Document: 383 U.S. 39 86 S.Ct. 708 15 L.Ed.2d 572 UNITED STATES, Petitioner,v.Bert N. ADAMS et al. No. 55. Argued Oct. 14, 1965. Decided Feb. 21, 1966. [Syllabus from pages 39-40 intentionally omitted] John W.Douglas, Washington, D. C., for petitioner. A. Reilly, New York City, respondents. Mr. Justice CLARK delivered the opinion of Court. 1 This is a companion case to 11, Graham v. Deere Co., 1, 684, decided this day along with Nos. 37 and 43, Calmar, Inc. Cook Chemical Co. Colgate-Palmolive The United States seeks review judgment Court Claims, holding valid infringed patent on wet battery issued Adams. suit under 28 U.S.C. § 1498 (1964 ed.) was brought by Adams others an interest in against Government charging both infringement breach implied contract pay compensation use invention. challenged validity patent, denied that it had been or any its ever existed. Trial Commissioner held part but no contract, express implied, established. Claims adopted these findings, initially reaching only questions, 330 F.2d 622, 165 Ct.Cl. 576, subsequently, respondents' motion amend judgment, deciding claims as well. F.2d, at 634, Ct.Cl., 598. sought certiorari issue only. We granted writ, others, order settle important issues patentability presented four cases. 380 949, 85 1090, 13 968. affirm. I. 2 While controlled merits Graham, respondents have raised threshold our jurisdiction which require separate handling. They say petition came too late, contending 90-day period filing began date initial rather than decision issue, citing F.T.C. Minneapolis-Honeywell 344 206, 73 245, 97 L.Ed. 245 (1952). cannot agree; first, because did not involve timely judgment1 and, secondly, here Government's liability inextricably linked alleged action determined until latter judgment. 3 Nor there merit contention failed comply requirements Rules 21(1) 33 service, since are jurisdictional, prejudice resulted failure inadvertent. 4 turn now merits. II. 5 Patent Issue Its Background. 6 consideration, 2,322,210, 1943 upon application filed December 1941 It relates nonrechargeable, opposed storage, electrical battery. Stated simply, comprises two electrodes—one made magnesium, other cuprous chloride placed container. electrolyte, fluid, used may be either plain salt water. 7 specifications state object invention provide constant voltage current without acids, conventionally employed storage batteries, generation dangerous fumes. Another 'to relatively light weight respect capacity' 'may manufactured distributed trade dry condition rendered serviceable merely filling container water.' Following specifications, also set out specific embodiment invention, appear 11 claims. Of these, principal reliance has 10, read: 8 '1. A comprising liquid container, magnesium electropositive electrode inside having exterior terminal, fused electronegative electrode, terminal connected said electrode.' '10. In battery, combination carbon catalytic agent.' 9 For several years prior his worked home experimenting development He found when were electrodes electrolyte water improved resulted. 10 first practical, water-activated, potential could fabricated stored indefinitely fluid cells. activated within 30 minutes adding Once activated, continued deliver electricity remained essentially regardless rate withdrawn. Furthermore, capacity generating exceptionally large comparison size weight. quite efficient substantially full obtained over wide range currents. One disadvantage, however, once shut off; chemical reactions even though Nevertheless, highly exothermic, liberating quantities heat during operation. As result, performed little effect very low temperatures. Relatively high temperatures would damage Consequently, operable 65 below zero Fahrenheit 200 Fahrenheit. See findings 632, 591—592. Less month after discovery attention Army Navy. Arrangements quickly demonstrations before experts Signal Corps. Corps scientists who observed conducted further tests themselves believe workable. Almost year later, 1942, Dr. George Vinal, eminent government expert National Bureau Standards, still expressed doubts. felt making 'unusually claims' 'high watt hour output per unit weight,' he 'far convincing' graphical data submitted inventor showing battery's characteristics. recommended, 'Until can present more convincing about performance (battery) cell, I see reason consider further.' 12 However, November 1943, height World War II, concluded feasible. thereafter entered into contracts various companies procurement. adaptable many uses. Indeed, 1956 noted '(t)here doubt addition batteries family power sources developments otherwise technically economically impractical.' Tenth Annual Battery Research Development Conference, Engineering Laboratories, Fort Monmouth, N.J., p. 25 (1956). Also, Finding 24, 592. Surprisingly, notify changed views nor putting device, despite repeated requests. 1955, examination produced Burgess Company, learned action. His request 1960, resulting suit. III. 14 Prior Art. basic idea is, course, old. Batteries trace back epic Italian scientist Volta 1795, dissimilar metals electrically conductive electromotive force up generated. Essentially, elements pair different electrochemical properties (in 'wet' batteries) moist paste substances so-called 'drycell' batteries). Various materials electrodes, possibilities combinations considerable experiment almost 175 years. generally, Primary (New 1950). 16 At trial, introduced evidence 24 patents treatises representing art stood 1938, time invention.2 Here, relied primarily six references3 we summarize follows. 17 Niaudet treatise describes Marie Davy cell invented 1860 De La Rue's variations it. zinc anode silver cathode. Although seems capable working pure water, says 'little interest' Rue solution ammonium electrolyte. states '(t)he capital advantage all where sal ammoniac (ammonium solution) used, consists absence local internal long electric circuit open; words, does work itself.' Hayes likewise discloses zinc-silver certain mechanical differences designed restrict continuing act itself. 