USPTO Examiner BARSS KEVIN R - Art Unit 3753

Recent Applications

Detailed information about the 100 most recent patent applications.

Application NumberTitleFiling DateDisposal DateDispositionTime (months)Office ActionsRestrictionsInterviewAppeal
18717714CONTROL VALVEJune 2024December 2024Allow600NoNo
18643239APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR REPLACING A VALVE IN A WATER MAINApril 2024July 2024Allow300NoNo
18581418VENTILATION TREATMENT DEVICE AND VENTILATION-CONTROL METHODFebruary 2024December 2024Allow1020NoNo
18436191ASSEMBLY AND METHODS FOR PUMPING WATER TO SHOREFebruary 2024October 2024Allow910NoNo
18545822REVOLVER BYPASS VALVEDecember 2023October 2024Allow1020NoNo
18566716LARGE-VOLUME LIQUID FIXED-RATIO MULTI-BATCH MIXING VALVEDecember 2023June 2024Allow600NoNo
18372108AIR VALVE ASSEMBLY AND INFLATABLE CUSHIONDecember 2023November 2024Allow1411NoNo
18507977Method and Apparatus for Valve Core Installation/RemovalNovember 2023June 2024Allow700NoNo
18482535Adjustable Mutli-Bladder System for an Article of FootwearOctober 2023April 2024Allow600NoNo
18482019VALVE DEVICE AND HOT WATER SUPPLY DEVICEOctober 2023February 2025Allow1600NoNo
18240390VALVE DEVICEAugust 2023April 2024Allow800NoNo
18352746VENTURI-STYLE VACUUM-BOOSTING HOSE ATTACHMENT AND ASSOCIATED METHOD(S)July 2023October 2024Allow1500NoNo
18350119FLUID INTRODUCER FOR A PIPING SYSTEMJuly 2023October 2024Abandon1510NoNo
18268231CONNECTION APPARATUS, MANUFACTURING METHOD FOR CONNECTION DEVICE, AND THERMAL MANAGEMENT COMPONENTJune 2023January 2025Allow1900NoNo
18266568CHEMICAL STICK RECEIVING PRESSURE VESSELJune 2023August 2024Allow1400NoNo
18256888EXPANSION TANKS FOR VEHICLE COOLING SYSTEMS AND VEHICLE COOLING SYSTEMSJune 2023December 2024Allow1810NoNo
18332156DEVICES AND SYSTEMS FOR PREPARING A CHEMICAL SOLUTIONJune 2023September 2024Allow1600NoNo
18207191PRESSURE OPERATED FLUID VALVE WITH CONFIGURABLE DIAPHRAGM ARRANGEMENTJune 2023September 2024Allow1500NoNo
18328933HYDRAULIC VALVEJune 2023December 2024Allow1900NoNo
18320954SEAL POCKET DETECTION ASSEMBLYMay 2023September 2024Allow1600NoNo
18308102UNIVERSAL DRAINPIPE INTERFACING WITH OVERFLOW AND NON-OVERFLOW DRAINSApril 2023October 2023Allow610NoNo
18303009SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR OPERATING A BALL VALVEApril 2023November 2024Allow1910NoNo
18248745TANK DEVICE FOR TEMPERATURE PRESSURE RELIEF IN A FUEL CELL TANKApril 2023October 2024Allow1800NoNo
18027364CONTROL VALVEMarch 2023August 2024Allow1700NoNo
18027092CONTROL VALVEMarch 2023December 2024Allow2100NoNo
18026590CONTROL VALVEMarch 2023May 2024Allow1400NoNo
18245080VACUUM EXHAUST SYSTEMMarch 2023October 2024Allow1910NoNo
18179567CONNECTOR ASSEMBLYMarch 2023June 2024Allow1500NoNo
18116498VALVE REMOVAL PLUG WITH QUICK LATCH CONNECTIONMarch 2023September 2024Allow1800NoNo
18115679MECHANICAL AND COMBINED MECHANICAL/ELECTRONIC ACTUATOR FOR ANHYDROUS AMMONIA EMERGENCY SHUT OFF VALVESFebruary 2023February 2024Allow1210NoNo
18114086SELF-CONTAINED HYDRANT MONITORING SYSTEMFebruary 2023September 2023Allow710NoNo
18168020VALVEFebruary 2023September 2024Allow1900NoNo
