USPTO Examiner HIBBERT MARY C - Art Unit 3731

Recent Applications

Detailed information about the 100 most recent patent applications.

Application NumberTitleFiling DateDisposal DateDispositionTime (months)Office ActionsRestrictionsInterviewAppeal
18928228PLASMA STERILIZATION PACKAGING DEVICE FOR AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS AND USING METHOD THEREOFOctober 2024September 2025Allow1110NoNo
18825459SURGICAL STAPLING APPARATUSSeptember 2024February 2026Allow1810NoNo
18842446BAGGER SYSTEM AND METHOD OF OPERATIONAugust 2024January 2026Abandon1710NoNo
18741362VACUUM AIR EXTRACTION DEVICE WITH HIGH PRACTICALITY AND RELIABILITYJune 2024May 2025Allow1120NoNo
18530492FASTENER CARTRIDGE DECK WITH A MOVABLE PROJECTIONDecember 2023March 2026Allow2720NoNo
18389220ADJUSTING DEVICE, PACKAGING APPARATUS AND ADJUSTING METHODNovember 2023September 2025Allow2231YesNo
18386361Slit Paper Method of Expansion, Shipment and Expansion DevicesNovember 2023March 2025Allow1710YesNo
18385898Slit Paper Method of Expansion, Shipment and Expansion DevicesOctober 2023June 2025Allow1920NoNo
18488496Cartridge Status and Presence DetectionOctober 2023November 2025Allow2510NoNo
18368702DRIVING AND CONTROLLING MECHANISM AND NAIL GUN HAVING SAMESeptember 2023January 2026Allow2810NoNo
18262162MACHINE FOR THE PREPARATION OF PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTSJuly 2023December 2025Abandon2910NoNo
18220488SAFETY SYSTEMS FOR SMART POWERED SURGICAL STAPLINGJuly 2023April 2025Allow2120NoNo
18210378IMPULSE SEALING APPARATUS AND METHODJune 2023June 2025Abandon2420NoNo
18144021PACKAGED ANTIMICROBIAL MEDICAL DEVICE HAVING IMPROVED SHELF LIFE AND METHOD OF PREPARING SAMEMay 2023March 2026Abandon3401NoNo
18093087Slit Paper Method of Expansion, Shipment and Expansion DevicesJanuary 2023May 2025Allow2820NoNo
18002023A METHOD FOR ADJUSTING AN INLET PRESSURE OF A PACKAGING MACHINEDecember 2022November 2024Abandon2320YesNo
18079146METHOD OF SURGICAL STAPLING WITH END EFFECTOR COMPONENT HAVING A CURVED TIPDecember 2022November 2024Allow2320NoNo
17902039SURGICAL BUTTRESS ASSEMBLIESSeptember 2022March 2026Abandon4320NoNo
17907880SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICE WITH RELOADABLE CARTRIDGEAugust 2022February 2025Allow2910NoNo
17885070PACKAGING FOR SURGICAL STAPLER BUTTRESSAugust 2022January 2026Allow4220YesNo
17794149METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MANUFACTURING A NUMBER OF TUBULAR PACKAGINGS FILLED WITH A LIQUIDJuly 2022April 2025Allow3310YesNo
17792465MULTI-PIECE CROWN FOR CASSETTE OF PHARMACEUTICAL TABLET PACKAGING MACHINEJuly 2022January 2025Abandon3020NoNo
17790348PACKAGING UNIT AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING SEALED PACKAGES CONTAINING A POURABLE FOOD PRODUCTJune 2022October 2024Abandon2710NoNo
17843439FASTENER CARTRIDGES INCLUDING EXTENSIONS HAVING DIFFERENT CONFIGURATIONSJune 2022August 2024Abandon2610NoNo
17843456FASTENER CARTRIDGES INCLUDING EXTENSIONS HAVING DIFFERENT CONFIGURATIONSJune 2022January 2025Allow3120NoNo
17843494FASTENER CARTRIDGES INCLUDING EXTENSIONS HAVING DIFFERENT CONFIGURATIONSJune 2022December 2024Allow3020YesNo
17843478FASTENER CARTRIDGES INCLUDING EXTENSIONS HAVING DIFFERENT CONFIGURATIONSJune 2022December 2024Allow3020YesNo
17843447FASTENER CARTRIDGES INCLUDING EXTENSIONS HAVING DIFFERENT CONFIGURATIONSJune 2022October 2025Allow4030YesNo
17843501FASTENER CARTRIDGES INCLUDING EXTENSIONS HAVING DIFFERENT CONFIGURATIONSJune 2022November 2024Allow2910NoNo
17786453WELDING DEVICE FOR MAKING AND HERMETICALLY SEALING AT LEAST ONE PACKAGE CONTAINING A PRODUCTJune 2022February 2025Allow3210YesNo
17745105FASTENER CARTRIDGES INCLUDING EXTENSIONS HAVING DIFFERENT CONFIGURATIONSMay 2022August 2025Allow3940YesNo
