USPTO Examiner SPARKS RUSSELL E - Art Unit 1755

Recent Applications

Detailed information about the 100 most recent patent applications.

Application NumberTitleFiling DateDisposal DateDispositionTime (months)Office ActionsRestrictionsInterviewAppeal
17134680CIGARETTE ROLLING MACHINEDecember 2020September 2024Allow4530YesNo
17254758ELECTRONIC CIGARETTE ATOMIZER AND ELECTRONIC CIGARETTEDecember 2020July 2024Allow4240NoNo
16970251Method and System For Producing of Reconstituted Vegetable FilmsDecember 2020August 2024Allow4821NoNo
17115835AEROSOL-GENERATING APPARATUS, THERMAL DISTRIBUTION CASING, AND RELATED METHODSDecember 2020October 2023Allow3412NoNo
17095306SMOKING ARTICLENovember 2020March 2023Allow2810NoNo
17074008TOBACCO GRANULES AND METHOD OF PRODUCING TOBACCO GRANULESOctober 2020April 2025Allow5460NoNo
16982382METHOD AND TOOL FOR PRODUCING A PLASTIC CONTAINER, PARTICULARLY A FUEL CONTAINER, BY INTERNAL PRESSURE FORMINGOctober 2020September 2024Allow4831YesNo
17045534THREE-DIMENSIONAL PRINTINGOctober 2020March 2025Allow5322NoNo
17043019OPENING-CLOSING ASSEMBLY FOR TOBACCO HEATERSeptember 2020August 2024Abandon4710NoNo
17040793INHALER WITH COMPOSITE POROUS SUPPORT ELEMENTSeptember 2020March 2023Allow3000NoNo
17040216INHALER WITH APERATURED POROUS SUPPORT ELEMENTSeptember 2020November 2023Allow3711NoNo
17040220INHALER WITH VORTEX CAPSULE CAVITYSeptember 2020December 2023Allow3921NoNo
17002592HASHISH CIGARETTE PRODUCT AND METHOD OF MANUFACTUREAugust 2020March 2025Abandon5440NoNo
16999298SUBSTITUTE SMOKING CONSUMABLEAugust 2020November 2024Abandon5020YesNo
16999740BLOW MOLDED PART INCLUDING COMPRESSION MOLDED ELEMENTAugust 2020April 2024Allow4441NoNo
16967837METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FOLDING A WEB OF MATERIALAugust 2020May 2024Allow4521YesNo
16941873PORTABLE VAPORIZERJuly 2020July 2024Abandon4811NoNo
16963921DEVICE FOR REMOVING PLASTIC PRODUCTSJuly 2020September 2024Allow5041YesYes
16961040A Mouthpiece Assembly for an Inhalation Device including a Replaceable Substrate Component, and a Replaceable Substrate Component thereforJuly 2020April 2025Allow5731YesNo
16924327Mouthpiece DeviceJuly 2020November 2023Abandon4030NoNo
16917629APPARATUS COMBINING A GLASS CONTAINER WITH A GLASS WATER PIPEJune 2020May 2024Allow4741YesNo
16958390AEROSOL-GENERATING DEVICE AND AEROSOL-GENERATING SYSTEM COMPRISING A BIMETALLIC ELEMENTJune 2020August 2023Allow3821YesNo
16958190INHALER WITH VORTEX TUNNELJune 2020March 2023Allow3321NoNo
15733272ELECTRONIC AEROSOL PROVISION SYSTEMJune 2020June 2024Allow4821NoNo
16772700ELECTRONIC CIGARETTEJune 2020February 2023Allow3210NoNo
16868862INDIVIDUALLY PACKAGED PODMay 2020March 2023Abandon3520YesNo
16760370AEROSOLIZABLE GELApril 2020June 2024Allow5061YesNo
16759441AEROSOL GENERATING DEVICEApril 2020February 2025Allow5850YesNo
16845561METHOD OF MOUNTING TOBACCO LEAVES FOR HEATED TOBACCO PRODUCTApril 2020April 2024Allow4850YesNo
16754502VAPOUR PROVISION SYSTEMSApril 2020October 2023Allow4211NoNo
16647437ULTRASONIC ELECTRONIC CIGARETTEMarch 2020January 2023Allow3400NoNo
16644786EVAPORATION DEVICES CONTAINING PLANT MATERIALMarch 2020August 2024Abandon5341NoNo
16643035Reconstituted Plant With Plant Extract For Devices That Heat Tobacco Without Burning ItFebruary 2020March 2025Allow6061YesNo
16797369CARTRIDGE FOR VAPORIZERFebruary 2020September 2023Abandon4340NoNo
16639021AEROSOL GENERATING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING SAMEFebruary 2020January 2023Allow3531NoNo
16775265ELECTRONIC CIGARETTE, ELECTRONIC CIGARETTE DISPLAY METHOD, AND INDICATOR LIGHT GROUPJanuary 2020February 2024Abandon4941NoNo
16746998ELECTRONIC ATOMIZING DEVICEJanuary 2020September 2024Allow5640YesNo
16616755AEROSOL GENERATION DEVICE HAVING CIGARETTE INSERTION DETECTION FUNCTION AND METHODNovember 2019April 2023Abandon4151YesNo
16614269METHOD OF MAKING A TOBACCO EXTRACTNovember 2019February 2025Allow6041NoNo
