USPTO Examiner LEFF STEVEN N - Art Unit 1792

Recent Applications

Detailed information about the 100 most recent patent applications.

Application NumberTitleFiling DateDisposal DateDispositionTime (months)Office ActionsRestrictionsInterviewAppeal
18643094COOKING GAP CONTROL OF A COOKING APPARATUSApril 2024March 2025Allow1110NoNo
18395397LIQUID FLOW VELOCITY CONTROL METHOD AND BEVERAGE MAKER USING THE SAMEDecember 2023April 2025Abandon1510NoNo
18222396OUTDOOR COOKING STATION WITH MULTIPLE INDEPENDENT COOKING MODES AND METHOD THEREOFJuly 2023August 2024Allow1310NoNo
18213981SYSTEM, DEVICE, AND METHOD FOR BAKING A FOOD PRODUCTJune 2023July 2024Allow1310NoNo
18313570METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR COOKING A SKEWERED FOOD ITEMMay 2023August 2024Allow1510NoNo
18307583SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR COOKING PIZZAApril 2023November 2024Allow1831YesNo
18116098GRILL SYSTEMSMarch 2023March 2024Allow1321NoNo
18112035COOKING GAP CONTROL OF A COOKING APPARATUSFebruary 2023February 2024Allow1210NoNo
18087349FOOD AND BEVERAGE PREPARATION SEQUENCE RECORDING AND PLAYBACKDecember 2022August 2024Allow2020YesNo
18075452SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CULINARY GAMIFICATIONDecember 2022December 2023Abandon1210NoNo
17984098METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR PRESENTING LOCATION-BASED FOOD MOVEMENT NOTIFICATIONS IN CONNECTION WITH COOK PROGRAMS OF GRILLSNovember 2022June 2025Abandon3210NoNo
17918336METHOD FOR DETERMINING DEGREE OF DONENESS OF STURGEON MEAT BASED ON FLAVOR FINGERPRINTING AND PARTIAL LEAST SQUARES (PLS) REGRESSIONOctober 2022June 2025Allow3200NoNo
17949107AUTONOMOUS FOOD PREPARATION AND MEAL PRODUCTION MACHINESeptember 2022June 2025Abandon3301NoNo
17946744PRESS ASSEMBLY FOR A GRIDDLESeptember 2022February 2024Abandon1720YesNo
17798935MINERAL-CONTAINING COMPOSITION FOR PRODUCING A COFFEE OR TEA EXTRACTION SOLVENTAugust 2022June 2025Abandon3401NoNo
17885396CONNECTED FOOD PREPARATION SYSTEM AND METHOD OF USEAugust 2022April 2024Abandon2030YesNo
17871650METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY ADVANCING STEPS OF COOK PROGRAMS FOR GRILLS BASED ON DETECTED LID POSITION DATAJuly 2022June 2025Abandon3510NoNo
17868754Cooking Control Method and Apparatus ThereforJuly 2022May 2024Abandon2240NoNo
17787297CONFIGURABLE AIR FRYER AND METHOD OF OPERATING THE SAMEJune 2022December 2022Allow600NoNo
17745362Computing Device Programmed to Automatically Detect and Generate Digitized Information Relating to a Process Involving a User-Operated DeviceMay 2022April 2025Abandon3540YesNo
17744659Variable Temperature BlenderMay 2022March 2024Allow2220NoNo
17744660Variable Temperature BlenderMay 2022March 2024Allow2220NoNo
17660521Automated Oven Appliance for Baking and Broiling FoodApril 2022October 2024Allow2920NoNo
17713450METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING THE QUALITY OF FOOD PRODUCTS AND SYSTEM FOR TREATING FOOD PRODUCTS COMPRISING THE APPARATUSApril 2022December 2024Allow3230NoNo
17628237OPERATION OF A HOUSEHOLD COOKING APPLIANCE WITH AT LEAST ONE CAMERAJanuary 2022November 2024Allow3410YesNo
17597683SANITIZATION UNIT, BEVERAGE PREPARATION MACHINE COMPRISING SUCH A SANITIZATION UNIT AND BEVERAGE PREPARATION METHOD IMPLEMENTING SUCH A BEVERAGE PREPARATION MACHINEJanuary 2022June 2024Allow2900NoNo
17597681SANITIZATION UNIT, BEVERAGE PREPARATION MACHINE COMPRISING SUCH A SANITIZATION UNIT AND BEVERAGE PREPARATION METHOD IMPLEMENTING SUCH A BEVERAGE PREPARATION MACHINEJanuary 2022April 2025Abandon3901NoNo
17626643COOKING APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD, CONTROL DEVICE, AND STORAGE MEDIUM THEREOFJanuary 2022June 2025Allow4121NoNo
17547009DOMESTIC FOOD PROCESSORDecember 2021May 2024Abandon2921YesNo
17540790STEAM TREATING OF FODDERDecember 2021April 2023Abandon1610NoNo
