Detailed information about the 100 most recent patent applications.
| Application Number | Title | Filing Date | Disposal Date | Disposition | Time (months) | Office Actions | Restrictions | Interview | Appeal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19321557 | FRESH-KEEPING BOX | September 2025 | March 2026 | Allow | 6 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 19270392 | CUP LID WITH STRAW | July 2025 | December 2025 | Allow | 5 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 19194032 | CONTAINER LID | April 2025 | December 2025 | Allow | 8 | 2 | 0 | No | No |
| 19189375 | RECYCLABLE COFFEE CUP WITH INTEGRATED LID | April 2025 | June 2025 | Allow | 2 | 1 | 1 | No | No |
| 18911673 | RECYCLABLE COFFEE CUP WITH INTEGRATED LID | October 2024 | February 2025 | Allow | 4 | 1 | 1 | No | No |
| 18823340 | Tethered Flip Closure | September 2024 | January 2026 | Allow | 17 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18819168 | SEALING PLUG | August 2024 | March 2026 | Allow | 19 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18813379 | CONTAINER FOR PACKING A FOOD | August 2024 | December 2025 | Allow | 16 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18806724 | FOOD CONTAINER AND ANIMAL FOOD DISPENSING DEVICE COMPATIBLE WITH FOOD CONTAINER | August 2024 | July 2025 | Allow | 11 | 1 | 2 | No | No |
| 18800240 | Tamper-Evident Container with Additional Lock | August 2024 | December 2025 | Allow | 16 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18801492 | WATER CUP WITH SELF-LOCKING FUNCTION | August 2024 | March 2026 | Abandon | 19 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18786998 | TAMPER EVIDENT CONTAINER | July 2024 | October 2024 | Allow | 3 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18779993 | REMOVABLE CAP | July 2024 | February 2025 | Allow | 7 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18774857 | NON-SPILL DRINKING CONTAINER ASSEMBLY | July 2024 | December 2025 | Allow | 17 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18760117 | LID STORAGE STRUCTURE OF TRAVEL CUP | July 2024 | January 2025 | Allow | 7 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18740520 | CUP LID SYSTEM WITH AN EXPANDED LID TAB THAT COVERS THE DRINKING SURFACE AREA OF THE CUP LID | June 2024 | March 2026 | Abandon | 21 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18741043 | LOCKING PIN FOR TOOL CASE | June 2024 | November 2025 | Allow | 17 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18718292 | CLOSURE | June 2024 | January 2026 | Allow | 19 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18677861 | BRISTLE PRESERVING PAINTBRUSH COVER | May 2024 | February 2026 | Allow | 21 | 2 | 0 | Yes | No |
| 18665207 | AUTOMATIC LOCKING HINGE MECHANISM | May 2024 | August 2025 | Allow | 15 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18706790 | Reinforced clinical waste container comprising wood fibres and method for producing the same | May 2024 | November 2024 | Allow | 7 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18649440 | SEALING BOX AND STANDING DEVICE | April 2024 | November 2024 | Allow | 7 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18650036 | FOOD STORAGE CONTAINER | April 2024 | September 2025 | Abandon | 17 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18705181 | CAP FOR CONTAINER | April 2024 | September 2025 | Allow | 16 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18646374 | Sprinkler with Tamper Evident Feature | April 2024 | October 2025 | Allow | 17 | 1 | 1 | No | No |
| 18645367 | Lid Structure | April 2024 | October 2025 | Allow | 17 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18639982 | ONE-WAY VALVE AND RELATED CONTAINER KIT | April 2024 | October 2025 | Allow | 18 | 1 | 1 | No | No |
