Prosecution Insights
Last updated: August 14, 2026
Application No. 18/915,548

METHOD FOR CLEANING A MOLDING INSERT

Non-Final OA §112
Filed
Oct 15, 2024
Priority
Oct 17, 2023 — provisional 63/590,932
Examiner
GOLIGHTLY, ERIC WAYNE
Art Unit
1714
Tech Center
1700 — Chemical & Materials Engineering
Assignee
Alcon Inc.
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
78%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
1y 1m
Est. Remaining
99%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 78% — above average
78%
Career Allowance Rate
673 granted / 866 resolved
+12.7% vs TC avg
Strong +25% interview lift
Without
With
+25.0%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 11m
Avg Prosecution
33 currently pending
Career history
898
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
0.5%
-39.5% vs TC avg
§103
52.5%
+12.5% vs TC avg
§102
12.3%
-27.7% vs TC avg
§112
29.6%
-10.4% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 866 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 . Claim Objections Claims 2-10 are objected to because of the following informalities: Regarding claims 2-10, the word “Method” in line 1 of each claim should apparently be replaced with “The method”. Appropriate correction is required. 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 1-10 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 limitations "the diameter” (of the outlet opening) in line 11, “the diameter” (of the molding surface) in line 12, and “the removal” (of exhaust gas) in line 24. There is insufficient antecedent basis for these limitations in the claim. Regarding claim 2, the phrase “in particular” in lines 3, 5 and 7 renders the claim indefinite because it is unclear whether the limitations following the phrase are part of the claimed invention. See MPEP § 2173.05(d). Regarding claim 3, the phrase “in particular” in line 2 renders the claim indefinite because it is unclear whether the limitations following the phrase are part of the claimed invention. See MPEP § 2173.05(d). Regarding claim 4, the phrase “in particular” in line 3 renders the claim indefinite because it is unclear whether the limitations following the phrase are part of the claimed invention. See MPEP § 2173.05(d). Regarding claim 6, the phrase “in particular” in lines 2 and 4-5 renders the claim indefinite because it is unclear whether the limitations following the phrase are part of the claimed invention. See MPEP § 2173.05(d). Regarding claim 9, the phrase “in particular” in lines 3, 4 and 5 renders the claim indefinite because it is unclear whether the limitations following the phrase are part of the claimed invention. See MPEP § 2173.05(d). Regarding claim 10, the phrase “in particular” in lines 3-4 renders the claim indefinite because it is unclear whether the limitations following the phrase are part of the claimed invention. See MPEP § 2173.05(d). Conclusion The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. JP 2017520443 to Dlh Bowles Inc. teaches a method for cleaning multiple image sensors. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to ERIC GOLIGHTLY whose telephone number is (571)270-3715. The examiner can normally be reached M-F: 10 am - 7 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, Kaj Olsen can be reached at (571) 272-1344. 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. /ERIC W GOLIGHTLY/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1714
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Oct 15, 2024
Application Filed
Jul 14, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §112
Aug 05, 2026
Examiner Interview Summary
Aug 05, 2026
Applicant Interview (Telephonic)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

Patent 12689105
APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR REMOVING RESIDUAL ELECTROLYTE FROM A SECONDARY BATTERY
2y 1m to grant Granted Jul 21, 2026
Patent 12678832
MAGNETIC RESONANCE APPARATUS WITH CLEANING UNIT AND METHOD FOR CLEANING A PATIENT RECEIVING AREA
4y 5m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026
Patent 12680161
SEMICONDUCTOR PROCESS SYSTEM AND METHOD OF CLEANING THE SAME
3y 1m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026
Patent 12668210
VEHICLE SENSOR CLEANING APPARATUS AND CONTROLLING METHOD OF THE SAME
2y 0m to grant Granted Jun 30, 2026
Patent 12668873
GAS SUPPLY LINE ARRANGEMENTS
1y 8m to grant Granted Jun 30, 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
78%
Grant Probability
99%
With Interview (+25.0%)
2y 11m (~1y 1m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 866 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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