Prosecution Insights
Prosecution Insights
Technology areas: Chemistry & Materials • Medical Devices & Mechanical Engineering
66 pending office actions • 30 art units • 55 examiners • 0 of 66 (0%) have an AI response strategy ready • 51 patents granted in the last 365 days
Krones AG has 67 pending office actions in the Chemistry & Materials technology area. These actions are assigned to 55 distinct examiners across 30 distinct art units. LIANG, SHIBIN is the busiest examiner, currently responsible for 5 busiest examiner pending actions. The 30 distinct art units show that the company's chemical and material filings are spread across many specialized groups.
With 55 distinct examiners for the 67 pending office actions, there is some concentration of cases, but the majority of examiners handle an individual action. This variety in examiners means the company must navigate many different examination styles and technical standards. The 5 busiest examiner pending actions assigned to LIANG, SHIBIN represent a portion of the 67 pending office actions. Practitioners should coordinate across the 55 distinct examiners to ensure consistent prosecution outcomes.
The 30 distinct art units suggest that the portfolio touches on many specialized groups within the USPTO. Managing 67 pending office actions across these units requires an understanding of the specific technical standards applied by each group. Because the 55 distinct examiners are spread across 30 distinct art units, there is significant variety in the technical scrutiny applied to the applications. This structure requires a strategy that accounts for both individual examiner preferences and art unit trends.
Based on the USPTO statutory response window for each pending office action. 20 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. 20 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 + other | 4 (6%) |
| §103 only | 18 (27%) |
| §102 only | 2 (3%) |
| §112 only | 3 (5%) |
| Double-patenting + other | 3 (5%) |
| Multi-statute (no §101) | 36 (55%) |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| LIANG, SHIBIN | 4 | 62.8% | +17.0% |
| TAWFIK, SAMEH | 3 | 63.1% | +31.2% |
| LIU, XUE H | 2 | 73.2% | +12.5% |
| SINGH, KAVEL | 2 | 83.7% | +14.0% |
| CRAWFORD, GENE O | 2 | 45.9% | +5.7% |
| DANIELS, MATTHEW J | 2 | 69.8% | +25.1% |
| WOLLSCHLAGER, JEFFREY MICHAEL | 2 | 62.1% | +29.6% |
| SCHWARTZ, RAPHAEL M | 2 | 67.5% | +30.7% |
| SEIF, DARIUSH | 1 | 70.5% | +6.2% |
| FRY, PATRICK B | 1 | 53.9% | +8.0% |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18060487 | PREDICTIVE MAINTENANCE OF A RECEPTACLE HANDLING INSTALLATION | LEE, BYUNG RO | 73d overdue |
| 19236470 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FILLING AND CLOSING CONTAINERS | FRY, PATRICK B | 2d overdue |
| 18715454 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONVEYING AND APPORTIONING | DEUBLE, MARK A | 14d |
| 18606756 | Method and inspection apparatus for inspecting containers provided with closures, and method and closure apparatus for closing containers | SCHWARTZ, RAPHAEL M | 23d |
| 18732507 | Method and apparatus for forming plastic preforms into plastic containers with four pressure levels and bottom cooling | THROWER, LARRY W | 27d |
| 18777238 | CONTAINER TREATMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING AND TREATING A PREFORM | WOLLSCHLAGER, JEFFREY MICHAEL | 28d |
| 18256415 | Method and device for printing onto containers made of glass | FERGUSON SAMRETH, MARISSA LIANA | 39d |