| 18633558 | PULP MOLDED CUP LID AND MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREFOR | April 2024 | September 2025 | Allow | 17 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18629505 | Beverage Bottle Holding Device | April 2024 | August 2025 | Allow | 16 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18605000 | METAL SAFETY CLOSURE WITH ENGAGING NOTCH | March 2024 | August 2024 | Allow | 5 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18593246 | CHILD-RESISTANT LID FOR A CONTAINER | March 2024 | January 2026 | Allow | 23 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18292909 | CLOSING CAP FOR CONTAINERS | January 2024 | February 2025 | Allow | 12 | 2 | 0 | Yes | No |
| 18422836 | BI-INJECTION MOLDED HOUSING OF A LOCKING CAP FOR A PHARMACEUTICAL VIAL, AND LOCKING CAP INCLUDING SUCH A HOUSING | January 2024 | January 2026 | Allow | 24 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18418499 | Vacuumizing Sealing Tank | January 2024 | April 2024 | Allow | 3 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18579754 | DISPENSING CLOSURE | January 2024 | July 2025 | Allow | 18 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18408802 | THREADED TAMPER EVIDENCE FINISH AND CLOSURE FOR CONTAINER | January 2024 | February 2025 | Allow | 13 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18405824 | CUP LID AND BEVERAGE CONTAINER | January 2024 | October 2025 | Abandon | 22 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18402524 | MASON JAR VALVED-LID COMPONENT AND KIT FOR USE IN FERMENTATION | January 2024 | August 2025 | Allow | 20 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18400351 | Tamper-Evident Housing | December 2023 | January 2025 | Allow | 13 | 2 | 0 | No | No |
| 18574765 | CLOSURE FOR CONTAINERS WITH EVIDENCE OF FIRST OPENING | December 2023 | July 2025 | Allow | 19 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18399344 | PORTABLE STORAGE CONTAINER | December 2023 | February 2026 | Allow | 25 | 1 | 0 | Yes | No |
| 18391984 | CONTAINER, CLOSURE, AND METHODS FOR MANUFACTURE | December 2023 | January 2025 | Allow | 13 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18390265 | SCORED LOCKING CAP FOR NECK CONTAINER | December 2023 | October 2025 | Allow | 22 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18530911 | Fermentation Cover Apparatus | December 2023 | February 2026 | Abandon | 27 | 2 | 0 | No | No |
| 18529443 | CONTAINER WITH LID LOCKING FEATURES | December 2023 | May 2025 | Allow | 17 | 2 | 0 | Yes | No |
| 18527948 | Container Lid | December 2023 | October 2025 | Abandon | 22 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18564214 | CONTAINER WITH SUPPORT AND FIXATION FOR A LID | November 2023 | December 2025 | Allow | 24 | 2 | 0 | Yes | No |
| 18511624 | SEALING MECHANISM | November 2023 | September 2024 | Allow | 10 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18506330 | LID ASSEMBLY HAVING A SEAL MECHANISM FOR A CONTAINER | November 2023 | November 2025 | Allow | 24 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18503635 | OIL TANK CAP | November 2023 | June 2025 | Allow | 20 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18501325 | TETHERED PLASTIC SCREW STOPPER | November 2023 | March 2025 | Abandon | 16 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18500547 | Molded Dispensing Closure with Biasing Hinge Assembly | November 2023 | September 2024 | Allow | 10 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18289134 | CLOSING DEVICE FOR CONTAINERS AND ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A CONTAINER PROVIDED WITH SAID CLOSING DEVICE | November 2023 | November 2025 | Allow | 25 | 1 | 1 | No | No |
| 18266520 | CONTAINER LID HAVING A CLOSABLE VENTILATION OPENING | October 2023 | February 2026 | Allow | 32 | 1 | 1 | No | No |
| 18383776 | RESEALABLE CAN CLOSURE SYSTEM | October 2023 | November 2025 | Abandon | 25 | 0 | 1 | No | No |
| 18493289 | TAB RELEASE CHILD SAFETY FEATURE | October 2023 | September 2024 | Allow | 11 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18484095 | CAP ASSEMBLY FOR DRINK CONTAINERS WITH A SLIDING SWITCH | October 2023 | December 2024 | Allow | 14 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18480883 | Closure with Hinge | October 2023 | November 2025 | Allow | 25 | 1 | 1 | No | No |
| 18242343 | LID ASSEMBLY WITH SELECTABLE DRINKING OPENINGS | September 2023 | August 2025 | Allow | 23 | 1 | 1 | No | No |
