Last updated: July 17, 2026

Application No. 18/718,751

WAFER TRANSFER PADDLES WITH MINIMUM CONTACT AREA STRUCTURES FOR REDUCED BACKSIDE MARKING

Non-Final OA

Filed

Jun 11, 2024

Priority

Jan 19, 2022 — provisional 63/266,929 +1 more

Examiner

JOERGER, KAITLIN S

Art Unit

Tech Center

Assignee

Lam Research Corporation

OA Round

1 (Non-Final)

Interview Optional

— +11.0% interview lift. Interview lift (+11.0%) is below the 15.0% threshold. A written response is recommended.

Based on 1180 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

JOERGER, KAITLIN S View full profile →

Grants 87% — above average

Career Allowance Rate

1022 granted / 1180 resolved

+26.6% vs TC avg

Moderate +11% lift

Without

With

+11.0%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Fast prosecutor

2y 0m

Avg Prosecution

31 currently pending

Career history

1203

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101

0.3%

-39.7% vs TC avg

§103

60.5%

+20.5% vs TC avg

§102

31.1%

-8.9% vs TC avg

§112

3.9%

-36.1% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 1180 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

Jun 11, 2024

Application Filed

May 18, 2026

Non-Final Rejection mailed (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

18/215,035

Patent 12679641

REFUSE VEHICLE WITH ASSISTED LIFT ASSEMBLY

3y 0m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026

18/141,920

Patent 12666910

SEMICONDUCTOR PROCESS EQUIPMENT

3y 1m to grant Granted Jun 23, 2026

18/214,245

Patent 12662038

SOLAR TABLE MOBILE TRANSPORT WITH SIDESHIFT

2y 12m to grant Granted Jun 23, 2026

18/112,980

Patent 12648407

WAFER TRANSPORT METHOD AND APPARATUS

3y 3m to grant Granted Jun 02, 2026

18/143,301

Patent 12642047

LIFT ASSEMBLY FOR SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING PROCESSING CHAMBER

3y 0m to grant Granted May 26, 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

87%

Grant Probability

98%

With Interview (+11.0%)

2y 0m (~0m remaining)

Median Time to Grant

Low

PTA Risk

Based on 1180 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.