18041139NON-RETURN CHECK VALVE AND CHECK VALVE APPARATUS FOR VACUUM SYSTEMFebruary 2023May 2024Allow1510NoNo
18020378HYDRAULIC BUILT-IN VALVEFebruary 2023February 2024Allow1300NoNo
18018312APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE DISTRIBUTION OF A FLUID, WITH AN ANTI-FREEZE SAFETY FUNCTIONJanuary 2023February 2024Allow1200NoNo
18098313GAS SUPPLY SYSTEM, PLASMA PROCESSING APPARATUS, AND GAS SUPPLY METHODJanuary 2023August 2024Allow1900NoNo
18097761TANKLESS WATER HEATER ISOLATION VALVE ASSEMBLYJanuary 2023December 2024Allow2310NoNo
18093712Method and Apparatus for Valve Core Installation/RemovalJanuary 2023October 2023Allow1010NoNo
18014155CONTROL VALVE AND CONTROL VALVE SYSTEMDecember 2022April 2024Allow1600NoNo
18146060PACKING FOR A HIGH-PRESSURE VALVEDecember 2022October 2023Allow1000NoNo
18069131MOBILE FIRE HYDRANT APPARATUS AND METHOD OF PROVIDING WATER FOR FIREFIGHTINGDecember 2022May 2023Allow410NoNo
18068382FAUCET ASSEMBLY WITH FRICTION RINGDecember 2022September 2023Allow810NoNo
18081982VALVE DEVICEDecember 2022June 2023Allow600NoNo
18082208THERMAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE AND METHOD FOR OPERATING SAID THERMAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEMDecember 2022June 2024Allow1810NoNo
18063744REVOLVER BYPASS VALVEDecember 2022September 2023Allow1010NoNo
18062414METHOD OF PREVENTING TAMPERING WITH A HYDRANTDecember 2022March 2023Allow400NoNo
17927238CYLINDER ASSEMBLY FOR A HYDROGEN FUEL CELLS AUTOTRACTION SYSTEMNovember 2022April 2024Allow1700NoNo
17990300Adjustable Multi-Bladder System for an Article of FootwearNovember 2022July 2023Allow810NoNo
17989076WATER DELIVERY VALVE ASSEMBLYNovember 2022October 2024Allow2310NoNo
17986986Gate Valve AssemblyNovember 2022December 2023Allow1300NoNo
17986161ISOLATION SERVICE VALVE ASSEMBLY FOR MOTORIZED ZONE VALVESNovember 2022September 2024Allow2200NoNo
17998172BI-FLOW CRYOGENIC FIRESAFE FLOATING BALL VALVENovember 2022March 2024Allow1700NoNo
17924031HYDRAULIC MULTI-WAY VALVE WITH INDEPENDENT OIL-PORT CONTROL, AND CONTROL METHOD THEREFORNovember 2022September 2024Allow2200NoNo
17976978Pulser ShieldOctober 2022February 2024Allow1600NoNo
17976665VALVE, AND APPLICATIONS THEREOF IN ROBOT SYSTEMSOctober 2022September 2023Allow1100NoNo
17973519VALVE INSERTION TOOLOctober 2022November 2023Allow1210NoNo
18046299MIXER WITH MULTI-INJECTION QUILLSOctober 2022February 2024Allow1600NoNo
17937907ANTI-BACKFLOW PLUMBING FITTINGOctober 2022May 2023Allow810NoNo
17959172VACUUM BREAKER VALVEOctober 2022September 2023Allow1100NoNo
17958891FLUID CONTROL VALVE FOR ROTARY STEERABLE TOOLOctober 2022February 2023Allow400NoNo
17948729High-Pressure Compressor and System with a High-Pressure CompressorSeptember 2022January 2024Allow1600NoNo
17929818AUTOMATIC DRAINING BACK FLOW PREVENTION DEVICESeptember 2022February 2023Allow510NoNo
17905247LIMITED VOLUME COAXIAL VALVE BLOCKAugust 2022January 2024Allow1600NoNo
17802186FLUID SHUT-OFF SYSTEM AND SHUT-OFF METHODAugust 2022March 2024Allow1900NoNo
17885700PLUG-IN PUMP INSTALLATION STRUCTURE OF COOLING DISTRIBUTION UNITAugust 2022January 2024Allow1700NoNo