17719492SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM INCLUDING JAW WINDOWSApril 2022November 2023Allow1920YesNo
17710463Surgical instrument including first and second articulation jointsMarch 2022August 2023Allow1611NoNo
17708859Stapling assembly having firing member viewing windowsMarch 2022September 2023Allow1820NoNo
17666807METHOD OF SURGICAL STAPLING WITH END EFFECTOR COMPONENT HAVING A CURVED TIPFebruary 2022June 2025Allow4040YesNo
17631444PRODUCTION OF COLLAPSIBLE POUCHESJanuary 2022May 2023Allow1510NoNo
17615183A BAG LOADING NOZZLENovember 2021November 2024Allow3620NoNo
17532390FASTENER CARTRIDGE ASSEMBLIES AND STAPLE RETAINER COVER ARRANGEMENTSNovember 2021September 2023Allow2131NoNo
17531969SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT COMPRISING INTERNAL PASSAGE BETWEEN STAPLING CARTRIDGE AND ELONGATE CHANNELNovember 2021August 2023Allow2121NoNo
17492677BAG-MAKING AND PACKAGING MACHINEOctober 2021May 2024Allow3130NoNo
17492689PACKAGING BOXOctober 2021October 2024Allow3720NoNo
17360220SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH FLEXIBLE FIRING MEMBER ACTUATOR CONSTRAINT ARRANGEMENTSJune 2021April 2025Allow4511NoNo
17357099ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH MOVABLE JAWS LOCATED IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO AN ARTICULATION AXISJune 2021August 2025Allow5020NoNo
17345848ELECTROMAGNETIC ACTUATOR FOR POWER TOOLJune 2021March 2025Allow4511NoNo
17333095METHOD OF CONTROLLING A PULSED CURRENT SUPPLIED TO A MOTOR OF AN ELECTRIC POWER TOOLMay 2021November 2024Allow4111NoNo
17246744SURGICAL STAPLING APPARATUSMay 2021June 2024Allow3720NoNo
17205695SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH SELECTIVELY DISENGAGEABLE THREADED DRIVE SYSTEMSMarch 2021February 2025Allow4730NoNo
17141529POWER TOOL AND MAIN SHAFT THEREOFJanuary 2021December 2024Allow4720NoNo
17059174FORMING AND APPLYING A MATED FASTENER ASSEMBLYNovember 2020January 2025Allow4911YesNo
17098536ADAPTER ASSEMBLIES FOR INTERCONNECTING ELECTROMECHANICAL HANDLE ASSEMBLIES AND SURGICAL LOADING UNITSNovember 2020July 2024Allow4420NoNo
17066110Cartridge Status and Presence DetectionOctober 2020June 2023Allow3200NoNo
16982690COMBINATION PACKAGING AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING SAMEOctober 2020November 2024Abandon5030NoNo
17041498Capsules, Beverage Brewing Systems And Fabrics With Optimum Filtration CharacteristicsSeptember 2020February 2024Abandon4050NoNo
17020989FIRING SYSTEM LOCKOUT ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTSSeptember 2020March 2025Allow5441YesNo
16919490INSPECTION DEVICE, PTP PACKAGING MACHINE AND CALIBRATION METHOD OF INSPECTION DEVICEJuly 2020March 2024Allow4511NoNo
16866147VEHICLE O2 SENSOR WRENCH ATTACHMENTMay 2020November 2021Allow1810NoNo
16839632FASTENER CARTRIDGES INCLUDING EXTENSIONS HAVING DIFFERENT CONFIGURATIONSApril 2020December 2023Allow4411NoNo
16645461NOVEL VACUUM PACKAGING MACHINEMarch 2020May 2022Allow2710NoNo
16635003DEVICE FOR APPLYING COVER SHEETS TO PALLETISED LOADSJanuary 2020August 2023Allow4310NoNo
16773231POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH PRESSURE SENSITIVE MOTOR SPEED CONTROLJanuary 2020October 2022Allow3220NoNo
16721768DEVICE FOR HOLDING A CONTAINER AND CLOSING DEVICEDecember 2019May 2023Allow4120NoNo
16620549STRIP OF FLAT CLOSURES MADE OF PLASTIC FOAM THAT ARE COUPLED TOGETHERDecember 2019June 2023Abandon4330NoNo
16610497DEVICE FOR GRIPPING AND CENTRING BOTTLES FOR CAPPING INSTALLATIONSNovember 2019May 2023Allow4230NoNo
16493421AUTOMATED CONVEYING DEVICEOctober 2019March 2023Abandon4220NoNo
16596627Power Tools With Titanium Hammer Cases And Associated Flange InterfacesOctober 2019January 2022Abandon2710NoNo
