Prosecution Insights
Prosecution Insights
Technology areas: Transportation, E-Commerce & Mechanical Systems • Medical Devices & Mechanical Engineering
247 pending office actions • 61 art units • 194 examiners • 0 of 247 (0%) have an AI response strategy ready • 317 patents granted in the last 365 days
Illinois Tool Works Inc. maintains 252 pending office actions in the Transportation, E-Commerce & Mechanical Systems technology area. These actions are reviewed by 197 distinct examiners, indicating a large and diverse group of USPTO personnel. SAETHER, FLEMMING is the busiest examiner, responsible for 6 pending actions.
The portfolio is active across 63 distinct art units. This shows a very wide range of technical classifications, as the 252 pending office actions are spread throughout many different divisions. The ratio of 197 distinct examiners to the 252 pending office actions reflects a broad distribution of the workload.
With 63 distinct art units involved, the company must manage its prosecution across a vast array of USPTO departments. The busiest examiner workload of 6 pending actions represents only a small fraction of the 252 total pending actions. This distribution across 197 distinct examiners and 63 distinct art units highlights the complexity of managing such a large portfolio within the mechanical systems field.
Based on the USPTO statutory response window for each pending office action. 63 of the docket's apps have a known mailing date; the rest are excluded from the tile counts.
Every pending office action with a known statutory deadline, placed on a days-until-due axis. Dots left of Today are overdue; the further right, the more runway. Cases that share a deadline window stack vertically. 63 of the docket's apps have a known mailing date.
Difficulty is derived from the rejection statutes on the most recent pending office action. §101-driven and multi-statute cases are graded Hard; §112-only and obviousness-type double-patenting cases are graded Easy; everything else is Medium. "Unknown" means we have not yet parsed a statute for that office action.
| Bucket | Cases |
|---|---|
| §101 only | 1 (0%) |
| §101 + other | 7 (3%) |
| §103 only | 61 (25%) |
| §102 only | 21 (9%) |
| §112 only | 6 (2%) |
| Double-patenting only | 3 (1%) |
| Double-patenting + other | 3 (1%) |
| Multi-statute (no §101) | 145 (59%) |
How the docket's pending cases split across USPTO tech-center bands.
Manual office-action response work runs about 10 hours per case. The time-saved bands below show what IP Author's prosecution pipeline typically delivers — a conservative 20% on the low end, 35% in the middle, 50% on the high end.
| Examiner | Apps on this docket | Allow rate | Interview lift |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAETHER, FLEMMING | 6 | 65.1% | +27.8% |
| HOROWITZ, NOAH NMN | 5 | 74.0% | +27.5% |
| AHMAD, FARIA F | 4 | 76.6% | +8.5% |
| PATEL, DEVANG R | 4 | 65.6% | +39.1% |
| BYRD, EUGENE G | 4 | 70.0% | +8.9% |
| WUNDERLICH, ERWIN J | 4 | 42.6% | +40.1% |
| SULLIVAN, MATTHEW J | 3 | 62.9% | +22.9% |
| DO, NHAT CHIEU Q | 3 | 64.1% | +48.9% |
| PATEL, VISHAL A | 3 | 59.1% | +22.6% |
| NEUBAUER, THOMAS L | 3 | 66.0% | +19.9% |
Multi-statute / §101-driven matters, or cases in front of an examiner with an allow rate under 30%. The top 8 ordered by deadline are shown.
