USPTO Examiner WARD THOMAS JOHN - Art Unit 3761

Recent Applications

Detailed information about the 100 most recent patent applications.

Application NumberTitleFiling DateDisposal DateDispositionTime (months)Office ActionsRestrictionsInterviewAppeal
19103581VAPORIZERFebruary 2025January 2026Abandon1110NoNo
18932953Step Modulating Swing Tank for Heat Pump Water HeaterOctober 2024July 2025Allow811YesNo
18907513HEATABLE HOSE ASSEMBLY FOR ASPHALT REPAIR AND METHODS OF USEOctober 2024March 2025Allow510NoNo
18886749COMBINATION MICROWAVE AND HOOD SYSTEMSeptember 2024March 2025Allow610YesNo
18750023Dough Dispensing and Baking SystemJune 2024January 2025Allow710YesNo
18671966WELDING METHOD FOR IMPROVING QUALITY OF 5G ALL-POSITION WELDING OF MARINE RISER AND PRODUCT THEREOFMay 2024June 2025Abandon1320NoNo
18648983NON-COMBUSTIBLE VAPING DEVICEApril 2024May 2025Allow1310NoNo
18640665Water Tank with Thermally Insulating PartitionApril 2024October 2025Allow1820YesNo
18632366ADHESIVE TRANSFER HOSE HAVING A BARRIER LAYER AND METHOD OF USEApril 2024May 2025Allow1310YesNo
18606020METHOD AND ARRANGEMENT FOR PRODUCING A HARDENED SHEET METAL PRODUCTMarch 2024May 2025Allow1410YesNo
18538819KETTLE GRILL ROTISSERIEDecember 2023September 2024Allow920YesNo
18379150HEATING CLOTHING CONTROL DEVICE AND HEATING CLOTHINGOctober 2023August 2024Allow1020NoNo
18376423HAND-HELD INHALABLE VAPOR PRODUCING DEVICE AND METHODOctober 2023September 2024Allow1210NoNo
18374234HEATABLE HOSE ASSEMBLY FOR ASPHALT REPAIR AND METHODS OF USESeptember 2023June 2024Allow811NoNo
18240326METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR GAS CONTROL DURING WELDING WIRE PRETREATMENTSAugust 2023March 2024Allow700NoNo
18364034METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR OPEN-LOOP IGNITION OF A SMOKE GENERATOR FUEL SOURCEAugust 2023September 2024Allow1330YesNo
18356793DRIVING CIRCUIT OF HAND WARMER AND HAND WARMERJuly 2023September 2024Allow1420NoNo
18195069LASER IRRADIATION APPARATUSMay 2023July 2024Allow1510NoNo
18312916COMBINATION MICROWAVE AND HOOD SYSTEMMay 2023July 2024Allow1530YesNo
18312903COMBINATION MICROWAVE AND HOOD SYSTEMMay 2023January 2024Allow920YesNo
18310255ELECTRONIC VAPING DEVICE AND VAPOR GENERATING APPARATUSMay 2023July 2024Allow1510YesNo
18135829THREE-DIMENSIONAL PRINTINGApril 2023January 2025Abandon2120NoNo
18150013ELECTROMAGNETIC-INDUCTION HEATING DEVICE FOR THIN-FILM THERMOCOUPLE ON CERAMIC BLADEJanuary 2023January 2024Abandon1220NoNo
18092676Method and System for Short-Arc WeldingJanuary 2023January 2025Allow2410NoNo
18077292Dough Dispensing and Baking SystemDecember 2022October 2024Allow2211YesNo
18073694COMBINATION MICROWAVE AND HOOD SYSTEMDecember 2022August 2024Allow2140YesNo
18046761RAPID IR TOASTEROctober 2022September 2025Allow3511NoNo
17947338FILM HEATERSeptember 2022December 2025Allow3810NoNo
17944358DEVICE FOR HEATING FILLED BRIOCHESSeptember 2022March 2026Allow4210NoNo
17887976VEHICLE COMPONENTAugust 2022December 2025Abandon4010NoNo
17885104AUTOMATED PIZZA ASSEMBLY SYSTEMAugust 2022June 2024Allow2231YesNo
17875311FLUIDIZED-BED ELECTRIC COFFEE ROASTERSJuly 2022December 2025Abandon4110NoNo
17867123ELECTRIC ROASTING MACHINEJuly 2022August 2024Abandon2540NoNo
