Fastek, LLC v. Steco et al

Filing 119

ORDER Construing Disputed Claim Terms of United States Patent Nos. 7,172,382; 7,588,406; and 7,699,575. It is ordered that Defendants' objections to Dr. Pratt's declaration are overruled without prejudice as moot, and the 107 Ex Parte Motion to Strike Defendants' supplemental claim construction brief is denied as moot. Signed by Judge Michael M. Anello on 4/6/2011. (leh) (jcj).

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-CAB Fastek, LLC v. Steco et al Doc. 119 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 vs. 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 STECO, a division of Blue Tee Corporation, et al., Defendants. Pursuant to Markman v. Westview Instruments, Inc., 517 U.S. 370 (1996), the Court conducted a hearing on March 25, 2011 regarding the construction of disputed claim terms in United States Patent Nos. 7,172,382; 7,588,406; and 7,699,575. Attorneys Valerie Ho, Franklin Ubell, and Kamran Salour appeared on behalf of Plaintiff Fastek, LLC. Attorneys Mark Brown and Stephen Swinton appeared on behalf of Defendants Steco and Blue Tee Corp. Attorney Dustin Dodgin appeared telephonically on behalf of Defendant Sierra International Machinery, LLC. Prior to the hearing, the Court provided the parties with its tentative construction of each disputed claim term and instructed the parties to meet and confer. (See attached Court's Exhibit A.) After review, Plaintiff agreed with the Court's tentative constructions, while Defendants asserted the disputed terms merited further argument before the Court. Upon careful consideration of the papers and the oral arguments of counsel, the Court issues the following order construing the disputed claim terms of the patents at issue in this case. /// -1FASTEK, LLC, Plaintiff, CASE NO. 10 CV 0972 MMA (CAB) ORDER CONSTRUING DISPUTED CLAIM TERMS OF UNITED STATES PATENT NOS. 7,172,382; 7,588,406; and 7,699,575 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 10cv972 Dockets.Justia.com 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 I. LEGAL STANDARD BACKGROUND On May 5, 2010, Plaintiff Fastek filed a complaint for infringement of two patents--U.S. Patent Nos. 7,588,406 ("`406 Patent) and 7,699,575 ("`575 Patent"). [Doc. No. 1.] On November 30, 2010, the Court granted Plaintiff's motion for leave to file a first amended complaint to add a third patent--U.S. Patent No. 7,172,382 ("`382 Patent"). [Doc. Nos. 46, 47.] Defendants have filed counterclaims against Plaintiff asserting the patents are invalid and requesting a declaration of non-infringement. [Doc. Nos. 50, 52.] Generally, all three patents describe assemblies that teach a method for loading bulk material into a transport container quickly and efficiently. [See Doc. No. 47.] DISCUSSION The construction of patent claim terms is a matter of law for the court. Markman, 517 U.S. at 372. "It is a bedrock principle of patent law that the claims of a patent define the invention to which the patentee is entitled the right to exclude." Innova/Pure Water, Inc. v. Safari Water Filtration Sys., 381 F.3d 1111, 1115 (Fed. Cir. 2004). As a general rule, the claim language carries its ordinary and customary meaning. Toro Co. v. White Consol. Indus., Inc., 199 F.3d 1295, 1299 (Fed. Cir. 1999). The ordinary meaning of a term cannot, however, be construed in a vacuum; rather, a court "must look at the ordinary meaning in the context of the written description and the prosecution history." Medrad, Inc. v. MRI Devices Corp., 401 F.3d 1313, 1319 (Fed. Cir. 2005). To ascertain the meaning of a claim term, the court refers to "those sources available to the public that show what a person of ordinary skill in the art would have understood the disputed claim language to mean." Phillips v. AWH Corp., 415 F.3d 1303, 1314 (Fed. Cir. 2005) (en banc). The court does so to "determine whether the inventor used any terms in a manner inconsistent with their ordinary meaning." Vitronics Corp. v. Conceptronic, Inc., 90 F.3d 1576, 1582 (Fed. Cir. 1996). The sources include "the words of the claims themselves, the remainder of the specification, the prosecution history, and extrinsic evidence concerning relevant scientific principles, the meaning of technical terms, and the state of the art." Phillips, 415 F.3d at 1314 (citing Innova, 381 F.3d at 1116). -2- 10cv972 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 The court begins with the language of the claims. PSC Computer Prods., Inc. v. Foxconn Int'l, 355 F.3d 1353, 1359 (Fed. Cir. 2004). When considering the claim language, "the context in which a term is used in the asserted claim can be highly instructive." Phillips, 415 F.3d at 1314. The court may also consider the other claims of the patent, both asserted