Humboldt v. Lornic Design - Complaint
Humboldt v. Lornic Design - Complaint
Humboldt v. Lornic Design - Complaint
1 Page 1 of 8
Defendant.
THE PARTIES
1. Plaintiff Humboldt B.V. (Humboldt) is a Dutch entity, and Plaintiff MPS North
America, Inc. (MPS) is a Missouri entity, with a principal place of business at 8226 Nieman
Michigan corporation with a principal place of business located at 12613 James Street #10,
JURISDICTION
3. This is a civil action (the Action) for patent infringement arising under the
4. Subject matter jurisdiction of this Court over this Action is founded upon
Michigan corporation, and its principal place of business is located in Holland, Michigan.
Case 1:17-cv-00983 ECF No. 1 filed 11/10/17 PageID.2 Page 2 of 8
VENUE
6. In light of the matters set forth in paragraphs 1 through 5, inclusive, above, venue
of this Action is proper in this judicial district pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 1391 and 1400(b).
7. Humboldt and MPS are in the business of equipment and systems used to process
meat products.
8. On September 6, 2016, the United States Patent and Trademark Office duly and
legally issued the U.S. Patent No. 9,433,225 (the 225 patent) patent, bearing the title Brush
Element, Assembly, Brushing Device and Methods of Coupling and Uncoupling. The 225
patent is directed toward brushes and related assemblies that are used to remove the hair from,
clean and/or beat carcasses dry for meat processing. A true and correct copy of the 225 patent
10. MPS is exclusively licensed to practice the invention of the 225 patent in the
United States, and markets and sells brushes (also referred to as whips) covered by the claims
11. On information and belief, Lornic manufactures, imports, exports, offers for sale,
and/or sells brushes, also known as polishing hog whips or snap whips, that infringe one or
12. On April 24, 2017 Lornic was notified that its products infringe the claims of the
225 patent by a cease-and-desist letter sent to counsel for Lornic, which demanded that Lornic
cease and desist its infringement. A true and correct copy of the April 24, 2017 letter is attached
hereto as Exhibit B.
13. On information and belief, despite its knowledge of the 225 patent and that its
products infringe the claims of the 225, Lornic has continued its infringing activity.
2
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COUNT I
14. Plaintiffs refer to and incorporates herein by reference each of the foregoing
15. Lornic, by the acts complained herein, and by making, using, selling, offering for
sale, importing into, and/or exporting from the United States products, including at least its
polishing hog whip or snap whip, that embody the invention claimed in the 225 patent, has
in the past, does now, and continues to directly infringe, contributorily infringe and/or induce
others to infringe the claims of the 225 patent literally and/or under the doctrine of equivalents,
16. Lornics polishing hog whip or snap whip infringes at least claim 21 of the
Claim21 LornicSnapWhip
Adetachablebrushelement
forprocessingcarcassesof
slaughteredanimals,
comprising:
a)atleastonefemale
couplingmembercomprising
aresilientcylindercomprising
anelongatednarrowed
entrancechannelformed
therein,
3
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Claim21 LornicSnapWhip
providingthecouplingwitha
Cshapehavingafemale
receivingspaceanddefining
anaxisofrotation,theC
shapebeingadaptedto
enlargecountertoabias,the
channelbeingadaptedto
detachablycouplebyasnap
connectionthroughtheC
shapetoarodandadapted
torotatethereaboutand
whereinthenarrowed
entrancechannelnarrows
towardtherod;and,
b)atleastonesubstantially
elongatedflexiblewhip
memberextendingfromand
integratedwitheachfemale
couplingmember
whereinthewhiphasa
profiledsideadaptedto
processcarcassesof
slaughteredanimals,
eachwhipmemberextending
perpendiculartotheaxisof
rotationofthechannel,
4
Case 1:17-cv-00983 ECF No. 1 filed 11/10/17 PageID.5 Page 5 of 8
Claim21 LornicSnapWhip
whereinthenarrowed
entrancechannelisarranged
inalengthwisedirectionof
thecylinderandwhereinthe
narrowedentrancechannelis
directedfacingawayfromthe
profiledsideofthewhipand
whereinthenarrowed
entrancechannelwidensinto
thefemalereceivingspace,
thefemalereceivingspace
beingsubstantiallylarger
thanthenarrowedentrance
channeloftheatleastone
substantiallyelongated
flexiblewhipalongthe
longitudinalaxisofthewhip.
