USPTO Examiner GERTH KATIE L - Art Unit 3731

Recent Applications

Detailed information about the 100 most recent patent applications.

Application NumberTitleFiling DateDisposal DateDispositionTime (months)Office ActionsRestrictionsInterviewAppeal
19073620GAS-BASED MATERIAL COMPRESSION AND PORTIONINGMarch 2025March 2026Allow1200NoNo
19109170CONFIGURATION OF A MACHINE FOR ENGAGING A CAP WITH A CONTAINERMarch 2025March 2026Allow1300NoNo
19015034FASTENER DRIVING APPARATUS AND METHODSJanuary 2025March 2026Allow1410YesNo
18925631GAS-BASED MATERIAL COMPRESSION AND PORTIONINGOctober 2024October 2025Allow1210NoNo
18904158DRIVING TOOLOctober 2024February 2026Allow1710YesNo
18882874IMPACT TOOLSeptember 2024March 2026Allow1810YesNo
18712376POWER TOOL COMPRISING A HYDRAULIC PULSE UNITJuly 2024March 2026Allow2140YesNo
18743391ADAPTER FOR A FASTENER DRIVING TOOLJune 2024September 2025Abandon1510NoNo
18676106Noise Reduction Nailer And Speed Adjusting Assembly ThereofMay 2024July 2025Allow1400NoNo
18643097PAPERBOARD PROTECTIVE CORNER AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING THE SAMEApril 2024November 2025Allow1910NoNo
18626989FASTENER DRIVING TOOL HAVING A RETRACTABLE PROBE ASSEMBLYApril 2024September 2025Allow1810NoNo
18615842DRUG SUPPLY APPARATUSMarch 2024January 2026Allow2220YesNo
18586685SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ASSEMBLING A HAMMER TOOLFebruary 2024January 2025Allow1000NoNo
18684959BIB TIE AUTOMATION SYSTEMFebruary 2024March 2026Abandon2411NoNo
18443506METHOD OF FORMING A PACKAGING ENCLOSURE WITH AN EXPANDABLE PACKAGING MATERIALFebruary 2024September 2025Allow1910NoNo
18293758MACHINE AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING DRINK STIRRING STICKS MADE OF PAPER MATERIALJanuary 2024December 2025Abandon2310NoNo
18419906FASTENER DRIVING TOOLJanuary 2024November 2025Allow2220NoNo
18420501FORCE ADJUSTING POWER TOOL WITH INTERCHANGABLE HEADJanuary 2024February 2025Allow1310NoNo
18580993MACHINE AND METHOD TO MANUFACTURE TUBULAR ELEMENTS WITH THE SHAPE OF A TRUNCATED CONE, IN PARTICULAR, OF THE TOBACCO INDUSTRYJanuary 2024November 2025Allow2211NoNo
18404493DRIVING TOOLJanuary 2024January 2026Allow2420YesNo
18393614Driving ToolDecember 2023October 2025Allow2210NoNo
18533310HAMMER DRILLDecember 2023November 2025Allow2330YesNo
18521571Hydraulic Power ToolNovember 2023September 2024Allow1000NoNo
18558783SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICE WITH STOPPER FOR PUSHER/KNIFE RETENTIONNovember 2023January 2026Allow2720YesNo
18289400METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FILLING BAGS WITH A QUANTITY OF DEAERATED PRODUCT BY MEANS OF A DEAERATOR INSERTED IN THE PRODUCTNovember 2023November 2025Allow2420NoNo
18381039STAPLING SYSTEM FOR USE WITH WIRE STAPLES AND STAMPED STAPLESOctober 2023June 2025Allow2020NoNo
18488202Adaptable Motor Control of Modular Power ToolOctober 2023November 2025Allow2510NoNo
18375105AUTOMATED BAGGING ASSEMBLYSeptember 2023June 2025Allow2110NoNo
18476563GAS-BASED MATERIAL COMPRESSION AND PORTIONINGSeptember 2023July 2024Allow1010NoNo
18477083Method for Holding a Spindle of a Mobile Power ToolSeptember 2023September 2025Abandon2410NoNo
18551377TOOL HEAD FOR A TOOLSeptember 2023October 2025Allow2520NoNo
18244137TOOL ASSEMBLY AND ATTACHMENT APPARATUS FOR TOOL HEADSeptember 2023April 2025Allow1910YesNo
18240566HIGH-SPEED GUNPOWDER ACTUATED NAIL WITH A TOOTHED TUBEAugust 2023January 2025Allow1710NoNo
