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
19027797MILK FROTHING HEAD AND FROTHERJanuary 2025March 2025Allow200NoNo
18764384EVAPORATIVE HUMIDIFIER TO MAINTAIN HUMIDITY OF VR HEADSET MICROCLIMATEJuly 2024January 2025Allow720YesNo
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
18634145DISPENSER WITH AN IMPROVED HEATER ARRANGEMENTApril 2024April 2025Allow1200NoNo
18625983AIR PURIFICATION SYSTEMApril 2024April 2025Allow1210NoNo
18606785AIR PURIFICATION MODULE AND REFRIGERATOR COMPRISING THE SAMEMarch 2024June 2025Allow1510NoNo
18605033Round Filter ElementMarch 2024May 2025Allow1510NoNo
18414129HEATING MEDIUM INJECTORS AND INJECTION METHODS FOR HEATING FOODSTUFFSJanuary 2024April 2025Allow1500NoNo
18401947DEGASSING CHAMBER FOR AN OZONE SOLUTION SYSTEMJanuary 2024December 2024Allow1100NoNo
18544696Airflow Appliance for Mitigating Spread of Infectious DiseaseDecember 2023January 2025Allow1310NoNo
18543342CLOSURE DEVICE, SYSTEM, PARTICLE COLLECTING ASSEMBLY, AND SUCTION DEVICEDecember 2023February 2025Allow1420NoNo
18533786SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROCESS GAS RECAPTURE FOR EMISSION RECOVERYDecember 2023May 2025Abandon1710NoNo
18517992WINE DECANTER, WINE GLASS AND MOVABLE BASENovember 2023April 2024Allow510NoNo
18561106FINE BUBBLE GENERATORNovember 2023May 2024Allow600NoNo
18486761AEROSOL-GENERATING DEVICES AND AEROSOL-GENERATING SYSTEMSOctober 2023January 2025Allow1520YesNo
18244564FOG AND RAIN COLLECTORSeptember 2023February 2024Allow610NoNo
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
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
18359614AMBIENT FILLING SYSTEM AND METHODJuly 2023January 2025Allow1810NoNo
18344636SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TREATMENT OF AIRJune 2023January 2024Allow710YesNo
18339164Method and Apparatus for Removal of Particulate Matter from a Multiphase StreamJune 2023February 2025Allow2010NoNo
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
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
18310280HVAC SYSTEMMay 2023August 2024Allow1610YesNo
18187550AIR PURIFICATION SYSTEMMarch 2023January 2024Allow930YesNo
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
18041840FILTER SYSTEM AND METHODFebruary 2023June 2025Allow2800NoNo
18108184LIQUID SEPARATORFebruary 2023June 2024Allow1610NoNo
18107438SYSTEMS, DEVICES AND METHODS FOR LIMITING CARBON DIOXIDE IN INDOOR AIRFebruary 2023March 2025Abandon2511NoNo
18166314HEAT EXCHANGER FOR REMOVAL OF CONDENSATE FROM A STEAM DISPERSION SYSTEMFebruary 2023January 2025Abandon2310NoNo
18165494HONEYCOMB FILTERFebruary 2023October 2024Allow2020NoNo
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
18086782Dynamic Particle Separation For Use In HVAC SystemsDecember 2022April 2025Allow2710NoNo
18086055CARBURETTOR ASSEMBLYDecember 2022March 2025Allow2710NoNo
18082764Combination Humidifier / Dehumidifier with Common Water Containment and Outdoor Air IntakeDecember 2022July 2024Abandon1910NoNo
17994802AIR CONDITIONER AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE SAMENovember 2022April 2025Allow2810YesNo
17993028HAZARDOUS GAS PURIFICATION DEVICE WITH BUILT-IN PURIFICATION SYSTEMNovember 2022May 2025Allow2910NoNo
17991268Carbon Dioxide Capture Method and FacilityNovember 2022July 2024Allow2010NoNo
17989798HUMIDIFIER AND LAYERED HEATING ELEMENTNovember 2022July 2024Allow2010NoNo
17985608Venturi Aspirator THM/VOC Removal SystemNovember 2022May 2025Allow3010NoNo
17981684AIR PURIFIER AND AIR PURIFYING METHODNovember 2022February 2025Allow2810NoNo
17977094AIRBORNE PATHOGEN EXTRACTION SYSTEMOctober 2022August 2024Abandon2201NoNo
17977064DISPENSER WITH AN IMPROVED HEATER ARRANGEMENTOctober 2022January 2024Allow1400NoNo
17976831Multi Stage Disinfecting Air CleanerOctober 2022April 2024Abandon1820NoNo
17976252AIRBORNE PATHOGEN EXTRACTION SYSTEMOctober 2022March 2024Allow1611NoNo
18049954GAS TREATMENT SYSTEM AND GAS TREATMENT METHOD USING THE SAMEOctober 2022May 2025Allow3000NoNo
17920562PERFUME HOLDING MEMBER AND FRAGRANCE PROVIDING DEVICEOctober 2022June 2025Allow3210NoNo