| 18238263 | Bottle Cap Drip Tray Device | August 2023 | September 2024 | Allow | 13 | 2 | 1 | Yes | No |
| 18448937 | ONE-PIECE CARTON WITH CHILD-RESISTANT FUNCTION | August 2023 | January 2024 | Allow | 5 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18232082 | DRINK LID FOR A CUP | August 2023 | November 2025 | Allow | 28 | 2 | 1 | No | Yes |
| 18276228 | CONTAINER LID | August 2023 | February 2024 | Allow | 7 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18361181 | Tethered Flip Closure | July 2023 | June 2024 | Allow | 10 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18225047 | TWO-PART PLUG ASSEMBLY FOR A SPOUT | July 2023 | August 2025 | Allow | 25 | 1 | 1 | No | No |
| 18271907 | CAPPING DEVICE COMPRISING A CAP HINGED TO A BASE | July 2023 | December 2024 | Allow | 17 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18261095 | CAPPING DEVICE INTENDED TO BE ATTACHED TO THE NECK OF A CONTAINER | July 2023 | June 2025 | Allow | 24 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18346864 | STORAGE TANK | July 2023 | February 2025 | Allow | 19 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18217606 | SUNKEN-TYPE CUP LID | July 2023 | February 2025 | Allow | 20 | 1 | 1 | No | No |
| 18268336 | Screw Closure Having Captively Connected Screw Cap | June 2023 | July 2025 | Allow | 25 | 2 | 0 | No | No |
| 18337555 | NAUTICAL FIBERGLASS CONTAINER TO STORE AND PROTECT MARITIME DEWATERING PUMP AND STORAGE SPILL KITS | June 2023 | February 2025 | Allow | 20 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18257894 | CLOSURE SYSTEM AND KIT | June 2023 | August 2025 | Allow | 26 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18211234 | FOOD CONTAINER STRUCTURE | June 2023 | December 2024 | Allow | 18 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18335702 | Closure Assembly | June 2023 | March 2025 | Abandon | 21 | 2 | 1 | No | No |
| 18257787 | CLOSURE SYSTEM AND KIT | June 2023 | June 2025 | Allow | 24 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18335684 | FIXING STRUCTURE FOR LID ASSEMBLY AND DISASSEMBLY | June 2023 | May 2025 | Allow | 23 | 2 | 0 | No | No |
| 18207617 | RESEALABLE CAN CLOSURE SYSTEM | June 2023 | September 2025 | Abandon | 27 | 0 | 1 | No | No |
| 18330372 | QUICK-RELEASE POSITIONING MEMBER AND OPENABLE AND CLOSABLE DEVICE | June 2023 | May 2025 | Allow | 23 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18206832 | CLOSURE | June 2023 | June 2025 | Allow | 24 | 3 | 0 | No | No |
| 18205355 | REUSABLE CONTAINER HOUSING ASSEMBLY | June 2023 | February 2025 | Abandon | 21 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18203461 | TARP APPARATUS FOR COVERING WASTE HAULER AND/OR RECEIVER BOXES | May 2023 | August 2025 | Abandon | 26 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18039145 | Assembly Comprising A Container And Plugging Device Attached To The Container | May 2023 | April 2025 | Abandon | 22 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18324429 | Dispensing Lid | May 2023 | February 2025 | Allow | 21 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18324488 | BUCKET COVER WITH ATTACHED STICK | May 2023 | January 2025 | Allow | 20 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18254823 | PLASTIC CAP | May 2023 | November 2024 | Allow | 18 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18254773 | PLASTIC CAP AND CLOSED SYSTEM DRUG TRANSFER DEVICE | May 2023 | October 2025 | Allow | 29 | 3 | 0 | Yes | No |
| 18322654 | LOCKING CAP FOR BEVERAGE CANS | May 2023 | January 2025 | Allow | 20 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18139345 | NON-SPILL DRINKING CONTAINER ASSEMBLY | April 2023 | May 2024 | Allow | 13 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18299500 | METALLIZED HINGE CAP | April 2023 | January 2025 | Allow | 21 | 2 | 1 | No | No |
| 18030367 | MECHANISM FOR OPENING AND RECLOSING THE OUTFLOW OPENING FOR EMPTYING A CONTAINER | April 2023 | May 2024 | Allow | 13 | 2 | 0 | No | No |
| 18129821 | FOOD STORAGE CONTAINER | March 2023 | December 2023 | Allow | 8 | 1 | 0 | Yes | No |