17533202PROCESS FOR PROCESSING MEAT PRODUCT INTO COOKED, SLICED FORMNovember 2021August 2022Abandon910NoNo
17505922REFRIGERATOR APPLIANCE WITH A MEAT AGING COMPARTMENTOctober 2021November 2024Abandon3721YesNo
17502201FRESHNESS OF FRUIT AND/OR VEGETABLESOctober 2021May 2025Allow4341NoNo
17496236SYSTEM WITH FOOD PROCESSOR AND METHODOctober 2021January 2025Abandon4041YesNo
17485359SUPER-THIN TIN BREAD, METHOD OF ITS PRODUCTION AND ITS USESeptember 2021October 2022Abandon1321NoNo
17436197RECIPE PROVIDING SYSTEM AND METHODSeptember 2021May 2025Abandon4440NoNo
17460603COOKING GAP CONTROL OF A COOKING APPARATUSAugust 2021November 2022Allow1410NoNo
17407704OUTDOOR COOKING STATION WITH MULTIPLE INDEPENDENT COOKING MODES AND METHOD THEREOFAugust 2021March 2023Allow1810NoNo
17382954OPTIMIZED COOKING METHOD SELECTIONJuly 2021February 2024Abandon3120YesNo
17352170MICROWAVEABLE FROZEN BREADED FOOD PRODUCTJune 2021January 2025Abandon4301NoNo
17333548PROCESS FOR PROCESSING MEAT PRODUCT INTO COOKED, SLICED FORMMay 2021December 2023Abandon3010NoNo
17333526Waffle MakerMay 2021February 2024Abandon3330YesNo
17296561METHOD FOR OPERATING A DOMESTIC COOKING APPLIANCE AND DOMESTIC COOKING APPLIANCEMay 2021October 2023Abandon2920NoNo
17316188COOKING APPARATUS, METHOD OF CONTROLLING SAME, AND COOKING SYSTEMMay 2021May 2025Abandon4951YesNo
17289829NON-DAIRY FOOD COMPOSITION AND PROCESS FOR PREPARATION THEREOFApril 2021March 2025Abandon4711NoNo
17288692PREPARATIONS WITH C-METHYL FLAVONOIDSApril 2021March 2025Abandon4611NoNo
17288239METHOD FOR PRODUCING A COFFEE BEVERAGE IN A COFFEE MACHINEApril 2021October 2024Allow4210NoNo
17234994LIQUID FLOW VELOCITY CONTROL METHOD AND BEVERAGE MAKER USING THE SAMEApril 2021November 2024Abandon4221NoNo
17216954Apparatus and Method For A Mobile Water-Based Cooking SystemMarch 2021August 2024Abandon4101NoNo
17211795MOON WATER: THE METHOD OF COLLECTING OR SETTING WATER UNDER THE MOONLIGHT ACCORDING TO ANY CALENDAR SIGNIFICANCEMarch 2021March 2024Abandon3610YesNo
17202571METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR COOKING A SKEWERED FOOD ITEMMarch 2021January 2023Allow2210NoNo
17275150SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR EXTRACTING A PROTEIN FOOD PRODUCTMarch 2021March 2025Abandon4821NoNo
17274347FEED ADDITIVEMarch 2021November 2024Abandon4420YesNo
17267062STEAM COOKING APPARATUS AND METHODFebruary 2021December 2024Allow4650YesNo
17266010AUTOMATED, COMPUTER-CONTROLLED, COOKING SYSTEM AND METHODFebruary 2021November 2023Abandon3301NoNo
17262918FISH MEAT OXIDATION SUPPRESSION METHOD, PRESERVATION METHOD, TRANSPORTATION METHOD, DISCOLORATION SUPPRESSION METHOD AND FISHY SMELL SUPPRESSION METHOD, AND FISH MEATJanuary 2021March 2024Abandon3810NoNo
17156723Method and Apparatus for Vitamin D Enhancement in MushroomsJanuary 2021December 2023Abandon3521YesNo
17258355HIGH-DISPERSIBILITY DEXTRIN POWDERJanuary 2021November 2024Abandon4721YesNo
17257562AN OVEN, AS WELL AS A METHOD FOR STIRRING FOODSTUFF CONTAINED IN A VESSEL DISPOSED IN THE COOKING CAVITY OF SUCH AN OVENDecember 2020April 2025Allow5260YesYes
17257561AN OVEN, AS WELL AS A METHOD FOR STIRRING FOODSTUFF CONTAINED IN A VESSEL DISPOSED IN THE COOKING CAVITY OF SUCH AN OVEN AND A STIRRER MEMBER FOR SUCH AN OVENDecember 2020August 2023Allow3111NoNo
17126973COORDINATED COOKING SYSTEM AND METHODDecember 2020November 2021Abandon1111NoNo
17103557BEVERAGE MIXING SYSTEM AND METHODNovember 2020December 2021Allow1300NoNo
17057162Coagulation of the Marrow in BonesNovember 2020May 2024Allow4130NoNo
16950187ACOUSTIC PRESSURE SHOCK WAVES USED WITH SEGMENT PARABOLIC REFLECTOR FOR MEAT PROCESSINGNovember 2020May 2024Allow4221YesNo
17088388LOW-PRESSURE COOKING METHOD AND COOKWARE VESSEL ADAPTED FOR THE SAMENovember 2020April 2023Allow3011NoNo
17077101Systems And Methods For Providing Steam To A Cooking Chamber Using A Piezo-Electric Atomizer And A Water HeaterOctober 2020January 2023Abandon2750YesNo
