Prosecution Insights
Last updated: October 02, 2026
Application No. 18/973,301

CAPACITOR ELEMENT

Non-Final OA §112
Filed
Dec 09, 2024
Priority
Sep 26, 2022 — JP 2022-152765 +1 more
Examiner
THOMAS, ERIC W
Art Unit
Tech Center
Assignee
Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
82%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
5m
Est. Remaining
81%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 82% — above average
82%
Career Allowance Rate
1053 granted / 1276 resolved
+22.5% vs TC avg
Minimal -2% lift
Without
With
+-1.9%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
2y 3m
Avg Prosecution
32 currently pending
Career history
1300
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
1.3%
-38.7% vs TC avg
§103
51.1%
+11.1% vs TC avg
§102
30.8%
-9.2% vs TC avg
§112
9.0%
-31.0% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 1276 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 . Specification The title of the invention is not descriptive. A new title is required that is clearly indicative of the invention to which the claims are directed. The lengthy specification has not been checked to the extent necessary to determine the presence of all possible minor errors. Applicant’s cooperation is requested in correcting any errors of which applicant may become aware in the specification. 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 7-8 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, line 3, the limitation, “a second extended conductor” is confusing. Is there a first extended conductor? Claim 8, line 3, the limitation, “a second outer electrode layer” is confusing. Is there a first outer electrode layer? Allowable Subject Matter Claims 1-6, and 9-18 are allowed. Claims 7-8 would be allowable if rewritten to overcome the rejection(s) under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), 2nd paragraph, set forth in this Office action and to include all of the limitations of the base claim and any intervening claims. The following is a statement of reasons for the indication of allowable subject matter: In combination with the other claim limitations, the prior art does not teach or suggest a capacitor element comprising a sealing layer that seals the capacitor part; and an insulating layer inside the sealing layer at a position where the insulating layer does not contact the cathode layer, wherein the insulating layer has a Young's modulus lower than a Young's modulus of the sealing layer (claim 1). Conclusion The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. JP H05-85034 U - solid electrolytic capacitor having reinforcing members above and below capacitor element. Young’s modulus of reinforcing members (alumina) higher than epoxy encapsulant. EP 0182319 A – solid electrolytic capacitor having UV coating that contacts the cathode. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to ERIC THOMAS whose telephone number is (571)272-1985. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Friday, 6:00 AM-2:30 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, Timothy Dole can be reached at (571)272-2229. 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 THOMAS/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2847 ERIC THOMAS Primary Examiner Art Unit 2847
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Dec 09, 2024
Application Filed
Sep 21, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §112 (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

Patent 12749625
FILM CAPACITOR AND CAPACITOR MODULE
2y 3m to grant Granted Sep 29, 2026
Patent 12749624
MULTILAYER CERAMIC ELECTRONIC COMPONENT
2y 3m to grant Granted Sep 29, 2026
Patent 12749626
MULTILAYER CERAMIC ELECTRONIC COMPONENT
2y 1m to grant Granted Sep 29, 2026
Patent 12744161
FILM CAPACITOR AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING FILM CAPACITOR
2y 3m to grant Granted Sep 22, 2026
Patent 12731733
MULTILAYER CERAMIC CAPACITOR
2y 7m to grant Granted Sep 08, 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
82%
Grant Probability
81%
With Interview (-1.9%)
2y 3m (~5m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 1276 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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