Last updated: July 17, 2026

Application No. 18/681,792

FACE COVERING

Non-Final OA

Filed

Feb 06, 2024

Priority

Aug 13, 2021 — provisional 63/232,638 +1 more

Examiner

BOECKER, JOSEPH D

Art Unit

Tech Center

Assignee

3M Innovative Properties Company

OA Round

1 (Non-Final)

Interview Optional

— +22.8% interview lift. Examiner has a relatively high allowance rate (84%); +22.8% interview lift. A written response may suffice.

Based on 897 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

BOECKER, JOSEPH D View full profile →

Grants 84% — above average

Career Allowance Rate

749 granted / 897 resolved

+23.5% vs TC avg

Strong +23% interview lift

Without

With

+22.8%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Typical timeline

2y 10m

Avg Prosecution

46 currently pending

Career history

929

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101

1.0%

-39.0% vs TC avg

§103

60.4%

+20.4% vs TC avg

§102

10.9%

-29.1% vs TC avg

§112

25.0%

-15.0% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 897 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

Feb 06, 2024

Application Filed

May 28, 2026

Non-Final Rejection mailed (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

17/923,920

Patent 12678572

METHOD FOR ESTIMATING INHALE DOSE OF A PERSON

3y 8m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026

17/998,025

Patent 12678583

MOISTURE DETECTION IN GASES CONVEYING MEDICAL CONDUITS

3y 8m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026

18/309,672

Patent 12679519

PRESSURE REDUCING SYSTEM FOR A BREATHING APPARATUS

3y 2m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026

18/005,428

Patent 12673178

Ventilator

3y 5m to grant Granted Jul 07, 2026

17/677,854

Patent 12667686

NITRIC OXIDE GENERATING SYSTEMS

4y 4m to grant Granted Jun 30, 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

84%

Grant Probability

99%

With Interview (+22.8%)

2y 10m (~4m remaining)

Median Time to Grant

Low

PTA Risk

Based on 897 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.