Prosecution Insights
Last updated: October 01, 2026

Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Inc.

Technology areas: Chemistry & Materials • Transportation, E-Commerce & Mechanical Systems • Medical Devices & Mechanical Engineering

60 pending office actions • 22 art units • 39 examiners • 0 of 60 (0%) have an AI response strategy ready • 71 patents granted in the last 365 days

Portfolio Summary

60
Total Pending OAs
40
Non-Final OAs
19
Final Rejections
1
Advisory / Quayle

Response Deadline Pressure

Based on the USPTO statutory response window for each pending office action. 16 of the docket's apps have a known mailing date; the rest are excluded from the tile counts.

7
Overdue
1
Due this week
4
Due this month
4
Due in next 60 days
0
Due later

Deadline Fire Line

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. 16 of the docket's apps have a known mailing date.

-30dToday30d60d90d120d
Overdue (7)Due ≤ 7 days (1)Due ≤ 30 days (4)Due ≤ 60 days (4)

Case Difficulty Mix

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.

22
Hard (37%)
34
Medium (57%)
4
Easy (7%)
0
Unknown (0%)

Rejection Statute Mix

BucketCases
§101 + other2 (3%)
§103 only26 (43%)
§112 only1 (2%)
Double-patenting only3 (5%)
Double-patenting + other8 (13%)
Multi-statute (no §101)20 (33%)

Industry Mix

How the docket's pending cases split across USPTO tech-center bands.

17
Life Sciences
28% of docket
0
Information Tech
0% of docket
0
Communications
0% of docket
0
Semiconductors
0% of docket
27
Mechanical / Eng
45% of docket
16
Business / Other
27% of docket

Time-on-OA Estimate

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.

600 h
Manual time on pending OAs
120 h
Time saved (low, 20%)
210 h
Time saved (mid, 35%)
5.2 wks
FTE-weeks freed (mid)

Top Examiners on this docket

ExaminerApps on this docketAllow rateInterview lift
KUMAR, RAKESH 6 57.2% +28.2%
KIDWELL, MICHELE M 5 63.9% +18.8%
WAGGONER, TIMOTHY R 4 71.6% +7.7%
FORTUNA, JOSE A 3 79.5% +9.9%
MINSKEY, JACOB T 2 69.3% +33.1%
ARBLE, JESSICA R 2 66.3% +25.4%
RANDALL, JR., KELVIN L 2 44.8% +16.3%
ROTARU, OCTAVIAN 2 27.6% +37.3%
RILEY, JONATHAN G 2 52.2% +30.3%
YOON, TAE H 2 66.5% +24.7%

Hard Cases (22)

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 #TitleExaminerDue in
18034111 STABLE ANTIMICROBIAL FORMULATION CONCENTRATE MILLER, MAKENNA RYLEIGH 32d overdue
17782224 ABSORBENT ARTICLE KALIHER, HANS CHRISTIAN 26d
17923933 Absorbent Garment with Softened Waistband KIDWELL, MICHELE M 47d
19274068 PLURALITY OF INTEGRALLY INTERCONNECTED WIPES FOR USE IN DISPENSER KUMAR, RAKESH —
19121913 Dispenser with Improved Dispensing Mechanism WILKINSON, RALPH DAVID —
19104546 Micro-Embossed Multi-Ply Tissue Product NORDMEYER, PATRICIA L —
18996507 Slanted Sheet Dispenser KUMAR, RAKESH —
18995566 Nonwoven Products Containing Reclaimed Textile Materials EMRICH, LARISSA ROWE —

Interview Candidates (23)

