Technology areas: Chemistry & Materials • Medical Devices & Mechanical Engineering
59 pending office actions • 25 art units • 51 examiners • 0 of 59 (0%) have an AI response strategy ready • 248 patents granted in the last 365 days
WHIRLPOOL Corporation has 64 pending office actions in Medical Devices & Mechanical Engineering. The matters involve 53 distinct examiners across 26 distinct art units, making this a large and widely distributed prosecution docket. The examiner and art-unit totals show that some matters share examination resources, but no single technical path encompasses the portfolio. Effective management requires a central view of deadlines and response status, paired with technical segmentation for substantive review.
INSLER, ELIZABETH is the busiest examiner, with 4 pending matters. Those matters provide a useful internal comparison set for examiner-specific issues, but they represent only a portion of the docket. Counsel should test apparent patterns across the twenty-six art units before treating them as portfolio-wide. Consistent claim charts and disclosure reviews can improve coordination, while amendments and argument choices should remain tied to each application's device or mechanical subject matter and the particular office action under consideration.
Based on the USPTO statutory response window for each pending office action. 11 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. 11 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 (2%) |
| §101 + other | 4 (7%) |
| §103 only | 19 (32%) |
| §102 only | 2 (3%) |
| §112 only | 5 (8%) |
| Double-patenting only | 1 (2%) |
| Double-patenting + other | 2 (3%) |
| Multi-statute (no §101) | 25 (42%) |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| INSLER, ELIZABETH | 4 | 67.1% | +25.0% |
| HOWELL, MARC C | 2 | 68.7% | +24.5% |
| TREMARCHE, CONNOR J. | 2 | 65.7% | +27.8% |
| TRAN, THIEN S | 2 | 71.9% | +24.0% |
| CHOU, JIMMY | 2 | 71.2% | +14.8% |
| LAUGHLIN, ELIZABETH ANN | 2 | 59.3% | +57.6% |
| KING, ANITA M | 1 | 79.7% | +14.8% |
| CARROLL, JEREMY W | 1 | 75.0% | +12.0% |
| HANSEN, JAMES ORVILLE | 1 | 70.5% | +21.8% |
| BAUER, CASSEY D | 1 | 74.7% | +15.7% |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17894308 | LAUNDRY APPLIANCE HAVING AN ENCLOSED SUPPLEMENTAL HEAT EXCHANGE SPACE THAT SURROUNDS A ROTATING DRUM | BARRETT, THOMAS C | 49d overdue |
| 18232521 | FOOD PROCESSING APPLIANCE HAVING AN ELECTRICAL HUB CONNECTION | INSLER, ELIZABETH | 23d overdue |
| 17960951 | SENSOR SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ASSISTED FOOD PREPARATION | BULLINGTON, ROBERT P | 5d |
| 18316741 | TWO-STEP DOOR OPENING COMBINATION | LAUGHLIN, ELIZABETH ANN | 12d |
| 18908198 | OBJECT RECOGNITION SYSTEM FOR AN APPLIANCE AND METHOD FOR MANAGING HOUSEHOLD INVENTORY OF CONSUMABLES | RACIC, MILENA | 14d |
| 18667110 | HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE | O BRIEN, JEFFREY D | 42d |
| 18211899 | INSULATION MATERIALS FOR A VACUUM INSULATED STRUCTURE AND METHODS OF FORMING | CHOI, PETER Y | 54d |
| 19318929 | ROTATING RACK ASSEMBLY | KING, ANITA M | — |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18232521 | FOOD PROCESSING APPLIANCE HAVING AN ELECTRICAL HUB CONNECTION | INSLER, ELIZABETH | 23d overdue |
| 18461167 | LAUNDRY MACHINE AND CORRESPONDING CABINET CONFIGURATION | TREMARCHE, CONNOR J. | 12d |
| 18316741 | TWO-STEP DOOR OPENING COMBINATION | LAUGHLIN, ELIZABETH ANN | 12d |
| 19318929 | ROTATING RACK ASSEMBLY | KING, ANITA M | — |
| 19237499 | DISPENSING ASSEMBLY FOR APPLIANCE | CARROLL, JEREMY W | — |
| 19090768 | INSULATED PANEL INTERFACE | HANSEN, JAMES ORVILLE | — |
| 19059885 | ICE MAKING MACHINE | BAUER, CASSEY D | — |
| 18735650 | COUNTERTOP APPLIANCE WITH PHYSICAL AND REMOTE MOTOR CONTROL | HOWELL, MARC C | — |
| Art Unit | Apps |
|---|---|
| 3761 | 15 |
| 3762 | 7 |
| 1774 | 7 |
| 1711 | 5 |
| 3637 | 3 |
| 3763 | 2 |
| 3799 | 2 |
| 3631 | 1 |
| 3754 | 1 |
| 1759 | 1 |
| App # | Title | Examiner | Art Unit | Statutes | Status | Due in | AI | Filed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19318929 | ROTATING RACK ASSEMBLY | KING, ANITA M | 3631 | §101§103§112Other | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Sep 04, 2025 |
