Detailed information about the 100 most recent patent applications.
| Application Number | Title | Filing Date | Disposal Date | Disposition | Time (months) | Office Actions | Restrictions | Interview | Appeal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19278126 | Cargo Transport Complex | July 2025 | August 2025 | Allow | 1 | 0 | 0 | No | No |
| 19251672 | ARTICULATING PUSHER SHOVEL | June 2025 | September 2025 | Allow | 3 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 19202711 | TRAILER-INTEGRATED DRIVE-OVER SAND-TRUCK UNLOADER SYSTEM AND METHOD WITH SAFETY FEATURES | May 2025 | September 2025 | Allow | 4 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 19188294 | METHOD AND APPARATIS FOR TRANSPORT OF FINE SOLIDS INCLUDING POWDERS | April 2025 | June 2025 | Allow | 2 | 0 | 0 | No | No |
| 19183916 | ADJUSTABLE CHUTE STRUCTURES | April 2025 | August 2025 | Allow | 4 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 19026675 | FRUIT POST-HARVEST DISINFECTION AND CONVEYING PRODUCTION LINE | January 2025 | June 2025 | Allow | 5 | 0 | 0 | No | No |
| 18879812 | TRANSFER SYSTEM | December 2024 | July 2025 | Allow | 6 | 1 | 0 | Yes | No |
| 18874611 | CONVEYANCE SYSTEM | December 2024 | March 2025 | Allow | 3 | 0 | 0 | No | No |
| 18867462 | LINEAR CONVEYANCE DEVICE | November 2024 | March 2025 | Allow | 3 | 0 | 0 | No | No |
| 18925152 | FEEDING DEVICE FOR SUBWAY GRILLE MAIN REINFORCEMENT CONVEYING | October 2024 | March 2025 | Allow | 5 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18911130 | VARIABLE BRAKING SYSTEMS AND DEVICES | October 2024 | March 2026 | Allow | 17 | 0 | 0 | No | No |
| 18849850 | BELT CONVEYOR INCLUDING FREEWHEELING SUPPORT ROLLERS AND DRIVING PORTIONS | September 2024 | April 2025 | Allow | 7 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18780424 | OBJECT CONVEYING SYSTEM | July 2024 | February 2026 | Allow | 19 | 0 | 0 | No | No |
| 18766728 | ARTICLE CONVEYANCE DEVICE | July 2024 | January 2026 | Allow | 18 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18752162 | MODULAR CONVEYOR BELT WITH DEDICATED ACCESS ASSEMBLY | June 2024 | May 2025 | Allow | 11 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18723671 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MOVING OBJECTS | June 2024 | December 2025 | Allow | 18 | 0 | 0 | No | No |
| 18723486 | TRANSPORT SYSTEM, AND TRANSPORT MODULE | June 2024 | November 2024 | Allow | 4 | 0 | 0 | No | No |
| 18732727 | DISCHARGE HOPPER WITH FLOATING LOAD CELL SUPPORT TO FACILITATE FLOW CONTROL THROUGH PROPPANT HANDLING SYSTEM | June 2024 | October 2025 | Allow | 17 | 0 | 0 | No | No |
| 18678909 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF ARRANGING CARRY-ON LUGGAGE IN OVERHEAD COMAPARTMENTS OF PASSENGER VEHICLES | May 2024 | January 2025 | Allow | 7 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18674059 | Article Transport Facility | May 2024 | March 2026 | Allow | 22 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18712856 | STRAIGHT AND CURVED GUIDE RAIL AND STRAIGHT AND CURVED GUIDE DEVICE | May 2024 | February 2026 | Allow | 20 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18711924 | PACKAGING BOX HOISTING DEVICE | May 2024 | December 2024 | Allow | 7 | 1 | 0 | Yes | No |
| 18655930 | OPERATING DEVICE FOR PLACING OR RETRIEVING BOTTLE-LIKE PIECE GOODS | May 2024 | August 2025 | Allow | 15 | 1 | 0 | Yes | No |
| 18650334 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR OPENING AND CLOSING VEHICLE DOORS DURING MANUFACTURING | April 2024 | March 2026 | Allow | 23 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18641505 | TAPER CONVERTIBLE MOTORIZED CONVEYOR ROLLERS | April 2024 | November 2024 | Allow | 7 | 0 | 0 | No | No |
