Prosecution Insights
Last updated: July 17, 2026
Application No. 18/888,340

GRAVITY FLOW FILTRATION OF HYDROCARBONS FROM AN OIL-IN-WATER EMULSION

Non-Final OA §112
Filed
Sep 18, 2024
Priority
Sep 30, 2020 — provisional 63/085,673 +2 more
Examiner
POPOVICS, ROBERT J
Art Unit
1776
Tech Center
1700 — Chemical & Materials Engineering
Assignee
Solidification Products International Inc.
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
55%
Grant Probability
Moderate
1-2
OA Rounds
1y 7m
Est. Remaining
78%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 55% of resolved cases
55%
Career Allowance Rate
414 granted / 750 resolved
-9.8% vs TC avg
Strong +23% interview lift
Without
With
+22.9%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
3y 5m
Avg Prosecution
22 currently pending
Career history
774
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
0.6%
-39.4% vs TC avg
§103
44.8%
+4.8% vs TC avg
§102
6.2%
-33.8% vs TC avg
§112
44.0%
+4.0% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 750 resolved cases

Office Action

§112
DETAILED ACTION 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. Claims 1-11 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b), as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor, regards as the invention. In claims 1-11, the meaning of the recitation, “sump pump barrier” is unclear. There does not appear to be an express definition of this language in the specification. It is unclear what minimal structure is intended by this language. In claim 1, at least lines 6,7,9 and 19 refer to “the fluid” which does not enjoy clear positive basis in the claim. In claim 1, it is unclear if “wherein said pre-wetted under forced pressure polishing filter cartridge has air pockets in filter media replaced with liquid prior to installation” is intended as a manipulative step. Claim 1 does not clearly specify what “filtering” is taking place, or what is being filtered from what. It is unclear what the make-up of “filtered fluid” recited at line 18 and in the last line of claim 1, is. The same applies to the two recitations of “filtered fluid” appearing in the last four lines of independent claim 9. In claim 6, it is unclear what Applicant intends by “wherein flow of overflowing fluid”. This language appears to lack literal and logical formational antecedence. In claim 8, it is unclear what “fluid” is “passing”. In claim 10, the recitation “the composition” at line 1 lacks clear positive antecedent basis. Discussion with Examiner Applicant is urged to contact the Examiner to discuss resolution of the issues in this application, which is believed to contain allowable subject matter. Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to ROBERT JAMES POPOVICS whose telephone number is (571) 272-1164. The examiner can normally be reached from 10:00 AM - 6:00 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, Joseph Del Sole can be reached at (571) 272-1130. 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. /ROBERT J POPOVICS/ Primary Examiner Art Unit 1763
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Prosecution Timeline

Sep 18, 2024
Application Filed
Jun 30, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §112 (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

Patent 12678716
REGENERATIVE MEDIA FILTER WITH FLOW DIFFUSER
3y 6m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026
Patent 12678712
METHODS TO DRAWDOWN PIPE SECTIONS WITH THE USE OR REGULATION CONTROL OF FLARING AND CROSS-COMPRESSION TECHNIQUE
2y 7m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026
Patent 12673881
SURFACE WATER CLEANING SYSTEMS AND METHOD OF THEIR USE
3y 10m to grant Granted Jul 07, 2026
Patent 12667799
In-Line Strainer
2y 3m to grant Granted Jun 30, 2026
Patent 12644272
STORM DRAIN GRATE AND FILTER APPARATUS AND METHOD
3y 0m to grant Granted Jun 02, 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
55%
Grant Probability
78%
With Interview (+22.9%)
3y 5m (~1y 7m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 750 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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