Prosecution Insights
Last updated: August 18, 2026
Application No. 19/028,922

MULTI-LAYERED COATING FORMED BY DIFFERENT PROCESSES

Final Rejection §102
Filed
Jan 17, 2025
Priority
Aug 12, 2022 — divisional of 12/237,491
Examiner
MURATA, AUSTIN
Art Unit
1712
Tech Center
1700 — Chemical & Materials Engineering
Assignee
Ford Motor Company
OA Round
2 (Final)
61%
Grant Probability
Moderate
3-4
OA Rounds
1y 8m
Est. Remaining
81%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 61% of resolved cases
61%
Career Allowance Rate
447 granted / 738 resolved
-4.4% vs TC avg
Strong +21% interview lift
Without
With
+20.8%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
3y 3m
Avg Prosecution
32 currently pending
Career history
780
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
1.0%
-39.0% vs TC avg
§103
60.8%
+20.8% vs TC avg
§102
11.1%
-28.9% vs TC avg
§112
24.4%
-15.6% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 738 resolved cases

Office Action

§102
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 . Response to Amendment The preliminary amendment is entered. Claims 1-17 are canceled. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102 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)(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. Claim(s) 18-20 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by KONG et al. (US 2022/0173370). Regarding claim 18, KONG teaches a system for making an electrode for a battery by spraying (wet coating) a current collector 314 which is sprayed with conductive adhesive by sprayers 342 [0115] and shown in Fig. 8. The rollers 322 press and heat by hot lamination [0117] the electrode films that are applied as free-standing films [0115]. The rollers are interpreted to be the applying station and heat roll pressing station. Regarding claims 19 and 20, The limitations in claims 19 and 20 define the wet coating material and free standing material. However, the apparatus only needs to be capable of performing the function (i.e. the specific materials used). The sprayers in KONG can apply any particular liquid material while the free standing material can be any self-standing film. Claim(s) 18-20 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(2) as being anticipated by YAO et al. (US 2022/0166000). Regarding claim 18, YAO teaches a sprayers 36 for wet depositing material onto a preformed electrode films from dry mix 314, Fig. 3 and [0084]-[0089]. The embodiment shown in fig. 3 shows how the free-standing sheets are “applied” before being pressed between rollers 322 and 320 which can be heated [0046]. Regarding claims 19 and 20, The limitations in claims 19 and 20 define the wet coating material and free standing material. However, the apparatus only needs to be capable of performing the function (i.e. the specific materials used). The sprayers in YAO can apply any particular liquid material while the free standing material can be any self-standing film. Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to AUSTIN MURATA whose telephone number is (571)270-5596. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 8:30-5. 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, MICHAEL CLEVELAND can be reached at 571272-1418. 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. /AUSTIN MURATA/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1712
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Jan 17, 2025
Application Filed
Mar 19, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §102
Jun 19, 2026
Response Filed
Aug 17, 2026
Final Rejection mailed — §102 (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

Patent 12703782
WEAR RESISTANT COATING, METHOD OF MANUFACTURE THEREOF AND ARTICLES COMPRISING THE SAME
2y 10m to grant Granted Aug 11, 2026
Patent 12706295
ELECTRODE FOR RECHARGEABLE BATTERY, MANUFACTURING APPARATUS THEREOF AND MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF
2y 4m to grant Granted Aug 11, 2026
Patent 12695081
POSITIVE ELECTRODE FOR SECONDARY BATTERY, METHOD FOR PRODUCING SAME, AND SECONDARY BATTERY
2y 4m to grant Granted Jul 28, 2026
Patent 12686567
FILM FORMING SYSTEM, METHOD FOR CONTROLLING FILM FORMING SYSTEM, AND ARTICLE MANUFACTURING METHOD
2y 0m to grant Granted Jul 21, 2026
Patent 12683051
Magnetism Alignment Apparatus for Negative Electrodes and Method for Manufacturing Negative Electrodes Using Same
2y 0m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026
Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

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Prosecution Projections

3-4
Expected OA Rounds
61%
Grant Probability
81%
With Interview (+20.8%)
3y 3m (~1y 8m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Moderate
PTA Risk
Based on 738 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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