Opinion ID: 209874
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: TubeMaster's Accused Method

Text: TubeMaster has developed a method of putting catalyst into reactor tubes using loading devices known as Outage Loading Equipment (OLE'TM). TubeMaster has designed four different configurations for its OLE'TM devices, and has generated AutoCAD® drawings for each of its configurations. While all four configurations employ circular plates, two of the configurations use circular plates with tab-like projections. In each of the four configurations, some of the spaces between adjacent plates are large enough to allow whole pieces of catalyst to fall between the plates. In May 2005, one month prior to the issuance of the '660 patent, TubeMaster used configuration 3 to load catalyst. This is the only instance in which the accused device has been used. When it was used, whole pieces of catalyst fell into the spaces between the plates. Each reactor is different because the tube diameter, the spacing between tubes and the size and shape of catalyst particles can vary significantly. Because TubeMaster's OLE'TM loading devices are customized based upon the dimensions of each customer's reactor, it does not manufacture its devices until it receives an order from a customer specifying the appropriate dimensions. TubeMaster's four loading device configurations are designed to cover virtually all of the reactor configurations that might be encountered at customers' facilities. Declaration of TubeMaster President Cliff Johns 2 (Mar. 7, 2007) (emphasis added). When TubeMaster used its loading device in May 2005, it selected a loading device configuration after it received the dimensions of the reactor from its customer. TubeMaster asserts that [a] similar process would be undertaken again if and when TubeMaster receives another order for catalyst loading services. Id. at 3.