16588681PORTABLE SANDBAG FILLING MACHINESeptember 2019January 2022Abandon2720YesNo
16583778SURGICAL STAPLER WITH FIRING LOCK MECHANISMSeptember 2019February 2022Allow2910NoNo
16488775SEALING ASSEMBLY FOR PACKAGING LINESAugust 2019June 2023Abandon4510NoNo
16545077INTERCONNECTED JOINT SEGMENTS FORMING DRIVE TUBE FOR STAPLING ASSEMBLYAugust 2019February 2025Allow6060NoNo
16545101SURGICAL STAPLER INCLUDING COUPLERS FOR ATTACHING A SHAFT TO AN END EFFECTORAugust 2019September 2023Allow4930NoNo
16545085FIRING SYSTEM ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTSAugust 2019June 2023Allow4611NoNo
16537835SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH SELECTIVELY DISENGAGEABLE DRIVE SYSTEMSAugust 2019October 2023Allow5021NoNo
16525866Vacuum Sealing Appliance Including Vacuum Cycle With Transducer FeedbackJuly 2019June 2023Abandon4611NoNo
16460789AIR HAMMER WRENCH ATTACHMENTJuly 2019April 2020Allow910NoNo
16453355INSERTABLE DEACTIVATOR ELEMENT FOR SURGICAL STAPLER LOCKOUTSJune 2019March 2023Allow4521NoNo
16448707Packaging Method and ApparatusJune 2019April 2024Allow5841NoYes
16448350METHODS FOR MANUFACTURING DISPOSABLE ABSORBENT REFASTENABLE ARTICLESJune 2019January 2026Abandon6060NoYes
16448809APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR FOLDING LOWER RETENTION FLAPSJune 2019July 2023Allow4921YesNo
16441922ADAPTER ASSEMBLIES FOR INTERCONNECTING ELECTROMECHANICAL HANDLE ASSEMBLIES AND SURGICAL LOADING UNITSJune 2019February 2023Abandon4420NoNo
16442030ADAPTIVE ANTI-TWITCH ALGORITHM FOR POWERED SURGICAL DEVICESJune 2019July 2024Allow6051YesNo
16433558Method of Making a Container Having a Tamper Evident FeatureJune 2019February 2021Allow2010NoNo
16430876Surgical stapling assembly comprising a firing member including a lateral extensionJune 2019February 2022Allow3220NoNo
16430871FASTENER CARTRIDGES INCLUDING EXTENSIONS HAVING DIFFERENT CONFIGURATIONSJune 2019October 2022Allow4040NoNo
16397503Method and Apparatus for Dispensing and Expanding Expandable Slit Sheet MaterialApril 2019November 2023Allow5531NoNo
16387882SURGICAL BUTTRESS ASSEMBLIESApril 2019April 2022Allow3621YesNo
16342799APPARATUS FOR HOT FILLING CONTAINERSApril 2019March 2023Allow4721YesNo
16386520POWERED TOOL DEVICEApril 2019April 2021Allow2410YesNo
16382630FOLDING MACHINE FOR FOLDING FIBER PRODUCTS AND STACK OF FIBER PRODUCTS PRODUCED THEREBYApril 2019February 2022Allow3410NoNo
16340475A METHOD AND A MACHINE FOR PRODUCING A CARDBOARD STRIP FOR PACKAGING FROM A FIRST PLURALITY OF CARDBOARD SHEETS FOR PACKAGING WHICH ARE CYCLICALLY UNITED TO ONE ANOTHERApril 2019October 2021Abandon3001NoNo
16377526METHOD OF FORMING A PACKAGE GUSSETApril 2019March 2022Allow3520YesNo
16374446PACK TO POUCH SYSTEMSApril 2019March 2023Allow4821NoNo
16369091AIR HAMMER WRENCH ATTACHMENTMarch 2019December 2021Abandon3310NoNo
16361593SEALING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR SEALING A LID MATERIAL TO SEALING AREAS OF A BLISTER WEB OR OF A BLISTER CAPMarch 2019April 2022Allow3621NoNo
16290016Slit Sheet Tensioning DeviceMarch 2019September 2022Allow4221NoNo
16272671PACKAGED ANTIMICROBIAL MEDICAL DEVICE HAVING IMPROVED SHELF LIFE AND METHOD OF PREPARING SAMEFebruary 2019September 2022Allow4330NoNo
16315979Attachment Unit For Attaching A Container Element, And Apparatus For Attaching Container ElementsJanuary 2019July 2021Allow3120NoNo
16315030HERMETIC SEALING DEVICE FOR PACKAGES CONTAINING FOOD PRODUCTSJanuary 2019October 2020Allow2110NoNo
16236696Surgical Stapler Shaft Formed of Segments of Different MaterialsDecember 2018November 2022Allow4621YesNo
16235541PACKAGING FOR SURGICAL STAPLER BUTTRESSDecember 2018April 2022Allow4030YesNo
16313691ELECTRIC PULSE TOOLDecember 2018March 2022Allow3921YesNo

