USPTO Examiner HOPKINS ROBERT A - Art Unit 1776

Recent Applications

Detailed information about the 100 most recent patent applications.

Application NumberTitleFiling DateDisposal DateDispositionTime (months)Office ActionsRestrictionsInterviewAppeal
19320712HYDRAULIC CLEANING APPARATUS FOR PARTICULATE MATTER REDUCTION DEVICE WITH RAPID DRYING AND DIFFERENTIAL PRESSURE MEASUREMENT CAPABILITYSeptember 2025October 2025Allow100NoNo
19224800DUST REDUCTION DEVICE FOR BUILDING ENGINEERINGMay 2025August 2025Allow310NoNo
19027797MILK FROTHING HEAD AND FROTHERJanuary 2025March 2025Allow200NoNo
19022119DEVICES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS FOR FLOATING ONBOARD RENEWABLE ENERGY-POWERED AERATIONJanuary 2025November 2025Allow1020NoNo
18775484SOLID-STATE COPPER(I) SORBENTS FOR OLEFIN SEPARATIONSJuly 2024September 2025Allow1410NoNo
18764384EVAPORATIVE HUMIDIFIER TO MAINTAIN HUMIDITY OF VR HEADSET MICROCLIMATEJuly 2024January 2025Allow720YesNo
18752417CARBONATION MIXING NOZZLESJune 2024September 2025Allow1520NoNo
18679351AIR FILTER AND GASKET FOR THE SAMEMay 2024May 2025Allow1210NoNo
18709357Integrated Green Energy and Selective Thermo Molecular Separation System, and Process of Generating Electricity and Capturing Predetermined Molecules in Surrounding EnvironmentMay 2024June 2025Allow1311NoNo
18649747WINE DECANTER, WINE GLASS AND MOVABLE BASEApril 2024June 2025Abandon1420YesNo
18649795INDOOR UNIT FOR AIR CONDITIONERApril 2024December 2025Allow2001NoNo
18634145DISPENSER WITH AN IMPROVED HEATER ARRANGEMENTApril 2024April 2025Allow1200NoNo
18625983AIR PURIFICATION SYSTEMApril 2024April 2025Allow1210NoNo
18623826BOTTOM FEED FUEL BOWLApril 2024November 2025Allow1911NoNo
18606785AIR PURIFICATION MODULE AND REFRIGERATOR COMPRISING THE SAMEMarch 2024June 2025Allow1510NoNo
18605033Round Filter ElementMarch 2024May 2025Allow1510NoNo
18596025CERAMIC HONEYCOMB FILTERMarch 2024September 2025Abandon1920YesNo
18435728SYSTEM COMPRISING A DISCHARGE ELECTRODE ASSEMBLY AND AN ELECTROSTATIC PRECIPITATOR UNIT COMPRISING SUCH A SYSTEMFebruary 2024March 2026Allow2500NoNo
18418859HUMIDIFIER WITH FOUNTAINING AND AROMA DIFFUSING FUNCTIONSJanuary 2024March 2026Allow2500NoNo
18414129HEATING MEDIUM INJECTORS AND INJECTION METHODS FOR HEATING FOODSTUFFSJanuary 2024April 2025Allow1500NoNo
18401947DEGASSING CHAMBER FOR AN OZONE SOLUTION SYSTEMJanuary 2024December 2024Allow1100NoNo
18390948Liquid Desiccant Air Conditioner Modules Having Interlocking Panels For Controlling AirflowDecember 2023February 2026Allow2600NoNo
18544696Airflow Appliance for Mitigating Spread of Infectious DiseaseDecember 2023January 2025Allow1310NoNo
18543342CLOSURE DEVICE, SYSTEM, PARTICLE COLLECTING ASSEMBLY, AND SUCTION DEVICEDecember 2023February 2025Allow1420NoNo
18543736AIR FILTER SYSTEMS, FILTER BAG ASSEMBLIES, FILTER BAGS AND METHODSDecember 2023July 2025Allow1911NoNo
18533786SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROCESS GAS RECAPTURE FOR EMISSION RECOVERYDecember 2023May 2025Abandon1710NoNo
18524269METHOD OF PRODUCING A DESICCANT ROTORNovember 2023January 2026Allow2600NoNo
18517992WINE DECANTER, WINE GLASS AND MOVABLE BASENovember 2023April 2024Allow510NoNo
18512578POROUS MEDIUM WITH ADJUSTABLE FLUID PERMEABILITY AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS AND METHODSNovember 2023March 2026Allow2810NoNo
18561106FINE BUBBLE GENERATORNovember 2023May 2024Allow600NoNo
