Parker v. Frilette

462 F.2d 544, 59 C.C.P.A. 1311
CourtCourt of Customs and Patent Appeals
DecidedJuly 13, 1972
DocketNo. 8647
StatusPublished
Cited by5 cases

This text of 462 F.2d 544 (Parker v. Frilette) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Court of Customs and Patent Appeals primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Parker v. Frilette, 462 F.2d 544, 59 C.C.P.A. 1311 (ccpa 1972).

Opinions

Almond, Judge.

This is an appeal from the decision of the Patent Office Board of Patent Interferences awarding priority to appellees, Vincent J. Frilette and Paul B. Weisz (Frilette), the junior party. Appellant, Parker, is involved on application serial Ho. 741,906 ñled June 13,1958, which is assigned to Esso Research and Engineering Company. The five counts in issue are modified forms of claims copied by Parker from Frilette patent Ho. 3,140,322, which issued July 7,1964 on an application filed August 14,1958. The Frilette patent is assigned to Mobil Oil Corporation. The issues here are the sufficiency of each party’s proofs concerning reduction to practice.

The invention involved relates to a process for selectively conducting' an organic chemical reaction (i.e., selective catalytic hydrocarbon conversion) by employing a solid crystalline zeolite (i.e., a molecular sieve) containing an added catalyst and having uniform interstitial (i.e., intra-crystalline) dimensions of sufficient size to allow the passage into or out of the pores of the zeolite of only certain molecules having-a particular shape or size. The parties have termed these characteristics as “reactant selectivity” and “product selectivity.” That is, the molecular sieve produces selectivity by a molecular filter action which prevents some feed molecules from coming into contact with the added catalyst (reactant selectivity) and/or prevents some products produced by the added catalyst from leaving the internal pore structure (product selectivity).

The parties have dealt with the issues relative to counts 6-8 as separate from the issues relative to counts 9 and 10, and we shall do-likewise. We reproduce counts 6 and 9 as illustrative of the respective sets of counts:

6. A process for selectively conducting an organic chemical reaction which comprises carrying out a reaction involving contact of at least two molecular species of differing shape with a crystalline aluminosilicate zeolite molecular sieve material, bearing within the interior thereof an added catalyst, introduced [1313]*1313into the zeolite subsequent to formation thereof, and active in affecting conversion of at least one of said species contained within the pores of said zeolite, which zeolite has uniform interstitial dimensions sufficiently large to afford the release from said pores of the product of said conversion but sufficiently small to exclude from said product molecular species of larger size, effecting catalytic conversion of at least one of said species contained within the pores of said zeolite to a material chemically distinct therefrom and of a molecular shape capable of passing from the interior of said zeolite and simultaneously withdrawing, the product so obtained from the resultant effluent stream.
9. A process for selectively conducting an organic chemical reaction which comprises passing a charge capable of conversion into products of different molecular sizes over a crystalline aluminosilicate zeolite molecular sieve material having uniform interstitial dimensions sufficiently large to release conversion products of lesser molecular weight but sufficiently small to prevent release of larger products of conversion and bearing within the interior thereof an added catalyst, active in promoting said reaction, introduced into the zeolite subsequent to formation thereof, effecting catalytic conversion of the charge material admitted to contact with said catalyst within the interior of said zeolite to convert the same to at least one chemical species distinct from said charge and of a molecular size capable of passing from the interior of said zeolite and simultaneously withdrawing, said chemical species from the effluent stream passed over said zeolite.

I. Fmlette's Asserted Reduction to Practice of Subject Matter Within Counts 6-8

Tlie board awarded priority to Frilette as to counts 6-8 on the basis of certain laboratory work performed in January, February, and March of 1958 by Golden and Esgro. This work, designated as the “DC runs,” employed a molecular sieve material known as Linde 5A, which is manufactured by the Linde Division of the Union Carbide Corporation. This material was produced by replacing sodium ions in a Linde 4A molecular sieve with calcium ions, thereby effecting an increase in the uniform port diameter from about four angstroms to about five angstroms.

Parker attacks Frilette’s proof of actual reduction to practice for the following reasons: (a) at the time of the runs, the Linde 5A sieves were not know to contain an added catalyst; (b) there is no competent evidence with respect to the catalyst used; (c) proof of the feed stock used is inadequate; (cl) appellee’s failure to produce original data sheets abridged appellant’s right of cross-examination; (e) testimony concerning the runs is inconsistent; (f) there was no conviction of success relative to the runs; (g) certain corroborating evidence is hearsay; and (h) the work was limited to the intrinsic activity of zeolites, not activity induced by an added catalyst.

Despite similar arguments before the board, priority was awarded to Frilette on the ground that the work of Golden and Esgro shows reduction to practice of counts 6-8. After a thorough review of the [1314]*1314record and the briefs and arguments of counsel, we find no reversible error in the decision of the board. We will not discuss in detail each point raised by appellant; rather, vve think it sufficient to quote from the board’s decision, with which we agree:

* * we are satisfied that the zeolitie material listed as 5A by Golden in his laboratory record responds to the counts. We find no better identification of the zeolitie material employed by Parker in the Parker record.
* * * We are also satisfied that the charge stocks used by Golden were properly identified. Golden testified concerning his use of “120-160 Mi'd Cont Cut (98 O.N.)” * * ®. As to the work of Esgro with Golden, we regard Esgro as another pair of hands for Golden. Golden supplied him with the charge stocks and catalysts. Esgro carried out the work and reported back to Golden, who kept the records. Prater * * * testified that Esgro was a competent laboratory assistant, Weisz * * *, that he was a reliable employee. Both testified that he carried out a supervisor’s instructions to the minute detail.
* * * We are satisfied that the analytical results of Golden Exhibits 3-27 are adequately proven by the testimony of Montgomery who was group leader of the low molecular weight mass spectrometry. The rule of reason normally is followed in applying the hearsay rule. Eurwits v. Poon, 53 CCPA 1502, 364 F.2d 878,150 USPQ 676.
* * * While Parker states that Erilette et al. had no conviction of success as to the work of Golden and Esgro, we feel that the presentation of the data of page 697553 of Golden Exhibit 1 to the Catalyst Group Meeting of April 22, 1958 * * * and the statement therein that:
The selective cracking of n-hexane is clearly .seen.

as well as the similar statement on page 697553 provide evidence of such conviction.

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462 F.2d 544, 59 C.C.P.A. 1311, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/parker-v-frilette-ccpa-1972.