Prosecution Insights
Last updated: October 02, 2026

Examiner: O'HERN, BRENT T

Tech Center 1700 • Art Units: 1658 1686 1781 1783 1792 1793 1794

This examiner grants 78% of resolved cases

Analysis

Brent T. O'Hern examines cases in Art Unit 1658 and Tech Center 1700. He has a high volume of 1410 resolved cases with an allowance rate of 78.5 percent. The median days to allowance is 992, which suggests a consistent timeline for reaching an allowance. Practitioners should expect a prosecution period that spans many days in Tech Center 1700.

The interview lift is 19.8 percent, which significantly boosts the 78.5 percent baseline. For the 1410 cases resolved, the 992-day median pendency is a reliable metric for planning. Practitioners should prioritize interviews to leverage the 19.8 percent lift and improve their chances in Art Unit 1658. The 78.5 percent allowance rate indicates a high probability of success for applicants seeking patents under this examiner.

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

Performance Statistics

78.5%
Allow Rate
+13.5% vs TC avg
1,435
Total Applications
+19.8%
Interview Lift
992
Avg Prosecution Days
Based on 1410 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Rejection Statute Breakdown

0.4%
§101 Eligibility
13.0%
§102 Novelty
43.6%
§103 Obviousness
37.3%
§112 Clarity

Currently Pending Office Actions

App #TitleStatusAssignee
18126692 SMOOTH, SHELF-STABLE PRODUCT AND METHODS OF PRODUCING SAME Non-Final OA SOCIÉTÉ DES PRODUITS NESTLÉ S.A.
16462808 CREAMERS COMPOSITIONS Non-Final OA Société des Produits Nestlé S.A.
18648962 BEVERAGE PREPARATION MACHINE WITH ENHANCED PUMP CONTROL Final Rejection SOCIETE DES PRODUITS NESTLE S.A.
18577113 METHOD Non-Final OA SOCIETE DES PRODUITS NESTLE S.A.
18254058 SYSTEMS AND METHODS TO PREDICT AN INDIVIDUALS MICROBIOME STATUS AND PROVIDE PERSONALIZED RECOMMENDATIONS TO MAINTAIN OR IMPROVE THE MICROBIOME STATUS Non-Final OA SOCIETE DES PRODUITS NESTLE S.A.
17917463 METHODS FOR CHARACTERIZING THE NUTRITIONAL NEEDS OF AN ANIMAL AND FOR SELECTING FOOD PRODUCTS Non-Final OA MARS, INCORPORATED
17786481 UTILIZATION OF A FASTING-MIMICKING DIET TO REDUCE SENESCENT CELLS AND INFLAMMATION Final Rejection UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
18846002 BEER-FLAVORED BEVERAGE Non-Final OA SUNTORY HOLDINGS LIMITED
18862370 TREATED VEGETABLE PROTEIN PRODUCT AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME Non-Final OA Cargill, Incorporated
18724797 ALTERNATIVE PROTEIN CRUMBLES Non-Final OA Cargill, Incorporated
18710762 PERSONAL CARE PRODUCT CONTAINING NATURAL OIL-BASED PETROLATUM Non-Final OA CARGILL, INCORPORATED
18863061 APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING PLANT-BASED PROTEINACEOUS FOOD ITEMS, SET OF FOOD ITEMS AND METHOD OF PROCESSING Non-Final OA PLANTED FOODS AG
18860257 METHOD OF PREVENTING AND/OR INHIBITING THE OUTGROWTH, SPORULATION, GERMINATION OR TOXIN FORMATION OF CLOSTRIDIUM Non-Final OA GIVAUDAN SA
18624587 PROTECTIVE COATING FOR PLANTS AND POSTHARVEST PLANT MATTER Non-Final OA Yissum Research Development Company of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem Ltd
18760978 DAIRY PRODUCT AND PROCESS Non-Final OA Fonterra Co-operative Group Limited
17794643 Aerated Fat Emulsion Final Rejection Bunge Loders Croklaan B.V.

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