17818842ROTARY VALVE FOR USE WITH A FLUID PROPORTIONERAugust 2022December 2023Allow1610NoNo
17760444COUPLING ASSEMBLY FOR BRANCHING PIPEAugust 2022May 2024Allow2110NoNo
17817062WATER CONTROL VALVE WITH OFFSET VALVE COREAugust 2022May 2023Allow1000NoNo
17880046AIR VENT FOR CULVERTAugust 2022June 2024Allow2310NoNo
17794778CONTROL VALVE FOR AT LEAST ONE SANITARY FITTING HAVING A DIAPHRAGM VALVE AND A MULTI-PORT VALVEJuly 2022December 2023Allow1600NoNo
17864488BAFFLE WITH DRAIN PATHJuly 2022March 2024Allow2010NoNo
17811837BACKFLOW PREVENTION AND METHOD OF MANUFACTUREJuly 2022December 2022Allow510NoNo
17858795Unitary Stub Out And Rough-In Plumbing Valve Cylinder Including A Rear Mounting Plate With An Integral Conduit Member Extending There From With Support And Leveling Flange Members In Cooperation TherewithJuly 2022January 2023Allow700NoNo
17811017SERVICEABLE VALVE AND METHOD FOR OPERATION OF SAID VALVEJuly 2022August 2024Allow2510NoNo
17790681INSERT VALVE AND METHOD OF INSERTION INTO PRESSURIZED PIPELINESJuly 2022February 2024Allow2000NoNo
17852515Multi-Port Rotary ValveJune 2022April 2024Allow2200NoNo
17852524Multi-Port Rotary ValveJune 2022December 2024Allow3000NoNo
17852509Multi-Port Rotary ValveJune 2022September 2023Allow1510NoNo
17852501Multi-Port Rotary ValveJune 2022June 2023Allow1200NoNo
17789798VENTILATION TREATMENT DEVICE AND VENTILATION-CONTROL METHODJune 2022December 2023Allow1700NoNo
17845839STAGED COMMISSIONING FOR DATACENTER COOLING SYSTEMSJune 2022July 2024Allow2400NoNo
17842958MULTI-WAY VALVEJune 2022August 2024Allow2610NoNo
17786085APPARATUS FOR HANDLING FLUID WITHIN AN AT LEAST PARTIALLY ELECTRICALLY DRIVEN VEHICLEJune 2022July 2023Allow1310NoNo
17786075APPARATUS FOR HANDLING FLUID WITHIN AN AT LEAST PARTIALLY ELECTRICALLY DRIVEN VEHICLEJune 2022July 2023Allow1310NoNo
17786092APPARATUS FOR HANDLING FLUID WITHIN AN AT LEAST PARTIALLY ELECTRICALLY DRIVEN VEHICLEJune 2022July 2023Allow1310NoNo
17786100APPARATUS FOR HANDLING FLUID WITHIN AN AT LEAST PARTIALLY ELECTRICALLY DRIVEN VEHICLEJune 2022June 2023Allow1200NoNo
17837654Filter-type Valve Element Cover Plate and Shower Faucet Made ThereofJune 2022November 2024Abandon3010NoNo
17831855Gas Valve AssembliesJune 2022September 2023Allow1620NoNo
17830481AUTOMATIC REMOTE MANAGEMENT OF FUEL FILLING STATIONSJune 2022January 2024Allow1900NoNo
17830105HYDROGEN AIRCRAFT WITH CRYO-COMPRESSED STORAGEJune 2022April 2024Allow2310NoNo
17826732COMPLIANT JOINT DRIVE ASSEMBLYMay 2022December 2023Allow1910NoNo
17743065FIRE HYDRANT SYSTEMMay 2022June 2023Allow1310NoNo
17735363SELF-CONTAINED HYDRANT MONITORING SYSTEMMay 2022November 2022Allow710NoNo
17732229VALVE FOR A FLUID SYSTEM AND FLUID SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLEApril 2022February 2024Allow2210NoNo
17720887FIRE HYDRANTApril 2022March 2023Allow1110NoNo
17720896FIRE HYDRANTApril 2022December 2022Allow800NoNo
17719467STEM SEAL CARTRIDGE FOR VALVEApril 2022August 2023Allow1700NoNo
17718407VALVE DEVICEApril 2022September 2022Allow500NoNo
17706464FERRULE COUPLING FOR JOINING DUCTS TOGETHERMarch 2022March 2023Allow1200NoNo
17656093FOUR-POSITION SWITCHING VALVEMarch 2022March 2023Allow1110NoNo

