Prosecution Insights
Last updated: August 16, 2026
Application No. 18/941,132

SELF-FOLDING 3D FILM ASSEMBLIES

Non-Final OA §112
Filed
Nov 08, 2024
Priority
Dec 27, 2018 — provisional 62/785,354 +2 more
Examiner
MCKINNON, LASHAWNDA T
Art Unit
Tech Center
Assignee
3M Innovative Properties Company
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
53%
Grant Probability
Moderate
1-2
OA Rounds
1y 8m
Est. Remaining
84%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 53% of resolved cases
53%
Career Allowance Rate
402 granted / 757 resolved
-6.9% vs TC avg
Strong +31% interview lift
Without
With
+31.4%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
3y 5m
Avg Prosecution
66 currently pending
Career history
829
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
0.3%
-39.7% vs TC avg
§103
59.2%
+19.2% vs TC avg
§102
17.9%
-22.1% vs TC avg
§112
20.0%
-20.0% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 757 resolved cases

Office Action

§112
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 . Allowable Subject Matter Claims 2-7 are allowed. 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. Claim 1 is 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 at least on shaped” in line 10. It is unclear exactly what Applicant is intending to claim by such a recitation. It is believed Applicant intended to recite “the at least one shaped”. Applicant is advised to clarify the claim language. Art Not Used but Relevant PG Pub. 2016/0136877 teach a self-folding film assembly. Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to SHAWN MCKINNON whose telephone number is (571)272-6116. The examiner can normally be reached Monday thru Friday generally 8:00am-5:00pm EST. 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, Marla McConnell can be reached at 571-270-7692. 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. /Shawn Mckinnon/Examiner, Art Unit 1789
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Nov 08, 2024
Application Filed
Jul 15, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §112 (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

Patent 12698576
COMPOSITE YARNS
2y 4m to grant Granted Aug 04, 2026
Patent 12698577
HIGH-PERFORMANCE MONO-MATERIAL HYBRID YARNS AND TEXTILES
1y 6m to grant Granted Aug 04, 2026
Patent 12692184
LARGE-SIZED HOLLOW POROUS QUARTZ GLASS PREFORM AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME
5y 0m to grant Granted Jul 28, 2026
Patent 12692631
COMPOSITE FIBER, COMPOSITE MIXED-FILAMENT FIBER INCLUDING SAME, WOVEN/KNITTED FABRIC, AND GARMENT
3y 1m to grant Granted Jul 28, 2026
Patent 12674256
FABRIC WITH FLUID ABSORPTION CAPABILITIES
2y 9m to grant Granted Jul 07, 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
53%
Grant Probability
84%
With Interview (+31.4%)
3y 5m (~1y 8m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 757 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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