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 #TitleExaminerDue in
18278097 ABSORBENT SUBSTRATES WITH HIGH PERCENTAGES OF SUPERABSORBENT MATERIAL AND METHODS OF FORMING THE SAME KIDWELL, MICHELE M 81d overdue
18261851 Recyclable Package for Containing Premoistened Wipes RANDALL, JR., KELVIN L 14d
18676890 Dispenser for Rolled Sheet Materials With Motorized Spindle RILEY, JONATHAN G 39d
17923933 Absorbent Garment with Softened Waistband KIDWELL, MICHELE M 47d
19274068 PLURALITY OF INTEGRALLY INTERCONNECTED WIPES FOR USE IN DISPENSER KUMAR, RAKESH —
19057601 SOFT THROUGH-AIR DRIED FACIAL TISSUE MINSKEY, JACOB T —
18996507 Slanted Sheet Dispenser KUMAR, RAKESH —
18994157 Dispensing Structure for a Container KUMAR, RAKESH —

Top Art Units

Art UnitApps
3781 9
3651 8
1748 3
3724 2
3655 2
1762 2
1693 2
3700 2
3654 1
1789 1

Pending Office Actions

App #TitleExaminerArt UnitStatutesStatusDue inAIFiled
19274068 PLURALITY OF INTEGRALLY INTERCONNECTED WIPES FOR USE IN DISPENSER KUMAR, RAKESH — §102§103 Non-Final OA — Pending Jul 18, 2025
19121913 Dispenser with Improved Dispensing Mechanism WILKINSON, RALPH DAVID 3654 §102§103 Non-Final OA — Pending Apr 17, 2025
19169605 Paper Product Dispenser with Improved Dispensing RIVERA, WILLIAM ARAUZ — DP Non-Final OA — Pending Apr 03, 2025
19057561 SOFT WET PRESSED FACIAL TISSUE CALANDRA, ANTHONY J — DP Non-Final OA — Pending Feb 19, 2025
19057601 SOFT THROUGH-AIR DRIED FACIAL TISSUE MINSKEY, JACOB T — DP Non-Final OA — Pending Feb 19, 2025
19104546 Micro-Embossed Multi-Ply Tissue Product NORDMEYER, PATRICIA L — §102§103§112 Non-Final OA — Pending Feb 18, 2025
18996507 Slanted Sheet Dispenser KUMAR, RAKESH 3651 §103§112 Non-Final OA — Pending Jan 17, 2025
18995566 Nonwoven Products Containing Reclaimed Textile Materials EMRICH, LARISSA ROWE 1789 §103§112 Non-Final OA — Pending Jan 16, 2025
18994157 Dispensing Structure for a Container KUMAR, RAKESH 3651 §102§103§112 Non-Final OA — Pending Jan 14, 2025
19011926 HIGH BRIGHTNESS NON-WOOD PULP FORTUNA, JOSE A — §103Other Non-Final OA — Pending Jan 07, 2025
18988999 DISPERSIBLE NON-WOOD PULP FORTUNA, JOSE A — §103Other Non-Final OA — Pending Dec 20, 2024
18971274 METHOD OF MAKING UNIFORM SPUNBOND FILAMENT NONWOVEN WEBS TENTONI, LEO B 1742 §112DP Final Rejection — Pending Dec 06, 2024
18859648 Dispenser for Sheet Materials with Pullout Feature WAGGONER, TIMOTHY R — §103 Non-Final OA — Pending Oct 24, 2024
18854159 EMBOSSED TISSUE PAPER PRODUCTS AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURING MINSKEY, JACOB T 1748 §102§103DP Non-Final OA — Pending Oct 04, 2024
18904808 THREE-DIMENSIONAL NONWOVEN MATERIALS AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURING THEREOF VONCH, JEFFREY A — §102§103§112 Non-Final OA — Pending Oct 02, 2024
18848966 Tampon Applicator Made With A Single Piece Barrel and Tampon Product Therefrom ARBLE, JESSICA R — §102§103§112 Non-Final OA — Pending Sep 20, 2024
