structure (IV-9) at least one aromatic carbon atom may be substituted by a group selected from alkyl, halogen, alkoxy and OH (page 10, lines 4-5); and wherein the bond identified by (iv) in the structure (IV-9) binds in each case to the bond identified by (v) (page 9, lines 18-19). Since structure (IV-9) is repeated at least 4 times (page 9, line 15) which would meet the claimed repeat units of the structural formula (I) comprised by the polymer Predox are identical. Claim 15: Cochet teaches the electrode E1 comprises at least one ionic liquid IL1 (page 36, line 36 and page 15, line 20). Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103 The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action: A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made. Claims 2 and 3 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Cochet et al. (WO 2020/182327 A1) as applied to claim 1 above, and further in view of Remizov et al. (US 2012/0313051 A1). Cochet teaches the claimed invention as set forth above. Claim 2: Cochet does not teach galactomannan as the binder additive B1. However, Remizov teaches a binder composition comprising galactomannan as a major component, wherein the galactomannan has the following chemical structure: PNG media_image3.png 253 446 media_image3.png Greyscale , wherein this chemical structure meets the claimed formula (II) when radicals R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6 are hydrogen; and at least one of the radicals R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6 is different from hydrogen. Claim 3: The claimed degree of etherification is from 1% to 99%. 99% etherification indicates an extensive modification resulting in major molecular structure alteration, and on the other hand 1% etherification indicates a slight modification resulting in almost indistinguishable molecular structure alteration. Therefore, the claimed 1% to 99% degree of etherification is very broad, thus, the limitation is non-limiting. Pertinent Prior Arts Wariishi et al. (US 2002/0015894 A1) and Kalb et al. (US 2008/0251759 A1). Correspondence Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to BETELHEM SHEWAREGED whose telephone number is (571)272-1529. The examiner can normally be reached Monday -Friday 7am-4:30pm. 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, Mark Ruthkosky can be reached at 571-272-1291. 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. BS September 15, 2026 /BETELHEM SHEWAREGED/ Primary Examiner Art Unit 1785
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Jul 05, 2024
Application Filed
Sep 16, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §102, §103 (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
72%
Grant Probability
81%
With Interview (+9.2%)
2y 7m (~4m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 1041 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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