Prosecution Insights
Last updated: May 29, 2026
Application No. 18/722,149

SEAL INSPECTING DEVICE AND CONTAINER INSPECTING METHOD

Non-Final OA §112
Filed
Jun 20, 2024
Priority
Dec 22, 2021 — RE 10-2021-0184801 +1 more
Examiner
SOHN, SEUNG C
Art Unit
2878
Tech Center
2800 — Semiconductors & Electrical Systems
Assignee
Seegene Inc.
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
87%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
5m
Est. Remaining
97%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 87% — above average
87%
Career Allowance Rate
714 granted / 820 resolved
+19.1% vs TC avg
Moderate +10% lift
Without
With
+10.2%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 4m
Avg Prosecution
21 currently pending
Career history
836
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
3.4%
-36.6% vs TC avg
§103
33.0%
-7.0% vs TC avg
§102
54.3%
+14.3% vs TC avg
§112
3.8%
-36.2% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 820 resolved cases

Office Action

§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 . 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. Claims 1-5, 8-9, 11-20, 22-23 and 27 are 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. Claims 1, 5 and 11 recite the limitation "the pressing unit" in line 7, line 2 and line 1, respectively. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim. Claim 2 recites the limitation "the seal of the container" in line 2. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim. It is unclear how many seals the container has and which seal the seal in claim 2 is referring to. Clarification is required. Claim 2 also recites the limitation "the container" in line 3. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim. It is not clear the pressing module presses the container or the seal of the container? Clarification is required. Claim 20 recites the limitation "the plurality of sealed chambers of the container" in line 3. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim. Claims 2-5, 8-9, and 11-20 are rejected upon dependencies of the rejected independent claim 1. Claim 22 recites the limitation "the container" in line 2. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim. Regarding claim 22, line 9, “the pressing units is’ are not clear and confusing. Does it refer to the plurality of pressing units in line 8 or one of the plurality of the pressing units? Clarification is required. Claims 23 and 27 are rejected upon dependencies of the rejected independent claim 22. Conclusion The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure: Chevalier, Jr. et al. (Patent Pub. No. US 2013/0104664 A1) discloses apparatus and methods for testing the seal integrity of containers. Lehmann (Patent No. US 6,439,032 B1) discloses a method for leak testing closed containers with at least one flexible wall area and to a leak testing apparatus for leak testing a closed container with such flexible wall area. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to SEUNG C SOHN whose telephone number is (571)272-4123. The examiner can normally be reached M - F 8 - 5. 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, GEORGIA EPPS can be reached at 571-272-2328. 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. /SEUNG C SOHN/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2878
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Jun 20, 2024
Application Filed
Jan 14, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §112
Apr 13, 2026
Response Filed

Precedent Cases

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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
87%
Grant Probability
97%
With Interview (+10.2%)
2y 4m (~5m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 820 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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