Last updated: May 29, 2026

Application No. 17/740,460

METHOD AND DEVICES FOR CONTROLLING ELECTRONIC VAPING DEVICES

Non-Final OA

Filed

May 10, 2022

Priority

Feb 25, 2016 — continuation of 11/357,936

Examiner

FELTON, MICHAEL J

Art Unit

1747

Tech Center

1700 — Chemical & Materials Engineering

Assignee

Altria Client Services LLC

OA Round

1 (Non-Final)

Interview Optional

— +14.8% interview lift. Interview lift (+14.8%) is below the 15.0% threshold. A written response is recommended.

Based on 486 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

FELTON, MICHAEL J View full profile →

Grants 59% of resolved cases

Career Allowance Rate

287 granted / 486 resolved

-5.9% vs TC avg

Moderate +15% lift

Without

With

+14.8%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Typical timeline

4y 8m

Avg Prosecution

29 currently pending

Career history

532

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101

0.4%

-39.6% vs TC avg

§103

92.2%

+52.2% vs TC avg

§102

4.1%

-35.9% vs TC avg

§112

1.7%

-38.3% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 486 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

May 10, 2022

Application Filed

Feb 02, 2026

Non-Final Rejection mailed

Apr 16, 2026

Response Filed

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

17/928,142

Patent 12622460

AEROSOL GENERATING DEVICE COMPRISING CARTRIDGE

3y 5m to grant Granted May 12, 2026

18/362,543

Patent 12623260

ARTICLE INCLUDING IDENTIFICATION INFORMATION FOR USE IN AN ELECTRICALLY HEATED SMOKING SYSTEM

2y 9m to grant Granted May 12, 2026

16/544,152

Patent 12616236

SMOKELESS TOBACCO PRODUCT SIZED, SHAPED AND ADAPTED FOR ORAL CONSUMPTION

6y 8m to grant Granted May 05, 2026

18/340,105

Patent 12564214

TOBACCO SMOKE FILTER AND METHOD OF PRODUCTION

2y 8m to grant Granted Mar 03, 2026

18/457,905

Patent 12564216

CIGAR ASHTRAY SYSTEM WITH COOLING

2y 6m to grant Granted Mar 03, 2026

Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

Strategy Recommendation AI-generated — please review before filing

Get a prosecution strategy drawn from examiner precedents, rejection analysis, and claim mapping.

Typically takes 5-10 seconds — AI-generated, attorney review required before filing

Prosecution Projections

1-2

Expected OA Rounds

59%

Grant Probability

74%

With Interview (+14.8%)

4y 8m (~7m remaining)

Median Time to Grant

Low

PTA Risk

Based on 486 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.