and non-asserted. Id. For example, as claim terms are normally used consistently throughout a patent, the usage of a term in one claim may illuminate the meaning of the same term in other claims. Id. The court may also consider differences between claims to guide in understanding the meaning of particular claim terms. Id. As the claims do not stand alone, they "must be read in view of the specification, of which they are a part." Phillips, 415 F.3d at 1315 (citation omitted). "The construction that stays true to the claim language and most naturally aligns with the patent's description of the invention will be, in the end, the correct construction." Renishaw PLC v. Marposs Societa' per Azioni, 158 F.3d 1243, 1250 (Fed. Cir. 1998). When the specification reveals a special definition given to a claim term by the patentee that differs from the meaning it would otherwise possess, the inventor's lexicography governs. Phillips, 415 F.3d at 1316 (citing CCS Fitness, Inc. v. Brunswick Corp., 288 F.3d 1359, 1366 (Fed. Cir. 2002)). The specification may reveal an intentional disclaimer, or disavowal, of claim scope by the inventor. Id. (citing SciMed Life Sys., Inc. v. Advanced Cardiovascular Sys., Inc., 242 F.3d 1337, 1343-44 (Fed. Cir. 2001)). The Federal Circuit also has affirmed the importance of the prosecution history. Phillips, 415 F.3d at 1317. The prosecution history represents an ongoing negotiation between the PTO and the applicant. Id. The prosecution history, like the specification, "provides evidence of how the PTO and the inventor understood the patent." Id. (citing Lemelson v. Gen. Mills, Inc., 968 F.2d 1202, 1206 (Fed. Cir. 1992)). However, it is subject to inherent ambiguity because is represents the negotiation, rather than the final product of the negotiation, and is thus less useful than the specification. Id. Extrinsic evidence "can shed useful light on the relevant art," but the Federal Circuit considers it "less significant than the intrinsic record in determining the legally operative meaning of claim language." Id. (citing C.R. Bard, Inc. v. U.S. Surgical Corp., 388 F.3d 858, 862 (Fed. Cir. -3- 10cv972 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 2004)). "Extrinsic evidence may be useful to the court, but it is unlikely to result in a reliable interpretation of patent claim scope unless considered in the context of the intrinsic evidence." Id. at 1319. The Federal Circuit has held that it remains within the court's discretion to admit extrinsic evidence, provided the court keeps in mind the flaws inherent in extrinsic evidence. Id. In sum, this Court first must interpret the claim terms in light of the intrinsic evidence-- specification, claims, and prosecution history--and then exercise discretion in deciding whether to consider extrinsic evidence submitted by the parties. II. CONSTRUCTION OF DISPUTED CLAIM TERMS With the above principles in mind, the Court turns to the construction of the disputed claim terms. The parties identified two terms for construction by the Court: (1) "engage" (and its grammatical variations); and (2) "lock." Each party proposed a single definition for each of the two terms to be applied across the three patents at issue. Accordingly, to avoid repetition, the Court will not parse each claim in each patent where the disputed terms appear. Rather, the Court will utilize exemplary claim language from a single patent that is materially identical to the relevant claims in the remaining two patents; any substantive differences among the patents that affect the Court's analysis are noted. (A) Engage, Engaged, Engaging The first term disputed by the parties is "engage." The following phrases utilizing the term "engage" appear in the three patents at issue: · "wherein the barrier assembly is configured to engage the stationary support structure" "engaging the barrier assembly with the stationary support structure" "engaged with the stationary support structure" "the step of engaging" "engaging the movable wall of the barrier assembly" 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 · · · · Both parties offer proposed constructions for the term "engage." Plaintiff proposes "engage" means "any type of mechanical engagement which establishes contact, interlocking, or meshing between respective elements, whether indirectly, through intermediate component(s), or directly." -4- 10cv972 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 [Doc. No. 54.] Defendants propose that "engage" means "direct physical contact between mechanical components." [Id.]1 The Court tentatively found that neither party offered an appropriate proposed construction of the term, as both constructions imported additional limitations not supported by the intrinsic