Prosecution Insights
Last updated: August 17, 2026
Application No. 18/925,905

Tool and cutting plate for this purpose

Non-Final OA §102§112
Filed
Oct 24, 2024
Priority
Oct 27, 2023 — DE 1020232106809
Examiner
HOTCHKISS, MICHAEL WAYNE
Art Unit
Tech Center
Assignee
Kennametal Inc.
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
69%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
8m
Est. Remaining
99%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 69% — above average
69%
Career Allowance Rate
258 granted / 373 resolved
+9.2% vs TC avg
Strong +51% interview lift
Without
With
+51.0%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 6m
Avg Prosecution
45 currently pending
Career history
423
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
0.4%
-39.6% vs TC avg
§103
49.3%
+9.3% vs TC avg
§102
25.8%
-14.2% vs TC avg
§112
23.9%
-16.1% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 373 resolved cases

Office Action

§102 §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 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 7 and 11 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 7 recites “the rear side”. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation. Claim 11 recites “the latter”. There is insufficient antecedent basis for this limitation. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102 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. 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 1-6 and 8-12 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Brunetto (US20190143424A1). Claim 1 Brunetto teaches a tool (100), a. comprising at least one cutting plate (10) for machining a workpiece, b. comprising a carrier (Figure 9), having a plate seat (104) for the cutting plate, c. wherein the cutting plate comprises at least one cutting edge (38) for machining the workpiece, d. wherein the cutting plate comprises at least one cutting corner (22) where the cutting edge terminates (Figure 1), e. wherein the cutting plate comprises at least one lateral face (12), having a contact face (12) and a clearance face (26), f. wherein the contact face abuts the plate seat (¶0034), g. wherein the clearance face is circumscribed by the cutting edge (Figure 1 / Figure 5), h. wherein, at least at the cutting corner, the clearance face protrudes in relation to the contact face (Figure 1). Claim 2 Brunetto teaches the tool according to claim 1, wherein the clearance face and the contact face are separated by a separating line (T) having an S-shaped or L-shaped path. (Figure 5 shows that a line drawn between the clearance face (26) and the contact face (12) is a L shape.) Claim 3 Brunetto teaches the tool according to claim 1, wherein the cutting plate comprises a rear side (14) having a rear corner (20), wherein the cutting plate comprises a cutting corner rim (34) extending from the cutting corner to the rear corner (Figure 1), wherein the clearance face and the contact face meet at a separating line which runs along the lateral face in the direction of the cutting corner rim and drops off towards the rear side of the cutting plate. (Figure 1) Claim 4 Brunetto teaches the tool according to claim 1, wherein the clearance face and the contact face are connected via a deburred transition. (Applicant defined “deburred transition” in ¶0054 and Figures 2-8 as a step or transition with an inner radius. Figures 3-4 of Brunetto show the transition between the contact face (12) and the clearance face has a radius.) Claim 5 Brunetto teaches the tool according to claim 1, wherein the clearance face is offset from the contact face by a step. (Figure 4) Claim 6 Brunetto teaches the tool according to claim 1, wherein the clearance face has a larger clearance angle (F1, F2) than the contact face. (Figure 4 shows the contact face (12) has an angle close to parallel to an axis running vertically through the cutting insert in the orientation in said Figure. The clearance face is angled with respect to this axis.) Claim 8 Brunetto teaches the tool according to claim 1, wherein the clearance face has a height (H) that is measured between the cutting edge and the contact face, wherein the height (H) varies along the cutting edge. (Figure 1 shows the clearance face has a varying height along the cutting edge (32). For example, the height at the corner (20) is smaller than the height at the opposite corner (22).) Claim 9 Brunetto teaches the tool according to claim 1, wherein the cutting plate comprises a further cutting edge that terminates at the cutting corner, wherein the cutting plate comprises a further lateral face, having a further contact face and a further clearance face (Figure 2 shows the cutting insert has a mirrored structure such that there is a cutting edge, lateral face, cutting corner, contact face and clearance face.), wherein the further contact face abuts the plate seat (¶0034), wherein the further clearance face is circumscribed by the further cutting edge, wherein, at least at the cutting corner, the further clearance face protrudes in relation to the further contact face. (Figures 1-2) Claim 10 Brunetto teaches the tool according to claim 1, wherein the cutting plate is an indexable insert plate. (¶0018) Claim 11 Brunetto teaches the tool according to claim 1, wherein the latter is configured as a milling tool. (¶0031 “milling cutter”) Claim 12 Brunetto teaches a cutting plate for a tool according to claim 1. (Figure 1) Claims 1 and 7 