| 19400887 | Container Treatment System With Component Receptacle | SEIF, DARIUSH | — |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18606756 | Method and inspection apparatus for inspecting containers provided with closures, and method and closure apparatus for closing containers | SCHWARTZ, RAPHAEL M | 23d |
| 18606725 | Method and inspection apparatus for inspecting containers provided with closures, and method and closure apparatus for closing containers | SCHWARTZ, RAPHAEL M | 23d |
| 18736391 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING PLASTIC PREFORMS INTO PLASTIC CONTAINERS | LIANG, SHIBIN | 27d |
| 18777238 | CONTAINER TREATMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING AND TREATING A PREFORM | WOLLSCHLAGER, JEFFREY MICHAEL | 28d |
| 18941703 | METHOD AND INSTALLATION FOR PROCESSING CANS | TAWFIK, SAMEH | 46d |
| 18222922 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR FORMING PLASTIC PREFORMS INTO PLASTIC CONTAINERS WITH CHANGEOVER ROBOT | LIANG, SHIBIN | 61d |
| 19110178 | Method and apparatus for shaping plastic preforms into plastic containers, with machine regulation | LIU, XUE H | — |
| 19108698 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY CONTROLLING AT LEAST TWO DRIVABLE BELTS IN A SYSTEM | SINGH, KAVEL | — |
| Art Unit | Apps |
|---|---|
| 3731 | 9 |
| 1742 | 5 |
| 1741 | 4 |
| 1744 | 3 |
| 3651 | 3 |
| 1743 | 2 |
| 2853 | 2 |
| 1745 | 2 |
| 3733 | 2 |
| 2671 | 2 |
| App # | Title | Examiner | Art Unit | Statutes | Status | Due in | AI | Filed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19400887 | Container Treatment System With Component Receptacle | SEIF, DARIUSH | 3731 | §102§112 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Nov 25, 2025 |
| 19236470 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FILLING AND CLOSING CONTAINERS | FRY, PATRICK B | 3731 | §103§112 | Non-Final OA | 2d overdue | Pending | Jun 12, 2025 |
| 19092585 | APPARATUS FOR CLOSING CONTAINERS AND ASSOCIATED OPERATING METHOD | SHUTTY, DAVID G | 3731 | §102§103 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Mar 27, 2025 |
| 19082927 | CLOSURE HEAD FOR CLOSING CONTAINERS | WEEKS, GLORIA R | 3731 | §102 | Final Rejection | — | Pending | Mar 18, 2025 |
| 19110178 | Method and apparatus for shaping plastic preforms into plastic containers, with machine regulation | LIU, XUE H | — | §102§103§112 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Mar 10, 2025 |
| 19072863 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR BUFFERING CONTAINERS IN A CONTAINER TREATMENT PLANT | JORGENSEN, ABBY A | — | §103 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Mar 06, 2025 |
| 19108698 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY CONTROLLING AT LEAST TWO DRIVABLE BELTS IN A SYSTEM | SINGH, KAVEL | — | §102§103 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Mar 04, 2025 |
| 19064562 | Protective Device for a Machine | YABUT, DANIEL D | 3617 | §103 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Feb 26, 2025 |
| 19105250 | METHOD FOR AUTOMATICALLY DETERMINING CONSUMPTION DATA OF MEDIA IN A FILLING LINE AND APPARATUS FOR CARRYING OUT THE METHOD | BURSUM, KIMBERLY SUZANNE | — | §101§103 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Feb 20, 2025 |
| 19021994 | Apparatus and method for producing plastic preforms with infrared image recording device | KRASNOW, NICHOLAS R | — | §103§112 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Jan 15, 2025 |
| 19022013 | Apparatus and method for producing plastics material containers with inspection of plastics material preforms | ROY, DEBJANI | — | §103 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Jan 15, 2025 |
