Prosecution Insights
Last updated: July 17, 2026
Application No. 19/038,356

Cutting Machine Having a Reduced Form Factor

Non-Final OA §102
Filed
Jan 27, 2025
Priority
Dec 12, 2019 — provisional 62/947,470 +2 more
Examiner
MATTHEWS, JENNIFER S
Art Unit
Tech Center
Assignee
Cricut Inc.
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
54%
Grant Probability
Moderate
1-2
OA Rounds
1y 10m
Est. Remaining
75%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 54% of resolved cases
54%
Career Allowance Rate
448 granted / 832 resolved
-6.2% vs TC avg
Strong +21% interview lift
Without
With
+21.1%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
3y 3m
Avg Prosecution
40 currently pending
Career history
880
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
0.2%
-39.8% vs TC avg
§103
85.0%
+45.0% vs TC avg
§102
6.7%
-33.3% vs TC avg
§112
5.5%
-34.5% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 832 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 . Claim Objections Claim 1 is objected to because of the following informalities: Regarding claim 1 (line 12), the phrase should recite “a second portion.” Appropriate correction is required. 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. Claims 1-2 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102(a)(1) as being anticipated by US Patent No. 10,029,382 to Fujihara. In re claim 1, Fujihara teaches a cutting assembly comprising: a first drive mechanism (38); a second drive mechanism (25); and a carriage (19) comprising: a front portion (32,40) operatively coupled to the first drive mechanism (38); and a rear portion (19a) coupled to the front portion and operatively coupled to the second drive mechanism (25), the rear portion configured to move: with the front portion in a first direction upon actuation of the second drive mechanism (25); and relative to the front portion (32,40) in a second direction transverse to the first direction upon actuation of the first drive mechanism (as shown in at least Figure 3), wherein the second portion (19a) is disposed between the first portion (32,40) and at least one of the first drive mechanism (38). In re claim 2, wherein: the second drive mechanism (25) includes a drive gear (27) and a drive belt (31) offset from the carriage (19) in the first direction, and the first drive mechanism (38) is offset from the carriage in the second direction (as shown in a least Figures 2, 3, and 4a). Conclusion The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. US Patent Application Publication Nos. 20130276607 and US Patent No. 9193087, 11131980, teach a first and second rive, and a carriage. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to JENNIFER S MATTHEWS whose telephone number is (571)270-5843. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Thursday 8am-4pm. 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, Boyer Ashley can be reached at 571-272-4502. 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. /JENNIFER S MATTHEWS/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 3724
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Jan 27, 2025
Application Filed
Jun 16, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §102 (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

Patent 12667227
INTERLOCK MECHANISM
6y 8m to grant Granted Jun 30, 2026
Patent 12636805
CUTTING TOOL
3y 0m to grant Granted May 26, 2026
Patent 12617108
FOAM BOARD CUTTER
3y 6m to grant Granted May 05, 2026
Patent 12617118
Power tool
2y 5m to grant Granted May 05, 2026
Patent 12617111
PAPER CUTTER
1y 11m to grant Granted May 05, 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
54%
Grant Probability
75%
With Interview (+21.1%)
3y 3m (~1y 10m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 832 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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