Court Opinion

ID: 9455999
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-04 19:39:29.853585+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:34:49.087267
License: Public Domain

J. JOSEPH SMITH, Circuit Judge
(concurring in the result):
I concur in the affirmance of the dismissal of the action but on different grounds from those relied on by the majority. On the record here, I think the patent valid, but not infringed.
The flong making art is quite separate from the general paper making art. The use for which the flong is designed, stereotype dry mats for casting metal printing plates is quite different from the usual writing, wrapping and bagging uses of paper. The qualities sought from the fillers are also quite different from the opacity, strength and similar qualities sought in the more ordinary paper types.
The advance found in this separate art was a dramatic improvement in casting qualities by the use of synthetic earth metal silicates in place of the natural earth substances including diatoma-ceous earth.
The prior art relied on had nothing to do with the provision of flexibility in stereotype mats and accuracy in casting. The TAPPI ad was directed to paper making generally and the possibility that the synthetic silicates would find a use to replace fillers for the usual paper making purposes.
That their use for mats was not obvious is borne out by the fact that Eich-meier alone tried them for use in the mat art and only after his success did others, some nine years later, come to use them.
I agree, however, with the district court that the patent, the claims of which must be construed quite narrowly in view of the Patent Office history, does not literally read upon the Micro-Cel T-26, since it is not a precipitate nor amorphous. In view of the history, on the other hand, I would not agree with the trial court’s dictum that there is infringement under the doctrine of equivalents, since the effect of application of the doctrine here would be to reinstate that which in effect has been abandoned to obtain allowance of claim 8.