Document: 425 U.S. 273 96 S.Ct. 1532 47 L.Ed.2d 784 Bernard A. SAKRAIDA, Petitioner,v.AG PRO, INC. No. 75-110. Argued March 3, 1976. Decided April 20, Rehearing Denied June 21, See 426 955, 3182. Syllabus Respondent's patent covering a water flush system to remove cow manure from the floor of dairy barn Held invalid for obviousness, it being combination all elements which are old in business and were well known before filing application. The system's exploitation principle gravity effect abrupt release "did not produce 'new or different function' . within test validity patents." Anderson's-Black Rock v. Pavement Co., 396 57, 60, 90 305, 307, 24 258, 261. Pp. 274-283. Stephen B. Tatem, Jr., Winter Park, Fla., petitioner. J. Pierre Kolisch, Portland, Or., respondent. Mr. Justice BRENNAN delivered opinion Court. 1 Respondent Ag Pro, Inc., filed this action against petitioner Sakraida on October 8, 1968, District Court Western Texas infringement United States Letters Patent 3,223,070, entitled "Dairy Establishment," barn. was issued December 14, 1965, Gribble Bennett, who later assigned 2 Court's initial grant summary judgment reversed by Appeals Fifth Circuit. 437 F.2d 99 (1971). After trial remand, again entered held that "does constitute invention, is patentable, valid patent, business, long prior 1963, them as described said neither new nor meeting non-obviousness." valid. 474 167 (1973). On rehearing, court remanded "with directions enter holding valid, subject, however, consideration motion under Rule 60(b) (2), F.R.Civ.P., be (petitioner) issue based newly discovered evidence." 481 668, 669 granted ordered trial. reversed, error, because "the record establishes failed exercise due diligence discover evidence entry former judgment." 512 141, 142 (1975). further "(o)ur determination reaffirmed." Id., at 144. We certiorari. 423 891, 186, 46 121 hold erred also reaffirming its validity. therefore reverse direct reinstatement petitioner, thus we have no occasion decide whether properly found had established case 60(b)(2). 3 Systems using flowing clean animal wastes floors been familiar farms since ancient times.1 found, respondent concedes, none 13 Dairy Establishment new,2 many those elements, including storage tanks pools, appear least six patented systems.3 art involved spot delivery pools means high pressure hoses pipes. That required supplemental hand labor, tractor blades, shovels, brooms, cleaning these methods took several hours. only claimed inventive feature provision directly onto floor, causes flow sheet washes waste into drains minutes requires labor. As an expert witness testified concerning Establishment's combination: "(W)ater bottom has more friction than top keeps moving ahead get rolling produced action. You do hose. (U)nless continuously directed toward area almost ceases instantaneously. "4 4 "(n)either tank holds water, releasing quickly new, but embrace(s) doors known," "their use connection one obvious, respect lacking novelty. does meet non-obvious requirements law." "may relevant commercial success, invention," "was reasonably obvious with ordinary skill art." Moreover, even if filled "long-felt want enjoyed matters, without will make patentability." Finally, concluded: "(T)o skilled art, invention obvious-nonobvious standard. Even though question attains posture successful venture, needed invention."5 disagreed conclusion crucial obviousness. 5 It clear Constitution there some "invention" protection. Dann Johnston, 219, 1393, 692. explained Hotchkiss Greenwood, 11 How. 248, 267, L.Ed. 683, 691 (1851): "(U)nless ingenuity possessed mechanic acquainted absence decree essential every invention. In other words, improvement work skillful mechanic, inventor." This standard enacted 1952 Congress 35 U.S.C. § 103 "as codification judicial precedents congressional inquiries obviousness subject matter sought prerequisite Graham John Deere 383 1, 17, 86 684, 693, 15 545, 556 (1966). Section provides: 6 "A may obtained identically disclosed set forth section 102 title, differences between such whole would time made person having pertains. Patentability shall negatived manner made." ultimate law, Great & P. Tea Co. Supermarket Corp., 340 147, 155, 71 127, 131, 95 162, 168 (1950), resolution necessarily entails basic factual inquiries, supra, 556. 