17862569ULTRA-FINE BUBBLE GENERATING UNIT AND ULTRA-FINE BUBBLE-CONTAINING LIQUID MANUFACTURING APPARATUSJuly 2022November 2025Abandon4110NoNo
17858653EPP FOAM BASED UAV BATTERY ENCLOSUREJuly 2022February 2026Allow4410NoNo
17834041PLATE WITH INTEGRATED HEATING SYSTEMJune 2022February 2025Allow3210NoNo
17830540ELECTRIC RANGEJune 2022March 2026Allow4530NoNo
17663582METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR OPEN-LOOP IGNITION OF A SMOKE GENERATOR FUEL SOURCEMay 2022June 2023Allow1311YesNo
17710677EXTREME VACUUM COOLING WITH ADAPTIVE CHAMBER PRESSURE CONTROL FOR FOOD FLAVOR INFUSIONMarch 2022October 2024Allow3121YesNo
17698127WATER HEATER WITH ELECTRONIC MIXING VALVE AND AUTOMATIC TANK SET POINTMarch 2022December 2025Allow4510NoNo
17687914GLUE REWARMING DEVICEMarch 2022March 2026Abandon4820NoNo
17753456LASER SOLDERING METHOD AND DEVICEMarch 2022March 2023Abandon1310NoNo
17617922COMPOSITE PROCESSING METHOD AND DEVICE FOR TEXTURE ON INNER SURFACE OF BEARING SHELL OF RADIAL SLIDING BEARINGDecember 2021May 2024Abandon2921NoNo
17617317HOUSING AND HANDLING METHOD FOR PROCESSING DEVICEDecember 2021April 2025Allow4010NoNo
17456760ELECTRIC RADIATOR FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE PROVIDED WITH A TEMPERATURE MEASUREMENT DEVICENovember 2021November 2024Abandon3620YesNo
17603967MACHINE FOR COOKING A DOSE OF PASTA IN A CONTAINEROctober 2021February 2025Allow4020NoNo
17494102NON-COMBUSTIBLE VAPING DEVICEOctober 2021February 2024Allow2821YesNo
17448544SAFETY SWITCH WITH FOOL-PROOF FUNCTION AND TOASTERSeptember 2021January 2026Allow5210NoNo
17477068Device for Melting Snow and IceSeptember 2021December 2024Abandon3910NoNo
17439654WELDING CONTROL DEVICE, WELDING CONTROL METHOD, AND WELDING CONTROL PROGRAMSeptember 2021December 2025Allow5130YesNo
17468951Method and system for an induction heating capable welderSeptember 2021April 2024Abandon3110NoNo
17465038LIGHT IRRADIATION TYPE HEAT TREATMENT APPARATUSSeptember 2021December 2024Allow3910NoNo
17465559Induction Heating Unit Adjustment Device and Adjusting Method for an Adjustment of at Least One Field Former Element of an Induction Heating UnitSeptember 2021November 2025Allow5140YesNo
17410839SYSTEM FOR PREVENTING OVERHEATING ARCING IN HEATED LAMINATED GLASSAugust 2021October 2024Allow3710YesNo
17432511ROTARY ROASTERAugust 2021December 2024Abandon4010NoNo
17406211METHOD FOR WELDING COPPER-INCLUDING MEMBERS, AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING ELECTRICAL ROTATING MACHINEAugust 2021October 2025Allow5030YesNo
17405470FOLDABLE HOLDERAugust 2021December 2024Abandon4010NoNo
17404436PARAFFIN WARMERAugust 2021December 2024Abandon4010NoNo
17403935EGG STORAGE PLATEAugust 2021December 2024Abandon4010NoNo
17395936WAFFLE MAKER AND GRIDDLE DESIGNAugust 2021May 2024Allow3330NoNo
17261889CERAMIC HEATER AND PREPARATION METHOD AND USE OF CERAMIC HEATERJuly 2021October 2025Allow5710NoNo
17373652Aeration ContainerJuly 2021July 2025Abandon4810NoNo
17420481HEATING DEVICE AND REFRIGERATOR WITH HEATING DEVICEJuly 2021September 2025Allow5130NoNo
17415013COOKING DEVICEJune 2021August 2024Allow3810NoNo
17346464Thermal Mold for Making Edible Container for Food ProductsJune 2021October 2023Allow2811NoNo
17413905CONDUCTIVE ADHESIVE SHEET, LAMINATE, AND HEATING DEVICEJune 2021November 2025Abandon5330NoNo