| 18637720 | COMPONENT MOUNTING SYSTEM AND TAPE SCRAPS COLLECTING DEVICE | April 2024 | November 2024 | Allow | 7 | 0 | 0 | No | No |
| 18624221 | PACKAGE CONVEYANCE APPARATUS AND PACKAGE SUPPLY APPARATUS | April 2024 | August 2025 | Allow | 17 | 0 | 0 | No | No |
| 18612778 | MEDICATION CONTAINER SINGULATOR SYSTEM AND APPARATUS | March 2024 | December 2025 | Allow | 20 | 0 | 0 | No | No |
| 18612899 | TAPER COVER SEGMENT AND METHOD | March 2024 | November 2025 | Allow | 20 | 0 | 0 | No | No |
| 18603506 | ADJUSTABLE SCREW CONVEYOR FOR MATERIAL PROCESSING | March 2024 | February 2026 | Allow | 23 | 1 | 0 | Yes | No |
| 18594441 | GRAIN BIN UNLOAD TROUGH CONVEYOR AUGER HANGER ASSEMBLY AND METHOD | March 2024 | December 2024 | Allow | 9 | 1 | 0 | Yes | No |
| 18591511 | GUARD ASSEMBLY FOR A CONVEYOR SYSTEM | February 2024 | February 2026 | Allow | 24 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18583081 | FEED CHAIN CONVEYOR | February 2024 | February 2026 | Allow | 24 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18684944 | DEVICE FOR TRANSPORTING PIECE GOODS | February 2024 | July 2025 | Allow | 17 | 0 | 0 | No | No |
| 18442692 | SUSPENDED CONVEYOR | February 2024 | January 2026 | Allow | 23 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18433048 | MODULAR CONVEYOR BELT WITH ROD RETAINERS | February 2024 | September 2024 | Abandon | 8 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18422775 | SOUND ATTENUATED CONVEYOR ROLLER ASSEMBLY | January 2024 | September 2025 | Allow | 20 | 2 | 0 | No | No |
| 18419392 | OBJECT GRIPPING MECHANISM | January 2024 | July 2025 | Allow | 18 | 3 | 0 | No | No |
| 18412521 | OVERFLOW RESISTANT ARTICULATING PUSHER SHOVEL | January 2024 | September 2024 | Abandon | 9 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18406888 | FUEL CELL ASSEMBLY FOR EASY REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION OF FUEL CELL SYSTEMS | January 2024 | August 2024 | Allow | 7 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18403301 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR TRANSFERRING FRAGILE ITEMS AT SELECTIVELY VARIABLE FLOW RATES | January 2024 | July 2025 | Allow | 19 | 0 | 0 | No | No |
| 18402830 | ORGANIC MATERIAL HANDLING SYSTEM | January 2024 | October 2024 | Allow | 10 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18402318 | CHAIN LINK, KIT COMPRISING A CHAIN LINK AND CONVEYOR PLATE, AND CHAIN CONVEYOR | January 2024 | October 2025 | Allow | 21 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18574363 | CONTAINER TAKING AND CONVEYING ASSEMBLY, LOADING AND UNLOADING DEVICE, AND PICKING SYSTEM | December 2023 | February 2026 | Allow | 26 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18392170 | MODULAR SPREADER DEVICE KIT AND METHOD OF ASSEMBLY | December 2023 | August 2025 | Allow | 20 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18539464 | BELT SLIP MEASUREMENT SYSTEM | December 2023 | January 2026 | Allow | 25 | 1 | 0 | Yes | No |
| 18567608 | STOP DEVICE FOR A CONVEYOR SYSTEM AND A CONVEYER SYSTEM COMPRISING A STOP DEVICE | December 2023 | December 2025 | Allow | 24 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18527488 | SHUTTLE FOR MOVING PACKAGES THROUGH A FILLING SYSTEM | December 2023 | October 2025 | Allow | 22 | 0 | 0 | No | No |
| 18528362 | TOWER LIFT AND SEMICONDUCTOR TRANSFER APPARATUS INCLUDING THE SAME | December 2023 | September 2025 | Allow | 22 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18565262 | TRANSPORT BAG FOR SUSPENDED TRANSPORT OF MATERIAL TO BE CONVEYED, AND LOADING STATION AND CONVEYOR SYSTEM FOR THESE TRANSPORT BAGS | November 2023 | May 2024 | Allow | 6 | 0 | 0 | No | No |
| 18523706 | CONTINUOUS MOTION SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR AUTOMATIC OBJECT LOADING AND TRANSPORTATION | November 2023 | September 2025 | Allow | 22 | 0 | 0 | No | No |