17076210SUPER-THIN TIN BREAD, METHOD OF ITS PRODUCTION AND ITS USEOctober 2020January 2022Abandon1521NoNo
17069326METHOD FOR OPERATING A HEATING SYSTEM AND KITCHEN MACHINEOctober 2020July 2024Allow4531YesNo
17063830Waffle MakerOctober 2020September 2021Abandon1220NoNo
17044955Beverage Maker And Method For Operating A Beverage MakerOctober 2020May 2025Abandon5540NoNo
17044644Process for the Manufacture of a Textured Protein FoodstuffOctober 2020January 2025Abandon5121NoNo
17042424METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PREPARING AN EDIBLE FOOD OR BEVERAGE PRODUCTSeptember 2020August 2024Abandon4771YesNo
17015975Apparatus and Method For Producing Frozen, Comestible Products Entrained With A GasSeptember 2020March 2023Abandon3010NoNo
16971064FOOD PROCESSING SYSTEM AND ASSOCIATED METHODAugust 2020June 2024Abandon4631YesNo
16997272FOOD HEATING DEVICE AND FOOD HEATING METHOD USING THE SAMEAugust 2020August 2024Allow4840NoNo
16938947Variable Temperature BlenderJuly 2020June 2022Abandon2221NoNo
16652404DEVICE AND METHOD FOR THE AUTOMATED HEATING AND/OR COOKING OF FOODJuly 2020March 2023Allow3521YesNo
16911994METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING OF NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENT SERVINGSJune 2020December 2024Allow54120YesNo
16842206DOMESTIC FOOD PROCESSORApril 2020February 2022Abandon2321NoNo
16836186TURNTABLE OSCILLATION DURING COOKING APPLIANCE MEAL COOK CYCLEMarch 2020October 2023Allow4231YesNo
16833357LONG SHELF LIFE MILK AND MILK-RELATED PRODUCTSMarch 2020July 2021Abandon1601NoNo
16794742FOOD PREPARATION APPARATUS FOR SLICED PIZZA AND METHOD OF USE THEREOFFebruary 2020January 2022Abandon2330YesNo
16790458SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ASSISTIVE INTERACTIONS WITH AN AUTOMATED COOKING DEVICEFebruary 2020September 2022Abandon3110NoNo
16638448METHOD FOR PRODUCING PUREE OR PASTE OF INGREDIENT, METHOD FOR PRODUCING ICE CONFECTION USING PUREE OR PASTE OF INGREDIENT, METHOD FOR PRODUCING DRINK IN AIRTIGHT CONTAINER, AND SYSTEM FOR PRODUCING THESEFebruary 2020August 2022Abandon3001NoNo
16746591Automated Immersion Apparatus and Method for Cooking MealsJanuary 2020September 2022Allow3231YesNo
16498588DOMESTIC BAKING DEVICE AND OPERATING METHODDecember 2019January 2023Abandon4001NoNo
16720565MONITORING SYSTEMDecember 2019June 2024Allow5451YesNo
16719667SPECTROSCOPIC EVALUATION OF EDIBLE OIL USING PROFILESDecember 2019July 2021Allow1921NoNo
16620196PLANT AND METHOD OF PRODUCTION OF PUREEDecember 2019February 2023Allow3921NoNo
16611381SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CENTRALIZED REMOTE CONTROL OF HEATERSNovember 2019January 2023Abandon3801NoNo
16609049METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING AND/OR REGULATING THE TREATMENT OF HEAT-SENSITIVE LIQUID FOOD PRODUCTSOctober 2019September 2021Allow2211YesNo
16659245PRESS ASSEMBLY FOR A GRIDDLEOctober 2019February 2023Abandon4021YesNo
16598923SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CULINARY GAMIFICATIONOctober 2019July 2023Abandon4620NoNo
16586926Extrusion deposition of non-polymers with laser traceSeptember 2019December 2022Abandon3911NoNo
16497823Method and Device for Determining the Cooked State During the Cooking of EggsSeptember 2019June 2021Allow2011NoNo
16581142ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE COOKING DEVICESeptember 2019July 2023Abandon4551YesNo
16580442Method for Cooking Foods, and Apparatus Implementing the MethodSeptember 2019June 2022Allow3220YesNo
16580686Method for Providing Information on the Cooking of a Food Item, and Associated ApparatusSeptember 2019June 2022Allow3240YesNo
16573935SYSTEM, DEVICE, AND METHOD FOR BAKING A FOOD PRODUCTSeptember 2019February 2023Allow4121NoNo
16493321OPERATING A COOKING APPLIANCESeptember 2019October 2022Allow3760NoNo