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by Satran (US5685670A). Claim 1 Satran teaches a tool (32), a. comprising at least one cutting plate (1) for machining a workpiece, b. comprising a carrier (Figure 3b), having a plate seat (33) for the cutting plate, c. wherein the cutting plate comprises at least one cutting edge (10a/10b/11a/11b) for machining the workpiece, d. wherein the cutting plate comprises at least one cutting corner (corners of the generally square cutting insert) where the cutting edge terminates (Figure 2a shows the cutting edges end at the corner, and a new one begins (i.e. 10a turns into 11a)), e. wherein the cutting plate comprises at least one lateral face (14), having a contact face (15) and a clearance face (7a), f. wherein the contact face abuts the plate seat (“For this purpose, the pocket side surface 35 is formed with a protrusion 36 having a protrusion face wall 37 and protrusion side walls 38 (only one being seen) and a cross-sectional shape generally mating the cross-sectional shape of the depression 14 of the insert. The height of the protrusion 36 in the axial direction exceeds the depth of the depression 14 and the width of the protrusion 36 in the radial direction is less than a length of the depression 14 and so that the protrusion can be freely received within the depression 14.” Col. 6, Lines 25-35), g. wherein the clearance face is circumscribed by the cutting edge (Figure 2a), h. wherein, at least at the cutting corner, the clearance face protrudes in relation to the contact face (Figure 2a). Claim 7 Satran teaches the tool according to claim 1, wherein the clearance face at the cutting corner extends to the rear side of the cutting plate. (Figure 2a) Conclusion The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure can be found on the PTO-892 form. Document Date Description of Relevant Subject Matter US20190105718A1 2017-10-09 A tool (58), a. comprising at least one cutting plate (20) for machining a workpiece, b. comprising a carrier (60), having a plate seat (62) for the cutting plate, c. wherein the cutting plate comprises at least one cutting edge (40) for machining the workpiece, d. wherein the cutting plate comprises at least one cutting corner (42) where the cutting edge terminates, e. wherein the cutting plate comprises at least one lateral face (30), having a contact face (52) and a clearance face (54), f. wherein the contact face abuts the plate seat (¶0128), g. wherein the clearance face is circumscribed by the cutting edge (Figure 5), h. wherein, at least at the cutting corner, the clearance face protrudes in relation to the contact face. (32) US20080170916A1 2007-12-26 A tool (64), a. comprising at least one cutting plate (1) for machining a workpiece, b. comprising a carrier (70), having a plate seat (72) for the cutting plate, c. wherein the cutting plate comprises at least one cutting edge (15/17) for machining the workpiece, d. wherein the cutting plate comprises at least one cutting corner (19) where the cutting edge terminates, e. wherein the cutting plate comprises at least one lateral face (11), having a contact face (21) and a clearance face (27), f. wherein the contact face abuts the plate seat (¶0072), g. wherein the clearance face is circumscribed by the cutting edge (Figure 4), h. wherein, at least at the cutting corner, the clearance face protrudes in relation to the contact face. (Figure 4) US20120195700A1 2011-12-30 A tool (52), a. comprising at least one cutting plate (10) for machining a workpiece, b. comprising a carrier (Figure 4), having a plate seat (54) for the cutting plate, c. wherein the cutting plate comprises at least one cutting edge (20/30) for machining the workpiece, d. wherein the cutting plate comprises at least one cutting corner (40) where the cutting edge terminates, e. wherein the cutting plate comprises at least one lateral face (12), having a contact face (18) and a clearance face (48), f. wherein the contact face abuts the plate seat (¶0043), g. wherein the clearance face is circumscribed by the cutting edge (Figure 1), h. wherein, at least at the cutting corner, the clearance face protrudes in relation to the contact face. (Figure 1) US6142716A 1999-09-08 A tool (Figure 7), a. comprising at least one cutting plate (10) for machining a workpiece, b. comprising a carrier (Figure 7), having a plate seat (Figure 7) for the cutting plate, c. wherein the cutting plate comprises at least one cutting edge (17/18) for machining the workpiece, d. wherein the cutting plate comprises at least one cutting corner (29) where the cutting edge terminates, e. wherein the cutting plate comprises at least one lateral face (12) having a contact face (24B) and a clearance face (22A/23A), f. wherein the contact face abuts the plate seat (implied by the name “abutment surface”), g. wherein the clearance face is circumscribed by the cutting edge (Figures 1-3), h. wherein, at least at the cutting corner, the clearance face protrudes in relation to the contact face. (Figure 4) US20100003090A1 2009-06-22 A tool (1), a. comprising at least one cutting plate (2) for machining a workpiece, b. comprising a carrier (3), having a plate seat (7) for the cutting plate, c. wherein the cutting plate comprises at least one cutting edge (6) for machining the workpiece, d. wherein the cutting plate comprises at least one cutting corner (19) where the cutting edge terminates, e. wherein the cutting plate comprises at least one lateral