USPTO Examiner HOOVER MATTHEW - Art Unit 1746

Recent Applications

Detailed information about the 100 most recent patent applications.

Application NumberTitleFiling DateDisposal DateDispositionTime (months)Office ActionsRestrictionsInterviewAppeal
17057262SAFETY LIFTING DEVICENovember 2020September 2023Allow3400NoNo
17092696Bag With Coloured Sheet For Repairing Composite Panels, And Colouration And Repair MethodNovember 2020July 2023Allow3201NoNo
17076751System and Method for Retroactively Lining a Vertical Trash ChuteOctober 2020September 2023Allow3501NoNo
17060438METHOD OF MANUFACTURING A PLASTIC TANKOctober 2020January 2024Abandon3921NoNo
17043431PHOTO-RESPONSIVE SELF-DEFORMING STRUCTURE AND METHOD OF DRIVING SAMESeptember 2020November 2023Allow3821YesNo
17041380METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING A CUSTOMIZED SLEEVE FOR A PROSTHESISSeptember 2020August 2023Allow3500NoNo
17027396NON-STANDARD RESIN-INFUSED FIBER BUNDLESSeptember 2020September 2023Allow3601NoNo
16903091STRAPLESS PROTECTIVE MASKJune 2020December 2023Abandon4211NoNo
16880584PREFORM SHAPING APPARATUS, PREFORM SHAPING METHOD AND COMPOSITE MATERIAL MOLDING METHODMay 2020June 2023Allow3721YesNo
16607786PULTRUDED STRIPSOctober 2019September 2023Allow4721YesNo
16493504METHOD FOR PRODUCING SHAPING MATERIALSeptember 2019December 2023Allow5110NoNo
16037302METHOD FOR USING TRANSVERSE SONOTRODE IN ULTRASONIC WELDINGJuly 2018May 2019Allow1000YesNo
15991266METHODS FOR JOINING POLYMERIC COMPOSITES USING A HYBRID FRICTION/ULTRASOUND TECHNIQUE FOR ACHIEVING DESIRED WELD CHARACTERISTICSMay 2018November 2018Allow600NoNo
15943025METHODS FOR MANUFACTURING SLIDE FASTENER WITH OVERMOLDED COMPONENTSApril 2018July 2018Allow300NoNo
15884943COMPOSITE SHEET AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING THE SAMEJanuary 2018April 2018Allow300NoNo
15848127WAFER ALIGNMENT METHOD AND SYSTEMDecember 2017January 2019Allow1301YesNo
15812569METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SEALING AND STRUCTURALLY RENEWING A WALL OF A MANHOLENovember 2017February 2019Allow1500YesNo
15546939METHOD OF MANUFACTURING STRETCHABLE SHEETJuly 2017March 2019Allow2001YesNo
15656124WRINKLE FREE GEOMETRIC OPENING IN A VACUUM INSULATED PANELJuly 2017November 2018Allow1600NoNo
15653542METHOD FOR MAKING LITHIUM-SULFUR BATTERY SEPARATORJuly 2017February 2019Allow1900NoNo
15645373WRINKLE FREE GEOMETRIC OPENING IN A VACUUM INSULATED PANELJuly 2017October 2018Allow1500NoNo
15626509CONTROLLED RELEASE COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS OF USINGJune 2017November 2018Allow1600NoNo
15536505METHOD FOR PRODUCING AN OBJECT BY MELTING A POLYMER POWDER IN A POWDER SINTERING DEVICEJune 2017March 2019Allow2100YesNo
15614676COATED GLASS REINFORCED FACERJune 2017October 2018Allow1600NoNo
15532077A LID SHEET, A METHOD FOR MANUFACTURE, AND A PACKAGEMay 2017July 2019Abandon2511YesNo
15594673PACKAGE SUBSTRATE AND MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOFMay 2017August 2018Allow1500NoNo
15499908METHOD FOR MAKING TRI-FOLD SIDE SEAMED PLASTIC PRODUCE BAGApril 2017June 2018Allow1300NoNo
15491497THERMOCOMPRESSION BONDING SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF OPERATING THE SAMEApril 2017August 2017Allow400YesNo
15514759METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING A COMPOSITE ELEMENT FOR VACUUM INSULATION ELEMENTSMarch 2017February 2019Allow2300NoNo
15513024TREATMENT DEVICE AND TREATMENT METHODMarch 2017May 2019Allow2601NoNo
15460266PRE-COATED BOTTOM COVER COMBINATION MACHINE FOR TILE CARPETMarch 2017November 2018Allow2000NoNo
15454867TRANSVERSE SONOTRODE DESIGN FOR ULTRASONIC WELDINGMarch 2017March 2018Allow1200NoNo
15509471METHOD FOR SEPARATING PORTIONS FROM A WEB AND RECOMBINING THESE ONTO THE WEB MACHINE-DIRECTIONALLY OFFSETMarch 2017August 2018Abandon1701YesNo