17969608FOAM REDUCTION AND/OR PREVENTION METHODS AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS AND ARTICLESOctober 2022September 2024Allow2311YesNo
17967605APPARATUS FOR INACTIVATION OF AIRBORNE PATHOGENSOctober 2022January 2025Allow2730NoNo
18046290FILTER ISOLATION FOR EQUIPMENT FRONT END MODULEOctober 2022July 2024Allow2110YesNo
17995481HUMIDIFIER FOR FUEL CELLOctober 2022June 2025Allow3310NoNo
17959601LIQUID-GAS SEPARATOROctober 2022July 2024Abandon2220NoNo
17934310TRANSPORTABLE SYSTEM FOR GENERATING AQUEOUS OZONE SOLUTIONSeptember 2022January 2023Allow410NoNo
17945874Gas-saturated liquid generatorSeptember 2022February 2025Allow2910NoNo
17931776LIQUID MATERIAL VAPORIZING DEVICESeptember 2022December 2024Allow2700NoNo
17941989PORTABLE, BEVERAGE MIXING SYSTEMSeptember 2022June 2025Allow3310NoNo
17900881Microbubble-Producing Water Outlet AssemblySeptember 2022February 2025Allow2900NoNo
17823320SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DESULFURIZING AND DECARBONIZING FLUE GASAugust 2022May 2025Allow3210NoNo
17896405MEMBRANE BUNDLE FOR FUEL DEOXYGENATION WITH ENHANCED DURABILITYAugust 2022July 2024Allow2310NoNo
17802407MULTIPLE STAGE AIR PURIFICATION DEVICEAugust 2022February 2024Abandon1710NoNo
17802444PARTICULATE MATTER EVACUATION PUMPAugust 2022June 2025Allow3411YesNo
17802085METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING GAS FROM LIQUIDAugust 2022July 2024Allow2310NoNo
17890778METHODS AND APPARATI FOR QUICKSET GAS LIFT SEPARATION AND LIQUID STORAGEAugust 2022June 2024Allow2220NoNo
17797969Atmospheric Water Harvester With High Efficiency, And Methods Of Using ThereofAugust 2022June 2025Allow3520NoNo
17879969INDOOR UNIT FOR AIR CONDITIONERAugust 2022December 2023Allow1620NoNo
17860469Vehicle Humidification AssemblyJuly 2022January 2025Allow3010NoNo
17859518COMPACT DEVICE FOR PRODUCING FOAM FOR WELLNESS AND/OR HYGIENE APPLICATIONSJuly 2022March 2025Allow3320NoNo
17808572VOLTAGE-SWING METHOD FOR CARBON CAPTURE USING POROUS CARBONSJune 2022March 2025Allow3320YesNo
17807857CYLINDRICAL HUMDIFIERJune 2022October 2024Allow2800NoNo
17807449SORBENT INDOOR AIR PURIFIERJune 2022June 2025Allow3611NoNo
17842021Carrier Gas Stream Processing System and MethodJune 2022January 2025Allow3110NoNo
17785538APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR APPLYING ACCELERATED ELECTRONS TO GASEOUS MEDIAJune 2022December 2024Allow3010NoNo
17841375SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROCESS GAS RECAPTURE FOR EMISSION RECOVERYJune 2022September 2023Allow1510NoNo
17831997SMART ELECTRIC INCENSE AND PERFUME BURNERJune 2022June 2023Allow1200NoNo
17805238FINE BUBBLE GENERATORJune 2022August 2023Allow1410YesNo
17750884POROUS COMPOSITE STRUCTURE, METHOD OF PREPARING THE SAME, ARTICLE INCLUDING THE SAME, AND AIR PURIFIER INCLUDING THE SAMEMay 2022December 2024Allow3110NoNo
17756259ROTATING CONTINUOUS MULTI-CAPTURE SYSTEMS AND APPARATUS FOR IMPROVED DIRECT AIR CAPTURE OF CARBON DIOXIDE (DAC+)May 2022September 2024Allow2810NoNo
17777471FOREIGN SUBSTANCE CAPTURE APPARATUS AND FACILITY FOR MANUFACTURING ELECTRICAL STEEL SHEET INCLUDING SAMEMay 2022November 2024Allow3010NoNo
17746294Air Filter Comprising a Primary Air Outlet and a Secondary Air Outlet and Filter Element for SameMay 2022August 2024Allow2700NoNo
17738490ELECTROSPRAY VORTICAL FLOW EXCHANGERMay 2022December 2023Allow1920NoNo
17737522AIR PURIFIER WITH FILTER UNITMay 2022April 2023Allow1200NoNo
17736655DATA CENTER HUMIDIFICATION SYSTEMMay 2022February 2025Allow3320NoNo
17772731LIQUID SEPARATORApril 2022August 2024Allow2810NoNo
17729296ENHANCED CAPTURE STRUCTURES FOR DIRECT AIR CAPTUREApril 2022October 2024Allow2910NoNo
17727278TRANSPORTABLE OZONE SUPPLY UNIT WITH ONE OR MORE AUXILIARY COMPARTMENTS CONTAINING MIXING ASSEMBLIES FOR GENERATING AQUEOUS OZONE SOLUTIONApril 2022June 2023Allow1310NoNo
17723059MIXING SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF MIXINGApril 2022October 2024Allow3030NoNo
17720650CAPTURING ATMOSPHERIC GAS WITH A DISTRIBUTED SYSTEMApril 2022December 2024Abandon3210NoNo