18560170MIST COLLECTOR AND MACHINE TOOLNovember 2023March 2026Allow2810NoNo
18503848HUMIDIFYING DEVICENovember 2023February 2026Allow2710NoNo
18486761AEROSOL-GENERATING DEVICES AND AEROSOL-GENERATING SYSTEMSOctober 2023January 2025Allow1520YesNo
18483419HEATING ARRANGEMENTS FOR HUMIDIFICATION SYSTEMSOctober 2023August 2025Abandon2320NoNo
18554561DEVICE AND METHOD FOR DISPERSING GASES INTO LIQUIDSOctober 2023March 2026Allow2910NoNo
18371341GAS-LIQUID MIXERSeptember 2023October 2025Allow2400NoNo
18551352CARBON DIOXIDE CAPTURE APPARATUS AND PROCESS COMBINED WITH BIOGAS UPGRADINGSeptember 2023November 2025Allow2500NoNo
18369608DISINFECTION HUMIDIFIER AND METHODS USING THE SAMESeptember 2023February 2026Allow2910NoNo
18467881AIR PURIFIERSeptember 2023February 2026Allow2910NoNo
18468093METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR AIR PURIFICATIONSeptember 2023October 2025Allow2500NoNo
18244564FOG AND RAIN COLLECTORSeptember 2023February 2024Allow610NoNo
18549131SMART DUST SUPPRESSION SYSTEM THAT SPRAYS ATOMIZED WATER THROUGH A FANSeptember 2023February 2026Allow2910NoNo
18454807MATERIAL, DEVICE, AND METHOD FOR DEACTIVATING PATHOGEN IN AEROSOL, AND METHODS FOR MANUFACTURING THEREOFAugust 2023May 2025Abandon2010NoNo
18234066MODULATING MAKEUP FLUID CONTROL SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SAMEAugust 2023March 2025Allow1910NoNo
18446352CHEMICAL SUPPLY DEVICE AND CHEMICAL SUPPLY SYSTEM INCLUDING THE SAMEAugust 2023September 2025Allow2600NoNo
18230757SYSTEM FOR GENERATING AQUEOUS OZONE SOLUTION WITH INTERNAL CRADLE FOR MOUNTING AND ISOLATING ELECTRONIC COMPONENTSAugust 2023October 2023Allow210YesNo
18365739CARBONATION MIXING NOZZLESAugust 2023May 2024Allow921NoNo
18228437HUMIDIFIER WITH REMOVABLE LOCATOR MODULEJuly 2023December 2023Allow401NoNo
18361195SYSTEM AND METHOD OF CO2 THERMAL SWING ADSORPTION WITH WET REGENERATION AND HOT DRYINGJuly 2023August 2025Allow2500NoNo
18227530ADJUSTMENT STRUCTURE AND CARBURETORJuly 2023January 2026Allow3010NoNo
18359961GAS PURIFICATION ASSEMBLY FOR AIR-CONDITIONING INDOOR UNIT AND AIR-CONDITIONING INDOOR UNITJuly 2023January 2026Allow3010NoNo
18359614AMBIENT FILLING SYSTEM AND METHODJuly 2023January 2025Allow1830NoNo
18221152AIR CLEANERJuly 2023December 2025Allow2910NoNo
18271724PORTABLE BREATHING AIR FILTERING DEVICE AND METHODJuly 2023March 2026Abandon3210NoNo
18349302FUEL REGULATORJuly 2023September 2025Allow2600NoNo
18271260FLUID ACTIVATING DEVICEJuly 2023August 2025Allow2500NoNo
18218287HUMIDIFIERJuly 2023January 2026Abandon3110NoNo
18344012FLOW CONTROL RESTRICTORJune 2023December 2025Allow3010NoNo
18344636SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TREATMENT OF AIRJune 2023January 2024Allow710YesNo
18344804HUMIDIFIER AND HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCEJune 2023November 2025Allow2810NoNo
18213976AIR CLEANERJune 2023November 2025Allow2910NoNo
18339164Method and Apparatus for Removal of Particulate Matter from a Multiphase StreamJune 2023February 2025Allow2010NoNo
18267388DRYING OF FILTER ELEMENTS IN A FILTER SYSTEMJune 2023January 2026Allow3120NoNo
18327452SHOE CARE APPARATUSJune 2023August 2025Allow2700NoNo
18326188TRANSPORTABLE SYSTEM WITH VARIABLY CONTROLLED OZONE GENERATOR AND ONE OR MORE AUXILIARY COMPARTMENTS CONTAINING MIXING ASSEMBLIES FOR GENERATING AQUEOUS OZONE SOLUTIONMay 2023October 2023Allow410YesNo
18039049FERTILIZER DESICCANT SYSTEM AND METHODMay 2023August 2024Allow1521NoNo
