Last updated: July 15, 2026

Application No. 18/927,393

FOOD PRODUCT SLICER AND SLICER SYSTEM

Non-Final OA

Filed

Oct 25, 2024

Priority

Dec 20, 2023 — provisional 63/612,820

Examiner

MACFARLANE, EVAN H

Art Unit

3724

Tech Center

3700 — Mechanical Engineering & Manufacturing

Assignee

Illinois Tool Works Inc.

OA Round

1 (Non-Final)

This examiner grants 50% of cases after interview

— +42.4% interview lift. A telephonic interview to clarify the technical implementation could significantly improve the outcome.

Based on 498 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

MACFARLANE, EVAN H View full profile →

Grants 50% of resolved cases

Career Allowance Rate

251 granted / 498 resolved

-19.6% vs TC avg

Strong +42% interview lift

Without

With

+42.4%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Typical timeline

2y 10m

Avg Prosecution

44 currently pending

Career history

543

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§103

67.4%

+27.4% vs TC avg

§102

13.3%

-26.7% vs TC avg

§112

17.7%

-22.3% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 498 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

Oct 25, 2024

Application Filed

Apr 08, 2026

Non-Final Rejection mailed (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

16/364,699

Patent 12667988

HAIR REMOVAL APPARATUS

7y 3m to grant Granted Jun 30, 2026

18/172,759

Patent 12667992

CHAIN SAW

3y 4m to grant Granted Jun 30, 2026

17/919,568

Patent 12654351

CIRCULAR SAWS THAT INCLUDE BLADE MOUNTS FOR CIRCULAR SAW BLADES AND METHODS OF ATTACHING CIRCULAR SAW BLADES TO CIRCULAR SAWS

3y 8m to grant Granted Jun 16, 2026

19/011,204

Patent 12654349

Model for accommodating Meat, and Kitchen Meat Slicer

1y 5m to grant Granted Jun 16, 2026

18/431,529

Patent 12637317

PRINTING EQUIPMENT AND CONTINUOUS FEEDING AND CUTTING DEVICE THEREOF

2y 3m to grant Granted May 26, 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

50%

Grant Probability

93%

With Interview (+42.4%)

2y 10m (~1y 1m remaining)

Median Time to Grant

Low

PTA Risk

Based on 498 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.