Last updated: July 11, 2026

Application No. 18/756,758

Untitled Application

Unknown

Filed

Examiner

HULS, NATALIE F

Art Unit

Tech Center

ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.

Assignee

Illinois Tool Works Inc.

OA Round

1 (Non-Final)

Interview Optional

— +21.8% interview lift. Examiner has a relatively high allowance rate (77%); +21.8% interview lift. A written response may suffice.

Based on 828 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

HULS, NATALIE F View full profile →

Grants 77% — above average

Career Allowance Rate

636 granted / 828 resolved

+16.8% vs TC avg

Strong +22% interview lift

Without

With

+21.8%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Typical timeline

2y 6m

Avg Prosecution

27 currently pending

Career history

855

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101

4.2%

-35.8% vs TC avg

§103

71.8%

+31.8% vs TC avg

§102

8.8%

-31.2% vs TC avg

§112

13.8%

-26.2% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 828 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

May 19, 2026

Non-Final Rejection mailed (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

18/380,231

Patent 12674701

METHOD FOR SETTING THE MASS OF A LOAD TO BE TRANSPORTED BY AN AIRCRAFT

2y 8m to grant Granted Jul 07, 2026

18/034,975

Patent 12669389

LOAD CELL WITH ROBERVAL STRUCTURE HAVING ANTI-OFFSET FUNCTION, AND WEIGHING DEVICE

3y 2m to grant Granted Jun 30, 2026

18/117,658

Patent 12669367

Kitchen Appliance System and Method of Automatic Taring for a Kitchen Appliance System

3y 3m to grant Granted Jun 30, 2026

18/281,004

Patent 12669420

ELECTRODE INK QUALITY DETERMINATION METHOD, AND MEASUREMENT SYSTEM

2y 9m to grant Granted Jun 30, 2026

18/541,156

Patent 12669414

FERMENTATION MONITORING SYSTEM

2y 6m 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

77%

Grant Probability

99%

With Interview (+21.8%)

2y 6m

Median Time to Grant

Low

PTA Risk

Based on 828 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.