18320984FILTER, USE OF FILTER ELEMENT IN FILTER, FILTER ELEMENT, AND MOTOR VEHICLEMay 2023July 2025Allow2500NoNo
18318229FILTER SUPPORTING ASSEMBLY AND AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEMMay 2023July 2025Allow2600NoNo
18314706RESPIRATORY GAS HUMIDIFIERMay 2023July 2024Allow1500NoNo
18142761FILTER ARRANGEMENT FOR FILTERING DUST-LADEN AIR GENERATED BY A HAND-GUIDED POWER TOOL AND POWER TOOL ARRANGEMENT COMPRISING A HAND-GUIDED POWER TOOL AND SUCH A FILTER ARRANGEMENTMay 2023August 2024Allow1520NoNo
18311865LOW NOISE, CEILING MOUNTED INOOR AIR SCRUBBERMay 2023March 2025Abandon2310NoNo
18251691METHOD FOR CONTINUOUSLY OBTAINING CARBON DIOXIDE AND DEVICE FOR CARRYING OUT THIS METHODMay 2023October 2025Allow3010NoNo
18251285ERGONOMIC DEVICE FOR MIXING FLUIDS WITH CONTROLLED METERINGMay 2023December 2025Allow3110NoNo
18310280HVAC SYSTEMMay 2023August 2024Allow1610YesNo
18299108FRESH AIR INLET WITH VORTEX DEBRIS COLLECTIONApril 2023August 2025Abandon2810NoNo
18297223DUAL-LAYER GAS FILTERS AND SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MAKING THE SAMEApril 2023August 2025Allow2910NoNo
18193895TREATMENT DEVICE FOR EXHAUST GAS FROM RARE EARTH CALCINATIONMarch 2023July 2025Allow2700NoNo
18247327Atomizing Container and Atomizing ApparatusMarch 2023November 2025Allow3210NoNo
18125421CARBONATION APPARATUS, AND METHOD FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF GAS TO LIQUIDMarch 2023July 2025Allow2820NoNo
18187550AIR PURIFICATION SYSTEMMarch 2023January 2024Allow930YesNo
18026627Processes for Treating Off-Gas In An Acetic Acid Production UnitMarch 2023October 2025Allow3110NoNo
18026123FLUID TREATMENT APPARATUSMarch 2023October 2025Allow3110NoNo
18179750ATMOSPHERIC WATER GENERATION SYSTEMS AND METHODSMarch 2023October 2024Allow2010NoNo
18043850ROTATING PACKED BED ARRANGEMENTSMarch 2023April 2025Allow2610NoNo
18024420GAS DISPERSION DEVICE FOR IMPROVING PERFORMANCE OF RECTANGULAR SCRUBBERMarch 2023April 2025Allow2510NoNo
18114735ROTARY TYPE CARBURETOR FOR STRATEFIED SCAVENGING ENGINEFebruary 2023October 2024Abandon1910NoNo
18021908Enhancing Antiviral Capabilities of Rail Vehicles and Air FilterFebruary 2023February 2026Allow3621YesNo
18041840FILTER SYSTEM AND METHODFebruary 2023June 2025Allow2800NoNo
18041444AIR QUALITY ENHANCEMENT SYSTEM BASED ON FLUID MECHANICS AND INTEGRATED UV EMISSIONFebruary 2023January 2026Allow3510NoNo
18108184LIQUID SEPARATORFebruary 2023June 2024Allow1610NoNo
18166314HEAT EXCHANGER FOR REMOVAL OF CONDENSATE FROM A STEAM DISPERSION SYSTEMFebruary 2023January 2025Abandon2310NoNo
18107438SYSTEMS, DEVICES AND METHODS FOR LIMITING CARBON DIOXIDE IN INDOOR AIRFebruary 2023March 2025Abandon2511NoNo
18165494HONEYCOMB FILTERFebruary 2023October 2024Allow2020NoNo
18040416AIR PURIFIER WITH PLANT POTFebruary 2023August 2025Allow3010NoNo
18163702TUBE DIFFUSER AND ASSOCIATED SADDLEFebruary 2023September 2025Allow3100NoNo
18104202AIR PURIFIER FOR PETS THAT COMBINES AND SEPARATES THE DUST COLLECTOR MODULEJanuary 2023December 2025Abandon3410NoNo
18161942DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CLEANING A GAS STREAMJanuary 2023April 2025Allow2610YesNo
18102486PASSIVE HEAT AND MASS TRANSFER SYSTEMJanuary 2023February 2025Allow2520NoNo
18158870SELF-PROPELLED ANTIBACTERIAL AIR CLEANERJanuary 2023June 2025Abandon2910NoNo
18095101APPARATUS FOR AERATOR DISPERSAL OF A GASEOUS CLEANING AGENTJanuary 2023August 2025Allow3210NoNo