15442092Method and Apparatus for Sealing and Structurally Renewing a Wall of a ManholeFebruary 2017August 2017Allow600YesNo
15439508VACUUM KNIFE TOOLFebruary 2017March 2019Allow2400YesNo
15433897METHOD OF MANUFACTURE OF A DENTAL PROPHY ANGLEFebruary 2017January 2019Allow2300NoNo
15431895METHOD FOR FORMING A STRUCTURAL PANELFebruary 2017May 2019Allow2700NoNo
15428048Temporary TattooFebruary 2017May 2019Allow2810NoNo
15421938INFORMATION CARRYING CARD COMPRISING CROSSLINKED POLYMER COMPOSITION, AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAMEFebruary 2017July 2018Allow1710NoNo
15500550FINISHING SYSTEM FOR 3D PRINTED COMPONENTSJanuary 2017August 2019Abandon3121YesNo
15326595FOIL IMAGE FORMATION METHODJanuary 2017May 2019Allow2821YesNo
15322483METHOD FOR BONDING COMPOSITE MATERIALS AND DEVICE FOR BONDING COMPOSITE MATERIALSDecember 2016April 2019Allow2801YesNo
15381125METHOD OF MANUFACTURING METAL SUBSTRATEDecember 2016December 2018Allow2400NoNo
15379517Method for Producing a Component ConnectionDecember 2016November 2018Allow2300NoNo
15375710METHOD FOR FABRICATING ABSORBENT ARTICLESDecember 2016March 2018Allow1500YesNo
15374060Method and Apparatus For Creating Pouches or Bags With Multiphase SealingDecember 2016April 2019Allow2801NoNo
15308543METHOD OF MAKING BREATHABLE, ELASTIC FILM LAMINATES AND ARTICLES DERIVED THEREFROMNovember 2016June 2019Abandon3101YesNo
15308077AN APPARATUS FOR FORMING OF CONSOLIDATION REGIONS IN A WEBOctober 2016May 2019Abandon3101YesNo
15335539APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR FORMING AND SECURING DISCRETE COMPONENTS TO MOVING WEBSOctober 2016January 2017Allow300NoNo
15334436PIPE LINER AND METHOD OF USING THE SAMEOctober 2016January 2019Allow2600YesNo
15305794Fiber-Reinforced Plastic Joined Body, Method for Producing Fiber-Reinforced Plastic Joined Body, and Fiber-Reinforced Molded ArticleOctober 2016September 2018Allow2300YesNo
15294085METHODS OF TRANSFERRING PILLARS FROM PILLAR DELIVERY FILMSOctober 2016July 2017Allow900YesNo
15294591Bird Deterrent Glass CoatingsOctober 2016July 2018Allow2200NoNo
15291936METHODS FOR MAKING A BAG FROM A FILM MATERIAL EXHIBITING TEXTILE PROPERTIESOctober 2016July 2017Allow900YesNo
15289347ASSEMBLY AND MOUNTING OF A REFLECTIVE FILM ON A COMPOSITE STRUCTUREOctober 2016May 2019Allow3221YesYes
15128553MANUFACTURING APPARATUS AND MANUFACTURING METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING ABSORBENT ARTICLESeptember 2016May 2018Allow1900NoNo
15257024DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PROCESSING A FIBRE COMPOUND STRUCTURESeptember 2016September 2017Allow1200YesNo
15250734System and Method for Forming a Bonded JointAugust 2016August 2018Allow2400YesNo
15121898METHODS OF MANUFACTURING SEQUENTIALLY STRETCHED POLYMER FILMS, APPARATUS USED FOR SUCH METHODS, AND PRODUCTS OBTAINED THEREBYAugust 2016January 2019Allow2811NoNo
15238027Transaction Card with Carbon Fiber Substructure and Method of Making SameAugust 2016February 2017Allow600YesNo
15233044SYSTEM FOR PRINTING ON THREE-DIMENSIONAL (3D) OBJECTSAugust 2016April 2019Allow3211NoNo
15228973Fabrication of Stiffened Composite PanelsAugust 2016February 2018Allow1800YesNo
15204877HIGH-SPEED MANUFACTURING OF PRINTED PRODUCT MICRO FEATURESJuly 2016December 2017Allow1700NoNo
15200330NON-VENTED BLADDER SYSTEM FOR CURING COMPOSITE PARTSJuly 2016April 2018Allow2100NoNo
15186755DIELECTRIC MATERIALS USING 2D NANOSHEET NETWORK INTERLAYERJune 2016April 2018Allow2211NoNo
15183409SEALED LOCKING RETRACTORJune 2016October 2017Allow1600NoNo
15167795CARRIER SUBSTRATE, METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME, AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING FLEXIBLE DISPLAY DEVICE USING THE CARRIER SUBSTRATEMay 2016May 2018Allow2401NoNo
