Prosecution Insights
Last updated: October 02, 2026

Examiner: ZERPHEY, CHRISTOPHER R

Tech Center 3700 • Art Units: 1736 1744 3744 3763 3799

This examiner grants 49% of resolved cases

Analysis

Christopher R. Zerphey examines cases in Art Unit 1736 of Tech Center 3700. He has 781 resolved cases and an allowance rate of 48.9 percent. This 48.9 percent rate suggests a prosecution environment where success is achieved in nearly half of the cases. The median days to allowance is 1155. This 1155-day figure is a factor for timeline expectations. Practitioners should factor this metric into their planning in Tech Center 3700.

The interview lift is 19.2 percent. This 19.2 percent lift suggests that interviews are a way to resolve issues. This increase is a consideration for practitioners looking to improve their odds of success. With 781 resolved cases, the 48.9 percent allowance rate is a baseline for Art Unit 1736. The 19.2 percent lift indicates that direct engagement is often beneficial. The 1155-day median is a specific point of reference for the duration of the prosecution phase.

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

Performance Statistics

48.9%
Allow Rate
-21.1% vs TC avg
831
Total Applications
+19.2%
Interview Lift
1155
Avg Prosecution Days
Based on 781 resolved cases, 2023–2026

Rejection Statute Breakdown

0.9%
§101 Eligibility
14.6%
§102 Novelty
54.6%
§103 Obviousness
24.8%
§112 Clarity

Currently Pending Office Actions

App #TitleStatusAssignee
18844797 ICE MAKING DEVICE AND REFRIGERATOR Final Rejection LG ELECTRONICS INC.
18844552 ICE MAKING DEVICE AND REFRIGERATOR Final Rejection LG ELECTRONICS INC.
18844508 ICE MAKING DEVICE AND REFRIGERATOR Non-Final OA LG ELECTRONICS INC.
18102398 REFRIGERATOR Non-Final OA LG ELECTRONICS INC.
18808706 COMPRESSOR AND REFRIGERATION CYCLE DEVICE HAVING THE SAME Final Rejection SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
18860385 AIR CONDITIONER Final Rejection PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
18431360 REFRIGERANT CYCLE APPARATUS Non-Final OA DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD.
18872604 COMPRESSOR ARRANGEMENT FOR HVAC&R SYSTEM Non-Final OA Tyco Fire & Security GmbH
18858912 MODULE FOR MANAGING FLUIDS FOR A VEHICLE, IN PARTICULAR A MOTOR VEHICLE Non-Final OA VALEO SYSTEMES THERMIQUES
18851606 THERMAL CONDITIONING SYSTEM Final Rejection VALEO SYSTEMES THERMIQUES
19015127 Drink Maker with Evaporator Non-Final OA SharkNinja Operating LLC
18818911 HEAT PUMP SYSTEM FOR OPTIMIZING OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCYWITHOUT CHARGE IMBALANCE AND A METHOD THEREOF Final Rejection Carrier Corporation
18762836 SELF-POWERED AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEMS Non-Final OA Carrier Corporation
18341098 REFRIGERANT COLLECTOR AND AIR SEPARATOR Final Rejection Carrier Corporation
18215025 REFRIGERATION CYCLE APPARATUS Final Rejection The University of Tokyo
18829911 INDOOR UNIT OF HVAC APPARATUS, AND HVAC APPARATUS Non-Final OA MIDEA GROUP CO., LTD.
18485164 MOBILE APPARATUS INCLUDING AIR-CONDITIONING APPARATUS Final Rejection Hanon Systems
18549419 DEVICE FOR COOLING A FLUID TO BE COMPRESSED IN A COMPRESSOR AND COMPRESSOR WITH THE DEVICE Final Rejection Hanon Systems
18681950 POWER FEEDING APPARATUS AND POWER FEEDING METHOD FOR SUBMERSIBLE PUMP Final Rejection EBARA CORPORATION
18644741 VACUUM INSULATED STRUCTURE WITH THERMAL BRIDGE BREAKER WITH HEAT LOOP Final Rejection WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
19063088 Refrigeration System and Method Enabling Demand Flexibility Non-Final OA UT-Battelle, LLC
18439008 MOBILE AIR CONDITIONER Non-Final OA Dometic Sweden AB
18829535 METHODS FOR OPERATING AN ICE MAKER APPLIANCE Non-Final OA Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
18806207 REFRIGERATOR APPLIANCE AND METHOD FOR OPERATING A TWIST ICE TRAY Non-Final OA Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
18984593 APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR HEATING WATER WITH REFRIGERANT FROM AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM Non-Final OA Rheem Manufacturing Company
18889927 Submerged Condensers and Heat Pump Water Heaters Including Same Final Rejection Rheem Manufacturing Company
18433521 Systems and Methods for Duct-Free Heat Pump Water Heater Final Rejection Rheem Manufacturing Company

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