Appeals Overview

This analysis examines appeal outcomes and the strategic value of filing appeals for examiner HOPKINS, ROBERT A.

Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) Decisions

Total PTAB Decisions
4
Examiner Affirmed
2
(50.0%)
Examiner Reversed
2
(50.0%)
Reversal Percentile
71.0%
Higher than average

What This Means

With a 50.0% 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
18
Allowed After Appeal Filing
6
(33.3%)
Not Allowed After Appeal Filing
12
(66.7%)
Filing Benefit Percentile
51.3%
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, 33.3% 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 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 is strategically valuable. The act of filing often prompts favorable reconsideration during the mandatory appeal conference.

Examiner HOPKINS, ROBERT A - Prosecution Strategy Guide

Executive Summary

Examiner HOPKINS, ROBERT A works in Art Unit 1776 and has examined 1,620 patent applications in our dataset. With an allowance rate of 89.0%, this examiner has an above-average tendency to allow applications. Applications typically reach final disposition in approximately 24 months.

Allowance Patterns

Examiner HOPKINS, ROBERT A's allowance rate of 89.0% places them in the 70% percentile among all USPTO examiners. This examiner has an above-average tendency to allow applications.

Office Action Patterns

On average, applications examined by HOPKINS, ROBERT A receive 0.96 office actions before reaching final disposition. This places the examiner in the 8% percentile for office actions issued. This examiner issues significantly fewer office actions than most examiners.

Prosecution Timeline

The median time to disposition (half-life) for applications examined by HOPKINS, ROBERT A is 24 months. This places the examiner in the 82% percentile for prosecution speed. Applications move through prosecution relatively quickly with this examiner.

Interview Effectiveness

Conducting an examiner interview provides a +5.2% benefit to allowance rate for applications examined by HOPKINS, ROBERT A. This interview benefit is in the 30% percentile among all examiners. Recommendation: Interviews provide a below-average benefit with this examiner.

Request for Continued Examination (RCE) Effectiveness

When applicants file an RCE with this examiner, 38.7% of applications are subsequently allowed. This success rate is in the 88% percentile among all examiners. Strategic Insight: RCEs are highly effective with this examiner compared to others. If you receive a final rejection, filing an RCE with substantive amendments or arguments has a strong likelihood of success.

After-Final Amendment Practice

This examiner enters after-final amendments leading to allowance in 70.5% of cases where such amendments are filed. This entry rate is in the 92% percentile among all examiners. Strategic Recommendation: This examiner is highly receptive to after-final amendments compared to other examiners. Per MPEP § 714.12, after-final amendments may be entered "under justifiable circumstances." Consider filing after-final amendments with a clear showing of allowability rather than immediately filing an RCE, as this examiner frequently enters such amendments.

Pre-Appeal Conference Effectiveness

When applicants request a pre-appeal conference (PAC) with this examiner, 133.3% result in withdrawal of the rejection or reopening of prosecution. This success rate is in the 85% 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 77.8% of appeals filed. This is in the 69% percentile among all examiners. Of these withdrawals, 57.1% 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, 46.6% are granted (fully or in part). This grant rate is in the 41% 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 1.7% of allowed cases (in the 73% percentile). This examiner makes examiner's amendments more often than average to place applications in condition for allowance (MPEP § 1302.04).

Quayle Actions: This examiner issues Ex Parte Quayle actions in 0.4% of allowed cases (in the 54% 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:

  • Consider after-final amendments: This examiner frequently enters after-final amendments. If you can clearly overcome rejections with claim amendments, file an after-final amendment before resorting to an RCE.
  • RCEs are effective: This examiner has a high allowance rate after RCE compared to others. If you receive a final rejection and have substantive amendments or arguments, an RCE is likely to be successful.
  • 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.

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.