17. Lornic also had actual knowledge of the 225 patent and that its polishing hog
whip or snap whip product infringes the claims of the 225 patent by at least April 24, 2017 in
18. Lornic markets and sells its polishing hog whip or snap whip products with
the intent that its customers will attach the whips to a counter-coupling rod on a rotatable body
for use in processing carcasses of slaughtered animals such that the completed assembly
19. The sole use of Lornics polishing hog whip or snap whip is to be attached to
animals.
20. Lornics polishing hog whips or snap whips have no substantial non-
infringing use because their only use is to be connected to a counter-coupling rod on a rotatable
5
Case 1:17-cv-00983 ECF No. 1 filed 11/10/17 PageID.6 Page 6 of 8
21. Lornic provides its customers with polishing hog whips or snap whips that
rotatable body for use in processing carcasses of slaughtered animals in a manner that infringes
22. Lornic is also aware of the claims of the 225 patent and that its polishing hog
whips or snap whips infringe the claims of the 225 patent, yet induces its customers to
23. Despite its knowledge of the 225 patent, Lornic has continued to willfully
infringe the claims of the 225 patent, has willfully induced its customers to infringe the claims
of the 225 patent, has willfully contributed to its customers infringement of the claims of the
225 patent and, upon information and belief, will continue to willfully engage in these
infringing activities by making, using, selling, offering for sale, importing into and/or exporting
from the United States its infringing products, including at least the polishing hog whip or
24. By reason of the acts of Lornic alleged herein, Plaintiffs have suffered damage in
25. Further, Lornic threatens to continue to infringe the claims of the 225 patent as
complained herein unless it is restrained and enjoined, all to Plaintiffs irreparable injury. It
would be difficult to ascertain the amount of compensation that would afford Plaintiffs adequate
relief for such future and continuing infringement, and a multiplicity of judicial proceedings
would be required to protect Plaintiffs rights in the 225 patent. Plaintiffs do not have an
26. Thus, Plaintiffs are entitled to monetary damages adequate to compensate them
for Lornics infringement of the 225 patent under 35 U.S.C. 289, increased damages under 35
U.S.C. 284, together with interest, costs, and attorneys fees under 35 U.S.C. 285, and are
entitled to injunctive relief against such infringement in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 283.
6
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WHEREFORE, Plaintiffs demand for a judgment in their favor and pray the Court to
parents, attorneys, representatives, privies, and all others acting in concert or participation with
disposition all products and systems in its possession that infringe the claims of the 225 patent;
4. For an order directing Lornic to file with the Court, and serve upon Plaintiffs
counsel, within thirty (30) days after entry of the order of injunction, a report setting forth the
manner and form in which Lornic has complied with the injunction;
reasonable royalty and/or lost profits, in amounts to be fixed by the Court in accordance with
6. For an order finding that Lornics infringement of the claims of the 225 patent
was willful, that this is an exceptional case, and awarding Plaintiffs enhanced damages and their
7. For an order awarding Plaintiffs all of their costs, including their attorneys fees,
incurred in prosecuting this action, including, without limitation, pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 285 and
9. For such other and further relief as the Court deems appropriate and just under the
circumstances.
7
Case 1:17-cv-00983 ECF No. 1 filed 11/10/17 PageID.8 Page 8 of 8
Respectfully submitted,
Of Counsel:
Chad E. Nydegger
Justin J. Cassell
WORKMAN NYDEGGER P.C.
60 East South Temple, Suite 1000
Salt Lake City, UT 84111
(801) 533-9800
[email protected]
[email protected]
8
Case 1:17-cv-00983 ECF No. 1-1 filed 11/10/17 PageID.9 Page 1 of 12
Exhibit A
Case 1:17-cv-00983 ECF No. 1-1 filed 11/10/17 PageID.10 Page 2 of 12
USOO9433225B2
(75) Inventor: Hans Servaas, Neede (NL) 2,412, 108 A 12, 1946 Toti et al. ....................... 452/93
2,524.942 A * 10/1950 Tomlinson ...................... 452/93
(73) Assignee: HUMBOLDT B.V., Lichtenvoorde 2,554,671 A * 5/1951 Hodges ........................... 452/93
2,559,001 A * 7/1951 Barker 452/93
(NL) 2,562,681 A * 7/1951 Pine ... 452/93
2,641,796 A 6, 1953 Johnson .......................... 452/92
(*) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this 2,694,829 A * 1 1/1954 Johnson .......................... 452/93
patent is extended or adjusted under 35 3,523,324 A 8, 1970 Debaere
U.S.C. 154(b) by 779 days. 3,840,938 A * 10/1974 Carlson ........................... 452/93
5,445,163 A * 8/1995 Machacek ............ A61 B 5,0057
6OOf 557
(21) Appl. No.: 12/094.984 7,070,494 B2 * 7/2006 Rapp et al. ..................... 452,88
7,387,565 B1* 6/2008 Griffiths et al. ................ 452.87
(22) PCT Filed: Aug. 8, 2006 7,604,532 B2 * 10/2009 Meier et al. .................... 452/93
(86). PCT No.: PCT/NL2006/05O195 FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
S 371 (c)(1), NL 90O2571 6, 1992
(2), (4) Date: Sep. 30, 2008
OTHER PUBLICATIONS
(87) PCT Pub. No.: WO2007/100240
PCT Pub. Date: Sep. 7, 2007 Search Report for International Patent Application No. PCT/
NL2006/050195; Jan. 22, 2007.
