USPTO Examiner FERGUSON LAWRENCE D - Art Unit 1781

Recent Applications

Detailed information about the 100 most recent patent applications.

Application NumberTitleFiling DateDisposal DateDispositionTime (months)Office ActionsRestrictionsInterviewAppeal
18959078DEVICE FOR PROTECTING VERTICALLY INSTALLED ELECTRICAL POWER CABLESNovember 2024December 2025Allow1320YesNo
18941287USE OF POLYESTER POWDER IN DECORATIVE ARTICLES AND METHODS RELATED THERETONovember 2024June 2025Allow711NoNo
18923749RENEWABLE ANTIBACTERIAL WATERBORNE POLYURETHANE SYNTHETIC LEATHER WITH HIGH PEEL STRENGTH AND PREPARATION METHOD THEREOFOctober 2024January 2025Allow300NoNo
18759323Multi-Layer Film With Improved Modulus PropertiesJune 2024June 2025Allow1211NoNo
18673634ANTI-SLIP PAD AND TRAY INCLUDING SAMEMay 2024May 2025Allow1210NoNo
18665398DUAL SHELL DENTAL APPLIANCE AND MATERIAL CONSTRUCTIONSMay 2024December 2024Allow711NoNo
18665355DUAL SHELL DENTAL APPLIANCE AND MATERIAL CONSTRUCTIONSMay 2024October 2024Allow510NoNo
18707299Polypropylene Composite Material Having Melting Point Gradient Structure, Preparation Method Therefor and System and Use ThereofMay 2024February 2026Allow2100NoNo
18649399FILM INCLUDING POLYMERIC ELEMENTS INTERCONNECTING PARTICLESApril 2024July 2025Allow1410NoNo
18638444KIND OF MULTI-LAYER ARTIFICIAL LEATHER AND A PREPARATION METHOD THEREFOR, AN AUTOMOTIVE SEAT AND AN AUTOMOBILEApril 2024July 2025Abandon1501NoNo
18625410ON-LINE SYNCHRONOUS REGISTERING CO-EXTRUSION SPC FLOOR AND PRODUCTION PROCESS THEREFORApril 2024July 2025Allow1511NoNo
18693328A METHOD OF HANDLING A VACUUM INSULATED GLASS UNIT ASSEMBLYMarch 2024December 2025Allow2100NoNo
18598362FIBROUS STRUCTURES AND METHODS FOR MAKING SAMEMarch 2024March 2026Allow2410NoNo
18581155Corrugated Pizza Box and Method for Production of SameFebruary 2024July 2024Allow511NoNo
18439721GLASS ARTICLE AND DISPLAY DEVICE INCLUDING THE SAMEFebruary 2024October 2025Allow2000NoNo
18425164CLOSURE SYSTEM FOR COVERING A SURFACE OF AN OBJECTJanuary 2024March 2026Allow2510NoNo
18580352FOAMABLE CELLULOSE ACETATE COMPOSITIONS, FOAMS AND FOAM ARTICLES FORMED THEREFROMJanuary 2024October 2025Allow2100NoNo
18414574SOLE STRUCTURES INCLUDING POLYOLEFIN PLATES AND ARTICLES OF FOOTWEAR FORMED THEREFROMJanuary 2024December 2024Allow1110NoNo
18410598QUANTUM-DOT CONTAINING RESIN SHEET OR FILM, METHOD FOR PRODUCING THE SAME, AND WAVELENGTH CONVERSION MEMBERJanuary 2024March 2025Allow1520YesNo
18410548Corrugated Pizza Box and Method for Production of SameJanuary 2024November 2024Abandon1010NoNo
18576811SPECIAL POLYMER LAYERS FOR FASTER LAMINABILITY OF MULTILAYER STRUCTURESJanuary 2024January 2026Allow2510NoNo
18401867METHOD OF MAKING FLAT FOAM SHEET COMPRISING RECYCLED PET AND THE PRODUCT RESULTING THEREFROMJanuary 2024November 2025Allow2311NoNo
18401974SYNTHETIC FOAMED CONTAINER THAT DOES NOT WICK AND A METHOD OF MAKING THE SAMEJanuary 2024February 2026Allow2521NoNo
18394471GLASS COMPOSITION, GLASS ARTICLE AND USE THEREOFDecember 2023January 2026Allow2510NoNo
18391060BIODEGRADABLE ARTICLES COMPRISING DECOMPOSITION PRODUCTS FROM BIODEGRADABLE MATERIALS AND RELATED METHODSDecember 2023September 2025Allow2100NoNo
18390443Semi-Corrugated Paperboard Panels and Method for Production of SameDecember 2023May 2024Allow410NoNo
18565824HYBRID BALLISTIC-RESISTANT MOLDED ARTICLENovember 2023March 2026Allow2701NoNo
18523011REMOVABLE MOISTURE BARRIERNovember 2023August 2025Allow2001NoNo
18510901METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING SUBSTRATE AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING SUBSTRATE FOR MAGNETIC DISKNovember 2023July 2024Allow800NoNo
18561672METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING SILICON-COATED COPPER, SILICON-COATED ANTI-OXIDATION COPPER USING SAME, AND SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE USING SAMENovember 2023January 2026Allow2611NoNo