face (Figures 4-5) having a contact face (not labeled) and a clearance face (15), f. wherein the contact face abuts the plate seat g. wherein the clearance face is circumscribed by the cutting edge (Figures 4-5), h. wherein, at least at the cutting corner, the clearance face protrudes in relation to the contact face. (Figure 4, near item 21) US20110299946A1 2011-05-31 A tool (50), a. comprising at least one cutting plate (10) for machining a workpiece, b. comprising a carrier (52), having a plate seat (54) for the cutting plate, c. wherein the cutting plate comprises at least one cutting edge (20) for machining the workpiece, d. wherein the cutting plate comprises at least one cutting corner (32) where the cutting edge terminates, e. wherein the cutting plate comprises at least one lateral face (16) having a contact face (44) and a clearance face (24), f. wherein the contact face abuts the plate seat (¶0032) g. wherein the clearance face is circumscribed by the cutting edge (Figures 1-2), h. wherein, at least at the cutting corner, the clearance face protrudes in relation to the contact face. (Figures 1-2, Item 36) US20210060668A1 2020-08-04 A tool (1), a. comprising at least one cutting plate (2) for machining a workpiece, b. comprising a carrier (3), having a plate seat (90) for the cutting plate, c. wherein the cutting plate comprises at least one cutting edge (11 / 14) for machining the workpiece, d. wherein the cutting plate comprises at least one cutting corner (C1-C4) where the cutting edge terminates, e. wherein the cutting plate comprises at least one lateral face (10) having a contact face (not labeled) and a clearance face (not labeled), f. wherein the contact face abuts the plate seat (¶0037) g. wherein the clearance face is circumscribed by the cutting edge (Figure 3), h. wherein, at least at the cutting corner, the clearance face protrudes in relation to the contact face. (Figure 3) US20220152713A1 2020-03-25 A tool (100), a. comprising at least one cutting plate (200) for machining a workpiece, b. comprising a carrier (1), having a plate seat (11/12) for the cutting plate, c. wherein the cutting plate comprises at least one cutting edge (82) for machining the workpiece, d. wherein the cutting plate comprises at least one cutting corner (83) where the cutting edge terminates, e. wherein the cutting plate comprises at least one lateral face (70) having a contact face (60/70) and a clearance face (75), f. wherein the contact face abuts the plate seat (¶0052 describes 11-13 as “seating surfaces”) g. wherein the clearance face is circumscribed by the cutting edge (Figure 8), h. wherein, at least at the cutting corner, the clearance face protrudes in relation to the contact face. (Figure 8) US20240408681A1 2022-10-05 A tool (101), a. comprising at least one cutting plate (1) for machining a workpiece, b. comprising a carrier (103a), having a plate seat (105) for the cutting plate, c. wherein the cutting plate comprises at least one cutting edge (9 / 13) for machining the workpiece, d. wherein the cutting plate comprises at least one cutting corner (15) where the cutting edge terminates, e. wherein the cutting plate comprises at least one lateral face (Figure 3) having a contact face (not labeled) and a clearance face (not labeled), f. wherein the contact face abuts the plate seat (Figure 17) g. wherein the clearance face is circumscribed by the cutting edge (Figure 4-5), h. wherein, at least at the cutting corner, the clearance face protrudes in relation to the contact face. (Figure 1) Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to Michael W Hotchkiss whose telephone number is (571)272-3854. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Friday from 0800-1600. 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, Sunil K Singh can be reached at 571-272-3460. 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. /MICHAEL W HOTCHKISS/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3726
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Oct 24, 2024
Application Filed
Jul 21, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §102, §112 (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

Patent 12703945
MOVING FLUID IN A ROTATING CYLINDER
2y 6m to grant Granted Aug 11, 2026
Patent 12698897
Additively Manufactured Combustion Chambers, Manifold Structures and Hybrid Additive Processes Related Thereto
2y 8m to grant Granted Aug 04, 2026
Patent 12697052
Detachment and Replacement Method for a Laparoscopic Tube for an Oximetry Probe
1y 6m to grant Granted Aug 04, 2026
Patent 12692889
EXTENDABLE COUPLER ACCESSORY
1y 5m to grant Granted Jul 28, 2026
Patent 12679487
METHOD OF ASSEMBLING A VEHICLE
2y 8m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026
Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

Strategy Recommendation AI-generated — please review before filing

Get a prosecution strategy drawn from examiner precedents, rejection analysis, and claim mapping.
Typically takes 5-10 seconds — AI-generated, attorney review required before filing

Prosecution Projections

1-2
Expected OA Rounds
69%
Grant Probability
99%
With Interview (+51.0%)
2y 6m (~8m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 373 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

Sign in with your work email

Enter your email to receive a magic link. No password needed.

Personal email addresses (Gmail, Yahoo, etc.) are not accepted.

Free tier: 3 strategy analyses per month