| App # | Title | Examiner | Due in |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17875977 | PORTABLE PRODUCTION MACHINE, MOBILE TERMINAL, PRODUCTION SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR CAPTURING DATA | JENNISON, BRIAN W | 51d overdue |
| 17976531 | AEROSOL CLEANING COMPOSITION | EASHOO, MARK | 44d overdue |
| 18130188 | Anti-Tampering Device for a Degassing Tank Cap | NEUBAUER, THOMAS L | 43d overdue |
| 18969978 | WELDING HEADGEAR WITH HEAD STRAP TIGHTNESS FEEDBACK AND LIMITING | MANGINE, HEATHER N | 42d overdue |
| 18239953 | WELD TRAINING SYSTEMS WITH WELDING TECHNIQUE MONITORING | BULLINGTON, ROBERT P | 42d overdue |
| 18348142 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS TO MEASURE SPECIMEN DIMENSIONS | QUINN, DANIEL MICHAEL | 36d overdue |
| 18829949 | Fastening Clip | SULLIVAN, MATTHEW J | 28d overdue |
| 18763304 | ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING HEATING CONTROL SYSTEMS AND METHODS | PATEL, DEVANG R | 26d overdue |
Cases in front of an examiner whose interview lift is 10 percentage points or more — i.e. interviewed cases historically resolve more favorably than non-interviewed ones. The top 8 ordered by deadline are shown.
| App # | Title | Examiner | Due in |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18130188 | Anti-Tampering Device for a Degassing Tank Cap | NEUBAUER, THOMAS L | 43d overdue |
| 18829949 | Fastening Clip | SULLIVAN, MATTHEW J | 28d overdue |
| 18763304 | ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING HEATING CONTROL SYSTEMS AND METHODS | PATEL, DEVANG R | 26d overdue |
| 18212527 | Quarter Turn Fastener | SAETHER, FLEMMING | 2d overdue |
| 18973397 | Operating Mechanism for Operating a Vehicle Door, in Particular an Exterior Vehicle Door | NEUBAUER, THOMAS L | 8d |
| 17973866 | MOVEMENT CONTROL OF MATERIAL REMOVAL SYSTEMS | DO, NHAT CHIEU Q | 19d |
| 17582894 | Multiple Position Wire Feed Spool Delivery System | WUNDERLICH, ERWIN J | 21d |
| 16842251 | METHODS AND APPARATUS TO PROVIDE WELDING-TYPE POWER AND PREHEATING POWER | WUNDERLICH, ERWIN J | 54d |
| Art Unit | Apps |
|---|---|
| 3675 | 29 |
| 3761 | 17 |
| 3677 | 12 |
| 3723 | 8 |
| 1735 | 7 |
| 3745 | 6 |
| 2855 | 6 |
| 3724 | 5 |
| 3753 | 4 |
| 1711 | 4 |
| App # | Title | Examiner | Art Unit | Statutes | Status | Due in | AI | Filed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19434517 | HYDRAULICALLY POWERED POWER SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING INPUT ENGINE POWER OR INPUT MOTOR POWER | COLLINS, DANIEL S. | 3745 | §102 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Dec 29, 2025 |
| 19400529 | LABEL PRINTER AND ASSOCIATED LABEL CUTTER AND CUTTER BLADE | FERGUSON SAMRETH, MARISSA LIANA | 2853 | §103 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Nov 25, 2025 |
| 19308875 | LOCAL FILE ACCESS IN DISTRIBUTED MATERIAL TESTING SYSTEMS | GOFMAN, ALEX N | 2163 | §101§102§103§112 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Aug 25, 2025 |
| 19260786 | Flush Door Handle, Vehicle Comprising Same, and Control Method for Vehicle | AHMAD, FARIA F | 3675 | §103 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Jul 07, 2025 |
| 19253287 | Control Method and Handle Assembly | AFRIN, NAZIA | 3666 | §103 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Jun 27, 2025 |
| 19227966 | STRIP OF FASTENERS | ADAMOS, THEODORE V | — | §102§103§112 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Jun 04, 2025 |
| 19225736 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR AREA WIDE OBJECT DIMENSIONING | SHANKAR, VIJAY | — | DP | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Jun 02, 2025 |
| 19220358 | Stop for a Vehicle Hood or Tailgate | SULLIVAN, MATTHEW J | — | §102§103 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | May 28, 2025 |