15162959ABSORBENT ARTICLE PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR INTERMITTENTLY DEACTIVATING ELASTICS IN ELASTIC LAMINATESMay 2016April 2017Allow1100YesNo
15150425APPARATUS FOR CO-CURING COMPOSITE SKINS AND STIFFENERS IN AN AUTOCLAVEMay 2016March 2017Allow1100YesNo
15098067SOLID STATE DRAWING LAMINATED POLYMER BILLETSApril 2016September 2017Allow1700NoNo
15094422INSTALLATION ASSEMBLY AND ASSOCIATED METHOD FOR FORMING A BONDED JOINTApril 2016February 2018Allow2200NoNo
15086462THREE-DIMENSIONAL OBJECT MANUFACTURING METHOD, THREE-DIMENSIONAL SHAPING METHOD AND THREE-DIMENSIONAL SHAPING SYSTEMMarch 2016January 2019Allow3401YesNo
15083147METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HIGH SPEED PLASTIC STRAPPING WELDINGMarch 2016November 2017Allow2010NoNo
15077342CONTROLLED RELEASE COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS OF USINGMarch 2016March 2017Allow1200YesNo
15076780BONDING AND SLITTING DEVICEMarch 2016March 2018Allow2420YesNo
15075372COMPOSITE UPPER FOR SHOE WITH SELECTIVELY DISPOSED BONDING AGENTMarch 2016February 2018Allow2311NoNo
15074901DEVICE, DEVICE SHELL AND ITS PROCESSING METHODMarch 2016June 2019Abandon3921YesNo
15072169AUTOMATED APPLICATION OF CUT THERMAL ADHESIVE FILMSMarch 2016September 2018Allow3000YesNo
14917980HEAT TRANSFER FILMS FOR THE DRY COATING OF SURFACESMarch 2016January 2019Allow3401YesNo
15057031Compaction System for Composite StringersFebruary 2016May 2017Allow1500YesNo
15052740DIGITAL IMAGING SCREEN PRINTING PROCESSFebruary 2016March 2019Abandon3701YesNo
15050348METAL TRANSFER FILM AND METHOD OF USING SAMEFebruary 2016December 2018Allow3301YesNo
15010600UNIVERSAL C ARM TAPE DRAPEJanuary 2016July 2018Allow3021YesNo
14908338BONDED BODY AND BONDING METHODJanuary 2016July 2019Abandon4221YesNo
15008605Method of Using an Inflatable Member to Customize an ArticleJanuary 2016June 2017Allow2800NoNo
15008073MULTI-LAYER PRODUCT WITH SEALING AREAS OF VARYING TEMPERATUREJanuary 2016August 2018Allow3100NoNo
14980778MULTI-LAYER GAS BARRIER MATERIALS FOR VACUUM INSULATED STRUCTUREDecember 2015February 2018Allow2500NoNo
14979255SEALED LOCKING RETRACTORDecember 2015March 2016Allow200NoNo
14964821LABELER AND METHOD FOR APPLYING LABELS PROVIDED WITH AN ACTIVATABLE ADHESIVEDecember 2015April 2019Abandon4011YesNo
14961952METHODS FOR DISPENSING AND COMPACTING INSULATION MATERIALS INTO A VACUUM SEALED STRUCTUREDecember 2015March 2018Allow2700NoNo
14953226TAPE ATTACHING APPARATUS AND TAPE ATTACHING METHODNovember 2015March 2016Allow300NoNo
14939151Dilution Kit and MethodNovember 2015December 2016Abandon1320YesNo
14890435REINFORCED THERMOPLASTIC STRUCTURAL COMPONENT AND PROCESS TO MAKE THE SAMENovember 2015November 2018Abandon3621YesNo
14932616VACUUM RING FOR PRODUCING LAMINATED ASSEMBLY AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING LAMINATED ASSEMBLY USING THE SAMENovember 2015August 2018Allow3401NoNo
14927123DEVICES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS FOR COMPACTING A CHARGE OF COMPOSITE MATERIAL ACROSS AN EDGEOctober 2015February 2018Allow2700NoNo
14885941Method of and an Arrangement for Securing a Trailing End of a Web in a Web Roll to a Surface of the RollOctober 2015July 2018Allow3321YesNo
14881425METHOD FOR FABRICATION OF A CONDUCTOR BAROctober 2015May 2018Allow3221YesNo
14881295METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR A MEMBRANE APPLICATOROctober 2015March 2019Abandon4111YesNo
14781143METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING A FUEL TANK OR FILLING PIPE AND USE THEREOF IN A HYBRID VEHICLESeptember 2015August 2018Allow3511YesNo
14867233TEXTILE FABRICATION SYSTEMSeptember 2015June 2018Allow3210NoNo