(65) Prior Publication Data
* cited by examiner
US 2009/O15611.0 A1 Jun. 18, 2009
Primary Examiner David Parsley
(30) Foreign Application Priority Data (74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm Jason A. Bernstein; Barnes
Nov. 28, 2005 (NL) ...................................... 1030536
& Thornburg LLP
(57) ABSTRACT
(51) Int. Cl.
A22B 5/08 (2006.01) A brush element (1) for processing carcasses of slaughtered
A22C 2L/02 (2006.01) animals. The disclosure also relates to an assembly of a
(52) U.S. Cl. rotatable body and such a brush element. The disclosure
CPC ............... A22C 21/022 (2013.01); A22B5/08 further relates to a brushing device comprising Such an
(2013.01); A22C 21/02 (2013.01); Y10T assembly. Also disclosed is a method for coupling a rotatable
29/49815 (2015.01); Y10T 29/49826 (2015.01) body and such a brush element mid also a method for
(58) Field of Classification Search uncoupling Such a brush element.
USPC ............................... 452/71, 8297, 123, 173
See application file for complete search history. 22 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets
11
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FIG. 1A FIG. 1B
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FIG. 1C FIG. 1D
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11
Case 1:17-cv-00983 ECF No. 1-1 filed 11/10/17 PageID.15 Page 7 of 12
US 9,433,225 B2
9 10
counter-coupling member forming part of the rotat b) at least one brush element having at least one female
able body such that the whip extends substantially coupling member; and
radially from a rotation shaft of the rotatable body, c) at least one substantially elongated flexible whip
the ring opening being sized to accommodate a extending from the female coupling member wherein
portion of the male counter-coupling member by the female coupling member comprises a ring having at
Snap-fitting the female coupling member over the least one female receiving space provided with a nar
male counter-coupling member, and wherein the rowed entrance, and wherein the narrowed entrance can
receiving space of the female coupling member be enlarged counter to a bias:
engages round the male counter-coupling member; wherein the narrowed entrance widens into the receiving
wherein the narrowed entrance channel widens into the 10 space, the receiving space being substantially larger
receiving space, the receiving space being substantially than the narrowed entrance along the longitudinal axis
larger than the narrowed entrance channel along the of the whip, and
longitudinal axis of the whip, and wherein the female coupling member is releasably
c) drive means for causing rotation of the rotatable body coupled to one of the rods such that the whip extends
of the assembly. substantially radially from the at least one shaft of the
19. A detachable brush element for processing carcasses rotatable body and the brush element at least partially
of slaughtered animals, comprising: rotates around the rod and the shaft and wherein the
narrowed entrance narrows toward the rod.
a) at least one female coupling member; and 21. A detachable brush element for processing carcasses
b) at least one substantially elongated flexible whip of slaughtered animals, comprising:
extending from and integrated with the at least one a) at least one female coupling member comprising a
female coupling member wherein the whip has a pro resilient cylinder comprising an elongated narrowed
filed side adapted to process carcasses of slaughtered
animals, entrance channel formed therein, providing the cou
wherein the female coupling member comprises a resil pling with a C shape having a female receiving space
ient cylinder comprising at least one female receiving 25 and defining an axis of rotation, the C shape being
space comprising a ring having an opening with a adapted to enlarge counter to a bias, the channel being
narrowed entrance channel which can be enlarged adapted to detachably couple by a snap connection
counter to a bias and wherein the narrowed entrance through the C shape to a rod and adapted to rotate
channel is arranged in a lengthwise direction of the thereabout and wherein the narrowed entrance channel
cylinder, wherein the narrowed entrance channel nar 30 narrows toward the rod; and,
rows toward the ring opening, and wherein the nar b) at least one substantially elongated flexible whip mem
rowed entrance channel is directed facing away from ber extending from and integrated with each female
the profiled side of the whip, the female coupling coupling member wherein the whip has a profiled side
member adapted to couple with a generally cylindrical adapted to process carcasses of slaughtered animals,
shaped male counter-coupling member, the ring open 35 each whip member extending perpendicular to the axis
ing being sized to accommodate a portion of the male of rotation of the channel, wherein the narrowed
counter-coupling member, entrance channel is arranged in a lengthwise direction
wherein the male counter-coupling member is forming a of the cylinder and wherein the narrowed entrance
part of a separate rotatable body onto which the female channel is directed facing away from the profiled side
coupling member can be releasably coupled, 40 of the whip and wherein the narrowed entrance channel
wherein the narrowed entrance channel widens into the widens into the female receiving space, the female
receiving space, the receiving space being substantially receiving space being substantially larger than the
narrowed entrance channel of the at least one substan
larger than the narrowed entrance channel along the tially elongated flexible whip along the longitudinal
longitudinal axis of the whip, and
wherein the whip and the coupling member are manufac 45 axis of the whip.