| 18521877 | APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING WITH OVERHEAD CONVEYOR AND PINCH CONVEYOR | November 2023 | September 2025 | Allow | 22 | 0 | 0 | No | No |
| 18563008 | TWO-MASS VIBRATING CONVEYOR DEVICE AND VIBRATION DAMPER KIT FOR A TWO-MASS VIBRATING CONVEYOR DEVICE | November 2023 | April 2025 | Allow | 17 | 0 | 0 | No | No |
| 18505479 | HYGIENIC HOLLOW FRAME ASSEMBLY | November 2023 | August 2024 | Allow | 10 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18503010 | TOPOGRAPHICAL MONITORING OF CONVEYOR BELT SURFACE AND ROOT CAUSE DETERMINATION | November 2023 | January 2026 | Allow | 26 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18386810 | APPARATUSES AND METHODS FOR MEASURING DUSTINESS OF A PRODUCT | November 2023 | October 2024 | Allow | 11 | 1 | 0 | Yes | No |
| 18385215 | PACKAGING SYSTEM FOR PHARMACEUTICAL DISPENSER AND ASSOCIATED METHOD | October 2023 | December 2024 | Allow | 13 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18496578 | PRODUCT DISTRIBUTION UNIT AND AUTOMATED PRODUCT RECOGNITION SYSTEM | October 2023 | April 2024 | Allow | 6 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18493264 | CONVEYOR SYSTEM INCLUDING CONVEYOR PICKER | October 2023 | March 2026 | Allow | 28 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18493513 | MULTI-ROLLER GUIDE | October 2023 | May 2024 | Allow | 6 | 0 | 0 | No | No |
| 18556214 | METHOD FOR OPERATING A CONVEYOR FOR SUCCESSIVE GOODS, AND CORRESPONDING CONVEYOR SYSTEM | October 2023 | July 2025 | Allow | 21 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18287268 | ALIGNMENT CONVEYOR | October 2023 | January 2025 | Allow | 15 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18286765 | Conveyor Device | October 2023 | April 2025 | Allow | 18 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18554989 | Conveyor Idlers Replacement System | October 2023 | November 2025 | Allow | 25 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18376043 | MACHINE NETWORK AND METHOD FOR ARRANGING CABLES ACCORDING TO A SPECIFIED CABLE SEQUENCE | October 2023 | December 2025 | Allow | 26 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18472810 | CONVEYOR WITH RIGHT-ANGLED TRANSFER | September 2023 | November 2025 | Allow | 26 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18283120 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GROUPING AND/OR SEPARATING PRODUCTS TRANSPORTED IN ROWS | September 2023 | October 2025 | Allow | 25 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18282797 | INSPECTION ROBOT SYSTEM | September 2023 | July 2024 | Allow | 10 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18465326 | Grain Bin Unload Conveyor having Removable Components for Maintenance Access | September 2023 | October 2024 | Abandon | 13 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18281314 | Conveying Arrangement | September 2023 | August 2025 | Allow | 23 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18463943 | AUGER DIP APPARATUS FOR APPLYING ANTIMICROBIAL SOLUTION | September 2023 | March 2024 | Allow | 7 | 0 | 0 | No | No |
| 18460973 | VEHICLE TILTING DEVICE, AN ACCESS STATION, A DELIVERY SYSTEM AND A METHOD OF ACCESSING A STORAGE CONTAINER | September 2023 | July 2024 | Allow | 10 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18241352 | Article Transport Facility | September 2023 | September 2025 | Allow | 24 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18234422 | Method and Production Line for Separating Conjoined Products | August 2023 | June 2025 | Allow | 22 | 1 | 0 | Yes | No |