18848785 Container for Dispensing Sheet Materials RANDALL, JR., KELVIN L 3651 §102§103§112 Non-Final OA — Pending Sep 19, 2024
18841367 METHODS FOR FOAM-FORMING A MULTI-LAYER ABSORBENT SUBSTRATE AND SUCH ABSORBENT SUBSTRATES HUANG, CHENG YUAN — §103 Non-Final OA — Pending Aug 24, 2024
18812466 Management of Washroom Components ROTARU, OCTAVIAN — §101§102§112Other Non-Final OA — Pending Aug 22, 2024
18812366 Management of Washroom Components ROTARU, OCTAVIAN — §103§112 Final Rejection — Pending Aug 22, 2024
18836223 Dispensing Device With Anti-Ligature Feature WAGGONER, TIMOTHY R — §103 Final Rejection — Pending Aug 06, 2024
18834642 DUAL TEXTURED TISSUE PRODUCT PLESZCZYNSKA, JOANNA — §103§112 Non-Final OA — Pending Jul 31, 2024
18834055 Dispenser With Improved Dispensing Mechanism RILEY, JONATHAN G 3724 §103 Non-Final OA — Pending Jul 29, 2024
18723926 A Variable Speed Dispenser KUMAR, RAKESH 3651 §103 Non-Final OA — Pending Jun 25, 2024
18719049 ABSORBENT ARTICLES WITH LOW VOID VOLUME KIDWELL, MICHELE M 3781 §103§112 Non-Final OA — Pending Jun 12, 2024
18741565 METHOD OF MAKING UNIFORM SPUNBOND FILAMENT NONWOVEN WEBS MORENO HERNANDEZ, JERZI H 1743 §112DP Final Rejection 5d Pending Jun 12, 2024
18732007 ABSORBENT ARTICLE DITMER, KATHRYN ELIZABETH — §103Other Non-Final OA — Pending Jun 03, 2024
18676890 Dispenser for Rolled Sheet Materials With Motorized Spindle RILEY, JONATHAN G 3724 §103§112DP Non-Final OA 39d Pending May 29, 2024
18707332 Sustainable Dispenser for Sheet Materials WAGGONER, TIMOTHY R 3655 §103 Non-Final OA 29d overdue Pending May 03, 2024
18706251 TOWEL PRODUCTS COMPRISING REGENERATED CELLULOSE FIBER KRUER, KEVIN R 1787 §112 Final Rejection — Pending Apr 30, 2024
18702423 FOLDED SHEET DISPENSER WAGGONER, TIMOTHY R 3655 §103 Final Rejection 32d overdue Pending Apr 18, 2024
18697840 ABSORBENT CORES AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURING SMITH, PETER DANIEL 3781 §102§103§112Other Non-Final OA — Pending Apr 02, 2024
18692089 Biodegradable and Renewable Superabsorbent Material YOON, TAE H 1762 §103DP Non-Final OA — Pending Mar 14, 2024
18692052 Microporous Superabsorbent Material with Enhanced Surface Area YOON, TAE H 1762 §103§112DP Non-Final OA — Pending Mar 14, 2024
18435210 Process and System for Controlling Temperature of a Circulating Foamed Fluid FORTUNA, JOSE A 1748 §103Other Final Rejection 33d Pending Feb 07, 2024
18580281 DISPLAY OF CONSUMER GOODS AND ASSOCIATED PACKAGING KUMAR, RAKESH 3651 §103 Non-Final OA — Pending Jan 18, 2024
18571905 ANTI-FUNGAL COMPOSITION DERIVED FROM HESPERALOE GALSTER, SAMUEL LEONARD 1693 §101§102§103§112Other Final Rejection — Pending Dec 19, 2023
18558892 Methods and Systems for Single-Step Decontamination and Enzymatic Degradation of Bio-Based Polymers MARCHESCHI, MICHAEL A 1637 §103§112 Non-Final OA — Pending Nov 03, 2023
