152 F. Supp. 944 | D. Del. | 1957
This is an action for infringement of U.S. 2,300,355, issued October 27, 1942, for a process for the production of carbides and ferro-alloys, covered by the Ellefsen patent. Plaintiff charges defendant, The American Agricultural Chemical Company, infringes the patent by its process for the production of elemental phosphorus. The case creates two issues:
1. Is Ellefsen patent valid?
2. Did defendant’s operation of its electric furnaces in the production of elemental phosphorus infringe claims 1 to 5 inclusive of the Ellefsen patent?
These are the critical facts.
1. Plaintiff, Elektrokemisk A/S is a Norwegian corporation engaged for years in the design and development of types of electrochemical furnaces.
During prosecution plaintiff stated the word “crater” is to be accepted for its ordinary dictionary meaning, in the sense as when applied to the “crater” of a volcano.
3. The purpose of defendant’s process, however, discloses it is a method of producing elemental phosphorus, a nonmetallic chemical element of a variety of uses, including the manufacture of phosphoric acid and several other chemicals.
5. In 1950, economic conditions led defendant to consider moving its phosphorus-producing operations to Pierce, Florida, where its source of raw material (phosphate rock) was located. Defendant’s technical men had been in consultation with engineering personnel at the Tennessee Valley Authority which had been operating phosphorus furnaces. It was learned TVA had been experimenting with a pilot plant' furnace wherein a rotating operation was employed. There was correspondence and communication between TVA and defendant. TVA had some trials to see whether the material which defendant had been successfully using in its stationary furnaces could be employed in a rotating furnace.
While the evidence suggests the rotating furnace was a little less efficient than the stationary furnaces, statistical information in this respect is insufficient for me to draw any conclusion.
In the phosphorus process, the phosphate rock employed contains a small amount of iron oxide, as an impurity (representing less than 1% iron). Special treatments are utilized to reduce this impurity. All phosphorus furnace operators agreed it was desirable to have no iron impurity present.
6. Evidence shows the history of the prosecution of the Ellefsen patent. Ellefsen’s original patent application was filed June 24, 1936, presumably based on a Norwegian application filed July 3, 1935.
The Patent Office proceedings demonstrate conclusively Ellefsen excludes processes for producing phosphorus.
7. Defendant’s process is different from the Ellefsen process. The ends of the electrodes in defendant’s furnace dip into and are held in contact with the melt within the meaning of the term “melt” of Ellefsen.
8. As found before, defendant’s furnace does not employ arc heating; no arc of any kind has ever been observed.
9. The master facts show craters are not formed in defendant’s furnace, and there is no arc by which the electrodes may burn their way through the charge as in Ellefsen.
Evaluation of the Facts and Applicable Law
10. Actual significance of limitation to carbide and ferro-alloy processes is found in Ellefsen. Facts prove the Ellefsen patent has not been infringed by defendant’s process for making elemental phosphorus. Plaintiff had the burden of proof.
11. Plaintiff argues the thesis the art would understand a “process for the production of carbides and ferro-alloys” as embracing the electric furnace process of making phosphorus. I have concluded furnace processes for making phosphorus cannot be classed as ferroalloy processes. Manufacture of elemental phosphorus by smelting a charge of phosphate rock, silica and coke, in an electric furnace, has been known, as stated before.
12. The patentee, here, should not assume a process for the production of ferro-alloys as including a phosphorus-making process because of the effect in the latter of a small amount of iron; which has no use for making phosphorus;
Words of Claim 1
“In the production of carbides and ferro-alloys * * *”
“* * * by smelting a suitable charge * * *”
Formal Findings of Fact of Non-Infringement of Claims
Defendant’s process for the production of elemental phosphorus which, results in the production of small amounts of ferrophosphorus is not, in fact, a procedure defined in claim 1 of' Ellefsen.
This finding is demonstrated by comparison of wording of claim 1 of Ellefsen, with evidence of defendant’s process.
Defendant’s Process
Defendant’s process is not a process for the production of carbides and ferro-alloys but is a process for production of phosphorus and is beyond the scope of claims.
The charge used by defendant is not a “suitable charge” for the production of carbide and ferro-alloys.
*951 “ * * * in an electric furnace adapted for continuous operation and provided with one or more electrodes, the electrothermic process which includes during the continuous operation of the furnace the steps of energizing each electrode with alternating current, supplying the furnace with the raw material to be smelted, effective relative movement between the charge and each electrode by relative movement between each electrode and the furnace hearth * * *”
“* * * regulating and positioning each electrode so that each electrode extends through and is surrounded by the charge for a substantial portion of its length above the smelting zone and is held out of contact with the melt at the bottom of the furnace * * *”
«* * * preventing the clogging of the pores of the new craters continuously formed around the lower end of each electrode by suitably regulating the speed differential between the electrode and the charge so that each electrode travels very slowly through the charge at a speed depending upon the rapidity of the vertical descent of the materials in the craters so that such electrode can form a path through the charge * * *”
“* * * without the development of appreciable side pressure on the electrode and thereby tending to prevent blowing of the furnace, * * *”
These steps are used in the process of defendant’s furnace. They are also the same steps which were used in defendant’s stationary furnaces except for the movement of the electrode relative to the charge which is a well-known expedient characterized by Ellefsen’s attorney as “* * * very, very old” DX 17, p. 65.