16614274METHOD OF MAKING A TOBACCO EXTRACTNovember 2019April 2023Allow4151NoNo
16674721Cartridges for Vaporizer DevicesNovember 2019July 2023Allow4520YesNo
16661882SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REFILLING AN ELECTRONIC CIGARETTE CARTRIDGEOctober 2019August 2023Abandon4621YesNo
16607545HUMIDIFICATION IN A BUILD MATERIAL RECOVERY SYSTEMOctober 2019January 2023Allow3911YesNo
16596113HEATING ELEMENTOctober 2019September 2023Allow4821YesNo
16595511ELECTRONIC CIGARETTE AND ATOMIZER THEREOFOctober 2019April 2024Allow5440YesNo
16592219INHALATION COMPONENT GENERATING DEVICE, CONTROL CIRCUIT, AND CONTROL METHOD AND CONTROL PROGRAM OF INHALATION COMPONENT GENERATING DEVICEOctober 2019January 2023Allow3951YesNo
16574890METHOD FOR FERMENTING TOBACCOSeptember 2019October 2023Allow4981YesYes
16568003ORAL PRODUCT WITH CELLULOSIC FLAVOR STABILIZERSeptember 2019February 2025Allow6031NoYes
16540378NICOTINE E-VAPING SECTION, AND NICOTINE E-VAPING DEVICE INCLUDING NICOTINE E-VAPING SECTIONAugust 2019April 2024Allow5660YesNo
16537784CHARGING CONTROL FOR AN AEROSOL DELIVERY DEVICEAugust 2019April 2024Allow5641NoNo
16520148SYSTEM FOR ANALYZING AND CONTROLLING CONSUMABLE MEDIA DOSING INFORMATIONJuly 2019March 2023Allow4441YesYes
16516621AEROSOL DELIVERY DEVICE WITH CLAMSHELL HOLDER FOR CARTRIDGEJuly 2019May 2024Allow5851YesYes
16515637AEROSOL DELIVERY DEVICE WITH CONSUMABLE CARTRIDGEJuly 2019April 2024Allow5721NoYes
16458555E-VAPOR DEVICE INCLUDING PUNCTURE DEVICE AND SEALED PACKET OF PRE-VAPOR FORMULATIONJuly 2019June 2023Allow4760YesNo
16444379PORTABLE VAPORIZERJune 2019July 2023Abandon4931NoNo
16337291ULTRASONIC ELECTRONIC CIGARETTE ATOMIZERMarch 2019June 2023Allow5021NoNo
16353404CARTRIDGE HAVING AN INTERNAL SURFACE SUSCEPTOR MATERIALMarch 2019October 2024Allow6041YesNo
16297317OVEN FOR PREFORMSMarch 2019November 2024Allow6070YesNo
16266106VAPORIZATION DEVICE HAVING A WICK AND COIL ASSEMBLYFebruary 2019May 2024Abandon60110YesYes
16249863Conical Shaped Device Used in Heating and Inhalation of Organic Leafy MaterialsJanuary 2019November 2023Abandon58110NoYes
16245022VAPING DEVICE WITH INSERTJanuary 2019February 2023Allow4951YesNo
16306828ELECTRONIC CIGARETTEDecember 2018January 2023Allow4941YesNo
16184322CARTRIDGE FOR AN AEROSOL-GENERATING SYSTEMNovember 2018December 2024Allow6060YesNo
16099320CAPSULE FOR TOBACCO INDUSTRY PRODUCTNovember 2018April 2024Allow6081YesNo
16098148CUTTING AND ARRANGING RODS FOR TOBACCO INDUSTRY PRODUCTSNovember 2018April 2023Allow5351YesNo
16091777HYBRID AEROSOL-GENERATING ELEMENT AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING A HYBRID AEROSOL-GENERATING ELEMENTOctober 2018April 2023Allow5461YesNo
16090901SHISHA CONSUMABLE ARTICLEOctober 2018October 2023Allow6091YesYes
16090684SHISHA DEVICE FOR HEATING A SUBSTRATE WITHOUT COMBUSTIONOctober 2018April 2023Allow5571NoYes
15768857MACHINE FOR PRODUCING SUBSTANTIALLY CYLINDRICAL ARTICLESApril 2018August 2023Allow6050YesNo
15768280DEVICE AND METHOD FOR MOVING TUBULAR BODIESApril 2018April 2024Allow6071YesNo
15762405Reconstituted Tobacco For Devices That Heat Tobacco Without Burning ItMarch 2018October 2023Allow6061NoNo
15903659CARTRIDGE WITH MOUNT FOR AN AEROSOL-GENERATING ELEMENT IN AN AEROSOL-GENERATING SYSTEMFebruary 2018March 2022Allow4940YesNo
15524987Squeezing-Roll Granulator, Granulating System Comprising Same, And Use Of The Squeezing-Roll GranulatorMay 2017December 2023Allow6081YesNo
14912863SMOKING ARTICLE FOR A WATER-PIPEFebruary 2016June 2018Allow2820YesNo
14974199HOOKAH SYSTEMDecember 2015August 2018Allow3221YesNo
14960122WATERPIPE AND PORTIONS THEREOF OR ACCESSORIES THEREFORDecember 2015April 2018Allow2820YesNo
14946167SMOKELESS TOBACCO PASTILLE AND INJECTION MOLDING PROCESS FOR FORMING SMOKELESS TOBACCO PRODUCTSNovember 2015August 2024Abandon6061NoYes
14785590CONTAINEROctober 2015July 2024Allow60131YesYes