Appeals Overview

This analysis examines appeal outcomes and the strategic value of filing appeals for examiner LEFF, STEVEN N.

Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) Decisions

Total PTAB Decisions
48
Examiner Affirmed
30
(62.5%)
Examiner Reversed
18
(37.5%)
Reversal Percentile
57.6%
Higher than average

What This Means

With a 37.5% 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
91
Allowed After Appeal Filing
25
(27.5%)
Not Allowed After Appeal Filing
66
(72.5%)
Filing Benefit Percentile
37.4%
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, 27.5% 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 LEFF, STEVEN N - Prosecution Strategy Guide

Executive Summary

Examiner LEFF, STEVEN N works in Art Unit 1792 and has examined 547 patent applications in our dataset. With an allowance rate of 44.1%, this examiner allows applications at a lower rate than most examiners at the USPTO. Applications typically reach final disposition in approximately 40 months.

Allowance Patterns

Examiner LEFF, STEVEN N's allowance rate of 44.1% places them in the 5% percentile among all USPTO examiners. This examiner is less likely to allow applications than most examiners at the USPTO.

Office Action Patterns

On average, applications examined by LEFF, STEVEN N receive 2.90 office actions before reaching final disposition. This places the examiner in the 94% 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 LEFF, STEVEN N is 40 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 +4.6% benefit to allowance rate for applications examined by LEFF, STEVEN N. This interview benefit is in the 28% 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, 14.1% of applications are subsequently allowed. This success rate is in the 5% 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 12.1% of cases where such amendments are filed. This entry rate is in the 7% 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, 57.1% result in withdrawal of the rejection or reopening of prosecution. This success rate is in the 46% 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 44.2% of appeals filed. This is in the 7% percentile among all examiners. Of these withdrawals, 23.7% occur early in the appeal process (after Notice of Appeal but before Appeal Brief). Strategic Insight: This examiner rarely withdraws rejections during the appeal process compared to other examiners. If you file an appeal, be prepared to fully prosecute it to a PTAB decision. Per MPEP § 1207, the examiner will prepare an Examiner's Answer maintaining the rejections.

Petition Practice

When applicants file petitions regarding this examiner's actions, 42.4% 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 0.0% of allowed cases (in the 7% 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 0.0% of allowed cases (in the 7% 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:

  • Prepare for rigorous examination: With a below-average allowance rate, ensure your application has strong written description and enablement support. Consider filing a continuation if you need to add new matter.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.