Defendant’s electrodes are not held out of contact with the melt, but rather they dip into the melt.
Defendant’s operation does not prevent clogging of anything since the gas escape is the same with or without rotation. If this means rotation at a speed sufficient to prevent clogging, defendant’s one rotation in 144-200 hours is not such a speed.
There are no craters formed in defendant’s process around the lower ends of the electrodes. There is no formation of a path through the charge by an arc “burning” through the charge as taught by the Ellefsen patent, p. 1, col. 2, lines 32-34 and p. 3, col. 1, lines 36-38.
Defendant’s electrodes are subjected to side pressure even at the extremely slow rate of rotation used by defendant.
There is no proof defendant’s speed, as slow as one rotation in 200 hours, would be sufficient to prevent blowing of the furnace if crater conditions existed in the furnace. Defendant’s rotation has no effect on blowing whatever.
2. Defendant’s process for the production of elemental phosphorus resulting in production of small amounts of ferrophosphorus, is not, in fact, the process defined in claims 2, 3 and 4 of Ellefsen. Claims 2, 3, and 4 have sub-
Words of Claim 5
“In the production of carbides and ferro-alloys by smelting a suitable charge in an electric furnace adapted for continuous operation and provided with one or more electrodes, the electrothermic process which includes during the continuous operation of the furnace the steps of energizing each electrode with alternating current, supplying the furnace with the raw material to be smelted so that each electrode extends through and is surrounded by the charge for a substantial portion of its length above the smelting zone * * *”
“* * * and very slowly moving each electrode sideways through the charge at such a speed that no appreciable side pressure will develop on the electrode but the craters will move through the charge to form continually changing crater walls and thus prevent the furnace from blowing.”
In defendant’s process, the “product” is not tapped off as a liquid, but rather defendant’s product is removed from the furnace as a gaseous vapor. This is a difference of importance because it denotes the distinctive process of defendant which requires an airtight furnace, the control of the off-gas temperature, as well as requiring a lower melting point in the furnace, which is achieved by the use of resistance heating of the molten material rather than the high temperatures resulting from arcing.
stantially the same recital as claim 1. Defendant’s process for the production of elemental phosphorus which results in production of small amounts of ferrophosphorus is not the same process defined in claim 5 of Ellefsen.
Defendant’s Process
The words of this first portion of claim 5 correspond to the similar portions of claims 1 to 4. The language, in fact, appears to be a combination of the language of claims 1 and 2. Defendant’s process is distinguishable from this portion of claim 5 on the same grounds defendant’s process is distinguishable from claims 1 to 4.
The second portion of claim 5 again emphasizes the difference between defendant’s process and that of the Ellefsen patent, for defendant’s electrodes are subject to appreciable side pressure even at the extremely slow rates of rotation used by defendant. Defendant’s speed of rotation (200 hours per revolution) is insufficient, and the conditions are such, that the step of rotating to prevent blowing is not performed.
Formal Conclusions of Law are:
1. Defendant’s process for the production of elemental phosphorus in its rotating furnace does not infringe any of the claims of the Ellefsen patent No. 2,300,355.
2. The validity of Ellefsen patent No. 2,300,355 is not decided.
An order may be submitted.
. The Ellefsen patent contains 6 claims hut plaintiff’s counsel conceded defendant did not infringe claim 6; R. 12.
. Stipulation, R. 41; Sem, R. 45.
. See Sem, R. 46, 80-83; PX 6; Walthall, TVA Dep. 104.
. See PX 1; Sem, R. 89, 121.
. See paragraph 2 in the Complaint and in the Answer; George, R. 249.
. George, R. 250; DX 3,
. Ellefsen Patent (PX 1), p. 1, col. 1, lines 1 to 6. The only products mentioned in the patent, in this category, are calcium carbide and ferro-silicon. The latter is described in lines 45 to 50 of column 1, page 3 of the patent.
. Sem, R. 90
. Ellefsen Patent, p. 1, col. 1, lines 23 to 37; see also Fig. 3, Sem, R. 102, 103.
. DX 37, p. 61, i. e., p. 8, of the amendment of Aug. 8, 1939.
. R. 106.
. R. 212, 215, 216, 217, 221, 222.
. Ellefsen Patent, p. 1, col. 2, lines 32 to 34 and p. 3, col. 1, lines 35 to 47; also p. 2, col. 1, lines 16 to 19.
. Waggaman, R. 185, 204, 205.
. Waggaman, R. 186, 191, 3.92; George, R. 267; Striplin, R. 217-220; Taylor, R. 324-326.
. DX 19, Readman No. 417,943; Waggaman, R. 190, 191.
. George, R. 250, 255-260; DX 3.
. Waggaman, R. 198, 199; Striplin, R. 222, 223; George, R. 266.