tured as a single material part. 22. The detachable brush element of claim 21, wherein the
20. An assembly for processing carcasses of slaughtered female coupling member is adapted to couple to the rod by
animals, comprising: movement of the female coupling member in a direction
a) a rotatable body including a plurality of rods associated perpendicular to the axis of the rod.
with and spaced around at least one shaft; ck ck ck ck ck
Case 1:17-cv-00983 ECF No. 1-2 filed 11/10/17 PageID.21 Page 1 of 4
Exhibit B
Case 1:17-cv-00983 ECF No. 1-2 filed 11/10/17 PageID.22 Page 2 of 4
workman 60 East South Temple
Suite 1000
Justin J. Cassell
(801) 321-8881
nydegger Salt Lake City, Utah 84111
(801) 533-9800
[email protected]
Marel has brought to our attention the matter of U.S. patent no. 9,433,225 ('225 patent)
and the Lomic Design Inc. Snap Whip ("Lomic Whip"). We have also considered the
letter sent by Marel on November 25, 2016, and your letter of January 4, 2017 including
contentions of non-infringement of the '225 patent.
Marel appreciates your thoughtful response and consideration of the issues, and
understands Lornic's position of non-infringement. Upon our evaluation, however, we
respectfully disagree with your contentions of non-infringement, and consider the Lomic
Whip to literally infringe every limitation in at least independent claims 1,19 and 21 of
the '225 patent.
We understand that Lomic's position is that the Lomic Whip does not meet the
limitations of claims 1,19 and 21 relating to at least one female coupling member
comprising a resilient cylinder comprising an elongated narrowed entrance channel
formed therein, and that the narrowed entrance channel widens into the female receiving
space. We consider the narrow channel in the Lornic Whip to meet this limitation.
Specifically, the narrow channel of the Lomic Whip transitions to the female receiving
space, particularly since the female receiving space is substantially larger than the
naiTowed entrance channel.
Case 1:17-cv-00983 ECF No. 1-2 filed 11/10/17 PageID.23 Page 3 of 4
Mr. Jovan Jovanovic
Watson Intellectual Property Group, PLC
2/2
Concerning claims 1 and 19, we consider the Lomic Whip to be manufactured as a single
material part. While you indicate in your letter that the Lomic Whip is not formed from
only one piece of material, that is not what claims 1 and 19 require. Rather they require
that the whip and female coupling member are manufactured as or into a single part, and
the whip is integrated with the at least one female coupling member. These limitations,
the specification and the file history do not restrict the whip and female coupling member
as being formed together from only one piece of material, as you contend. We note that
claim 21 does not possess this limitation.
Aside from the limitations discussed above, we assume that Lomic concedes that the
remaining limitations of claims 1,19 and 21 are clearly met by the Lomic Whip.
If Lomic is interested in settling this matter without legal action, Lomic must:
(1) immediately cease and desist any sales, distribution, and manufacture of the
Lomic Whip; and
We look forward to receiving confirmation that Lomic has complied with the above
demands and to receiving the requested sales information by May 26, 2017 so we may
resolve this matter.
This letter is without prejudice to or waiver of all additional claims and remedies that
may be available to Marel should it pursue formal legal action against Lomic. Marel
expressly reserves the right to pursue these and any additional claims and remedies it may
have against Lomic.
Please contact the undersigned promptly to initiate a mutual resolution of this matter.
Sincerely,
WORKMAN NYDEGGER
Justin J. Cassell
Case 1:17-cv-00983 ECF No. 1-2 filed 11/10/17 PageID.24 Page 4 of 4Page 1 of 1
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