| 19210152 | SHIELDING DEVICE AND CAMERA DEVICE COMPRISING SAME | WERNER, DAVID N | — | §103§112 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | May 16, 2025 |
| 19208173 | GAS CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A REFLOW SOLDERING FURNACE | PATEL, DEVANG R | 1735 | §103§112 | Final Rejection | — | Pending | May 14, 2025 |
| 19201207 | QUICK CHANGE ROBOTIC COUPLING SYSTEMS AND ADAPTERS AND ROBOTIC WELDING SYSTEMS HAVING QUICK CHANGE ROBOTIC COUPLING SYSTEMS AND ADAPTERS | DO, TRUC M | — | §102 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | May 07, 2025 |
| 19191135 | Multi-Diameter Retainer | SMITH, NKEISHA | — | §102§103 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Apr 28, 2025 |
| 19182793 | Handle System, Handle Assembly, and Anti-Freeze Method for Handle | HOROWITZ, NOAH NMN | — | §102§103 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Apr 18, 2025 |
| 19173280 | Clamp Ring for Fastening Pipes | MILLNER, MONICA E | — | §103 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Apr 08, 2025 |
| 19098647 | DOOR LOCK ASSEMBLY AND ELECTRICAL APPARATUS | HOROWITZ, NOAH NMN | — | §103 | Final Rejection | — | Pending | Apr 02, 2025 |
| 19095856 | Grommet and Fastening Assembly | HALL, ZACHARY A | — | §102 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Mar 31, 2025 |
| 19092383 | DOOR LOCK AND ELECTRICAL APPLIANCE INCLUDING SAME | HOROWITZ, NOAH NMN | 3675 | §102§103 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Mar 27, 2025 |
| 19082669 | Vehicle and Door Handle System Thereof | HOROWITZ, NOAH NMN | 3675 | §102 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Mar 18, 2025 |
| 19110653 | AUTOMATED OPENING MODULE FOR A DOOR OF A HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE | SHAHINIAN, LEVON J | 3675 | §102 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Mar 11, 2025 |
| 19073896 | Seating Apparatus with Accessory Rail System | WHITE, RODNEY BARNETT | — | §102§103 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Mar 07, 2025 |
| 19071217 | Fastening System | SAETHER, FLEMMING | — | §102§103 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Mar 05, 2025 |
| 19071006 | Hybrid Compensation Nut | NGUYEN, LONG BAO | — | §103§112 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Mar 05, 2025 |
| 19070230 | Drain Valve for a Vehicle Sill | GUTMAN, HILARY L | — | §102§103§112 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Mar 04, 2025 |
| 19056140 | STRIP OF FASTENERS AND FASTENING SYSTEM | BYRD, EUGENE G | — | §102§103§112 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Feb 18, 2025 |
| 19051716 | System, Method, and Apparatus for Automating Specimen Testing | RAEVIS, ROBERT R | 2855 | §102§103§112 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Feb 12, 2025 |
| 19048572 | Edge Clip with Lever Clamping Mechanism | GARFT, CHRISTOPHER | 4100 | §103 | Final Rejection | — | Pending | Feb 07, 2025 |
| 19048436 | FLOW RATIO CONTROLLERS AND GAS DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS UTILIZING FLOW RATIO CONTROLLERS | DO, HAILEY KYUNG AE | 3753 | §102§103 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Feb 07, 2025 |
| 19048272 | FOOD PRODUCT SLICER AND ASSOCIATED GAUGE PLATE PLANE ADJUSTMENT ASSEMBLY | MICHALSKI, SEAN M | — | §102§112 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Feb 07, 2025 |
| 19048263 | FOOD PRODUCT SLICER AND ASSOCIATED SHARPENER ASSEMBLY | DO, NHAT CHIEU Q | — | §102 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Feb 07, 2025 |
| 19042075 | PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD EDGE HOLD DOWN BELT FOR CLEANER | ORTA, LAUREN GRACE | 1711 | §102§103 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Jan 31, 2025 |
