Last updated: April 19, 2026

Application No. 18/540,342

FLAVORING-LOADED COMPONENT FOR TOBACCO PRODUCT AND PRODUCTION METHOD FOR SAME

Non-Final OA

Filed

Dec 14, 2023

Examiner

MCKANE, ELIZABETH L

Art Unit

3991

Tech Center

3900

Assignee

Japan Tobacco Inc.

OA Round

1 (Non-Final)

This examiner grants 61% of cases after interview

— +25.6% interview lift. A telephonic interview to clarify the technical implementation could significantly improve the outcome.

Based on 221 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

MCKANE, ELIZABETH L View full profile →

Grants 61% of resolved cases

Career Allow Rate

135 granted / 221 resolved

+1.1% vs TC avg

Strong +26% interview lift

Without

With

+25.6%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Typical timeline

3y 5m

Avg Prosecution

27 currently pending

Career history

248

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101

0.4%

-39.6% vs TC avg

§103

43.0%

+3.0% vs TC avg

§102

18.7%

-21.3% vs TC avg

§112

22.9%

-17.1% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 221 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

Dec 14, 2023

Application Filed

Mar 27, 2026

Non-Final Rejection (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

18/120,335

Patent RE50846

Systems and methods for capacitive fluid level detection, and handling containers

2y 5m to grant Granted Mar 31, 2026

18/594,959

Patent RE50824

BLOOD COMPONENT SAMPLING CASSETTE, BLOOD SAMPLING CIRCUIT SET, AND BLOOD COMPONENT SAMPLING SYSTEM

2y 5m to grant Granted Mar 17, 2026

17/863,687

Patent RE50777

LAUNDRY TREATING APPARATUS

2y 5m to grant Granted Feb 03, 2026

17/946,275

Patent 12527430

MULTI-CHAMBER OVEN

2y 5m to grant Granted Jan 20, 2026

17/990,387

Patent RE50717

BARRIER FOR ABSORBING LIVE FIRE AMMUNITION AND USES THEREOF

2y 5m to grant Granted Dec 30, 2025

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

AI Strategy Recommendation

Get an AI-powered prosecution strategy using examiner precedents, rejection analysis, and claim mapping.

Prosecution Projections

1-2

Expected OA Rounds

61%

Grant Probability

87%

With Interview (+25.6%)

3y 5m

Median Time to Grant

Low

PTA Risk

Based on 221 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allow rate.