7 "Under 103, scope content determined; claims ascertained; level pertinent resolved." Ibid. 8 concluded facts presented clearly support (the Court's) finding three-pronged ." F.2d, 172. disagree erroneously aside findings. 9 shown patents, publications, affidavits people knowledge systems analogous respondent's, testimony operator 22 years experience he seen visits throughout country. Our independent examination persuades us sufficiency fact each component parts well-known industry date application patent. What referred essence to-wit, system, old, various flushing barns used ."6 Indeed, admitted "that up elements" individually Accordingly, followed our admonition U.S., 152, S.Ct., 130, L.Ed., 167: "Courts should scrutinize care proportioned difficulty improbability assembly elements. A unites change their respective functions obviously withdraws what already field monopoly diminishes resources available men. " 10 recognized combined applying conventional sloped equipped slope purpose accumulate large volume capable released cascade surge equally conventional. 169. concluded, element any arrangement wash Therefore, "although (respondent's) embrace complicated technical improvement, achieve synergistic result through novel combination." 173. cannot agree can characterized synergistic, is, "result(ing) greater sum effects taken separately." 61, 308, 261 (1969). Rather, simply arranges performing same function perform, although perhaps producing striking previous combinations. Such combinations patentable standards appropriate supra; supra. Under authorities delivers rather pipes falls head skilful How., 691. Exploitation adds nothing useful where combination; particular mechanical 229, 1399, L.Ed.2d, 699. 12 Though doubtless great convenience, desired cheaper faster way, enjoying These desirable benefits "without 153, 167. 699 n. 4. Reversed. Among labors Hercules following: "Heracles now out perform his fifth Labour, task cleanse stables Augeas single day. rich king Elis, three thousand cattle. At night cattle always stood surrounded walls, close king's palace, quite ten servants cleaned out, enough refuse build mountain. Heracles went asked give him tenth part flocks thoroughly cleansed looked upon absolutely impossible feat minded promising kingdom reward it, so laughed said, 'Set work, quarrel about wages,' promised distinctly asked, did presence Phyleus, eldest son, happened there. next morning strong arms accomplish they aided mother-wit. He compelled mighty torrent him, you hardly guess how it. First opened gates two opposite sides court, then stream, when blocked regular course stones, conducted cleansed, streamed end other, carrying away dirt Before evening stream done restored usual course." C. Witt, Classic Mythology 119-120 (1883). follows respecting Claims case: "1. I find 'dairy establishment' 3,233,070 composed separate items, follows: "(a) ' smooth, evenly contoured, paved surface forming providing walking surface. "(b) drain draining opening floor.' "(c) contoured forms sloping drain. "(d) multiple rest areas individual stalls smooth pavement. "(e) disposed elevation above floor. "(f) dimensioned comfortably stand lie stall, offal outside stall "(g) defined feeding troughs. "(h) cow-holding area.' "(i) milking "(j) transfer bottomed "(k) washing bottom, feeding, holding, operable send over thereon means, located region uphill constructed collect pool after collection dispense "(L ) mounting tilted, poured form sheet. "(m) floor-washing comprising dam damming collecting abruptly openable cascading towards "2. items above-described action, Office November 5, 1963." found: "(M)any going Plaintiff's claim respectively McCornack Holz Ingraham Kreutzer Bogert Luks patent; statements Examiner's opinions refusing true stated covered patents publications." that: energy ways. hose impact, pressure, external force applied whereas comes down wall built thing flooded stream. try clear, hope can, pavement piles droppings. moves manure. key method cleaning. gutter past. might just mention little bit squirting probably own sidewalks walkways, that, unless Now movie earlier very dramatically illustrated point. soon moved side ceased here why back forth, drive stuff it." "while performed function, added nature quality theretofore used." stated: "I listed applicant's deposition general idea hard surfaced cows' dropped, introducing sufficient quantities therefrom, ditch carry washed barn, either container otherwise."

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