18 Wood teaching substitution zinc. Wood's 1928, states: 'It seem primary using * (positive) am aware attempts develop such cell. far aware, unsuccessful, generally accepted commercially utilized recognized difficulty their susceptibility corrosion acid electrolytes. problem 'NEUTRAL ELECTROLYTE CONTAINING STRONG soluble oxidizing agent adapted reduce open circuit.' There indication chloride, water-activated. 19 Codd cited authority magnesium. simply lists series table, tabulation descending relative electropositivity. refers example show discussion involves containing destroy minutes. short, indicates, inference, theoretically desirable virtue character. teach magneisum combined water-activated device. suggest, substituted chloride. ion—a generic term includes infinite number copper compounds—and way suggests 20 then cites Wensky Great Britain 1891. depolarizing agent. disclose being added constant-current taught system incorporated 21 Finally, Skrivanoff depended give intermittent, continuous, service. specifies conjunction must 'alcoline, chloro-chromate, permanganate strengthened sulphuric acid.' cathode faced 'phosphoric acid, amorphous phosphorous, metallic spangles, chloride.' mixed hot sulfuric applying electrode. testified trial information whether cathode, would, chemicals prescribed, actually contain testified, contradiction, attempted assemble accordance Skrivanoff's teachings, met fire make explosion complete IV. 22 Validity Patent. 23 challenges grounds lack novelty 35 102(a) well obviousness 103 seen nonobviousness—as utility—are satisfied patent. concludes old art; shows Hence, argues 'combination patentable represented change insignificant compared designs.' And, 'the fact that, wholly unexpectedly, showed valuable operating advantages (these advantages) certainly justify formula.' errors position. First, sets device apart art. true supra, do mention but, noted, stated mere limit expand monopoly, Burns Meyer, 100 671, 672, 733 (1880); McCarty Lehigh Valley R. 160 110, 116, 240, 242, 40 358 (1895), fundamental construed read view ascertaining Seymour Osborne, Wall. 516, 547, (1871); Schriber-Schroth Cleveland Trust 311 211, 312 654, 61 235, 132 (1940); Schering Corp. Gilbert, Cir., 153 428 (1946). Taken together disclosing reference indicates alone used. three narrower ones include references solutions salts. obvious implication electrolyte—a necessary element battery—in eight reinforces conclusion. evident feature afterthought astute lawyer. contact less filed, pointed 'no alkalines Water distilled. *' Letter Charles F. Kettering (January 7, 1942), R., pp. 415, 416. Also letter Department Commerce (March 28, 422. approved fully support 26 Sinclair & Carroll Interchemical Corp., 325 327, 1143, 89 1644 (1945), apposite here. patentee developed rapidly drying printing ink. All needed produce ink solvent evaporated heating. Knowing boiling point evaporation, selections list solvents points. 'selecting last piece put opening jig-saw puzzle.' U.S., 335, 1147. points fallacy underlying premise case. functional relation involved. served inert carrier. choice dictated known, required properties. shown embrace interdependent relationship. begs question, overlooks individually known components. If novel, bringing them 27 correct concluding novel. disclosed completely mentioned, Skrivanoff. unchallenged testimony formulation inoperable, anomalous suggest anticipation An inoperable one fails achieve intended result negative novelty. Smith Snow, 294 17, 55 279, 285, 79 721 (1935). That 1880 able convince foreign examiner significance foregoing. substitutions pre-existing designs supported equivalent substitutions, follow device—Adams'—would But not. court found, apparently admits, 'wholly unexpectedly' 'certain batteries' while those claimed copied ago discarded. Moreover, most type intermittent characterized use. Some provided voltages declined fairly proportionately time.4 Others standard cells which, producing voltage, principally calibration measurement purposes. Such power.5 reasons find equivalency.6 29 conclude nonobvious. seen, characteristics unexpected surpassed then-existing batteries. Despite each art, combine person reasonably skilled ignore (1) operate heated normal practical; (2) successful electrolytes detrimental These long-accepted factors, taken together, believe, deter investigation finds new uses inventions shutting eyes disadvantages thereby discovers innovation. say, devices naturally discourage search account determining obviousness. factors bearing question perfected disbelief Several same subsequently some patenting improvements system. Fischbach al., 2,636,060 (1953). crowded replete century half advancement, Office cite application. Against improvement Fischbach, Chubb, Reissue 23,883 (1954), Adams—none Government. 31 valid. affirmed. so ordered. 32 Affirmed. WHITE dissents. 34 FORTAS took consideration Where cases runs overruling motion. Banking Pink, 317 264, 267, 63 233, 87 254 (1942); Crescent Amusement 323 173, 177, 254, 256, (1944); Forman States, 361 416, 426, 80 481, 487, 412 (1960). listed 631, 590. Niaudet, Elementary Treatise Electric (Fishback translation 1880); U.S.Patent 282,634 (1883); 1,696,873 (1928); Codd, Practical Cells (London 1929); British 49 1891; 4,341 (1880). interesting note connection testing type. results brief, 51. text 'The best answer oft-repeated question: 'How much draw my cell?' 'None." Batteries, 212 1950); Ruben 1,920,151 (1933). dismiss writ improvidently granted, asserted estopped claim equivalency therefore, deny

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