Prosecution Insights
Last updated: October 02, 2026
Application No. 18/735,650

COUNTERTOP APPLIANCE WITH PHYSICAL AND REMOTE MOTOR CONTROL

Non-Final OA §112
Filed
Jun 06, 2024
Priority
Jul 31, 2023 — provisional 63/529,892
Examiner
HOWELL, MARC C
Art Unit
Tech Center
Assignee
WHIRLPOOL Corporation
OA Round
1 (Non-Final)
69%
Grant Probability
Favorable
1-2
OA Rounds
1y 1m
Est. Remaining
93%
With Interview

Examiner Intelligence

Grants 69% — above average
69%
Career Allowance Rate
387 granted / 564 resolved
+8.6% vs TC avg
Strong +25% interview lift
Without
With
+24.7%
Interview Lift
resolved cases with interview
Typical timeline
3y 5m
Avg Prosecution
31 currently pending
Career history
583
Total Applications
across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101
0.7%
-39.3% vs TC avg
§103
53.3%
+13.3% vs TC avg
§102
15.3%
-24.7% vs TC avg
§112
27.9%
-12.1% vs TC avg
Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 564 resolved cases

Office Action

§112
DETAILED ACTION Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA . Information Disclosure Statement The information disclosure statements (IDS) submitted on 06/06/2024 and 11/11/2024 are in compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the information disclosure statements are being considered by the examiner. Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 112 The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(b): (b) CONCLUSION.—The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor regards as the invention. The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph: The specification shall conclude with one or more claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the applicant regards as his invention. Claims 8-10 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 112(b) or 35 U.S.C. 112 (pre-AIA ), second paragraph, as being indefinite for failing to particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter which the inventor or a joint inventor (or for applications subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, the applicant), regards as the invention. Regarding claim 8, the claim recites “a signal interrupt that prevents any position signals from affecting the position of the handle along the when the visual interface…” It appears that a word is missing between “the” and “when.” Claims 9 and 10 are rejected because they depend from indefinite claim 8. Allowable Subject Matter Claims 1-20 would be allowable if amended to overcome the above rejections under 35 USC 112(b). Claims 1 and 17 are deemed allowable because, although the prior art teaches appliances having housings with speed control actuators with handles (see Zilliotto and Scott) and appliances that receive speed control from a wireless source (see Dickson, Jr. and Huerta-Ochoa), the prior art of record does not reasonably disclose, teach, or suggest such systems in combination with a positioning assembly configured to impart motion to the handle of the actuator as recited in claims 1 and 17. Conclusion The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure. The cited prior art generally discloses appliances having housings with speed control actuators with handles or appliances that receive speed control from a wireless source. Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to MARC C HOWELL whose telephone number is (571)272-9834. The examiner can normally be reached Monday-Friday 8-5. Examiner interviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video conferencing using a USPTO supplied web-based collaboration tool. To schedule an interview, applicant is encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR) at http://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice. If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Claire Wang can be reached at 571-270-1051. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300. Information regarding the status of published or unpublished applications may be obtained from Patent Center. Unpublished application information in Patent Center is available to registered users. To file and manage patent submissions in Patent Center, visit: https://patentcenter.uspto.gov. Visit https://www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/patent-center for more information about Patent Center and https://www.uspto.gov/patents/docx for information about filing in DOCX format. For additional questions, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000. /MARC C HOWELL/ Primary Examiner, Art Unit 1774
Read full office action

Prosecution Timeline

Jun 06, 2024
Application Filed
Sep 03, 2026
Non-Final Rejection mailed — §112 (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

Patent 12735847
ASPHALT PRODUCTION FACILITY AND METHOD FOR MAKING ASPHALT IN SUCH AN ASPHALT PRODUCTION FACILITY
4y 0m to grant Granted Sep 15, 2026
Patent 12727715
SYSTEMS FOR LOCATING A SLIDE RAIL ON A STAND MIXER
4y 1m to grant Granted Sep 08, 2026
Patent 12728397
SYSTEMS FOR LOCATING A MOTOR IN STAND MIXERS
4y 0m to grant Granted Sep 08, 2026
Patent 12714260
SYSTEMS FOR LOCATING THE BASE OF A STAND MIXER
4y 0m to grant Granted Aug 25, 2026
Patent 12708883
FLANGE MEMBERS AND RESERVOIRS INCORPORATING THE SAME
4y 3m to grant Granted Aug 18, 2026
Study what changed to get past this examiner. Based on 5 most recent grants.

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Prosecution Projections

1-2
Expected OA Rounds
69%
Grant Probability
93%
With Interview (+24.7%)
3y 5m (~1y 1m remaining)
Median Time to Grant
Low
PTA Risk
Based on 564 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.

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