Last updated: July 17, 2026

Application No. 19/017,085

METHOD FOR CLEANING SUBSTRATE AND CLEANING DEVICE

Non-Final OA

Filed

Jan 10, 2025

Priority

Aug 09, 2016 — JP 2016-156815 +3 more

Examiner

ZHANG, RICHARD Z

Art Unit

1714

Tech Center

1700 — Chemical & Materials Engineering

Assignee

KIOXIA Corporation

OA Round

1 (Non-Final)

Interview Optional

— +67.1% interview lift. Examiner has a relatively high allowance rate (66%); +67.1% interview lift. A written response may suffice.

Based on 199 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

ZHANG, RICHARD Z View full profile →

Grants 66% — above average

Career Allowance Rate

131 granted / 199 resolved

+0.8% vs TC avg

Strong +67% interview lift

Without

With

+67.1%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Typical timeline

2y 8m

Avg Prosecution

33 currently pending

Career history

225

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101

0.7%

-39.3% vs TC avg

§103

85.8%

+45.8% vs TC avg

§102

4.5%

-35.5% vs TC avg

§112

7.4%

-32.6% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 199 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

Jan 10, 2025

Application Filed

Apr 29, 2026

Non-Final Rejection mailed (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

18/721,110

Patent 12674247

METHOD FOR CLEANING ELECTROPLATING DEVICE

2y 0m to grant Granted Jul 07, 2026

18/507,070

Patent 12672505

SUBSTRATE PROCESSING APPARATUS, OPERATING METHOD THEREOF, AND PHOTO SPINNER EQUIPMENT

2y 7m to grant Granted Jun 30, 2026

18/666,319

Patent 12666899

WAFER CLEANING METHOD AND SYSTEM

2y 1m to grant Granted Jun 23, 2026

18/263,207

Patent 12656071

METHOD AND CLEANING DEVICE FOR CLEANING THE INTERIOR OF A PIPE

2y 10m to grant Granted Jun 16, 2026

18/423,170

Patent 12660547

SUBSTRATE TREATING METHOD

2y 4m to grant Granted Jun 16, 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.

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Prosecution Projections

1-2

Expected OA Rounds

66%

Grant Probability

99%

With Interview (+67.1%)

2y 8m (~1y 1m remaining)

Median Time to Grant

Low

PTA Risk

Based on 199 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.