USPTO Examiner VOLZ ELIZABETH J - Art Unit 3733

Recent Applications

Detailed information about the 100 most recent patent applications.

Application NumberTitleFiling DateDisposal DateDispositionTime (months)Office ActionsRestrictionsInterviewAppeal
18975149PORTABLE BAG HANGING APPARATUSDecember 2024May 2025Allow510NoNo
18915827Container HolderOctober 2024March 2025Allow510NoNo
18769169Container with Adjustable Storage SpaceJuly 2024November 2024Allow400NoNo
18759830MIXING BOWL ASSEMBLYJune 2024March 2025Allow910NoNo
18608778METAL CONTAINER WITH A CARRIER RING AND METHODS OF MAKING THE SAMEMarch 2024January 2025Allow1011YesNo
18430684HIGH-PRACTICABILITY CAR TRASH CANFebruary 2024August 2024Allow710NoNo
18412516COLLAPSIBLE CONTAINER WITH SLIDABLE RETRACTABLE WALLJanuary 2024January 2025Allow1210NoNo
18485677PACKAGING MATERIAL WITH EXPANDING LAYER AND PACKAGING ENCLOSURE FORMED THEREWITHOctober 2023March 2025Allow1720NoNo
18378265TWO LEVEL BAKING PANOctober 2023August 2024Allow1130YesNo
18244273Refuse Containers and LidsSeptember 2023June 2025Abandon2120NoNo
18242402LOCKING DEVICE FOR WASTE CONTAINER AND METHODSSeptember 2023November 2024Allow1410NoNo
18226696WATER FLOATATION DEVICE AND FLOATING AUDIO DEVICESJuly 2023December 2024Allow1630NoNo
18346275Integrated Leakproof Cup Cover for Direct Drinking and Drinking with straw and Cup Having SameJuly 2023April 2025Allow2210NoNo
18336836TRASH CAN HAVING EASY-TO-ASSEMBLE LID AND DECORATIVE RINGJune 2023December 2024Allow1810NoNo
18207227Beverage Cup Sleeve DeviceJune 2023June 2025Abandon2420NoNo
18205869Container and LidJune 2023June 2024Allow1310NoNo
18201208PLASTIC JARMay 2023April 2025Abandon2310NoNo
18314009LIQUID SUPPLY ASSEMBLYMay 2023March 2024Allow1120NoNo
18303746TRASH LINER RETAINER APPARATUSApril 2023May 2025Allow2510NoNo
18031373PROTECTION DEVICE FOR A HIGH-PRESSURE HYDROGEN TANKApril 2023April 2025Abandon2410NoNo
18297213Beverage ShadeApril 2023May 2024Abandon1310NoNo
18130901CRISPING TRAYS FOR AIR-BASED COOKING DEVICESApril 2023March 2025Allow2420NoNo
18190343NESTED LID CONTAINERSMarch 2023February 2024Allow1010NoNo
18125319DRINK CUPMarch 2023January 2024Allow1010NoNo
18185781COOKING APPLIANCEMarch 2023October 2023Allow710NoNo
18119812Protective Bottle EnclosureMarch 2023January 2024Allow1010NoNo
18106583SORTING APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING A RECEPTACLE INTO MULTIPLE SECTIONSFebruary 2023March 2025Allow2520YesNo
18105827Trash Can with Lid AssemblyFebruary 2023August 2023Allow610NoNo
17981652UNITARY COUPLING ASSEMBLY CLOSURE (CORK-CAP)December 2022December 2023Allow1340YesNo
18076064TRASH CONTAINER HAVING AUTOMATED REPLACEMENT BAG DISPENSING SYSTEMDecember 2022June 2024Allow1910NoNo
18071027GRAVITY LOCK AND BIN INCLUDING THE SAMENovember 2022December 2024Allow2410NoNo
17985873CONTAINER WITH A RING AROUND THE INNER SURFACE OF THE SIDEWALL NEAR THE OPENING FOR HOLDING A SCOOPNovember 2022July 2024Abandon2010NoNo
18051924Two-Part Garbage Can with Twist-On SidewallNovember 2022July 2023Allow910YesNo
17965269CONTAINEROctober 2022November 2024Abandon2510NoNo
17961777CAR TRASH CANOctober 2022December 2024Allow2610NoNo
17962121INSULATED CONTAINER FITTINGOctober 2022June 2025Allow3320NoNo
17930624LIQUID SUPPLY ASSEMBLYSeptember 2022November 2022Allow200NoNo
17909748TRASH CAN WITH AUTO LID LOCKING MECHANISMSeptember 2022March 2025Allow3010NoNo
17900997Waste Bin Cover SystemSeptember 2022April 2024Allow2020NoNo
17882875Bottle HolderAugust 2022April 2024Abandon2010NoNo
17797169DEVICE FOR COMPARTMENTALIZING A WASTE CONTAINERAugust 2022December 2024Allow2920NoNo
17876502TablewareJuly 2022February 2025Abandon3020NoNo
17873412BAG GRIPPERJuly 2022March 2024Abandon1910NoNo
17872639REFILLABLE CASE FOR POWDER COSMETIC PRODUCTJuly 2022November 2024Allow2810NoNo
17872727TRASH BAG DISPENSING TRASH RECEPTACLEJuly 2022February 2024Allow1810NoNo
17861020TRASH LINER RETAINER APPARATUSJuly 2022January 2023Allow610NoNo
17847007REPOSITIONABLE CONTAINER PARTITIONING SYSTEM USED WITH DIVIDER INSERTJune 2022September 2024Allow2730YesNo
17845160FLOATING TRAY ASSEMBLYJune 2022January 2025Abandon3120NoNo
17838427GRILL BASKETJune 2022December 2024Allow3021NoNo
