Prosecution Insights
Last updated: October 02, 2026
Application No. 19/206,157

Vacuum arrangement and method

Non-Final OA §112
Filed
May 13, 2025
Priority
May 14, 2024 — DE 10 2024 113 393.7
Examiner
KENDALL, BENJAMIN R
Art Unit
2896
Tech Center
2800 — Semiconductors & Electrical Systems
Assignee
Von Ardenne Asset GmbH & Co. Kg
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
33%
Grant Probability
At Risk
1-2
OA Rounds
2y 6m
Est. Remaining
55%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants only 33% of cases
33%
Career Allowance Rate
163 granted / 488 resolved
-34.6% vs TC avg
Strong +22% interview lift
Without
With
+21.5%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
3y 11m
Avg Prosecution
33 currently pending
Career history
526
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
1.1%
-38.9% vs TC avg
§103
64.0%
+24.0% vs TC avg
§102
10.4%
-29.6% vs TC avg
§112
22.9%
-17.1% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 488 resolved cases

Office Action

§112
DETAILED ACTION Prosecution on the merits of this application is reopened on claim 7 considered unpatentable for the reasons indicated below: 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. Claim 7 is 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. Regarding claim 7: Claim 7 recites “a second electrical line”. However, claim 1, from which claim 7 depends, does not set forth a first electrical line. Therefore, it is unclear if the second electrical line is the only electrical line or if a first electrical line should be implied. Examiner suggests amending claim 7 to depend from claim 6. Allowable Subject Matter Claims 1-6 and 8-20 are allowed. Conclusion Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to BENJAMIN R KENDALL whose telephone number is (571)272-5081. The examiner can normally be reached Mon - Thurs 9-5 EST. 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, William F Kraig can be reached at (571)272-8660. 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. /Benjamin Kendall/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2896
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

May 13, 2025
Application Filed
Jun 02, 2026
Request for Continued Examination
Jun 04, 2026
Response after Non-Final Action
Sep 08, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §112 (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

Patent 12749659
FOCUS RING UNIT AND SUBSTRATE PROCESSING APPARATUS
3y 7m to grant Granted Sep 29, 2026
Patent 12727439
SUBSTRATE PROCESSING APPARATUS
3y 1m to grant Granted Sep 01, 2026
Patent 12719032
PLASMA PROCESSING METHOD AND PLASMA PROCESSING APPARATUS
2y 5m to grant Granted Aug 25, 2026
Patent 12712159
SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING PLASMA DENSITY DISTRIBUTION PROFILES INCLUDING MULTI-RF ZONED SUBSTRATE SUPPORTS
3y 7m to grant Granted Aug 18, 2026
Patent 12713512
Plasma Torch, Plasma Spraying Device, and Method for Controlling Plasma Torch
2y 10m to grant Granted Aug 18, 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
33%
Grant Probability
55%
With Interview (+21.5%)
3y 11m (~2y 6m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 488 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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