Last updated: July 17, 2026

Application No. 18/937,789

SHEET PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, AND IMAGE FORMING SYSTEM

Non-Final OA

Filed

Nov 05, 2024

Priority

Nov 14, 2023 — JP 2023-193961

Examiner

COLLINS, MICHAEL

Art Unit

Tech Center

Assignee

Ricoh Company, Ltd.

OA Round

1 (Non-Final)

Interview Optional

— +22.7% interview lift. Examiner has a relatively high allowance rate (71%); +22.7% interview lift. A written response may suffice.

Based on 1180 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Examiner Intelligence

COLLINS, MICHAEL View full profile →

Grants 71% — above average

Career Allowance Rate

836 granted / 1180 resolved

+10.8% vs TC avg

Strong +23% interview lift

Without

With

+22.7%

Interview Lift

resolved cases with interview

Typical timeline

3y 0m

Avg Prosecution

27 currently pending

Career history

1198

Total Applications

across all art units

Statute-Specific Performance

§101

0.5%

-39.5% vs TC avg

§103

62.0%

+22.0% vs TC avg

§102

26.4%

-13.6% vs TC avg

§112

5.7%

-34.3% vs TC avg

Black line = Tech Center average estimate • Based on career data from 1180 resolved cases

Prosecution Timeline

Nov 05, 2024

Application Filed

May 22, 2026

Non-Final Rejection mailed (current)

Precedent Cases

Applications granted by this same examiner with similar technology

17/862,129

Patent 12682336

PAY BY PLATE

4y 0m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026

18/100,575

Patent 12678755

Method and Device for Laboratory Formulation and Chemical Vending

3y 5m to grant Granted Jul 14, 2026

17/889,069

Patent 12673704

System and Method for Mover Self-Navigation in an Independent Cart System

3y 10m to grant Granted Jul 07, 2026

18/546,681

Patent 12662310

STORAGE CONTAINER ASSEMBLY

2y 10m to grant Granted Jun 23, 2026

17/606,315

Patent 12654897

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR THE AUTOMATED MANAGEMENT OF A PROCESSING CHAMBER WITH A CONTROLLED ATMOSPHERE

4y 7m to grant Granted Jun 16, 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.

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Prosecution Projections

1-2

Expected OA Rounds

71%

Grant Probability

94%

With Interview (+22.7%)

3y 0m (~1y 3m remaining)

Median Time to Grant

Low

PTA Risk

Based on 1180 resolved cases by this examiner. Grant probability derived from career allowance rate.