18560607THERMISTOR SINTERED BODY AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING THERMISTOR SINTERED BODYNovember 2023December 2025Allow2511NoNo
18505814ROOFING MEMBRANE WITH INTEGRATED SURFACE REINFORCEMENTNovember 2023November 2024Allow1210NoNo
18504204GLASS ELEMENT WITH CUT EDGE AND METHOD OF PRODUCING SAMENovember 2023November 2025Allow2401YesNo
18386717MULTILAYER FILMNovember 2023April 2025Allow1711NoNo
18559002COMPOSITE MATERIAL WITH ELONGATE OPENINGSNovember 2023March 2026Allow2811NoNo
18289320CERAMIC COMPOSITENovember 2023February 2026Allow2710NoNo
18470797Component Carrier and Method of Manufacturing the SameSeptember 2023February 2026Allow2911NoNo
18470665DISPLAY DEVICE AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE INCLUDING THE SAMESeptember 2023March 2025Allow1711NoNo
18464804FOOTWEAR ARTICLE HAVING CONCEALING LAYER WITH STRUCTURAL COLORSeptember 2023January 2025Abandon1610NoNo
18463840METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING A GLASS WAFER OF HIGH QUALITY, GLASS WAFER, GLASS PART ELEMENT, STACK, AUGMENTED REALITY DEVICE AND USESeptember 2023March 2026Allow3001NoNo
18243403Semi-Corrugated Paperboard Panels and Method for Production of SameSeptember 2023January 2024Allow410NoNo
18240184ELECTRONIC DEVICE COMPRISING FLEXIBLE WINDOWAugust 2023July 2025Allow2300NoNo
18457440GROUP III NITRIDE CRYSTAL, GROUP III NITRIDE SEMICONDUCTOR, GROUP III NITRIDE SUBSTRATE, AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING GROUP III NITRIDE CRYSTALAugust 2023January 2026Allow2910NoNo
18456011FOAMED ARTICLES AND METHODS OF MAKING THE SAMEAugust 2023December 2024Allow1611NoNo
18237322MAKEUP TOOL AND APPLICATORAugust 2023September 2024Allow1310NoNo
18454096FLEXIBLE DISPLAY MODULE AND DISPLAY DEVICEAugust 2023June 2024Allow1010NoNo
18277841MAGNETIC CORE AND COIL COMPONENT COMPRISING SAMEAugust 2023January 2026Allow2910NoNo
18451446HIGH PERFORMANCE SILICON-BASED COATING COMPOSITIONSAugust 2023July 2024Allow1110NoNo
18234619GLASS OR GLASS CERAMIC ARTICLES WITH COPPER-METALLIZED THROUGH HOLES AND PROCESSES FOR MAKING THE SAMEAugust 2023September 2025Allow2510NoNo
18449239Multi-Region Surfacing Film for Enhanced Adhesion of Finishes to Thermoplastic SurfacesAugust 2023November 2025Allow2711YesNo
18546189DECORATIVE SHEETAugust 2023July 2025Allow2300NoNo
18357641SYSTEM AND PROCESS FOR CONVERTING WASTE PLASTIC INTO A USABLE PRODUCTJuly 2023January 2026Abandon3001NoNo
18352566Laminate MaterialJuly 2023March 2026Allow3210YesNo
18348001THERMALLY CONDUCTIVE BOARDJuly 2023June 2025Allow2300NoNo
18217600BELOW GRADE, BLIND SIDE, WATERPROOFING SHEET MEMBRANE WITH ADHESIVE AND HAVING IMPROVED LOW REFLECTIVITY GRANULAR PARTICLE LAYER TO FULLY BOND TO CONCRETE/SHOTCRETE, AND A METHOD OF MAKING, AND USING SAMEJuly 2023May 2024Allow1010NoNo
18217521BELOW GRADE, BLIND SIDE, WATERPROOFING SHEET MEMBRANE WITH ADHESIVE AND HAVING MODERATE REFLECTIVITY GRANULAR PARTICLE LAYER TO FULLY BOND TO CONCRETE/SHOTCRETE, AND A METHOD OF MAKING, AND USING SAMEJune 2023May 2024Allow1010NoNo
18270481PROCESSING PARTS USING SOLID-STATE ADDITIVE MANUFACTURINGJune 2023December 2025Abandon3001NoNo
18269987METHODS FOR PRODUCING HIGHLY THERMOFORMABLE ACRYLIC SOLID SURFACEJune 2023July 2025Allow2511NoNo
18259057ADHESIVE FILM, OPTICAL MEMBER INCLUDING SAME, AND OPTICAL DISPLAY DEVICE INCLUDING SAMEJune 2023November 2025Allow2811NoNo
18266227Method and Device for Producing a SiC Solid MaterialJune 2023October 2025Allow2911NoNo
18331303WINDOW MEMBER AND APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING THE SAME, AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING THE SAMEJune 2023January 2026Allow3111NoNo
18331647AMORPHOUS COATINGJune 2023October 2025Allow2850YesNo
18265711POSITIONING METHOD, METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING LAYERED BODY, POSITIONING DEVICE, LAYERED BODY MANUFACTURING DEVICE, AND LAYERED BODYJune 2023September 2025Allow2801NoNo
