Prosecution Insights
Last updated: May 04, 2026
Application No. 18/785,107

FLUID DISCHARGE SYSTEM

Non-Final OA §112
Filed
Jul 26, 2024
Priority
Aug 18, 2023 — TÜ TR2023/010034
Examiner
MAUST, TIMOTHY LEWIS
Art Unit
3753
Tech Center
3700 — Mechanical Engineering & Manufacturing
Assignee
Tusas- Turk Havacilik Ve Uzay Sanayii Anonim Sirketi
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
82%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
8m
Est. Remaining
92%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 82% — above average
82%
Career Allowance Rate
1172 granted / 1433 resolved
+11.8% vs TC avg
Moderate +10% lift
Without
With
+10.0%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 6m
Avg Prosecution
31 currently pending
Career history
1464
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
0.4%
-39.6% vs TC avg
§103
38.0%
-2.0% vs TC avg
§102
34.7%
-5.3% vs TC avg
§112
19.6%
-20.4% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 1433 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 . Priority Acknowledgment is made of applicant's claim for foreign priority based on an application filed in Turkey on 7/26/24. It is noted, however, that applicant has not filed a certified copy of the TR2023/010034 application as required by 37 CFR 1.55. Claim Objections Claim 1 is objected to because of the following informalities: In line 2, “it;at” should be “it; at”. Appropriate correction is required. The phrase, “wherein a reservoir that is removably installed between the tank (T) and the shell (S) and protects the valve by surrounding it”, lines 5-7, is grammatically incorrect. Regarding claim 2, the phrase, “wherein first location (I) where the reservoir is located outside the shell (S)” is grammatically incorrect. Regarding claim 4, “wherein multiple wire located” is grammatically incorrect. The remainder of the claims are replete with grammatical errors and should be thoroughly checked. 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 1-14 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. The claim(s) are narrative in form and replete with indefinite language. The structure which goes to make up the device must be clearly and positively specified. The structure must be organized and correlated in such a manner as to present a complete operative device. Claim 1 recites the limitation "the aircraft" in line 1; “the air-contacting surface” in line 5; and “the user” in line 8. There is insufficient antecedent basis for these limitations in the claim. Regarding claim 3, line 1, it is unclear if “a reservoir” is the same reservoir defined in claim 2. Regarding claim 7, line 3, it is unclear whether “wires” is the same as multiple wire defined in claim 4. Claim 7, recites “the hole”, line 3 and “the hole”, line 4. Apparently “the hole” should be “one of the holes”. Regarding claim 8, line 1, it is unclear whether “wires” is the same as multiple wire defined in claim 7. Claim 9 recites the limitation "the rotational movement" in line 2. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim. Claim 12 recites the limitation "the fuel tank" in line 4. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim. Claim 14 recites the limitation "the part" in line 1. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim. Regarding claim 14, “and is in inclined form as form compatible with the body” is unclear as to what is being defined. Allowable Subject Matter Claim 1 would be allowable if rewritten or amended to overcome the rejection(s) under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), 2nd paragraph, set forth in this Office action. Claims 2-14 would be allowable if rewritten to overcome the rejection(s) under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), 2nd paragraph, set forth in this Office action and to include all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims. Conclusion The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. The Wheelwright et al. (10677206) reference discloses a drain valve (40) having a shell (41) for an aircraft (10). The Barnes et al. (11814188) reference discloses a drain valve (12) in tank (11) on the outer skin of an aircraft (15). The Wyatt (8356616) reference discloses a drain valve (101) on an aircraft fuel tank (103). Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to TIMOTHY LEWIS MAUST whose telephone number is (571)272-4891. The examiner can normally be reached Monday - Thursday, 7am - 5pm. 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, Craig Schneider can be reached at 571-272-3607. 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. /TIMOTHY L MAUST/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3753
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Prosecution Timeline

Jul 26, 2024
Application Filed
Jan 29, 2026
Non-Final Rejection — §112 (current)

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
82%
Grant Probability
92%
With Interview (+10.0%)
2y 6m (~8m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 1433 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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