| 18994834 | GRIPPING DEVICE FOR COMBINED CONTAINER ALIGNMENT AND TRANSPORT DEVICE | MCCLAIN, GERALD | 3652 | §102§103§112 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Jan 15, 2025 |
| 18993769 | Sterile blow molding machine with airlock and method for the operation thereof | LEYSON, JOSEPH S | 1744 | §102§103§112DP | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Jan 13, 2025 |
| 18881225 | METHOD FOR AUTOMATICALLY REGULATING A CONTAINER TRANSPORT APPARATUS HAVING ONE OR MORE TRANSPORT BELTS FOR ADAPTING A CONTAINER DENSITY, AND CONTAINER TRANSPORT APPARATUS | NICHOLSON III, LESLIE AUGUST | 3653 | §102§103§112 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Jan 03, 2025 |
| 19002434 | OPERATION ASSISTANCE SYSTEM FOR A USER OF A CONTAINER TREATMENT PLANT | DIVELBISS, MATTHEW H | 3624 | §103 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Dec 26, 2024 |
| 18983675 | DAMPING ELEMENT | CAMPBELL, KEITH | 3651 | §103§112 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Dec 17, 2024 |
| 18981126 | PLANT AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING CONTAINERS | LIU, XUE H | 1742 | §102§103 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Dec 13, 2024 |
| 18874899 | ROLLER SORTER DIRECTLINK | LUK, EMMANUEL S | 1744 | §102§103§112 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Dec 13, 2024 |
| 18873279 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR INSPECTING CONTAINER BY X-RAY RADIATION | KIM, KIHO | 2884 | §102§103§112 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Dec 09, 2024 |
| 18970331 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING CONTAINERS | BARTLETT, VICTORIA | 1744 | §102§103§112 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Dec 05, 2024 |
| 18871348 | MODULAR CONTAINER-PROCESSING INSTALLATION | SINGH, KAVEL | 3651 | §102§103 | Final Rejection | — | Pending | Dec 03, 2024 |
| 18961163 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TRACKING CONTAINERS IN A FILLING PLANT | CRAWFORD, GENE O | — | §102§112 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Nov 26, 2024 |
| 18959129 | METHOD FOR MONITORING A PRODUCTION PROCESS IN A PRODUCTION LINE AND PRODUCTION LINE, IN PARTICULAR A FILLING LINE | CRAWFORD, GENE O | — | §102§103§112 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Nov 25, 2024 |
| 18868559 | METHOD AND FILLING INSTALLATION FOR FILLING CONTAINERS WITH A BEVERAGE | TAWFIK, SAMEH | 3731 | §102§103 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Nov 22, 2024 |
| 18956937 | IDENTIFYING A MATERIAL OF AN ADDITIVELY MANUFACTURED COMPONENT | SANDERS, JAMES M | 1743 | §102§103 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Nov 22, 2024 |
| 18949384 | METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A CONTAINER TREATMENT SYSTEM, AND DEVICE COMPRISING A CONTAINER TREATMENT SYSTEM AND A CONTROL DEVICE FOR CARRYING OUT THE METHOD | DANIELS, MATTHEW J | 1742 | §103§112 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Nov 15, 2024 |
| 18941703 | METHOD AND INSTALLATION FOR PROCESSING CANS | TAWFIK, SAMEH | 3731 | §102 | Final Rejection | 46d | Pending | Nov 08, 2024 |
| 18864393 | VACUUM CYLINDER UNIT FOR TRANSFERRING LABELS | GHORISHI, SEYED BEHROOZ | 1748 | §112 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Nov 08, 2024 |
| 18938936 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MOLDING AND COATING A CONTAINER COMPRISING FIBERS | WOLLSCHLAGER, JEFFREY MICHAEL | 1742 | §102§103§112 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Nov 06, 2024 |
| 18926204 | CONTROL CIRCUIT FOR CONTAINER COOLING | DANIELS, MATTHEW J | 1742 | §103 | Final Rejection | — | Pending | Oct 24, 2024 |
