Prosecution Insights
Last updated: July 17, 2026
Application No. 18/909,480

CARTRIDGE REPLACEMENT AID

Non-Final OA §112
Filed
Oct 08, 2024
Priority
Jan 21, 2020 — provisional 62/963,606 +1 more
Examiner
KIM, CHRISTOPHER S
Art Unit
3752
Tech Center
3700 — Mechanical Engineering & Manufacturing
Assignee
Kidde-Fenwal LLC
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
63%
Grant Probability
Moderate
1-2
OA Rounds
1y 7m
Est. Remaining
84%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 63% of resolved cases
63%
Career Allowance Rate
714 granted / 1132 resolved
-6.9% vs TC avg
Strong +21% interview lift
Without
With
+21.3%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
3y 5m
Avg Prosecution
38 currently pending
Career history
1174
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
0.3%
-39.7% vs TC avg
§103
43.6%
+3.6% vs TC avg
§102
30.6%
-9.4% vs TC avg
§112
17.0%
-23.0% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 1132 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 . 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 1-10 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. Claim 1 recites the limitation “the cam is configured to both pierce the cartridge…” in line 7. The claim fails to recite structure to accomplish the function of piercing the cartridge. The structure recited in the claim is not commensurate in scope with the function required by the claim. Claim 1 recites the limitation “so s to notify user” in line 7. The recitation is grammatically incorrect. Claim 1 recites the limitation "user" in line 7. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation in the claim. Claim 2 recites the limitation “perpendicularly extend” in line 2. The claim fails to recite a reference to determine “perpendicularly.” Claim 3 recites the limitation “a cartridge” in line 2. It appears to be a double inclusion of the “cartridge” recited in claim 1. Claim 3 recites the limitation “a cam” in line 2. It appears to be a double inclusion of the “cam” recited in claim 1. Claim 3 recites the limitation “a fire suppression system” in line 2. The preamble of claim 3 is directed to a “cartridge replacement aid.” The “fire suppression system” exceeds the scope of the preamble. Claim 4 recites the limitation “a valve of a fire suppression system” in line 2. The preamble of claim 4 is directed to a “cartridge replacement aid.” The “valve of a fire suppression system” exceeds the scope of the preamble. Claim 7 recites the limitation “a broken protrusion” in line 1. It appears to be a double inclusion of the “protrusion” recited in claim 6. Claim 7 recites the limitation “a cartridge” in line 1. It appears to be a double inclusion of the “cartridge” recited in claim 1. Claim 10 recites the limitation “using” in line 2. The preamble of claim 10 is directed to an apparatus. It is uncertain whether claim 10 is directed to an apparatus or a method of using. The claim appears to cross two statutory classes of invention. Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to CHRISTOPHER S KIM whose telephone number is (571)272-4905. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 7:30-3:30. 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, Arthur O Hall can be reached at (571) 270-1814. 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. /CHRISTOPHER S KIM/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3752 CHRISTOPHER S. KIM Examiner Art Unit 3752 CK
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Oct 08, 2024
Application Filed
Jun 12, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §112 (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

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WATER OUTLET DEVICE WITH COLD WATER DISCHARGING FUNCTION
1y 11m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026
Patent 12667095
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3y 5m to grant Granted Jun 30, 2026
Patent 12654049
SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF FLOW CONTROL VALVES WITH MANIFOLDS
3y 9m to grant Granted Jun 16, 2026
Patent 12654184
FLUID ATOMIZER
3y 4m to grant Granted Jun 16, 2026
Patent 12653919
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2y 8m to grant Granted Jun 16, 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
63%
Grant Probability
84%
With Interview (+21.3%)
3y 5m (~1y 7m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 1132 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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