Prosecution Insights
Last updated: September 17, 2026
Application No. 19/073,430

SAND PAINTING MACHINE

Non-Final OA §112
Filed
Mar 07, 2025
Priority
Mar 07, 2024 — CN 202420433928.8
Examiner
GART, MATTHEW S
Art Unit
Tech Center
Assignee
Beijing Zhirun Technology Co. Ltd.
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
14%
Grant Probability
At Risk
1-2
OA Rounds
2y 1m
Est. Remaining
32%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants only 14% of cases
14%
Career Allowance Rate
10 granted / 71 resolved
-45.9% vs TC avg
Strong +18% interview lift
Without
With
+18.0%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
3y 7m
Avg Prosecution
11 currently pending
Career history
79
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
35.7%
-4.3% vs TC avg
§103
37.6%
-2.4% vs TC avg
§102
10.8%
-29.2% vs TC avg
§112
13.4%
-26.6% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 71 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 . Drawings The drawings submitted on 3/7/2025 are approved by the Examiner. 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 1-7 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 1 is directed to a sand painting machine comprising, “… a rotating arm, a rotating arm.” Claim 1 further recites in multiple lines, “…the rotating arm.” It is unclear from the claim language which rotating arm (first or second), “the rotating arm” is referring to. The examiner recommends using terminology consistent with the specification that can be used to distinguish the two rotating arms. Appropriate correction is required. Claims 1-8 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. Claims 1 and 8 recite, “…the magnet is capable of absorbing the balls and making the balls move inside the sand board.” It is unclear how a magnet “absorbs” the balls. The specification does not provide or comment on how a magnet “absorbs” a ball. Correction is required. Prior Art Discussion The closest prior art of record is Kraus, Patent Application Publication US 2023/0226845. Kraus discloses a sand painting machine, comprising a fixed chassis (Kraus, “enclosure 102”), a rotating arm (Kraus, “rotating arm 112”), a rotating arm (Kraus, “spur gear 120”) and a sand board (Kraus “cover 106”) which are arranged sequentially from bottom to top, wherein the fixed chassis is provided with a first rotating driving device, a rotating output end of the first rotating driving device is provided at a center of the fixed chassis and fixed with one end of the first rotating arm, the first rotating driving device is configured for driving the first rotating arm to rotate, Regarding claims 1-7, Kraus does not disclose a second rotating driving device. In Kraus, a motor 108 secured in the enclosure 102 attaches to the rotating arm 112 for rotation about a center axis 109, to which the spur gear 120 rotationally attaches to the proximate end 114. The elongated rendering member 130 pivotally attaches between the distal end 116 and a radial location 118 on the spur gear, such that the elongated member has a varying length based on a rotation of the spur gear 120 and the distance from this radial location 118 as the spur gear 120 rotates relative to the distal end 116. A track 136 and a slide 134 further define the elongated rendering member 130, as the track 136 is adapted to slidably receive the slide 134 for varying the length based on the rotation of the spur gear 120. Regarding claim 8, Kraus does not disclose a second rotating driving device. Conclusion The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. CN 114973901 A, discloses a ring art design sand table model display device and using method thereof. CN216683917 U, discloses a kind of desk with the function of multifunction. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/oasisdesign/oasis-mini, Funding Period June 13, 2023 thru July 18, 2023 Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to MATTHEW S GART whose telephone number is (571)272-3955. The examiner can normally be reached M-F 8:30AM-5:00PM. 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, Tariq Hafiz can be reached at 571-272-5350. 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. /MATTHEW S GART/Supervisory Patent Examiner, Art Unit 3696
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Mar 07, 2025
Application Filed
Aug 13, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §112 (current)

Precedent Cases

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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
14%
Grant Probability
32%
With Interview (+18.0%)
3y 7m (~2y 1m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 71 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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