| 18194075 | BEVERAGE CONTAINER LID WITH LATCHING HANDLE | March 2023 | February 2025 | Allow | 23 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18247187 | TOY CAP | March 2023 | July 2025 | Abandon | 28 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18247185 | CLOSURE FOR A SPOUT IN A THIN-WALLED PACKAGE | March 2023 | March 2025 | Allow | 23 | 2 | 0 | No | No |
| 18029009 | TAMPER RESISTANT CONTAINER | March 2023 | August 2025 | Allow | 28 | 1 | 1 | Yes | No |
| 18126601 | END CAP WITH SCORE LINE FOR CONTROLLED FLAP OPENING AND METHOD THEREFOR | March 2023 | October 2025 | Allow | 30 | 1 | 1 | Yes | No |
| 18246587 | CLOSURE ASSEMBLY FOR A CONTAINER AND CONTAINER HAVING A CLOSURE ASSEMBLY | March 2023 | June 2025 | Allow | 26 | 2 | 0 | Yes | No |
| 18121773 | CAP OF A PACKAGE SUITABLE FOR STORING PERSONAL HEALTH CARE PRODUCTS | March 2023 | June 2025 | Allow | 27 | 2 | 0 | No | No |
| 18175901 | Truly tamper-evident container | February 2023 | December 2025 | Allow | 34 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
| 18023479 | CONTENTS CONTAINER | February 2023 | March 2025 | Abandon | 25 | 1 | 0 | No | No |
This analysis examines appeal outcomes and the strategic value of filing appeals for examiner SMALLEY, JAMES N.
With a 50.0% reversal rate, the PTAB reverses the examiner's rejections in a meaningful percentage of cases. 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 SMALLEY, JAMES N works in Art Unit 3733 and has examined 465 patent applications in our dataset. With an allowance rate of 82.2%, this examiner has an above-average tendency to allow applications. Applications typically reach final disposition in approximately 27 months.
Examiner SMALLEY, JAMES N's allowance rate of 82.2% places them in the 54% percentile among all USPTO examiners. This examiner has an above-average tendency to allow applications.
On average, applications examined by SMALLEY, JAMES N receive 1.67 office actions before reaching final disposition. This places the examiner in the 34% percentile for office actions issued. This examiner issues fewer office actions than average, which may indicate efficient prosecution or a more lenient examination style.
The median time to disposition (half-life) for applications examined by SMALLEY, JAMES N is 27 months. This places the examiner in the 74% percentile for prosecution speed. Prosecution timelines are slightly faster than average with this examiner.
Conducting an examiner interview provides a +9.4% benefit to allowance rate for applications examined by SMALLEY, JAMES N. This interview benefit is in the 41% percentile among all examiners. Recommendation: Interviews provide a below-average benefit with this examiner.
When applicants file an RCE with this examiner, 29.6% of applications are subsequently allowed. This success rate is in the 56% 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.
This examiner enters after-final amendments leading to allowance in 50.7% of cases where such amendments are filed. This entry rate is in the 77% 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, 100.0% result in withdrawal of the rejection or reopening of prosecution. This success rate is in the 76% percentile among all examiners. Strategic Recommendation: Pre-appeal conferences are highly effective with this examiner compared to others. Before filing a full appeal brief, strongly consider requesting a PAC. The PAC provides an opportunity for the examiner and supervisory personnel to reconsider the rejection before the case proceeds to the PTAB.
This examiner withdraws rejections or reopens prosecution in 69.2% of appeals filed. This is in the 55% percentile among all examiners. Of these withdrawals, 44.4% 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, 57.1% are granted (fully or in part). This grant rate is in the 60% 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 1.9% of allowed cases (in the 74% 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 46% percentile). This examiner issues Quayle actions less often than average. Allowances may come directly without a separate action for formal matters.
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.