United States Metal Cap & Seal Co. v. American Keyless Kap Corp.

250 F. 1024, 1918 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 1121

• Court: District Court, S.D. New York
• Decided: April 4, 1918
• Status: Published

Opinion

AUGUSTUS N. HAND, District Judge

(after stating the facts as above). [1, 2] The Clay patents disclose a bottle closure consisting of a metal stopper, which by reason of its resiliency may be buckled inwardly and forced against a ledge within the neck of the bottle, and removed by buckling in the reverse direction. I think Clay first devised a method of closing bottles by utilization of a reversible buckling piece of metal. It is probable, also, that Spengler employed the same mechanical forces in closing a bottle by a cap which grasps the neck of the bottle. In other words, each used a cap of resilient metal with a central bulged portion having a circumference with split edges forming fingers. In either device, when the central bulged portion is sprung into one position it is on one side of a plane, and when sprung into the reverse position it is on the other side of the plane. In each invention there is a bearing surface against which the disc shall buckle. In spite of the fact that each invention employed similar mechanical forces, I cannot regard Clay as anticipating Spengler. I think much more than mechanical skill was necessary to adapt a resilient metal cap to the bottle used by Spengler. It may be that the crown cork and seal stopper in general use, plus a resilient pie'ce of metal, makes the Spengler stopper; but the crown cork and seal device consisted of a piece of nonresilient metal crimped over the neck, fir.fl tlie Olay device consisted of a piece of resilient metal forced against a Cange inside the bottle. I think the Spengler stopper is ingenious, and even fascinating, while Olay has disclosed little more than the very general principles which govern the mode of operation of each device. Furthermore, the Clay method of closing the bottle by metallic cap which presses by its fingers against the flange on the inside of the neck of the bottle appears to me of doubtful practicability. I should suppose an adequate pressure would be likely to break the glass, and the method of closing seems much less compact than the Spengler device, which goes around the neck of the bottle and with its lingers clasps the outside rib. Moreover, the only diagram where a cap is shown with provisions for withdrawal is of a design which perhaps shows the correct; theoretical nature of the claim mentioned, but appears impracticable for actual commercial use. The steel model offered at the trial for the purpose of indicating the mode of operation of devices made in accordance with the drawings of the Clay patent only enforces my opinion. It is noteworthy that no commercial use seems to have been made of the Clay invention, and that the purchaser of the Clay patents appears to prefer to usa the kind of stopper devised by Spengler. At any rate, I do not think, that Clay taught tlie art anything like the Spengler stopper. Spcngler’s design of a stopper made to clasp the neck of a bottlfe by buckling and to be extracted by buckling in the reverse direction was a new invention, and not a mere improvement upon Clay.

A decree should be granted in the first suit sustaining the Spengler patent, with the usual injunction and accounting. In the second suit the bill should be dismissed, on the ground that the Spengler device does not infringe either of the Clay patents. Costs are awarded in each suit.