Appeals Overview

This analysis examines appeal outcomes and the strategic value of filing appeals for examiner HIBBERT, MARY C.

Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) Decisions

Total PTAB Decisions
15
Examiner Affirmed
7
(46.7%)
Examiner Reversed
8
(53.3%)
Reversal Percentile
80.5%
Higher than average

What This Means

With a 53.3% 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
32
Allowed After Appeal Filing
13
(40.6%)
Not Allowed After Appeal Filing
19
(59.4%)
Filing Benefit Percentile
67.9%
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, 40.6% 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 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 HIBBERT, MARY C - Prosecution Strategy Guide

Executive Summary

Examiner HIBBERT, MARY C works in Art Unit 3731 and has examined 197 patent applications in our dataset. With an allowance rate of 74.1%, this examiner has a below-average tendency to allow applications. Applications typically reach final disposition in approximately 45 months.

Allowance Patterns

Examiner HIBBERT, MARY C's allowance rate of 74.1% places them in the 38% percentile among all USPTO examiners. This examiner has a below-average tendency to allow applications.

Office Action Patterns

On average, applications examined by HIBBERT, MARY C receive 2.98 office actions before reaching final disposition. This places the examiner in the 86% 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 HIBBERT, MARY C is 45 months. This places the examiner in the 13% 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 +20.0% benefit to allowance rate for applications examined by HIBBERT, MARY C. This interview benefit is in the 64% 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, 23.1% of applications are subsequently allowed. This success rate is in the 31% 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 18.9% of cases where such amendments are filed. This entry rate is in the 22% 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, 80.0% result in withdrawal of the rejection or reopening of prosecution. This success rate is in the 64% 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 54.5% of appeals filed. This is in the 26% percentile among all examiners. Of these withdrawals, 27.8% 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, 42.1% are granted (fully or in part). This grant rate is in the 34% 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 0.0% of allowed cases (in the 46% 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:

  • 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.