| 19237499 | DISPENSING ASSEMBLY FOR APPLIANCE | CARROLL, JEREMY W | 3754 | §102DP | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Jun 13, 2025 |
| 19090768 | INSULATED PANEL INTERFACE | HANSEN, JAMES ORVILLE | 3637 | §103 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Mar 26, 2025 |
| 19059885 | ICE MAKING MACHINE | BAUER, CASSEY D | 3763 | §103§112 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Feb 21, 2025 |
| 19054058 | REFRIGERATOR APPLIANCE AND CORRESPONDING CONTROL SYSTEM | FURDGE, LARRY L | 3763 | §103 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Feb 14, 2025 |
| 19024525 | SCRATCH-RESISTANT COATING FOR GLASS CERAMIC COOKTOP | FLETCHER III, WILLIAM P | 1759 | §102§103DP | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Jan 16, 2025 |
| 18987583 | DISHWASHER | BERGNER, ERIN FLANAGAN | 1713 | §103 | Final Rejection | — | Pending | Dec 19, 2024 |
| 18947899 | TUB RING FOR A LAUNDRY WASHING MACHINE | SHAHINIAN, LEVON J | 1711 | §102 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Nov 14, 2024 |
| 18934884 | WALL PANEL ASSEMBLY FOR A VACUUM INSULATED APPLIANCE | WRIGHT, KIMBERLEY S | 3637 | §103 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Nov 01, 2024 |
| 18908198 | OBJECT RECOGNITION SYSTEM FOR AN APPLIANCE AND METHOD FOR MANAGING HOUSEHOLD INVENTORY OF CONSUMABLES | RACIC, MILENA | 3627 | §101 | Non-Final OA | 14d | Pending | Oct 07, 2024 |
| 18908273 | SPILL CONTAINMENT AND MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR GLASS CERAMIC COOKTOP | SHIRSAT, VIVEK K | 3762 | §112 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Oct 07, 2024 |
| 18802615 | METHOD FOR LOADING DISHES | SUMMERS, GEOFFREY E | 2669 | §101§103§112 | Final Rejection | — | Pending | Aug 13, 2024 |
| 18799057 | AIR KNIFE ASSEMBLY FOR A DISHWASHER | OSTERHOUT, BENJAMIN LEE | 1711 | §112 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Aug 09, 2024 |
| 18787020 | GENERATIVE FOOD DONENESS PREDICTION | NAKHJAVAN, SHERVIN K | 2672 | DP | Final Rejection | — | Pending | Jul 29, 2024 |
| 18761838 | REMOVABLE FLUID PUMPING AND FILTRATION APPARATUS | KO, JASON Y | 1711 | §112 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Jul 02, 2024 |
| 18755206 | INSULATION MATERIALS FOR A HEAT AND SOUND INSULATED STRUCTURE AND METHODS OF FORMING WITH A MOLD THAT IS GAS AND LIQUID PERMEABLE | KRASNOW, NICHOLAS R | 1744 | §102§112 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Jun 26, 2024 |
| 18743630 | REINFORCING CAP FOR A TUB REAR WALL OF AN APPLIANCE | PERRIN, JOSEPH L | 1711 | §103§112 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Jun 14, 2024 |
| 18735650 | COUNTERTOP APPLIANCE WITH PHYSICAL AND REMOTE MOTOR CONTROL | HOWELL, MARC C | 1774 | §112 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Jun 06, 2024 |
| 18733070 | ADJUSTMENT ASSEMBLY FOR APPLIANCE DOOR | TRAN, HANH VAN | 3637 | §103 | Final Rejection | — | Pending | Jun 04, 2024 |
| 18670970 | COOKING APPLIANCE WITH BROWNING ASSISTANCE MONITOR | WUNDERLICH, ERWIN J | 3761 | §101§102§103§112 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | May 22, 2024 |
| 18667110 | HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE | O BRIEN, JEFFREY D | 3677 | §102§103 | Non-Final OA | 42d | Pending | May 17, 2024 |
| 18644741 | VACUUM INSULATED STRUCTURE WITH THERMAL BRIDGE BREAKER WITH HEAT LOOP | ZERPHEY, CHRISTOPHER R | 3799 | §103 | Final Rejection | — | Pending | Apr 24, 2024 |
| 18634855 | PIZZA STONE | ROSARIO-APONTE, ALBA T | 1792 | §103 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Apr 12, 2024 |
| 18591535 | COOKING VESSEL | KASZTEJNA, MATTHEW JOHN | 3993 | §102§103 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Feb 29, 2024 |
| 18587393 | COOKING APPLIANCE WITH CLIP | TREMARCHE, CONNOR J. | 3762 | §103 | Final Rejection | — | Pending | Feb 26, 2024 |
| 18437874 | INDUCTION COIL ASSEMBLY | TRAN, THIEN S | 3761 | §103§112 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Feb 09, 2024 |
| 18435341 | INSULATOR FOR INDUCTION APPLIANCE | CHAMBERS, JOHN MICHAEL | 3761 | §102§103§112 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Feb 07, 2024 |