| 18230287 | Device for Transporting Objects | August 2023 | July 2025 | Allow | 23 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18274838 | EXTRACTION SYSTEM FOR TRANSPORTING IN AN ADVANCING DIRECTION AN ORDERLY FLOW OF ARTICLES | July 2023 | December 2025 | Allow | 28 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18360610 | CONTAINER HANDLING SYSTEM AND HANDLING METHOD | July 2023 | November 2025 | Allow | 28 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18261774 | BULK FEEDER | July 2023 | July 2025 | Allow | 24 | 1 | 0 | Yes | No |
| 18260205 | A SORTING DEVICE | June 2023 | August 2025 | Allow | 25 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18341976 | CONVEYOR SYSTEM HAVING A DEVICE FOR STEERING HORIZONTALLY CONVEYED MATERIALS | June 2023 | September 2025 | Allow | 26 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18339403 | COMPONENT MOUNTING SYSTEM AND TAPE SCRAPS COLLECTING DEVICE | June 2023 | January 2024 | Allow | 7 | 0 | 0 | No | No |
| 18337406 | AVOIDANCE CONVEYING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR GLASS PRODUCTION LINE | June 2023 | March 2024 | Allow | 9 | 0 | 0 | No | No |
| 18266078 | Plane Storage Facility | June 2023 | February 2025 | Allow | 20 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18325368 | SOUND ATTENUATED CONVEYOR ROLLER ASSEMBLY | May 2023 | October 2023 | Allow | 5 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18036119 | CONVEYOR TRANSFER SYSTEM | May 2023 | July 2025 | Allow | 26 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18035379 | DEVICE FOR TURNING PANELS | May 2023 | March 2025 | Allow | 22 | 1 | 0 | Yes | No |
| 18140679 | MODULE FOR A MODULAR CONVEYOR BELT AND CONVEYOR BELT COMPRISING SAID MODULES | April 2023 | August 2025 | Allow | 28 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18138448 | SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND APPARATUSES FOR LOCATING, ENGAGING, AND SHIFTING OBJECTS IN AUTOMATED OR SEMI-AUTOMATED FASHION | April 2023 | April 2024 | Allow | 12 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18137516 | CONVEYOR ELEMENT AND CONVEYOR DEVICE | April 2023 | May 2025 | Abandon | 25 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18133753 | FOLDED PACKAGE AND METHOD OF FORMATION | April 2023 | January 2024 | Allow | 9 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18133027 | STRIP BELT FOR A MERGE CONVEYOR | April 2023 | October 2025 | Abandon | 30 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18031105 | MACHINE FOR ORIENTING AND ALIGNING ARTICLES SUPPLIED IN BULK | April 2023 | September 2024 | Allow | 17 | 0 | 0 | No | No |
| 18130954 | Inter-Container Transfer Apparatus and Inter-Container Transfer Method | April 2023 | July 2025 | Allow | 27 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18129974 | Method and Device for Collecting Litter or Scrapings | April 2023 | June 2025 | Allow | 26 | 2 | 0 | No | No |
| 18194834 | LINEAR MOTOR CONVEYOR SYSTEM FOR CLEAN/ASEPTIC ENVIRONMENTS | April 2023 | February 2024 | Allow | 11 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18247546 | PALLET CONVEYING DEVICE AND PALLET CONVEYING METHOD | March 2023 | September 2024 | Allow | 17 | 0 | 0 | No | No |
| 18247201 | CONVEYOR BELT MODULE WITH RELATIVELY NARROW SURFACES | March 2023 | July 2025 | Allow | 28 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18188239 | BALL RETAINER | March 2023 | August 2024 | Allow | 17 | 0 | 0 | No | No |
| 18123568 | MODULAR IDLER ROLLER SYSTEM WITH RECESSED AND/OR ADAPTABLE ENDS | March 2023 | September 2025 | Allow | 30 | 1 | 1 | No | No |
| 18026919 | DRIVE DEVICE FOR VERTICAL ELONGATE UNITS SUSPENDED FROM A GUIDE RAIL, SUCH AS GROWING UNITS FOR PLANTS | March 2023 | March 2025 | Allow | 24 | 0 | 0 | No | No |
This analysis examines appeal outcomes and the strategic value of filing appeals for examiner HESS, DOUGLAS A.