Appeals Overview

This analysis examines appeal outcomes and the strategic value of filing appeals for examiner SPARKS, RUSSELL E.

Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) Decisions

Total PTAB Decisions
6
Examiner Affirmed
4
(66.7%)
Examiner Reversed
2
(33.3%)
Reversal Percentile
50.8%
Higher than average

What This Means

With a 33.3% reversal rate, the PTAB reverses the examiner's rejections in a meaningful percentage of cases. This reversal rate is above the USPTO average, indicating that appeals have better success here than typical.

Strategic Value of Filing an Appeal

Total Appeal Filings
14
Allowed After Appeal Filing
3
(21.4%)
Not Allowed After Appeal Filing
11
(78.6%)
Filing Benefit Percentile
29.1%
Lower 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, 21.4% of applications that filed an appeal were subsequently allowed. This appeal filing benefit rate is below the USPTO average, suggesting that filing an appeal has limited effectiveness in prompting favorable reconsideration.

Strategic Recommendations

Appeals to PTAB show good success rates. If you have a strong case on the merits, consider fully prosecuting the appeal to a Board decision.

Filing a Notice of Appeal shows limited benefit. Consider other strategies like interviews or amendments before appealing.

Examiner SPARKS, RUSSELL E - Prosecution Strategy Guide

Executive Summary

Examiner SPARKS, RUSSELL E works in Art Unit 1755 and has examined 78 patent applications in our dataset. With an allowance rate of 80.8%, this examiner has an above-average tendency to allow applications. Applications typically reach final disposition in approximately 49 months.