| 18852812 | METHOD FOR PRINTING A CONTAINER, AND APPARATUS FOR PRINTING A CONTAINER | THOMPSON, LESLIE J. | 2853 | §102§103§112 | Final Rejection | — | Pending | Sep 30, 2024 |
| 18850549 | PRESSING ELEMENT FOR PRESSING LABELS ONTO BOTTLES, AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING SAID PRESSING ELEMENT | DODDS, SCOTT | 1746 | §103 | Final Rejection | 76d | Pending | Sep 24, 2024 |
| 18888410 | CONTAINER TREATMENT SYSTEM WITH IMPROVED PERSONAL PROTECTION | KOTIS, JOSHUA G | 3731 | §103§112 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Sep 18, 2024 |
| 18888764 | APPARATUS FOR CONNECTING LABEL TAPES | DIAS, RAVEEN J | 3654 | §102§103§112 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Sep 18, 2024 |
| 18882615 | Method and apparatus for inspecting containers provided with fittings | YAO, JULIA ZHI-YI | — | §101§102§103§112 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Sep 11, 2024 |
| 18814343 | DEVICE FOR DETERMINING A RHEOLOGICAL PROPERTY OF A SUSPENSION OF MATERIAL COMPRISING FIBERS FOR PRODUCING CONTAINERS | CULLER, JILL E | — | §102§103 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Aug 23, 2024 |
| 18797417 | STEAM GENERATION IN A SYSTEM FOR TREATING CONTAINERS | PILSBURY, BRADY CHARLES | — | §102§103§112 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Aug 07, 2024 |
| 18777238 | CONTAINER TREATMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING AND TREATING A PREFORM | WOLLSCHLAGER, JEFFREY MICHAEL | 1742 | §102§103§112 | Final Rejection | 28d | Pending | Jul 18, 2024 |
| 18773227 | COUPLING OF PRODUCTION MACHINE AND STRETCH BLOW MOLDING MACHINE VIA AIR TRANSPORT | TSUI, YUNG-SHENG M | 1743 | §103DPOther | Final Rejection | 76d | Pending | Jul 15, 2024 |
| 18736391 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING PLASTIC PREFORMS INTO PLASTIC CONTAINERS | LIANG, SHIBIN | 1741 | §103 | Final Rejection | 27d | Pending | Jun 06, 2024 |
| 18734435 | DEVICE FOR MARKING CONTAINERS AND ASSOCIATED OPERATING METHOD | SENGUPTA, SONYA MAZUMDAR | 1745 | §103 | Non-Final OA | 70d | Pending | Jun 05, 2024 |
| 18734725 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR HEATING AND/OR COOLING, IN PARTICULAR PASTEURIZING, FILLED AND CLOSED CONTAINERS | TALBERT, ERIC MICHAEL | 1791 | §101§102§103§112 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Jun 05, 2024 |
| 18732507 | Method and apparatus for forming plastic preforms into plastic containers with four pressure levels and bottom cooling | THROWER, LARRY W | 1754 | §103§112 | Final Rejection | 27d | Pending | Jun 03, 2024 |
| 18715454 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONVEYING AND APPORTIONING | DEUBLE, MARK A | 3651 | §102§103 | Final Rejection | 14d | Pending | May 31, 2024 |
| 18639610 | Plastic container with flattened supporting feet and blow molding device | POOS, MADISON LYNN | 3733 | §102§103§112 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Apr 18, 2024 |
| 18606756 | Method and inspection apparatus for inspecting containers provided with closures, and method and closure apparatus for closing containers | SCHWARTZ, RAPHAEL M | 2671 | §103§112Other | Final Rejection | 23d | Pending | Mar 15, 2024 |
| 18606725 | Method and inspection apparatus for inspecting containers provided with closures, and method and closure apparatus for closing containers | SCHWARTZ, RAPHAEL M | 2671 | §103Other | Final Rejection | 23d | Pending | Mar 15, 2024 |
| 18593506 | CONTAINER COMPRISING FIBERS, COMPRISING A CONTAINER BODY COMPRISING FIBERS AND A HINGED CLOSURE COMPRISING FIBERS ARRANGED ON THE CONTAINER BODY, AND A HINGED CLOSURE COMPRISING FIBERS | GRANO, ERNESTO ARTURIO | 3735 | §103 | Final Rejection | 28d | Pending | Mar 01, 2024 |