Appeals Overview

This analysis examines appeal outcomes and the strategic value of filing appeals for examiner HOOVER, MATTHEW.

Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) Decisions

Total PTAB Decisions
13
Examiner Affirmed
9
(69.2%)
Examiner Reversed
4
(30.8%)
Reversal Percentile
48.4%
Lower than average

What This Means

With a 30.8% reversal rate, the PTAB reverses the examiner's rejections in a meaningful percentage of cases. This reversal rate is below the USPTO average, indicating that appeals face more challenges here than typical.

Strategic Value of Filing an Appeal

Total Appeal Filings
43
Allowed After Appeal Filing
18
(41.9%)
Not Allowed After Appeal Filing
25
(58.1%)
Filing Benefit Percentile
69.5%
Higher than average

Understanding Appeal Filing Strategy

Filing a Notice of Appeal can sometimes lead to allowance even before the appeal is fully briefed or decided by the PTAB. This occurs when the examiner or their supervisor reconsiders the rejection during the mandatory appeal conference (MPEP § 1207.01) after the appeal is filed.

In this dataset, 41.9% of applications that filed an appeal were subsequently allowed. This appeal filing benefit rate is above the USPTO average, suggesting that filing an appeal can be an effective strategy for prompting reconsideration.

Strategic Recommendations

Appeals to PTAB face challenges. Ensure your case has strong merit before committing to full Board review.

Filing a Notice of Appeal is strategically valuable. The act of filing often prompts favorable reconsideration during the mandatory appeal conference.

Examiner HOOVER, MATTHEW - Prosecution Strategy Guide

Executive Summary

Examiner HOOVER, MATTHEW works in Art Unit 1746 and has examined 471 patent applications in our dataset. With an allowance rate of 73.2%, this examiner has a below-average tendency to allow applications. Applications typically reach final disposition in approximately 32 months.

Allowance Patterns

Examiner HOOVER, MATTHEW's allowance rate of 73.2% places them in the 39% percentile among all USPTO examiners. This examiner has a below-average tendency to allow applications.

Office Action Patterns

On average, applications examined by HOOVER, MATTHEW receive 1.77 office actions before reaching final disposition. This places the examiner in the 36% percentile for office actions issued. This examiner issues fewer office actions than average, which may indicate efficient prosecution or a more lenient examination style.

Prosecution Timeline

The median time to disposition (half-life) for applications examined by HOOVER, MATTHEW is 32 months. This places the examiner in the 50% percentile for prosecution speed. Prosecution timelines are slightly slower than average with this examiner.

Interview Effectiveness

Conducting an examiner interview provides a -1.2% benefit to allowance rate for applications examined by HOOVER, MATTHEW. This interview benefit is in the 11% percentile among all examiners. Note: Interviews show limited statistical benefit with this examiner compared to others, though they may still be valuable for clarifying issues.