| 18997299 | BACKFLOW SOLDERING FURNACE SUPPORT ASSEMBLY | SAAD, ERIN BARRY | 1735 | §102Other | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Jan 21, 2025 |
| 19027240 | Fastener | DUNWOODY, AARON M | — | §102§103 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Jan 17, 2025 |
| 19021640 | Nut Fastening Clip and Nut Fastening Clip Assembly Comprising Same | PATEL, VISHAL A | — | §102§103 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Jan 15, 2025 |
| 19022282 | THREADED ROD HANGER | CULLEY, EMILY MARGARET | 4100 | §103§112 | Final Rejection | — | Pending | Jan 15, 2025 |
| 19020134 | DISPENSE VOLUME ADJUSTMENT BASED ON GAP WIDTH OF LOCATED FEATURES | PENNY, TABATHA L | 1712 | §101§112 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Jan 14, 2025 |
| 19019084 | NOZZLE ARRANGEMENT FOR APPLYING FLUIDS, AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING A MAIN BODY OF SUCH A NOZZLE ARRANGEMENT | NGUON, VIRAK | 1741 | §103§112 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Jan 13, 2025 |
| 19015249 | Actuating Device for a Door Handle Assembly of a Vehicle | AHMAD, FARIA F | 3675 | §102§103 | Final Rejection | 41d | Pending | Jan 09, 2025 |
| 19013867 | Housing Structure for a Radar Device of a Vehicle and Radar Device for a Vehicle | LI, YONGHONG | — | §103§112 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Jan 08, 2025 |
| 19011196 | THREADED ROD HANGER | LAVINDER, JACK W | 3677 | §102§103 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Jan 06, 2025 |
| 19011181 | Reinforcement Feature for a Routing Clip | BINDA, GREGORY JOHN | — | §102 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Jan 06, 2025 |
| 18999687 | AUTOMATED PRODUCT TRACKING | SALEH, ZAID MUHAMMAD | — | §103 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Dec 23, 2024 |
| 18986029 | WASHER AND METHOD OF PROVIDING ANCHORAGE | MARSH, STEVEN M | — | §102§103 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Dec 18, 2024 |
| 18973397 | Operating Mechanism for Operating a Vehicle Door, in Particular an Exterior Vehicle Door | NEUBAUER, THOMAS L | 3675 | §102§103 | Final Rejection | 8d | Pending | Dec 09, 2024 |
| 18970161 | Flow Through Pressure Sensor | GRAVES, TIMOTHY P | — | §102§103§112 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Dec 05, 2024 |
| 18969978 | WELDING HEADGEAR WITH HEAD STRAP TIGHTNESS FEEDBACK AND LIMITING | MANGINE, HEATHER N | 3732 | §102§103 | Final Rejection | 42d overdue | Pending | Dec 05, 2024 |
| 18969166 | CONTACT CLEANING SYSTEM, ADHESIVE ROLL AND METHOD OF FORMING AN ADHESIVE ROLL | MCPARTLIN, SARAH BURNHAM | — | §102§103§112 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Dec 04, 2024 |
| 18965611 | Air Bag Retainer with Assembly Prevention and Verification | PATEL, VISHAL A | — | §102 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Dec 02, 2024 |
| 18964835 | POLARITY-REVERSING BUCK CONVERTER CIRCUITS AND WELDING-TYPE POWER SUPPLIES HAVING POLARITY-REVERSING BUCK CONVERTER CIRCUITS | GBLENDE, JEFFREY A | 2838 | §103§112 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Dec 02, 2024 |
| 18960839 | THREADED FASTENER | BYRD, EUGENE G | 3677 | DP | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Nov 26, 2024 |
| 18960539 | FLAME RESISTANT AND THERMALLY CONDUCTIVE STRUCTURAL ACRYLIC ADHESIVE | PATWARDHAN, ABHISHEK A | 1746 | §103§112 | Final Rejection | — | Pending | Nov 26, 2024 |
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Start Free TrialIllinois Tool Works Inc. has 247 pending office actions as of October 2026, spread across 61 art units and 194 examiners.
Flemming Saether has the most, with 6 of Illinois Tool Works Inc.'s pending office actions.
Mostly Transportation, E-Commerce & Mechanical Systems (USPTO Tech Center 3600), based on where its pending office actions are examined.