506
FEDERALREPOBTER,
vol. 54.
strUTZ v. ROBSON et aL
(Circuit Court, W. D. Pennsylvania. February 13, 1893.) No. '" L PATENTS FOR INVENTIONS-CONSTRUCTION OF CLAIMS-INFRINGEMENT-COAr.. WASHING MACHINES.
It clalm 3 of reissue patent No. 9,011, granted to Sebastian Stutz, fOJ: improvements m coal-washing machines, namely, "the chambers, A, A, having sieves, s, S, inclined ways, 0, 0, leading into the central chamber, L, and the valve passages, e, e, as set forth," can be sustained at all, it must be narrowly construed, and. therefore a coal-receiving chamber located in fl'Ont of the washer boxes and six feet distant therefrom is not the "central chamber" of the clalm. B. SAME-ANTICIPATION.
The defense of anticipation to 2 and 3 of patent No. 194,059; for improvements in coal: washers, granted to same patentee, sustained. the locatl.onof a drying screen in a coal-washing xnachine, where there Is
8.
SAME.
There is no invention in changing the location of a sulphur outlet or
no change of function or increased etIiciency.
In Eqnity. Suit by Sebastian Stutz against Robson & Son and others for infringement of So patent. Bill dismissed. William L. Pierce, for plaintiff. W. Bakewell & Sons, for defendant. Before ACHESON,Circuit Judge, and BUFFINGTON, District Judge.
ACHESON, Circuit Judge. This suit is upon two letters patent for improvements in coal-washing machines granted to the plaintiff, Sebastian Stutz, viz. reissue No. 9,011, dated December 30, 1879,. and No. 194,059, dated August 14,1877. The defendants are charged with the infringement of the third claim of reissue No. 9,011, which is as follows: "3. The chambers, A, A, having sieves, s, s, inclined ways, C, C, leading into the central chamber, L, and the valve passages, e, e, as set forth." The coal-washing apparatus shown comprises three contiguous compartments or chambers, of which the two outer ones, A, A, are separators or washer boxes, each proviqed with a sieve, H, and a slate outlet, e, controlled by a valve; while directly between the two washer boxes, and in actual contact therewith, is located the third compartment, L, into which the washed coal and water are delivered from each washer box by an inclined plane or way, C. The central chamber, L,is divided into two parts, L and L', and the water flows through an opening in the dividing partition into the part, L', and thence into the washer boxes, thus traveling in a circuit, and is used over and over again. Now, the proofs show that, before the plaintiff made his inventions, coal-washing machines of the same general type as his were in use at the coke works of Carnegie Bros. at Larimer, Pa., at the works of Jones & Laughlins, in Pittsburgh, and at the works of the Mansfield Coal & Lime Company, at North Mansfield, Pa.; and these prior machines, respectively, had in combination all the elements mentioned in claim No.3 of the reissue, namely, the
STUTZ
v.
ROBSON.
507
washer boxes with sieves, slate-discharge passages operated by valves, inclined ways for the coal and water, and a settling tank or receiving chamber; the only difference being that, whereas in the plaintiff's machine the chamber, L, is between and immediately adjacent to the two washer boxes, in the prior machines the settling tank or receiving chamber was in front of the washer boxes,...,.-in the Larimer machine immediately in front and close thereto, so that the coal and water passing over an incline were delivered directly into the chamber; while in the other two cases the reo ceiving chamber was somewhat further removed, the washed coal being discharged therein over a screen, so as to drain the coal as much as possible. It is clear that the only feature of novelty in claim No.3 of the reissue is the location of the receiving chamber between the washer boxes. If, then, the claim under consideration can be sustained at all, it must be interpreted very narrowly. In view of the designation "central chamber, L," it is difficult to see how the claim can be construed otherwise than as limited to a receiving chamber located between the separators or washer boxes; but, assuredly, the central chamber of the claim cannot be a tank or chamber located in front of the washer boxes and away therefrom. Keystone Bridge Co. v. Phoenix Iron Co., 95 U. S. 274; White v. Dunbar, 119 U. S. 47, 7 Sup. Ct. Rep. 72. Indeed, an interpretation which would include a receiving chamber not directly con· nected with the washer boxes, but separated and distant therefrom, is excluded by the prior state of the art. Roller-Mill Co. v. Walker, 138 U. S. 124, 133, 11 Sup. Ct. Rep. 292. Now, the receiving chamber of the defendants' machine is not located between the washer boxes, but is situated in front of them, and not less than six distant. It is not, therefore, a "central chamber," within the true meaning of the claim. Moreover, it is noteworthy (Rowell v. Lindsay, 113 U. S. 103, 5 Sup. Ct. Rep. 507) that the defendants' apparatus does not p<)ssess the distinguishing function of the plaintiff's combination whereby the water is saved and used over and over again. Waiving the question of patentability, our conclusion is that there is no infringement of this claim by the defendants. 'The defendant9 are charged with the infringement of claims 2 and 3 of the other patent, No. 194,059, namely: "(2) The boxes, A, B, provided with the curved partition, M, and the out· let, 0, substantially as described, for the purpose specified. (3) The combina· tion of the stationary sieve, S, and water chamber, A, with the dam, n, passage, F, and dry screen, f, and with the passages, h, gO, and, g, g', substan· tially as described."
The box, A, of the second claim is the "separator box," and it is provided with a sieve, S, upon which is placed the layer of crushed coal which is to be washed. In the box, B, a box-shaped piston works, and thereby a current of water is forced up against the coal. The curved partition, M, is at the bottom of the separator box, A, and upon it fall the sulphur and other fine matter dropping through the sieve as the coal is moved and lifted by the action of the water. The function of the curved partition is stated to be "greater convenience of cleaning out that part of .the box