With a 60.0% reversal rate, the PTAB has reversed the examiner's rejections more often than affirming them. This reversal rate is in the top 25% across the USPTO, indicating that appeals are more successful here than in most other areas.
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, 40.0% 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.
✓ 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 HESS, DOUGLAS A works in Art Unit 3651 and has examined 2,013 patent applications in our dataset. With an allowance rate of 90.3%, this examiner has an above-average tendency to allow applications. Applications typically reach final disposition in approximately 19 months.
Examiner HESS, DOUGLAS A's allowance rate of 90.3% places them in the 73% percentile among all USPTO examiners. This examiner has an above-average tendency to allow applications.
On average, applications examined by HESS, DOUGLAS A receive 1.00 office actions before reaching final disposition. This places the examiner in the 10% percentile for office actions issued. This examiner issues significantly fewer office actions than most examiners.
The median time to disposition (half-life) for applications examined by HESS, DOUGLAS A is 19 months. This places the examiner in the 95% percentile for prosecution speed. Applications move through prosecution relatively quickly with this examiner.
Conducting an examiner interview provides a +5.0% benefit to allowance rate for applications examined by HESS, DOUGLAS A. This interview benefit is in the 30% percentile among all examiners. Recommendation: Interviews provide a below-average benefit with this examiner.
When applicants file an RCE with this examiner, 36.7% of applications are subsequently allowed. This success rate is in the 83% 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.
This examiner enters after-final amendments leading to allowance in 73.2% of cases where such amendments are filed. This entry rate is in the 93% 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.
When applicants request a pre-appeal conference (PAC) with this examiner, 66.7% result in withdrawal of the rejection or reopening of prosecution. This success rate is in the 56% 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.
This examiner withdraws rejections or reopens prosecution in 73.7% of appeals filed. This is in the 62% percentile among all examiners. Of these withdrawals, 32.1% 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.
When applicants file petitions regarding this examiner's actions, 52.0% are granted (fully or in part). This grant rate is in the 51% 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's Amendments: This examiner makes examiner's amendments in 12.8% of allowed cases (in the 95% percentile). Per MPEP § 1302.04, examiner's amendments are used to place applications in condition for allowance when only minor changes are needed. This examiner frequently uses this tool compared to other examiners, indicating a cooperative approach to getting applications allowed. Strategic Insight: If you are close to allowance but minor claim amendments are needed, this examiner may be willing to make an examiner's amendment rather than requiring another round of prosecution.
Quayle Actions: This examiner issues Ex Parte Quayle actions in 1.4% of allowed cases (in the 64% percentile). This examiner issues Quayle actions more often than average when claims are allowable but formal matters remain (MPEP § 714.14).
Based on the statistical analysis of this examiner's prosecution patterns, here are tailored strategic recommendations:
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.