17342147CONTROL DEVICE OF WATER PURIFIER, WATER PURIFIER, AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOFJune 2021April 2025Allow4610NoNo
17318557WELDING GAS COMPOSITIONS AND METHOD FOR USEMay 2021October 2023Allow2920NoNo
17226877METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR RESISTANCE HEATING ELEMENTSApril 2021August 2025Abandon5220NoNo
17216783OVEN FOR HEATING FOODMarch 2021July 2025Allow5230NoNo
17215369Nitrogen Injection for ARC LampsMarch 2021June 2024Allow3930NoYes
17204118HEATING DEVICE AND CONTROL METHOD OF HEATING DEVICEMarch 2021May 2023Abandon2610NoNo
17277268ROTISSERIE GRILLMarch 2021April 2024Allow3710NoNo
17201838Capsule-Based system for preparing and dispensing a beverageMarch 2021March 2023Allow2410NoNo
17198241ELECTRICAL HEATER WITH HEATING REGISTERS MADE OF PTC-ELEMENTS WHICH ARE COUPLED THERMALLY IN SERIESMarch 2021February 2025Abandon4710NoNo
17168662MULTI-LEMON SQUEEZERFebruary 2021April 2021Allow300NoNo
17166451METHOD FOR PRODUCING WORKPIECEFebruary 2021July 2024Abandon4140NoNo
17165619METHODS AND APPARATUS TO PROVIDE A CONSISTENT ELECTRODE STATE FOR WELDINGFebruary 2021August 2024Allow4230YesNo
17262458INSTANT WATER HEATERJanuary 2021September 2023Abandon3210NoNo
17261770SOLDERING TOOL FOR INDUCTIVE SOLDERINGJanuary 2021August 2025Abandon5540NoNo
17152783HEATING ELEMENT ASSEMBLY FOR A HEATING DEVICE OF A VEHICLEJanuary 2021February 2025Abandon4901NoNo
17260679ELECTRIC HEATER FOR TANKJanuary 2021September 2025Abandon5660NoNo
17248233COOKING APPLIANCEJanuary 2021June 2024Allow4150YesNo
17123332PORTABLE DRAWN ARC STUD WELDER INCLUDING A LITHIUM FERROPHOSPHATE BATTERYDecember 2020June 2024Abandon4240NoNo
17120026ELECTRONIC CIGARETTEDecember 2020August 2023Abandon3200NoNo
17111622HEATING COIL AND QUENCHING DEVICEDecember 2020February 2023Abandon2710NoNo
17107922KAMADO COOKER ROTISSERIENovember 2020September 2023Allow3320NoNo
17101243COMBINED HEATING AND TRANSFER OF WORK-PIECE BLANKSNovember 2020April 2024Allow4021YesNo
17099883FLAT IRON CONTROLLERNovember 2020June 2024Abandon4320NoNo
17055849MAGNESIUM ALLOY BUTTED TUBE DRAWING MECHANISMNovember 2020August 2023Abandon3310NoNo
17098413METHODS TO DETECT LOW HOT WATER RESERVE CONDITIONNovember 2020December 2024Allow4920NoYes
17081280HEATING APPARATUS FOR VEHICLEOctober 2020July 2024Allow4510NoNo
17076295METHODS AND APPARATUS TO DETERMINE ENERGY INPUT TO WELDING PROCESSES INVOLVING MULTIPLE ENERGY SOURCESOctober 2020February 2025Abandon5260YesYes
17041769METHOD OF MANUFACTURING A CAN LID COMPOSED OF A COMPOSITE MATERIALSeptember 2020April 2024Allow4220YesNo
17040565DOMESTIC APPLIANCE WITH AT LEAST ONE HEATER FOR A TUBULAR PIECE THROUGH WHICH A FLUID FLOWSSeptember 2020February 2025Allow5230YesNo
17025442REFLECTOR AND LIGHT SINTERING APPARATUS COMPRISING THE SAMESeptember 2020February 2024Allow4110NoNo
17025580WELDING INFORMATION PROVIDING APPARATUS WITH FUNCTION OF SENSING ENVIRONMENTSeptember 2020November 2023Allow3820NoNo
17022183WATER TANK WITH THERMALLY INSULATING PARTITIONSeptember 2020January 2024Allow4030YesNo
16979488METAL STRIP INDUCTION HEATING METHOD AND INDUCTION HEATING APPARATUSSeptember 2020June 2024Allow4530YesNo
17010597WELDING GUN TRIGGER GUARDSeptember 2020December 2022Abandon2710NoNo

