Prosecution Insights
Last updated: May 29, 2026
Application No. 18/788,539

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR INCREMENTALLY FILLING LIQUID STORAGE RECEPTACLES

Non-Final OA §112
Filed
Jul 30, 2024
Examiner
NICOLAS, FREDERICK C
Art Unit
3754
Tech Center
3700 — Mechanical Engineering & Manufacturing
Assignee
Gd Midea Air Conditioning Equipment Co. Ltd.
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
81%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
7m
Est. Remaining
94%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 81% — above average
81%
Career Allowance Rate
1035 granted / 1275 resolved
+11.2% vs TC avg
Moderate +12% lift
Without
With
+12.5%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 5m
Avg Prosecution
24 currently pending
Career history
1301
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
0.7%
-39.3% vs TC avg
§103
52.1%
+12.1% vs TC avg
§102
25.3%
-14.7% vs TC avg
§112
14.6%
-25.4% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 1275 resolved cases

Office Action

§112
DETAILED ACTION Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status 1. The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA . Claim Objections 2. Claim 1 is objected to because of the following informalities: in claim 1, line 7, delete “of the” first occurrence for clarity. Appropriate correction is required. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112 3. 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. 4. Claims 16-20 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. I- In claim 16, lines 7-8, “a liquid storage receptacle” is positively recited for a second time. This renders the claim confusing as it raises issues of double inclusion. II- Claim 19 is indefinite because “the program module” (lines 1-2) lacks proper antecedent basis. Allowable Subject Matter 5. Claims 1-15 are allowed. 6. Claims 16-20 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. Conclusion 7. The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. The cited prior art pertains to various method of replenishing a receptacle similar to applicants’ receptacle, as claimed. 8. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to FREDERICK C NICOLAS whose telephone number is (571)272-4931. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Thursday 8:00 AM -: 4:00 PM. 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, Paul R. Durand can be reached at 571-272-4459. 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. /FREDERICK C NICOLAS/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3754
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Jul 30, 2024
Application Filed
Feb 26, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §112
Apr 30, 2026
Response Filed

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

Patent 12630353
PRESSURIZED VESSEL DISCHARGE MODIFIER
3y 1m to grant Granted May 19, 2026
Patent 12622546
POWDER DISCHARGE OUTLET AND A BEAN GRINDER WITH THE POWDER DISCHARGE OUTLET
2y 4m to grant Granted May 12, 2026
Patent 12623815
Squeezable Tube Dispenser
2y 7m to grant Granted May 12, 2026
Patent 12617602
AEROSOL DISPENSER AND NOZZLE WITH REDUCED DRIP
2y 5m to grant Granted May 05, 2026
Patent 12605015
Fluid Dispenser With Frangible Sealing Element
1y 9m to grant Granted Apr 21, 2026
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
81%
Grant Probability
94%
With Interview (+12.5%)
2y 5m (~7m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 1275 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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