18234110NAIL PASSAGE AND DRIVING MECHANISMS AND NAIL GUN HAVING SAMEAugust 2023April 2025Allow2011NoNo
18446020GAS-BASED MATERIAL COMPRESSION AND PORTIONINGAugust 2023December 2024Allow1600NoNo
18350983INSERT FOR PALM STAPLER, A PALM STAPLER AND A METHOD OF USE THEREOFJuly 2023October 2024Allow1510NoNo
18350870INSERT FOR PALM STAPLER, A PALM STAPLER AND A METHOD OF USE THEREOFJuly 2023October 2024Allow1610NoNo
18213348SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MEASURING TORQUE AND ANGLEJune 2023October 2025Allow2720NoNo
18255387MULTI-STAGE PRESSURE SEALING OF METALLIZED SUBSTRATESJune 2023September 2025Abandon2820NoNo
18254288FASTENER DRIVING DEVICEMay 2023July 2025Allow2611NoNo
18133677PACKING APPARATUS AND ITS METHOD FOR LOADING ARTICLES INTO PACKAGINGApril 2023January 2026Allow3320NoNo
18247188MACHINE AND PROCESS FOR FOLDING, CUTTING, AND STACKING NAPKINSMarch 2023March 2026Abandon3520NoNo
18191605APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DEBAGGING ARTICLE ARRAYSMarch 2023May 2025Allow2620NoNo
18025154AN APPARATUS FOR COLLECTING A TUBULAR BOX IN A FLATTENED CONFIGURATION FROM A STORE, FOR OPENING OUT THE TUBULAR BOX AND FOR TRANSFERRING THE BOX TO A RECEIVING STATIONMarch 2023June 2024Allow1500NoNo
18110595POWERED FASTENER DRIVERFebruary 2023August 2024Allow1810NoNo
18166362FLEXIBLE INTERMEDIATE BULK CONTAINER WITH COLLECTION SKIRTFebruary 2023June 2024Allow1620YesNo
18163984DIRECTIONAL CLINCHING TOOL AND NAILSFebruary 2023July 2025Abandon2930YesNo
18162941Hydraulic Hammer Internal DampingFebruary 2023March 2025Allow2520NoNo
18006044REUSABLE ENVELOPE WITH PRE-CUT CLOSURE FLAP, METHOD AND MACHINE FOR MANUFATURING SUCH AN ENVELOPEJanuary 2023February 2026Allow3721YesNo
18098429Spot Presser AssemblyJanuary 2023November 2024Allow2210NoNo
18094348ELECTRIC STAPLERJanuary 2023July 2024Abandon1820NoNo
18009381MACHINE AND METHOD FOR THE AUTOMATED PRODUCTION OF STRAWSDecember 2022July 2024Allow1910NoNo
18009405MACHINE AND METHOD FOR THE AUTOMATED PRODUCTION OF STRAWSDecember 2022June 2024Allow1810NoNo
18073543BAG PACKING METHODS AND SYSTEMSDecember 2022November 2024Abandon2320NoYes
17926027A PACKING APPARATUS FOR LOADING COMPRESSIBLE ARTICLESNovember 2022March 2025Allow2820NoNo
17987998POWER TOOLNovember 2022September 2024Allow2220YesNo
17922209Method and a Device for Heat-Sealing a Film/Foil Onto a Peripheral Top Edge of a Packaging and Such a PackagingOctober 2022August 2025Abandon3320NoNo
17921274ROBOT TOOL AND METHOD FOR COIL PACKAGINGOctober 2022April 2025Allow3020YesNo
17968689METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CLOSING A BOXOctober 2022November 2024Abandon2511NoNo
17968525DEVICE AND METHOD FOR STUFFING THROW BAGS AND LIFE SAFETY BAGSOctober 2022May 2024Allow1911NoNo
17967446PORTABLE HAND-HELD HYDRAULIC TOOLSOctober 2022September 2024Allow2320YesNo
17965359BINDING MACHINEOctober 2022June 2024Allow2020NoNo
17961283FASTENER DRIVING TOOLOctober 2022October 2023Allow1210NoNo
17958447PRODUCTION PROCESS FOR PAPER NUTOctober 2022April 2025Abandon3110NoNo
17951199Methods And Systems For Preparing Blanks For Forming Carriers For ContainersSeptember 2022July 2024Allow2110NoNo
17894726SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF PRESERVING CUSTOMIZED COSMETIC PRODUCTSAugust 2022July 2025Abandon3520NoNo