Appeals Overview

This analysis examines appeal outcomes and the strategic value of filing appeals for examiner WARD, THOMAS JOHN.

Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) Decisions

Total PTAB Decisions
36
Examiner Affirmed
7
(19.4%)
Examiner Reversed
29
(80.6%)
Reversal Percentile
90.6%
Higher than average

What This Means

With a 80.6% 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
96
Allowed After Appeal Filing
51
(53.1%)
Not Allowed After Appeal Filing
45
(46.9%)
Filing Benefit Percentile
85.3%
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, 53.1% 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 WARD, THOMAS JOHN - Prosecution Strategy Guide

Executive Summary

Examiner WARD, THOMAS JOHN works in Art Unit 3761 and has examined 335 patent applications in our dataset. With an allowance rate of 60.0%, this examiner allows applications at a lower rate than most examiners at the USPTO. Applications typically reach final disposition in approximately 49 months.

Allowance Patterns

Examiner WARD, THOMAS JOHN's allowance rate of 60.0% places them in the 20% percentile among all USPTO examiners. This examiner is less likely to allow applications than most examiners at the USPTO.

Office Action Patterns

On average, applications examined by WARD, THOMAS JOHN receive 3.32 office actions before reaching final disposition. This places the examiner in the 92% 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 WARD, THOMAS JOHN is 49 months. This places the examiner in the 7% 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 +26.3% benefit to allowance rate for applications examined by WARD, THOMAS JOHN. This interview benefit is in the 73% 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, 12.3% of applications are subsequently allowed. This success rate is in the 7% percentile among all examiners. Strategic Insight: RCEs show lower effectiveness with this examiner compared to others. Consider whether a continuation application might be more strategic, especially if you need to add new matter or significantly broaden claims.

After-Final Amendment Practice

This examiner enters after-final amendments leading to allowance in 23.7% of cases where such amendments are filed. This entry rate is in the 32% percentile among all examiners. Strategic Recommendation: This examiner shows below-average receptiveness to after-final amendments. You may need to file an RCE or appeal rather than relying on after-final amendment entry.

Pre-Appeal Conference Effectiveness

When applicants request a pre-appeal conference (PAC) with this examiner, 90.2% result in withdrawal of the rejection or reopening of prosecution. This success rate is in the 67% 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 66.7% of appeals filed. This is in the 52% 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 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, 39.0% are granted (fully or in part). This grant rate is in the 28% 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 45% 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 47% 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:

  • Prepare for rigorous examination: With a below-average allowance rate, ensure your application has strong written description and enablement support. Consider filing a continuation if you need to add new matter.
  • 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 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.