Case ID: app-dc_42/html/0337-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "\n      Mr. Justice Van Orsdel", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

RE HOGAN.
    Patents; Patentability; Substitute Methods.
    There is nothing patentably inventive in substituting the well-known method of butt-welding for a crimped seam between the top and pan portions of a bedpan.
    No. 906.
    Patent Appeal. Submitted May 11, 1914.
    Decided May 22, 1914.
    Hearing on an appeal from a decision of the Commissioner of Patents refusing a patent.
    
      Affirmed.
    
    The facts are stated in the opinion.
    
      Mr. A. V. Cushman, Messrs. Hauff & Warland, and Messrs. Meyers, Cushman, & Rea for the appellant.
    
      Mr. Robert F. Whitehead for the Commissioner of Patents.
   Mr. Justice Van Orsdel

delivered the opinion of the Court:

Appeal from the decision of the Commissioner of Patents refusing appellant a’patent for a bedpan described in the following claims:

“1. As a new article of manufacture, a bedpan comprising a pan portion and a top portion, said portions being welded along their proximate edges so as to form a smooth jointure devoid of fouling crevices.”

“2. As a new article of manufacture, a bedpan comprising a fluid-receiving pan portion having upwardly inclined sides, and a body-supporting top portion having complementary downwardly turned sides, the proximate edges of said portions being joined by a smooth butt weld, so as to form a smooth jointure devoid of fouling crevices.

“3. As a new article of manufacture, a bedpan comprising a fluid^receiving pan portion having upwardly inclined sides, and a top portion having complementary downwardly inclined sides and a downwardly sloped, inwardly projecting, body-supporting web; the proximate edges of said pan and top portions being joined by a butt weld, so as to form smooth unbroken surfaces at the joint devoid of fouling crevices.”

Appellant secured a patent, No. 967,638, for a metal bedpan of the same shape and design as that disclosed in the present application, except that the patent shows the two parts fastened together by a crimped seam instead of by butt-welding. It is conceded that butt-welding of metal is old. We are of opinion that the Commissioner was correct in holding that the idea of joining the parts of the patented bedpan by this well-known method is obvious to anyone skilled in the art, and therefore does not constitute invention. The present application was properly refused-

The decision of the Commissioner of Patents is affirmed, and the clerk is directed to certify these proceedings as by law required. . Affirmed.