Request for Continued Examination (RCE) Effectiveness

When applicants file an RCE with this examiner, 26.2% of applications are subsequently allowed. This success rate is in the 46% percentile among all examiners. Strategic Insight: RCEs show below-average effectiveness with this examiner. Carefully evaluate whether an RCE or continuation is the better strategy.

After-Final Amendment Practice

This examiner enters after-final amendments leading to allowance in 18.3% of cases where such amendments are filed. This entry rate is in the 23% percentile among all examiners. Strategic Recommendation: This examiner rarely enters after-final amendments compared to other examiners. You should generally plan to file an RCE or appeal rather than relying on after-final amendment entry. Per MPEP § 714.12, primary examiners have discretion in entering after-final amendments, and this examiner exercises that discretion conservatively.

Pre-Appeal Conference Effectiveness

When applicants request a pre-appeal conference (PAC) with this examiner, 47.6% result in withdrawal of the rejection or reopening of prosecution. This success rate is in the 42% percentile among all examiners. Note: Pre-appeal conferences show below-average success with this examiner. Consider whether your arguments are strong enough to warrant a PAC request.

Appeal Withdrawal and Reconsideration

This examiner withdraws rejections or reopens prosecution in 69.0% of appeals filed. This is in the 55% percentile among all examiners. Of these withdrawals, 55.2% occur early in the appeal process (after Notice of Appeal but before Appeal Brief). Strategic Insight: This examiner shows above-average willingness to reconsider rejections during appeals. The mandatory appeal conference (MPEP § 1207.01) provides an opportunity for reconsideration.

Petition Practice

When applicants file petitions regarding this examiner's actions, 74.1% are granted (fully or in part). This grant rate is in the 79% percentile among all examiners. Strategic Note: Petitions are frequently granted regarding this examiner's actions compared to other examiners. Per MPEP § 1002.02(c), various examiner actions are petitionable to the Technology Center Director, including prematureness of final rejection, refusal to enter amendments, and requirement for information. If you believe an examiner action is improper, consider filing a petition.

Examiner Cooperation and Flexibility

Examiner's Amendments: This examiner makes examiner's amendments in 3.0% of allowed cases (in the 80% percentile). Per MPEP § 1302.04, examiner's amendments are used to place applications in condition for allowance when only minor changes are needed. This examiner frequently uses this tool compared to other examiners, indicating a cooperative approach to getting applications allowed. Strategic Insight: If you are close to allowance but minor claim amendments are needed, this examiner may be willing to make an examiner's amendment rather than requiring another round of prosecution.

Quayle Actions: This examiner issues Ex Parte Quayle actions in 1.7% of allowed cases (in the 69% percentile). This examiner issues Quayle actions more often than average when claims are allowable but formal matters remain (MPEP § 714.14).

Prosecution Strategy Recommendations

Based on the statistical analysis of this examiner's prosecution patterns, here are tailored strategic recommendations:

  • Plan for RCE after final rejection: This examiner rarely enters after-final amendments. Budget for an RCE in your prosecution strategy if you receive a final rejection.
  • Examiner cooperation: This examiner frequently makes examiner's amendments to place applications in condition for allowance. If you are close to allowance, the examiner may help finalize the claims.

Relevant MPEP Sections for Prosecution Strategy

  • MPEP § 713.10: Examiner interviews - available before Notice of Allowance or transfer to PTAB
  • MPEP § 714.12: After-final amendments - may be entered "under justifiable circumstances"
  • MPEP § 1002.02(c): Petitionable matters to Technology Center Director
  • MPEP § 1004: Actions requiring primary examiner signature (allowances, final rejections, examiner's answers)
  • MPEP § 1207.01: Appeal conferences - mandatory for all appeals
  • MPEP § 1214.07: Reopening prosecution after appeal

Important Disclaimer

Not Legal Advice: The information provided in this report is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. You should consult with a qualified patent attorney or agent for advice specific to your situation.

No Guarantees: We do not provide any guarantees as to the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the statistics presented above. Patent prosecution statistics are derived from publicly available USPTO data and are subject to data quality limitations, processing errors, and changes in USPTO practices over time.

Limitation of Liability: Under no circumstances will IronCrow AI be liable for any outcome, decision, or action resulting from your reliance on the statistics, analysis, or recommendations presented in this report. Past prosecution patterns do not guarantee future results.

Use at Your Own Risk: While we strive to provide accurate and useful prosecution statistics, you should independently verify any information that is material to your prosecution strategy and use your professional judgment in all patent prosecution matters.