18549613 Dispensing Device for Rolled Sheet Products OJOFEITIMI, AYODEJI HARRY 3651 §103 Non-Final OA 22d Pending Sep 08, 2023
18549198 Absorbent Web for Surge Protection in Absorbent Articles KIDWELL, MICHELE M 3781 §102§103 Non-Final OA — Pending Sep 06, 2023
18278097 ABSORBENT SUBSTRATES WITH HIGH PERCENTAGES OF SUPERABSORBENT MATERIAL AND METHODS OF FORMING THE SAME KIDWELL, MICHELE M 3781 §103 Final Rejection 81d overdue Pending Aug 21, 2023
18263188 STORING AND DISPENSING CONTAINER FOR PRODUCT HAVING AN ORIFICE KUMAR, RAKESH 3651 §103 Final Rejection — Pending Jul 27, 2023
18261851 Recyclable Package for Containing Premoistened Wipes RANDALL, JR., KELVIN L 3651 §103 Final Rejection 14d Pending Jul 18, 2023
18034111 STABLE ANTIMICROBIAL FORMULATION CONCENTRATE MILLER, MAKENNA RYLEIGH 1614 §103§112 Non-Final OA 32d overdue Pending Apr 27, 2023
18042581 ABSORBENT STRUCTURES AND METHODS FOR MANUFACTURING ABSORBENT STRUCTURES KOCH, GEORGE R 1745 §103Other Non-Final OA — Pending Feb 22, 2023
18017306 METHOD FOR MODULATING THE BLADDER MICROBIOME TO IMPROVE BLADDER HEALTH OLSON, ANDREA STEFFEL 3762 §102§103§112DP Non-Final OA — Pending Jan 20, 2023
18011341 SAPONIN CONTAINING EXTRACTS PREPARED FROM HESPERALOE USEFUL IN THE TREATMENT OF NON-HUMAN ANIMALS LEE, HOI YAN NMN 1693 §103DP Non-Final OA — Pending Dec 19, 2022
17928084 METHODS FOR FORMING A SUBSTRATE RASHID, FAZLE A 1748 §103 Non-Final OA 40d Pending Nov 28, 2022
17923933 Absorbent Garment with Softened Waistband KIDWELL, MICHELE M 3781 §103§112 Non-Final OA 47d Pending Nov 08, 2022
17911496 Barrier Mask CARREIRO, CAITLIN ANN 3786 §103 Final Rejection 21d Pending Sep 14, 2022
17908314 Elastic Bicomponent Fiber Having Unique Handfeel ZHANG, MICHAEL N 1781 §103 Final Rejection 15d overdue Pending Aug 31, 2022
17792209 Non-Blocking Multilayer Elastic Composition KRYLOVA, IRINA 1764 §103 Non-Final OA 15d overdue Pending Jul 12, 2022
17757501 ABSORBENT ARTICLE WITH REFASTENABLE SIDE SEAMS AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING KIDWELL, MICHELE M 3700 §102§103§112 Final Rejection — Pending Jun 16, 2022
17782224 ABSORBENT ARTICLE KALIHER, HANS CHRISTIAN 3781 §103§112 Final Rejection 26d Pending Jun 03, 2022
17738286 COMPOSITION FOR MAINTAINING LACTOBACILLUS DOMINANCE CRAIGO, BAHAR ALAWI 1699 §103 Final Rejection — Pending May 06, 2022
17753990 ABSORBENT ARTICLE ARBLE, JESSICA R 3700 §103 Non-Final OA — Pending Mar 21, 2022
17595338 ABSORBENT ARTICLE ANDERSON, CATHARINE L 3781 §103§112 Final Rejection — Pending Nov 15, 2021
17312679 ABSORBENT ARTICLES WITH CURVED ELASTICIZED LAMINATES LEVY, BRANDON WILLIAM 3781 §103 Final Rejection 2d overdue Pending Jun 10, 2021
17048366 ABSORBENT BODY FOR USE IN AN ABSORBENT ARTICLE ANDERSON, CATHARINE L 3781 §103 Non-Final OA — Pending Oct 16, 2020
16767913 DISPENSING SYSTEM CHEYNEY, CHARLES 3754 §103 Final Rejection — Pending May 28, 2020

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