18327612COMPOSITE FILM AND METHODS OF FORMING A COMPOSITE FILMJune 2023April 2024Allow1010NoNo
18324345Screen Cover Plate, Display Apparatus, and Electronic DeviceMay 2023January 2026Allow3211NoNo
18202200PRE-APPLIED MEMBRANESMay 2023December 2024Allow1920NoNo
18322780ANISOTROPY REDUCTION IN COATING OF CONDUCTIVE FILMSMay 2023March 2024Allow1010NoNo
18200295Multi-Layer Film with Improved Modulus PropertiesMay 2023March 2024Allow1010NoNo
18037160Thermoplastic Resin Composition and Molded Article Manufactured TherefromMay 2023April 2025Allow2300NoNo
18036469MAGNETIC BENDING FRAME FOR COLD-FORMING THIN GLASS SHEETMay 2023March 2026Allow3411NoNo
18252511FIRE RESISTANT VACUUM INSULATING GLAZINGMay 2023August 2025Allow2710NoNo
18252245MULTILAYERED COATING FILM AND COATED ARTICLEMay 2023April 2025Allow2310NoNo
18140631BUILDING PANELS, ASSEMBLIES, AND ASSOCIATED METHODSApril 2023January 2026Allow3310NoNo
18250656Waterproof-breathable multilayer structureApril 2023December 2025Allow3111NoNo
18301325Cathode Catalyst Layer Structure for Membrane Electrode of Fuel Cell and Method for Preparing SameApril 2023October 2025Allow3000NoNo
18031376COMPOSITIONApril 2023October 2025Allow3011NoNo
18031463MULTILAYER FOAM SHEET AND ADHESIVE TAPEApril 2023June 2025Allow2610NoNo
18133106GLASS CERAMIC ARTICLES HAVING IMPROVED PROPERTIES AND METHODS FOR MAKING THE SAMEApril 2023April 2024Allow1210NoNo
18030423TRANSPARENT CONDUCTIVE FILM AND USE OF SAMEApril 2023December 2025Allow3311NoNo
18193224POLYAMIC ACID SOLUTIONS, POLYIMIDE FILMS AND ELECTRONIC DEVICESMarch 2023August 2023Allow400NoNo
18029336ORIENTED FILM CONTAINING RECYCLED POLYAMIDEMarch 2023January 2026Allow3421NoNo
18189205RUNNER PROTECTION TUBE FOR STEEL CASTING AND MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOFMarch 2023July 2025Allow2710NoNo
18123675Semi-Corrugated Paperboard Panels and Method for Production of SameMarch 2023August 2023Allow511NoNo
18122713RECYCLABLE FABRIC LAMINATEMarch 2023May 2025Abandon2601NoNo
18026673LINERLESS FILM STACKMarch 2023January 2026Allow3421NoNo
18183979HYDROPHILIC FOAM HAVING IMPROVED FLUID RETENTIONMarch 2023January 2026Allow3411NoNo
18026354ULTRA-FAST MARINE-BIODEGRADABLE COMPOSITE FILMMarch 2023July 2025Allow2810NoNo
18183541METHOD FOR PRODUCING A STRUCTURAL MATERIAL STACKMarch 2023July 2025Allow2811NoNo
18044855Welding Strip Carrier Film, Preparation Method Therefore, And Application ThereofMarch 2023October 2025Allow3111NoNo
18178866MAGNETIC SHEET, WOUND MAGNETIC SHEET, AND MULTILAYER MAGNETIC SHEETMarch 2023March 2025Allow2520YesNo
18116105QUANTUM-DOT CONTAINING RESIN SHEET OR FILM, METHOD FOR PRODUCING THE SAME,AND WAVELENGTH CONVERSION MEMBERMarch 2023October 2023Allow810NoNo
18114206MULTI-LAYER LAMINATES AND METHODS OF MAKING THE SAMEFebruary 2023November 2025Allow3311NoNo
18113693MULTILAYER OPTICAL FILM STRUCTURE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAMEFebruary 2023January 2025Allow2311NoNo
18042058MATERIALS, COMPOSITIONS, AND METHODS FOR THE FORMATION OF COMPOSITE ARTICLESFebruary 2023January 2026Allow3520NoNo
18108784Protected Graphics and Related MethodsFebruary 2023May 2024Allow1520NoNo
18106738ROOFING MEMBRANE WITH INTEGRATED SURFACE REINFORCEMENTFebruary 2023July 2023Allow500NoNo
18019714ICEPHOBIC SURFACES AND METHODS OF PRODUCING THE SAMEFebruary 2023March 2025Allow2510NoNo
18018446METHOD FOR WASHING ALUMINUM NITRIDE SINGLE CRYSTAL SUBSTRATE, METHOD FOR PRODUCING ALUMINUM NITRIDE SINGLE CRYSTAL LAYERED BODY, AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING ALUMINUM NITRIDE SINGLE CRYSTAL SUBSTRATE, AND ALUMINUM NITRIDE SINGLE CRYSTAL SUBSTRATEJanuary 2023July 2025Abandon2901NoNo
18017968FIBER-REINFORCED PLASTIC AND PRODUCTION METHOD FOR FIBER-REINFORCED PLASTICJanuary 2023July 2025Allow2911NoNo
18017784PHOSPHOR PARTICLES, COMPOSITE, WAVELENGTH CONVERSION MEMBER, AND PROJECTORJanuary 2023November 2024Allow2110NoNo

