Last updated: July 17, 2026

Application No. 18/598,433

Cleaning System

Non-Final OA

Filed

Mar 07, 2024

Priority

Mar 22, 2023 — provisional 63/453,837

Examiner

POON, DANA LEE

Art Unit

3723

Tech Center

3700 — Mechanical Engineering & Manufacturing

Assignee

Apple Inc.

OA Round

1 (Non-Final)

This examiner grants 55% of cases after interview

— +42.3% interview lift. A telephonic interview to clarify the technical implementation could significantly improve the outcome.

Based on 159 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

POON, DANA LEE View full profile →

Grants 55% of resolved cases

Career Allowance Rate

88 granted / 159 resolved

-14.7% vs TC avg

Strong +42% interview lift

Without

With

+42.3%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Typical timeline

2y 10m

Avg Prosecution

50 currently pending

Career history

221

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101

0.5%

-39.5% vs TC avg

§103

84.4%

+44.4% vs TC avg

§102

5.1%

-34.9% vs TC avg

§112

5.9%

-34.1% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 159 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

Mar 07, 2024

Application Filed

Apr 06, 2026

Non-Final Rejection mailed (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

16/691,061

Patent 12673397

WAFER BACKSIDE CLEANING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF CLEANING WAFER BACKSIDE

6y 7m to grant Granted Jul 07, 2026

17/963,099

Patent 12605802

CONDENSED GAS PAD CONDITIONER

3y 6m to grant Granted Apr 21, 2026

18/027,791

Patent 12599275

VACUUM CLEANER APPARATUS, VACUUM CLEANER UNIT, AND METHOD OF OPERATING A VACUUM CLEANER APPARATUS

3y 0m to grant Granted Apr 14, 2026

17/786,899

Patent 12575705

DEBRIS BLOWER

3y 9m to grant Granted Mar 17, 2026

17/909,951

Patent 12551980

DEGREASING AND DRY DEBURRING MACHINE WITH A SUCTION SYSTEM, AND ASSOCIATED METHOD

3y 5m to grant Granted Feb 17, 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

55%

Grant Probability

98%

With Interview (+42.3%)

2y 10m (~5m remaining)

Median Time to Grant

Low

PTA Risk

Based on 159 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.