| 18416051 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR RINSING THE INTERIOR OF A CONTAINER | TATE-SIMS, CRISTI J | 1700 | §103 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Jan 18, 2024 |
| 18571701 | Apparatus and method for inspecting filled containers and their filling product | RUSHING-TUCKER, CHINYERE J | 3731 | §103 | Non-Final OA | 16d | Pending | Dec 18, 2023 |
| 18243949 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR FORMING PLASTIC PREFORMS INTO PLASTIC CONTAINERS | CASTRIOTTA, JENNIFER | 3733 | §112Other | Final Rejection | 33d | Pending | Sep 08, 2023 |
| 18243964 | Method and apparatus for treating containers with identification of rejected containers | TAN, ALVIN H | 2118 | §103§112 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Sep 08, 2023 |
| 18457648 | METHOD FOR THE PRODUCTION MONITORING OF A LABELING MACHINE AND LABELING MACHINE FOR LABELING CONTAINERS | KOCH, GEORGE R | 1745 | §103 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Aug 29, 2023 |
| 18457959 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MINIMIZING A DEVIATION OF A PHYSICAL PARAMETER OF A BLOW-MOLDED CONTAINER FROM A TARGET VALUE | XU, PETER | 2119 | §103 | Non-Final OA | 78d | Pending | Aug 29, 2023 |
| 18235210 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR INSPECTING CONTAINERS | MERCADO VARGAS, ARIEL | 2118 | §103 | Non-Final OA | 27d | Pending | Aug 17, 2023 |
| 18222922 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR FORMING PLASTIC PREFORMS INTO PLASTIC CONTAINERS WITH CHANGEOVER ROBOT | LIANG, SHIBIN | 1741 | §103 | Final Rejection | 61d | Pending | Jul 17, 2023 |
| 18222911 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR FORMING PLASTIC PREFORMS INTO PLASTIC CONTAINERS, HAVING A MOLD CARRIER HOLDER WITH CARRYING FUNCTION | LIANG, SHIBIN | 1741 | §102§103 | Final Rejection | — | Pending | Jul 17, 2023 |
| 18256415 | Method and device for printing onto containers made of glass | FERGUSON SAMRETH, MARISSA LIANA | 2853 | §102§103 | Non-Final OA | 39d | Pending | Jun 07, 2023 |
| 18254339 | HOLDING DEVICE FOR CONTAINERS, IN PARTICULAR CANS, BLANKS THEREFOR AND PACKAGING HEREWITH | ACKUN, JACOB K | 3736 | §103§112 | Final Rejection | — | Pending | May 24, 2023 |
| 18082410 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR INSPECTING CONTAINERS | ALLEN, KYLA GUAN-PING TI | 2661 | §112 | Non-Final OA | 30d | Pending | Dec 15, 2022 |
| 18080603 | Apparatus and method for heating plastic preforms with adjustment of heating power | LIANG, SHIBIN | 1741 | §103 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Dec 13, 2022 |
| 18060487 | PREDICTIVE MAINTENANCE OF A RECEPTACLE HANDLING INSTALLATION | LEE, BYUNG RO | 2858 | §101§103 | Non-Final OA | 73d overdue | Pending | Nov 30, 2022 |
| 17997012 | METHOD AND DEVICE ENHANCED CONTAINER INSPECTION USING COMBINED SENSOR DATA AND NEURAL NETWORK ANALYSIS | LEE, HWA S | 2877 | §102§103§112DP | Final Rejection | — | Pending | Oct 24, 2022 |
| 17996588 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR CHECKING THE FILL LEVEL OF CONTAINERS | FRANK, RODNEY T | 2855 | §103§112 | Final Rejection | — | Pending | Oct 19, 2022 |
| 17780901 | PLANT FOR PASTEURIZING FOODSTUFFS OR BEVERAGES FILLED INTO CLOSED CONTAINERS BY WAY OF A PROCESS LIQUID | AMIN, HAMZEH HICHAM | 3761 | §102§103 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | May 27, 2022 |
| 16621666 | CONTAINER TREATMENT PLANT FOR TREATING CONTAINERS | TAWFIK, SAMEH | 3731 | §103 | Final Rejection | — | Pending | Dec 11, 2019 |
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