17801132METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A PLURALITY OF CARTS MOVABLE ALONG AN ENDLESS TRACKAugust 2022February 2025Allow3020YesNo
17800999UNWRAPPING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR UNWRAPPING ARTICLESAugust 2022April 2025Abandon3220NoNo
17800546Stuck Staple Processing Mechanism of Electric Stapler and Electric StaplerAugust 2022May 2024Allow2110NoNo
17873896DEVICEJuly 2022July 2025Allow3631NoNo
17874113STAPLERJuly 2022October 2025Abandon3950NoNo
17864719PNEUMATIC NAIL GUNJuly 2022October 2023Allow1510NoNo
17859767FASTENER-DRIVING TOOL INCLUDING A REVERSION TRIGGERJuly 2022January 2024Allow1911YesNo
17842045ELECTRICALLY-MECHANICALLY OPERATED TOOL FOR DRIVING FASTENERSJune 2022January 2025Allow3220YesNo
17785174FASTENING ELEMENTJune 2022April 2025Abandon3420NoNo
17755990INNER MEMBRANE REMOVING DEVICE AND INNER MEMBRANE REMOVING METHOD THEREOFJune 2022November 2024Allow3020NoNo
17837873SEALING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SEALING PACKAGESJune 2022September 2023Allow1600NoNo
17836420METHOD AND AN APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING ARTICLESJune 2022May 2024Allow2320NoNo
17781714BREAD CUTTING MACHINE WITH INTEGRATED BAGGING AID, AND OPERATING METHODJune 2022February 2025Allow3220NoNo
17735490LOADING UNIT FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH LOW PROFILE PUSHERSMay 2022November 2023Allow1920YesNo
17728951Stapling DeviceApril 2022September 2023Allow1610YesNo
17722695DOSING APPARATUS, AND MACHINE AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING UNIT DOSE ARTICLESApril 2022June 2024Allow2520YesNo
17719964ONE-WAY OIL-WAY DRIVEN EXPANSION AND RETRACTION MOVEMENT TOOLApril 2022February 2024Allow2210NoNo
17686429PACKAGING MACHINE COMPRISING AN INTEGRATED CLEANING AIDMarch 2022August 2024Allow2910NoNo
17673502FASTENER DRIVING APPARATUS AND METHODSFebruary 2022September 2024Allow3120YesNo
17584639INFRARED-ASSISTED SHRINK WRAP PRODUCT BUNDLINGJanuary 2022January 2024Allow2410NoNo
17585185Noise Reduction Nailer And Speed Adjusting Assembly ThereofJanuary 2022June 2024Abandon2920NoNo
17584209CSIP-COLLECTOR WITH DUAL DOCKING FUNCTIONJanuary 2022August 2023Allow1810NoNo
17312790DEVICE HAVING A GUILLOTINE DEVICE FOR CUTTING TO LENGTH FOR MANUFACTURING A PACKAGING MATERIAL PRODUCT FROM A FIBRE STARTING MATERIAL AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURNING A PACKAGING MATERIAL PRODUCTJanuary 2022October 2025Allow5240NoNo
17569668HAMMER DRILLJanuary 2022September 2023Allow2110YesNo
17563198Target Illuminating Stapling Device And Method Of UseDecember 2021October 2023Abandon2120NoNo
17644983POWER TOOL WITH MULTIPLE MODES OF OPERATION AND ERGONOMIC HANDGRIPDecember 2021September 2025Abandon4540YesNo
17546832DEVICE HAVING A QUICK COUPLING SYSTEM FOR FASTENING AN EXCHANGEABLE HEADDecember 2021February 2024Allow2620NoNo
17457745RETAINING DEVICE FOR USE WITH A NAIL GUNDecember 2021April 2023Allow1610NoNo
17538795INSULATED BOXNovember 2021February 2026Allow5140YesYes
17456420POWER TOOL WITH MULTIPLE MODES OF OPERATION AND ERGONOMIC HANDGRIPNovember 2021February 2024Allow2741YesNo
17533735GAS-BASED MATERIAL COMPRESSION AND PORTIONINGNovember 2021May 2023Allow1710NoNo
17456267RETAINING DEVICE FOR USE WITH A NAIL GUNNovember 2021July 2023Allow2010NoNo
17522133METHOD FOR FABRICATING SURGICAL STAPLER ANVILSNovember 2021November 2023Allow2411YesNo
17517344Alignment Attachment for Screw GunNovember 2021October 2023Allow2420YesNo

