Prosecution Insights
Last updated: May 29, 2026
Application No. 18/851,622

STRETCHED FILM

Non-Final OA §102
Filed
Sep 26, 2024
Priority
Apr 04, 2022 — JP 2022-062636 +2 more
Examiner
BERNARD, ADRIEN J
Art Unit
1741
Tech Center
1700 — Chemical & Materials Engineering
Assignee
Prime Polymer Co. Ltd.
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
81%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
1y 1m
Est. Remaining
99%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 81% — above average
81%
Career Allowance Rate
237 granted / 293 resolved
+15.9% vs TC avg
Strong +18% interview lift
Without
With
+18.3%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 9m
Avg Prosecution
14 currently pending
Career history
303
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
0.2%
-39.8% vs TC avg
§103
95.5%
+55.5% vs TC avg
§102
4.1%
-35.9% vs TC avg
§112
0.2%
-39.8% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 293 resolved cases

Office Action

§102
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 . In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status. Priority Receipt is acknowledged of certified copies of papers required by 37 CFR 1.55. Response to Amendment The preliminary amendments to the claims and specifications filed 09/26/2024 have been reviewed and accepted by the examiner. 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. (a)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention. Claims 1-8 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Breese (US-20060177641). Regarding claim 1, Breese teaches: A stretched film ([0003] – [0004] and [0010]) comprising, in the following order: a layer (a1) comprising an ethylene-based polymer (A) having a melt flow rate (190°C, 2.16 kg load) of 0.01 to 10 g/10 minutes and a density of 942 kg/m3 or higher as a main component ([0014] – [0015] and [0022]); a layer (b) comprising an ethylene-based polymer (B) having a melt flow rate (190°C, 2.16 kg load) of 0.01 to 10 g/10 minutes and a density of 924 kg/m3 or lower as a main component ([0011], [0015] and [0022]); and a layer (a2) comprising an ethylene-based polymer (A) having a melt flow rate (190°C, 2.16 kg load) of 0.01 to 10 g/10 minutes and a density of 942 kg/m3 or higher as a main component ([0014] – [0015] and [0022]). Regarding claim 2, Breese teaches the limitations of claim 1, which claim 2 depends on. Breese further teaches: not comprising a layer comprising a medium-density polyethylene having a density of 925 kg/m3 or higher and lower than 941 kg/m3 as a main component ([0022]), see the HDPE/LLDPE/HDPE embodiment. Regarding claim 3, Breese teaches the limitations of claim 1, which claim 3 depends on. Breese further teaches: wherein the ethylene-based polymer (B) has a density of 918 kg/m3 or lower ([0011]). Regarding claim 4, Breese teaches the limitations of claim 1, which claim 4 depends on. Breese further teaches: having a stretch ratio of 2.0 times or more ([0026]). Regarding claim 5, Breese teaches the limitations of claim 1, which claim 5 depends on. Breese further teaches: having a thickness of 5 pm to 1 mm ([0010]). Regarding claim 6, Breese teaches: A laminate comprising a layer composed of the stretched film according to claim 1 ([0023]) and [0032] – [0033]), see the rejection of claim 1 above. Regarding claim 7, Breese teaches: A package comprising a layer composed of the stretched film according to claim 1 ([0003], [0005] – [0006], and [0032]), see the rejection of claim 1 above. Regarding claim 8, Breese teaches: A method for producing a stretched film, comprising: a step of stretching a laminate film ([0003] – [0004], [0023], and [0026]) having, in the following order, a layer (a1) comprising an ethylene-based polymer (A) having a melt flow rate (190°C, 2.16 kg load) of 0.01 to 10 g/10 minutes and a density of 942 kg/m3 or higher as a main component ([0014] – [0015] and [0022]); a layer (b) comprising an ethylene-based polymer (B) having a melt flow rate (190°C, 2.16 kg load) of 0.01 to 10 g/10 minutes and a density of 924 kg/m3 or lower as a main component ([0011], [0015] and [0022]); and a layer (a2) comprising an ethylene-based polymer (A) having a melt flow rate (190°C, 2.16 kg load) of 0.01 to 10 g/10 minutes and a density of 942 kg/m3 or higher as a main component ([0014] – [0015] and [0022]). Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Adrien J Bernard whose telephone number is (571)272-1384. The examiner can normally be reached M-R, from 7:30a.m.-4:30p.m.. 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, Alison L Hindenlang can be reached at 571 270-7001. 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. /A.B./Examiner, Art Unit 1741 /JACOB T MINSKEY/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1748
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Prosecution Timeline

Sep 26, 2024
Application Filed
Jan 28, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §102
Apr 28, 2026
Response Filed

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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
81%
Grant Probability
99%
With Interview (+18.3%)
2y 9m (~1y 1m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 293 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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