Appeals Overview

This analysis examines appeal outcomes and the strategic value of filing appeals for examiner BARSS, KEVIN R.

Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) Decisions

Total PTAB Decisions
6
Examiner Affirmed
5
(83.3%)
Examiner Reversed
1
(16.7%)
Reversal Percentile
28.0%
Lower than average

What This Means

With a 16.7% reversal rate, the PTAB affirms the examiner's rejections in the vast majority of cases. This reversal rate is below the USPTO average, indicating that appeals face more challenges here than typical.

Strategic Value of Filing an Appeal

Total Appeal Filings
11
Allowed After Appeal Filing
2
(18.2%)
Not Allowed After Appeal Filing
9
(81.8%)
Filing Benefit Percentile
19.7%
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, 18.2% of applications that filed an appeal were subsequently allowed. This appeal filing benefit rate is in the bottom 25% across the USPTO, indicating that filing appeals is less effective here than in most other areas.

Strategic Recommendations

Appeals to PTAB face challenges. Ensure your case has strong merit before committing to full Board review.

Filing a Notice of Appeal shows limited benefit. Consider other strategies like interviews or amendments before appealing.

Examiner BARSS, KEVIN R - Prosecution Strategy Guide

Executive Summary

Examiner BARSS, KEVIN R works in Art Unit 3753 and has examined 873 patent applications in our dataset. With an allowance rate of 89.5%, this examiner has an above-average tendency to allow applications. Applications typically reach final disposition in approximately 20 months.

Allowance Patterns

Examiner BARSS, KEVIN R's allowance rate of 89.5% places them in the 69% percentile among all USPTO examiners. This examiner has an above-average tendency to allow applications.

Office Action Patterns

On average, applications examined by BARSS, KEVIN R receive 1.10 office actions before reaching final disposition. This places the examiner in the 16% percentile for office actions issued. This examiner issues significantly fewer office actions than most examiners.

Prosecution Timeline

The median time to disposition (half-life) for applications examined by BARSS, KEVIN R is 20 months. This places the examiner in the 91% percentile for prosecution speed. Applications move through prosecution relatively quickly with this examiner.

Interview Effectiveness

Conducting an examiner interview provides a -0.8% benefit to allowance rate for applications examined by BARSS, KEVIN R. This interview benefit is in the 8% percentile among all examiners. Note: Interviews show limited statistical benefit with this examiner compared to others, though they may still be valuable for clarifying issues.

Request for Continued Examination (RCE) Effectiveness

When applicants file an RCE with this examiner, 38.8% of applications are subsequently allowed. This success rate is in the 86% 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.

After-Final Amendment Practice

This examiner enters after-final amendments leading to allowance in 65.3% of cases where such amendments are filed. This entry rate is in the 87% 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, 0.0% result in withdrawal of the rejection or reopening of prosecution. This success rate is in the 20% percentile among all examiners. Note: Pre-appeal conferences show limited success with this examiner compared to others. While still worth considering, be prepared to proceed with a full appeal brief if the PAC does not result in favorable action.

Appeal Withdrawal and Reconsideration

This examiner withdraws rejections or reopens prosecution in 57.1% of appeals filed. This is in the 25% percentile among all examiners. Of these withdrawals, 37.5% 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, 64.9% are granted (fully or in part). This grant rate is in the 81% percentile among all examiners. Strategic Note: Petitions are frequently granted regarding this examiner's actions compared to other examiners. Per MPEP § 1002.02(c), various examiner actions are petitionable to the Technology Center Director, including prematureness of final rejection, refusal to enter amendments, and requirement for information. If you believe an examiner action is improper, consider filing a petition.

Examiner Cooperation and Flexibility

Examiner's Amendments: This examiner makes examiner's amendments in 0.1% of allowed cases (in the 46% 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 1.0% of allowed cases (in the 56% 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.
  • RCEs are effective: This examiner has a high allowance rate after RCE compared to others. If you receive a final rejection and have substantive amendments or arguments, an RCE is likely to be successful.

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.