Prosecution Insights
Last updated: October 02, 2026

Examiner: LEFF, STEVEN N

Tech Center 1700 • Art Units: 1782 1792 1794

This examiner grants 41% of resolved cases

Analysis

Steven N Leff is an examiner in Tech Center 1700 and Art Unit 1782. With 574 resolved cases, the allowance rate is 41.3 percent. The interview lift is 7.9 percent, which is a small boost to the chances of allowance.

The median days to allowance is 1383. This is a long timeline for the 574 resolved cases. The 41.3 percent allowance rate is below a majority, and the 7.9 percent interview lift suggests that interviews have a limited impact.

Practitioners should be aware of the 1383 median days to allowance. The allowance rate is a challenging baseline in Art Unit 1782. The interview lift across resolved cases shows that while interviews are helpful, they may not be as effective as in other dockets. This data set provides a clear expectation for a rigorous examination process.

Written from this page's own data; every figure is computed from USPTO records and verified before publication.

Performance Statistics

41.3%
Allow Rate
-23.7% vs TC avg
626
Total Applications
+7.9%
Interview Lift
1383
Avg Prosecution Days
Based on 574 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Rejection Statute Breakdown

4.2%
§101 Eligibility
22.5%
§102 Novelty
46.2%
§103 Obviousness
21.1%
§112 Clarity

Currently Pending Office Actions

App #TitleStatusAssignee
17298212 FROZEN FOOD PRODUCT FOR MICROWAVE COOKING Final Rejection CJ CHEILJEDANG CORPORATION
18608155 ELECTRONIC APPARATUS AND CONTROLLING METHOD THEREOF Final Rejection SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
17618818 METHOD FOR PREPARING SOY MILK WITH A BLENDER AND THE BLENDER Final Rejection KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
18742565 GRILL SYSTEMS Final Rejection SharkNinja Operating LLC
18720326 A METHOD FOR MONITORING A FOOD PROCESSING SYSTEM Non-Final OA Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
18751128 COOKING STATION WITH MULTIPLE COOKING MODES AND METHOD THEREOF Non-Final OA North Atlantic Imports, LLC
18028186 ASSISTED COOKING Non-Final OA ELECTROLUX HOME PRODUCTS INC.
17208499 DRY PLANT POWDER HAVING ENHANCED SWEET FLAVOR, AND FOOD/DRINK Final Rejection MIZKAN HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
18918927 COOKING CONTROL METHOD AND APPARATUS, DEVICE AND STORAGE MEDIUM Non-Final OA FOSHAN SHUNDE MIDEA ELECTRICAL HEATING APPLIANCES MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
18405596 METHOD FOR COOKING, STORAGE MEDIUM, COOKING DEVICE, AND COOKING APPLIANCE Final Rejection FOSHAN SHUNDE MIDEA ELECTRICAL HEATING APPLIANCES MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
18723127 DEVICE AND METHOD FOR FORMING A PRODUCT THAT IMITATES PROPERTIES OF MEAT, POULTRY, FISH, SEAFOOD, DAIRY PRODUCTS, OR PRODUCTS DERIVED THEREFROM Non-Final OA Bühler AG
18725088 A METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THE PREPARATION OF A BEVERAGE Non-Final OA Koninklijke Douwe Egberts B.V.
18538427 Food Processor, Food Preparation Method, Computer Program Product and Storage Medium Final Rejection Vorwerk & Co. Interholding GmbH
18669112 Whipped Cream Dispenser Final Rejection Micro Matic USA, INC.
18293774 COOKING DEVICE, CONTROL METHOD AND APPARATUS THEREOF, AND COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM Final Rejection GUANGDONG MIDEA KITCHEN APPLIANCES MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
18293318 COOKING DEVICE, CONTROL METHOD AND APPARATUS THEREOF, AND COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM Final Rejection GUANGDONG MIDEA KITCHEN APPLIANCES MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.

Facing This Examiner?

IP Author analyzes examiner patterns and generates tailored response strategies with the highest chance of allowance.

Build Your Strategy

Sign in with your work email

Enter your email to receive a magic link. No password needed.

Personal email addresses (Gmail, Yahoo, etc.) are not accepted.

Free tier: 3 strategy analyses per month