17828402Bottle Insulating DeviceMay 2022February 2024Allow2010NoNo
17826478Food Serving Finger Guard Device and DispenserMay 2022March 2025Abandon3331NoNo
17747093LOCKING CONTAINER LID WITH ACTUATING HANDLEMay 2022May 2023Abandon1110NoNo
17732268ContainerApril 2022October 2023Abandon1810NoNo
17728452HANDLED HOLDER FOR CUPS, CONTAINERS, AND THE LIKEApril 2022July 2023Allow1520YesNo
17727381CURVE-COMBINED SQUARE PRESSURE TANKApril 2022April 2023Allow1210NoNo
17715766DISPLAY CASEApril 2022March 2025Abandon3520YesNo
17714058DRINK CONTAINER AND LEAK PROOF PLUG LID FOR USE THEREWITHApril 2022March 2023Allow1210NoNo
17657346VACUUM COOLERMarch 2022November 2022Allow820YesNo
17707198Fuel Tank Floating Suction Line with Level IndicatorMarch 2022April 2024Allow2511NoNo
17702441CONTAINER WITH KNOCKOUT-STACKABLE GABLE WITH TOP TABMarch 2022July 2023Allow1520NoNo
17699989Joint Compound Pan AssemblyMarch 2022March 2024Abandon2420NoNo
17695483WATER STORAGE LIDMarch 2022September 2023Abandon1820NoNo
17640372CLOSURE ASSEMBLY FOR A CONTAINER AND CONTAINER HAVING A CLOSURE ASSEMBLYMarch 2022November 2024Allow3320NoNo
17638745COLLAPSIBLE CARGO CONTAINER ASSEMBLYFebruary 2022September 2023Allow1901NoNo
17668135Bowl and Method of Forming a BowlFebruary 2022October 2023Allow2020NoNo
17582826COOKING APPLIANCEJanuary 2022January 2023Allow1210NoNo
17574560SMART TRASH CANJanuary 2022June 2023Allow1700NoNo
17624360INSTRUMENT FOR THE COLLECTION OF ORGANIC WASTEJanuary 2022December 2024Allow3521NoNo
17624350LID FOR DRINKING CONTAINER WITH DRINKING PASSAGEJanuary 2022May 2024Abandon2810NoNo
17623381END BOSS FOR TYPE IV PRESSURE VESSELDecember 2021November 2024Allow3511NoNo
17557244GRASPING FACILITATORS AND USES THEREOF AND KITS INVOLVING THE SAMEDecember 2021November 2023Allow2311NoNo
17545427METHOD FOR PROTECTING TUBINGDecember 2021August 2024Allow3321NoNo
17540465Plumbing Tool Support AccessoryDecember 2021December 2024Abandon3610NoNo
17539075CONTAINER PROTECTIVE SLEEVENovember 2021July 2023Abandon2010NoNo
17530943Garbage Bag Retention DeviceNovember 2021February 2024Abandon2720NoNo
17525387INNER COVERING FOR CONTAINERSNovember 2021July 2024Abandon3230NoNo
17521575CONTAINER AND LIDNovember 2021March 2023Allow1620NoNo
17595040COLLAPSIBLE SHIPPING CONTAINERNovember 2021December 2023Allow2500NoNo
17515944AIRCRAFT GALLEY WASTE COMPARTMENT BIN LINERSNovember 2021October 2023Abandon2410NoNo
17514005PACKAGING MATERIAL WITH EXPANDING LAYER AND PACKAGING ENCLOSURE FORMED THEREWITHOctober 2021January 2024Allow2711NoNo
17607199COOKING UTENSIL WITH STEAM RELEASE SYSTEMOctober 2021November 2024Abandon3720NoNo
17504804DRINK CUPOctober 2021December 2022Allow1410YesNo
17504297US CIP: Insulating Container Having Vacuum Insulated Panels and MethodOctober 2021December 2024Allow3810NoNo
17604342KITCHEN GARBAGE CANOctober 2021October 2023Allow2410NoNo
17496692RECEPTACLE SYSTEM WITH LID ASSEMBLYOctober 2021October 2023Abandon2521NoNo
17459683COLLAPSIBLE CONTAINER WITH SLIDABLE RETRACTABLE WALLAugust 2021October 2023Allow2620NoNo
17433967EASILY FOLDABLE ROTARY STAND USED AS POT HANDLEAugust 2021February 2024Allow3010NoNo
17425651FOLDABLE CONTAINER INCLUDING TORSION BAR MODULE FOR COLLAPSING SIDE PANELJuly 2021January 2024Abandon3010NoNo
17425085FOLDABLE CONTAINERJuly 2021August 2023Allow2510NoNo
17425182ROTATION SUPPORT MEMBER FOR FRONT PANEL/REAR PANEL OF FOLDABLE CONTAINERJuly 2021March 2024Abandon3220NoNo
17425297FOLDABLE CONTAINER HAVING CORNER LOCKING STRUCTUREJuly 2021December 2023Abandon2910NoNo
17376272Animal Waste Containment AssemblyJuly 2021January 2023Allow1910NoNo
17374883VACUUM COOLERJuly 2021February 2022Allow710NoNo
17364183AIRCRAFT GALLEY WASTE COMPARTMENT BIN LINERSJune 2021May 2023Abandon2310NoNo
17419592Pot Cover And CookwareJune 2021December 2024Allow4130NoNo
17418354DEVICE FOR ARRANGING AND HOLDING THEREIN CONTAMINATED OBJECTSJune 2021September 2023Allow2710NoNo
17356851TRASH CONTAINER HAVING AUTOMATED REPLACEMENT BAG DISPENSING SYSTEMJune 2021October 2022Allow1500NoNo
17352710MIXING BOWL ASSEMBLYJune 2021March 2024Allow3200NoNo
17414564FLEXIBLE CONTAINER FOR PACKAGING WASTEJune 2021September 2023Abandon2710NoNo
17348398DOCUMENT DESTRUCTION LIDJune 2021May 2023Allow2320NoNo