Appeals Overview

This analysis examines appeal outcomes and the strategic value of filing appeals for examiner GERTH, KATIE L.

Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) Decisions

Total PTAB Decisions
5
Examiner Affirmed
2
(40.0%)
Examiner Reversed
3
(60.0%)
Reversal Percentile
84.1%
Higher than average

What This Means

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.

Strategic Value of Filing an Appeal

Total Appeal Filings
15
Allowed After Appeal Filing
8
(53.3%)
Not Allowed After Appeal Filing
7
(46.7%)
Filing Benefit Percentile
85.4%
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, 53.3% of applications that filed an appeal were subsequently allowed. This appeal filing benefit rate is in the top 25% across the USPTO, indicating that filing appeals is particularly effective here. The act of filing often prompts favorable reconsideration during the mandatory appeal conference.

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 GERTH, KATIE L - Prosecution Strategy Guide

Executive Summary

Examiner GERTH, KATIE L works in Art Unit 3731 and has examined 204 patent applications in our dataset. With an allowance rate of 75.0%, this examiner has a below-average tendency to allow applications. Applications typically reach final disposition in approximately 35 months.

Allowance Patterns

Examiner GERTH, KATIE L's allowance rate of 75.0% places them in the 40% percentile among all USPTO examiners. This examiner has a below-average tendency to allow applications.

Office Action Patterns

On average, applications examined by GERTH, KATIE L receive 2.19 office actions before reaching final disposition. This places the examiner in the 60% percentile for office actions issued. This examiner issues a slightly above-average number of office actions.

Prosecution Timeline

The median time to disposition (half-life) for applications examined by GERTH, KATIE L is 35 months. This places the examiner in the 41% percentile for prosecution speed. Prosecution timelines are slightly slower than average with this examiner.

Interview Effectiveness

Conducting an examiner interview provides a +13.9% benefit to allowance rate for applications examined by GERTH, KATIE L. This interview benefit is in the 52% percentile among all examiners. Recommendation: Interviews provide an above-average benefit with this examiner and are worth considering.

Request for Continued Examination (RCE) Effectiveness

When applicants file an RCE with this examiner, 30.0% of applications are subsequently allowed. This success rate is in the 59% percentile among all examiners. Strategic Insight: RCEs show above-average effectiveness with this examiner. Consider whether your amendments or new arguments are strong enough to warrant an RCE versus filing a continuation.

After-Final Amendment Practice

This examiner enters after-final amendments leading to allowance in 39.1% of cases where such amendments are filed. This entry rate is in the 60% 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, 40.0% result in withdrawal of the rejection or reopening of prosecution. This success rate is in the 38% 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 64.3% of appeals filed. This is in the 44% percentile among all examiners. Of these withdrawals, 11.1% occur early in the appeal process (after Notice of Appeal but before Appeal Brief). Strategic Insight: This examiner shows below-average willingness to reconsider rejections during appeals. Be prepared to fully prosecute appeals if filed.

Petition Practice

When applicants file petitions regarding this examiner's actions, 40.0% are granted (fully or in part). This grant rate is in the 31% 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 42% percentile). This examiner makes examiner's amendments less often than average. You may need to make most claim amendments yourself.

Quayle Actions: This examiner issues Ex Parte Quayle actions in 1.3% of allowed cases (in the 63% 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:

    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.