. Taylor, R. 323, 526, 527.
. Taylor, R. 315, 318, 322, 324, 356, 524, 527, 528; Waggaman, R. 198; Andreae, R. 442.
. Hardin, TVA Dep. 59-62; Walthall, TVA Dep. 127-129; Striplin, R. 214; George, R. 270; Striplin, TVA Dep. 188-193.
. George, R. 266.
. George, R. 269, 270, 286; Taylor, R. 333.
. George, R. 270-272; Taylor, R. 300, 301, 336.
. George, R. 275; Stipulation, R. 42; Taylor, R. 314, 316-318, 332, 333, 342-344, 361.
. Taylor, R. 324, 333.
. Taylor, R. 319, 320, 333, 338, 339; George, R. 263-265.
. Taylor, R. 339, 341, 342, 354, 355.
. The Ellefsen patent speaks of the “dead” charge at p. 3, col. 1, lines 50-53, and of “solid charge” at p. 2, col. 2, lines 16 to 26. However, Taylor states defendant’s charge was loose. R. 322, 339, 341, 342, 358, 363-4.
. George, R. 263-4; Taylor, R. 320-323, 333, 341, 358, 363-4, 526, 527.
. George, R. 279-281.
. Waggaman, R. 185, 187, 197-199; George, R. 264; Taylor, R. 310, 311, 356.
. Sem, R. 128; George, R. 273; Taylor, R. 301.
. Stipulation, R. 43; Waggaman, R. 201; Striplin, R. 230-232; George, R. 262, 284; Hardin, TVA Dep. 72.
. R. 115.
. R. 161.
. Waggaman, R. 189, 198, 201.
. George, R. 281, 282; Taylor, R. 302-304.
. George, R. 262, 282-285. See also Sem, R. 115; Andreae, R. 161; Waggaman, R. 201; Striplin, R. 232; Hardin, TVA Dep. 72.
. Waggaman, R. 185-189; George, R. 279, cf. 282, 284; Taylor, R. 343; Stipulation, R. 42.
. DX 17, p. 7; DX 18; DX 17; DX 17, pp. 6, 8; DX 17, pp. 9-11; see the patents in DX 19 to Moore No. 1,378,972 for brass and zinc, cited by the Patent Office; DX 17, p. 8; Eldridge' No. 2,045,-073 for aluminum, cited in DX 17, p. 31; Benjamin No. 1,314,384 for steel; and Eyermann No. 1,189,356 for iron, cited in DX 17, p. 8; DX 17, pp. 23-30; DX 17, pp. 43, et seg.; DX 17, p. 47; DX 19; DX 17, pp. 51-53; DX 17, pp. 58-60; DX 17, p. 61; DX 17, p. 69; DX 17, pp. 69, 70; DX 17, pp. 82, 83; DX 18, pp. 14-15; DX 18, pp. 1, 10-13; Sem, R. 110; compare DX 17, pp. 2-5, as filed with DX 18, pp. 1-9.
. DX 17; DX 18.
. Taylor, R. 315, 318, 322, 324, 325, 355, 356.
. Sem, R. 453; Andreae, R. 436-437.
. DX 17 and DX 18; DX 17, pp. 51-53.
. Taylor, R. 326, 327, 355, 356, 523, 524.
. Striplin, R. 216-218.
. Taylor, R. 323, 338, 339, 341, 342.
. Waggaman, R. 198.
. Taylor, R. 315, 318, 322, 324.
. Taylor, R. 326, 327.
. Taylor, R. 320, 321, 339, 341, 342.
. Taylor, R. 322, 339-341, 359.
. R. 77.
. R. 453, 476.
. P. 1, col. 2, lines 32 to 34 and p. 3, col. 1, lines 36 to 40.
. Taylor, R. 324.
. Taylor, R. 314-318, 342, 343, 360-362.
. Taylor, R. 315, 347; Walthall, TV A Dep. 115, 116.
. Fried, Krupp Aktiengesellschaft v. Midvale Steel Co., 3 Cir., 191 F. 588, 591.
. National Fruit Products Co., Inc., v. C. H. Musselman Co., D.C.M.D.Pa., 8 F. Supp. 994.
. Phillips Petroleum Co. v. Shell Oil Co., Inc., 5 Cir., 166 F.2d 384.
. Republic Iron & Steel Co. v. Youngstown Sheet & Tube Co., 6 Cir., 272 F. 386.
. R. 137-38.
. Headman patent No. 417,943, DX 19; Hardin, TVA Dep. 72; Waggeman, R. 192, 193; DX 22; DX 25; R. 122; R. 122, 123 ; DX 24; DX 23 ; R. 133, 134; R. 142; R. 161, 162; R. 157, 159; R. 157-8; R. 122.
. gem, R. 109.
. R. 262, 284; “a loss of phosphorus as product”, gtriplin, R. 232.
. Sem, R. 115; Andreae, R. 161; Walthall, TVA Dep. 122, 123.
. Andreae, R. 162.
. Hardin, TVA Dep. 72.
. Waggaman, R. 201.