Appeals Overview

This analysis examines appeal outcomes and the strategic value of filing appeals for examiner VOLZ, ELIZABETH J.

Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) Decisions

Total PTAB Decisions
3
Examiner Affirmed
1
(33.3%)
Examiner Reversed
2
(66.7%)
Reversal Percentile
87.5%
Higher than average

What This Means

With a 66.7% 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
12
Allowed After Appeal Filing
3
(25.0%)
Not Allowed After Appeal Filing
9
(75.0%)
Filing Benefit Percentile
33.0%
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, 25.0% 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 VOLZ, ELIZABETH J - Prosecution Strategy Guide

Executive Summary

Examiner VOLZ, ELIZABETH J works in Art Unit 3733 and has examined 503 patent applications in our dataset. With an allowance rate of 71.8%, this examiner has a below-average tendency to allow applications. Applications typically reach final disposition in approximately 28 months.

Allowance Patterns

Examiner VOLZ, ELIZABETH J's allowance rate of 71.8% places them in the 27% percentile among all USPTO examiners. This examiner has a below-average tendency to allow applications.

Office Action Patterns

On average, applications examined by VOLZ, ELIZABETH J receive 1.87 office actions before reaching final disposition. This places the examiner in the 59% 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 VOLZ, ELIZABETH J is 28 months. This places the examiner in the 54% percentile for prosecution speed. Prosecution timelines are slightly faster than average with this examiner.

Interview Effectiveness

Conducting an examiner interview provides a +17.5% benefit to allowance rate for applications examined by VOLZ, ELIZABETH J. This interview benefit is in the 63% 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, 26.3% of applications are subsequently allowed. This success rate is in the 33% 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 61.1% of cases where such amendments are filed. This entry rate is in the 83% 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.

Pre-Appeal Conference Effectiveness

When applicants request a pre-appeal conference (PAC) with this examiner, 50.0% result in withdrawal of the rejection or reopening of prosecution. This success rate is in the 43% 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 70.0% of appeals filed. This is in the 52% percentile among all examiners. Of these withdrawals, 28.6% 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.

Petition Practice

When applicants file petitions regarding this examiner's actions, 50.6% are granted (fully or in part). This grant rate is in the 62% 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 Cooperation and Flexibility

Examiner's Amendments: This examiner makes examiner's amendments in 0.6% of allowed cases (in the 62% 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 2.2% of allowed cases (in the 67% 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:

  • Consider after-final amendments: This examiner frequently enters after-final amendments. If you can clearly overcome rejections with claim amendments, file an after-final amendment before resorting to an RCE.

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.