| 18396907 | REMOVABLE COOKING VESSEL HEATER SAFETY LOCK SYSTEM WITH STATUS INDICATOR | BOSS, MARISSA RAE | 3761 | §103§112 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Dec 27, 2023 |
| 18394173 | FABRIC TREATING APPLIANCE COMPRISING A SCRUBBING TOOL | LEE, KEVIN G | 1711 | §102§103 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Dec 22, 2023 |
| 18390598 | 100 HZ NOISE REDUCTION IN A COOKTOP | TRAN, THIEN S | 3761 | §103§112 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Dec 20, 2023 |
| 18545246 | INDICATION SYSTEM FOR A COOKTOP | HEMMINGS, HUNTER GARRETT | 3761 | §103 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Dec 19, 2023 |
| 18516287 | REFRIGERATOR APPLIANCE | MALLON, BRETT PETERSON | 3762 | §103 | Final Rejection | 60d | Pending | Nov 21, 2023 |
| 18378762 | AUDIBLE FEEDBACK SYSTEM TO GUIDE POT CENTERING ON A COOKTOP | CHOU, JIMMY | 3761 | §102§103 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Oct 11, 2023 |
| 18483817 | COOKING APPLIANCE | LAUGHLIN, ELIZABETH ANN | 3762 | §103§112 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Oct 10, 2023 |
| 18374431 | COOKTOP THAT PREVENTS COOKING TEMPERATURE FROM EXCEEDING SMOKE POINT OF INCLUDED FAT FOR THE COOKING OPERATION AND RELATED METHODS | CHOU, JIMMY | 3761 | §102§103§112 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Sep 28, 2023 |
| 18461167 | LAUNDRY MACHINE AND CORRESPONDING CABINET CONFIGURATION | TREMARCHE, CONNOR J. | 3762 | §103 | Final Rejection | 12d | Pending | Sep 05, 2023 |
| 18458590 | CORDLESS BLENDING APPLIANCE | INSLER, ELIZABETH | 1774 | §102§103 | Final Rejection | — | Pending | Aug 30, 2023 |
| 18232521 | FOOD PROCESSING APPLIANCE HAVING AN ELECTRICAL HUB CONNECTION | INSLER, ELIZABETH | 1774 | §102§112 | Final Rejection | 23d overdue | Pending | Aug 10, 2023 |
| 18215363 | BLENDER JAR WITH PROTRUSIONS INTRODUCING ASYMMETRIC FLOW PATTERN AND BLENDER CONTAINING THE SAME | HOWELL, MARC C | 1774 | §103 | Final Rejection | — | Pending | Jun 28, 2023 |
| 18211899 | INSULATION MATERIALS FOR A VACUUM INSULATED STRUCTURE AND METHODS OF FORMING | CHOI, PETER Y | 1786 | §103§112 | Final Rejection | 54d | Pending | Jun 20, 2023 |
| 18199534 | HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE WITH IMMERSIBLE HEATER | NGUYEN, HUNG D | 3761 | §103 | Final Rejection | — | Pending | May 19, 2023 |
| 18198887 | COFFEE MACHINE DRIP TRAY WITH INTEGRATED STORAGE | ASSANTE, KEITH BRIAN | 3761 | §103 | Final Rejection | — | Pending | May 18, 2023 |
| 18316741 | TWO-STEP DOOR OPENING COMBINATION | LAUGHLIN, ELIZABETH ANN | 3762 | §103§112 | Non-Final OA | 12d | Pending | May 12, 2023 |
| 18116015 | METHOD OF CONTROLLING A SWITCHING CONVERTER AND RELATED INDUCTION COOKTOP | COLLINS, DANIEL S. | 3745 | §102 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Mar 01, 2023 |
| 18115069 | CHARGER AND BATTERY FOR CORDLESS APPLIANCE | OMAR, AHMED H | 2859 | §103 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Feb 28, 2023 |
| 18174914 | APPLIANCE LID ASSEMBLY | INSLER, ELIZABETH | 1774 | §102§103 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Feb 27, 2023 |
| 18114541 | CORDLESS FOOD PROCESSOR | SORKIN, DAVID L | 1774 | §103§112 | Final Rejection | — | Pending | Feb 27, 2023 |
| 18169533 | HYBRID EASY TO CLEAN COATING FOR MICROWAVE APPLIANCE | MEADE, LORNE EDWARD | 3741 | §103§112 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Feb 15, 2023 |
| 18057839 | REMOVABLE BEAN HOPPER ASSEMBLY | MILLS JR., JOE E | 3761 | §103 | Final Rejection | — | Pending | Nov 22, 2022 |
| 17985524 | CONTAINER DETECTION SYSTEM FOR A COUNTERTOP APPLIANCE | INSLER, ELIZABETH | 1774 | §102§103§112 | Non-Final OA | — | Pending | Nov 11, 2022 |
IP Author helps IP teams respond to office actions faster with AI-generated responses, examiner analytics, and prosecution intelligence.
Start Free TrialWHIRLPOOL Corporation has 59 pending office actions as of October 2026, spread across 25 art units and 51 examiners.
Elizabeth Insler has the most, with 4 of WHIRLPOOL Corporation's pending office actions.
Mostly Medical Devices & Mechanical Engineering (USPTO Tech Center 3700), based on where its pending office actions are examined.