Allowance Patterns

Examiner SPARKS, RUSSELL E's allowance rate of 80.8% places them in the 53% percentile among all USPTO examiners. This examiner has an above-average tendency to allow applications.

Office Action Patterns

On average, applications examined by SPARKS, RUSSELL E receive 4.04 office actions before reaching final disposition. This places the examiner in the 96% percentile for office actions issued. This examiner issues more office actions than most examiners, which may indicate thorough examination or difficulty in reaching agreement with applicants.

Prosecution Timeline

The median time to disposition (half-life) for applications examined by SPARKS, RUSSELL E is 49 months. This places the examiner in the 8% percentile for prosecution speed. Applications take longer to reach final disposition with this examiner compared to most others.

Interview Effectiveness

Conducting an examiner interview provides a +18.0% benefit to allowance rate for applications examined by SPARKS, RUSSELL E. This interview benefit is in the 59% percentile among all examiners. Recommendation: Interviews provide an above-average benefit with this examiner and are worth considering.

Request for Continued Examination (RCE) Effectiveness

When applicants file an RCE with this examiner, 16.7% of applications are subsequently allowed. This success rate is in the 15% percentile among all examiners. Strategic Insight: RCEs show lower effectiveness with this examiner compared to others. Consider whether a continuation application might be more strategic, especially if you need to add new matter or significantly broaden claims.

After-Final Amendment Practice

This examiner enters after-final amendments leading to allowance in 23.1% of cases where such amendments are filed. This entry rate is in the 32% percentile among all examiners. Strategic Recommendation: This examiner shows below-average receptiveness to after-final amendments. You may need to file an RCE or appeal rather than relying on after-final amendment entry.

Pre-Appeal Conference Effectiveness

When applicants request a pre-appeal conference (PAC) with this examiner, 120.0% result in withdrawal of the rejection or reopening of prosecution. This success rate is in the 82% percentile among all examiners. Strategic Recommendation: Pre-appeal conferences are highly effective with this examiner compared to others. Before filing a full appeal brief, strongly consider requesting a PAC. The PAC provides an opportunity for the examiner and supervisory personnel to reconsider the rejection before the case proceeds to the PTAB.

Appeal Withdrawal and Reconsideration

This examiner withdraws rejections or reopens prosecution in 62.5% of appeals filed. This is in the 41% percentile among all examiners. Of these withdrawals, 70.0% occur early in the appeal process (after Notice of Appeal but before Appeal Brief). Strategic Insight: This examiner shows below-average willingness to reconsider rejections during appeals. Be prepared to fully prosecute appeals if filed.

Petition Practice

When applicants file petitions regarding this examiner's actions, 42.9% are granted (fully or in part). This grant rate is in the 33% percentile among all examiners. Strategic Note: Petitions show below-average success regarding this examiner's actions. Ensure you have a strong procedural basis before filing.

Examiner Cooperation and Flexibility

Examiner's Amendments: This examiner makes examiner's amendments in 0.0% of allowed cases (in the 6% percentile). This examiner rarely makes examiner's amendments compared to other examiners. You should expect to make all necessary claim amendments yourself through formal amendment practice.

Quayle Actions: This examiner issues Ex Parte Quayle actions in 41.3% of allowed cases (in the 98% percentile). Per MPEP § 714.14, a Quayle action indicates that all claims are allowable but formal matters remain. This examiner frequently uses Quayle actions compared to other examiners, which is a positive indicator that once substantive issues are resolved, allowance follows quickly.

Prosecution Strategy Recommendations

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

  • Expect multiple rounds of prosecution: This examiner issues more office actions than average. Address potential issues proactively in your initial response and consider requesting an interview early in prosecution.
  • Request pre-appeal conferences: PACs are highly effective with this examiner. Before filing a full appeal brief, request a PAC to potentially resolve issues without full PTAB review.
  • Plan for extended prosecution: Applications take longer than average with this examiner. Factor this into your continuation strategy and client communications.

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.