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
3
Examiner Affirmed
2
(66.7%)
Examiner Reversed
1
(33.3%)
Reversal Percentile
49.1%
Lower 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 below the USPTO average, indicating that appeals face more challenges here than typical.

Strategic Value of Filing an Appeal

Total Appeal Filings
17
Allowed After Appeal Filing
5
(29.4%)
Not Allowed After Appeal Filing
12
(70.6%)
Filing Benefit Percentile
41.2%
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, 29.4% 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 face challenges. Ensure your case has strong merit before committing to full Board review.

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

Examiner HOPKINS, ROBERT A - Prosecution Strategy Guide

Executive Summary

Examiner HOPKINS, ROBERT A works in Art Unit 1776 and has examined 1,731 patent applications in our dataset. With an allowance rate of 88.9%, 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 88.9% places them in the 67% 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 0.97 office actions before reaching final disposition. This places the examiner in the 12% 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 70% percentile for prosecution speed. Prosecution timelines are slightly faster than average with this examiner.

Interview Effectiveness

Conducting an examiner interview provides a +6.2% benefit to allowance rate for applications examined by HOPKINS, ROBERT A. This interview benefit is in the 34% 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, 39.1% of applications are subsequently allowed. This success rate is in the 87% 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 72.6% 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 84% 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 81.2% of appeals filed. This is in the 71% percentile among all examiners. Of these withdrawals, 61.5% 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, 42.5% are granted (fully or in part). This grant rate is in the 44% 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 1.6% of allowed cases (in the 74% 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 48% percentile). This examiner issues Quayle actions less often than average. Allowances may come directly without a separate action for formal matters.

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.