Appeals Overview

This analysis examines appeal outcomes and the strategic value of filing appeals for examiner FERGUSON, LAWRENCE D.

Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) Decisions

Total PTAB Decisions
10
Examiner Affirmed
7
(70.0%)
Examiner Reversed
3
(30.0%)
Reversal Percentile
46.4%
Lower than average

What This Means

With a 30.0% reversal rate, the PTAB affirms the examiner's rejections in the vast majority 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
48
Allowed After Appeal Filing
19
(39.6%)
Not Allowed After Appeal Filing
29
(60.4%)
Filing Benefit Percentile
64.8%
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, 39.6% 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 FERGUSON, LAWRENCE D - Prosecution Strategy Guide

Executive Summary

Examiner FERGUSON, LAWRENCE D works in Art Unit 1781 and has examined 704 patent applications in our dataset. With an allowance rate of 78.1%, this examiner has a below-average tendency to allow applications. Applications typically reach final disposition in approximately 28 months.

Allowance Patterns

Examiner FERGUSON, LAWRENCE D's allowance rate of 78.1% places them in the 46% percentile among all USPTO examiners. This examiner has a below-average tendency to allow applications.

Office Action Patterns

On average, applications examined by FERGUSON, LAWRENCE D receive 1.83 office actions before reaching final disposition. This places the examiner in the 42% 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 FERGUSON, LAWRENCE D is 28 months. This places the examiner in the 67% percentile for prosecution speed. Prosecution timelines are slightly faster than average with this examiner.

Interview Effectiveness

Conducting an examiner interview provides a +11.7% benefit to allowance rate for applications examined by FERGUSON, LAWRENCE D. This interview benefit is in the 47% 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, 24.5% of applications are subsequently allowed. This success rate is in the 36% 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 43.6% of cases where such amendments are filed. This entry rate is in the 66% percentile among all examiners. Strategic Recommendation: This examiner shows above-average receptiveness to after-final amendments. If your amendments clearly overcome the rejections and do not raise new issues, consider filing after-final amendments before resorting to an RCE.

Pre-Appeal Conference Effectiveness

When applicants request a pre-appeal conference (PAC) with this examiner, 94.7% result in withdrawal of the rejection or reopening of prosecution. This success rate is in the 69% percentile among all examiners. Strategic Recommendation: Pre-appeal conferences show above-average effectiveness with this examiner. If you have strong arguments, a PAC request may result in favorable reconsideration.

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, 40.0% 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, 52.6% are granted (fully or in part). This grant rate is in the 52% percentile among all examiners. Strategic Note: Petitions show above-average success regarding this examiner's actions. Petitionable matters include restriction requirements (MPEP § 1002.02(c)(2)) and various procedural issues.

Examiner Cooperation and Flexibility

Examiner's Amendments: This examiner makes examiner's amendments in 0.4% of allowed cases (in the 59% 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 0.0% of allowed cases (in the 8% percentile). This examiner rarely issues Quayle actions compared to other examiners. Allowances typically 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:

    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.