evidence. Accordingly, the Court tentatively found that "engage" (and its grammatical variations) means "to connect directly, or indirectly through intermediate component(s)." In so ruling, the Court agreed with Plaintiff's position that the plain language of the patents, the prosecution history, and the plain meaning of "engage" do not support Defendants' narrow construction which requires direct, physical contact between mechanical components. Nothing in the record indicates the inventor intended "engage" to have a special or limited meaning as used in the patents. Rather, the intrinsic evidence supports a construction that reflects the broader plain meaning of the term "engage."2 Plaintiff stipulates to the Court's tentative construction. Defendants argue, however, the inventor's use of "disengage" precludes the Court's tentative construction. According to Defendants, if the Court's construction is adopted, and indirect components could be utilized to engage the barrier assembly with the support structure, the barrier would always remain engaged with the support structure because the two elements will always be indirectly connected through intermediate components. If "engage" encompasses indirect contact, Defendants contend that to "disengage . . . the barrier assembly would have to levitate above the stationary support structure and the load bin." [Doc. No. 74, p.2 (emphasis in original).] The Court disagrees. The term "engage" is not read in isolation, rather, it is interpreted within the context of the claim(s) in which it appears. See Toro Co., 199 F.3d at 1299 ("in judicial `claim construction' the court must achieve the same understanding of the patent, as a document whose meaning and scope have legal consequences, as would a person experienced in the Defendant Sierra International Machinery, LLC joins Defendants Steco and Blue Tee Corp.'s claim construction briefs. [Doc. Nos. 70, 76.] The Court notes the dictionary definition for "engage" provided by Defendants--to interlock with : MESH ; to cause (mechanical parts) to mesh--does not indicate direct, physical contact between mechanical components is necessary. [See Doc. No. 69 at p.22; Doc. No. 69-7 at BTC001489.] -510cv972 2 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 technology of the invention"); Renishaw PLC, 158 F.3d at 1251 (the meaning of a claim is to be understood in context). For example, independent Claim 11 of the `382 Patent reads in relevant part: "engaging the barrier assembly with the stationary support structure after the drive mechanism has been operated to move the load bin into the transport container, to lock the barrier assembly adjacent to the open end of the container . . . ." (emphasis added).3 The parties do not dispute that when the entire phrase is considered, it is clear the inventor used the term "engage" to describe a specific action at a specific point in time during the loading process. Namely, the barrier assembly engages the support structure after the loan bin has been moved into the transport container. The Court finds the inventor's use of the term "disengage" in dependent Claim 12 to signal the termination of this step--when the barrier assembly is disengaged from the support structure and slides to a retracted position--is consistent with the inventor's use of the term "engage." Similarly, independent Claim 1 of the `382 Patent states in relevant part: "the step of engaging includes engaging the barrier assembly with the stationary support structure, to lock the barrier assembly adjacent to the open end of the transport container." (emphasis added). Thus, the term "engage" again signals a specific action at a specific point in time for a specific purpose--the barrier assembly connects to the stationary support structure so that it is locked adjacent to the open end of the container. Stated another way, the barrier assembly connects to the stationary support structure in a specific manner for a specified duration to accomplish this step of the loading process. The limited nature of the claimed connection between the barrier assembly and stationary support structure does not speak to any potential connection between the two structures at any other point in time. Therefore, Defendants' argument that for the two components to later become "disengaged," as described in dependent Claim 2 of the `382 Patent, they must have no contact between them is unpersuasive.4 In sum, the intrinsic evidence does not indicate the inventor intended the word "engage" to have a special limited meaning to describe only direct 3 4 Similar "engage" and "disengage" phrases appear in the `406 Patent and `575 Patent. Claim 2 of the `382 Patent states: "disengaging the barrier assembly from the support structure; and sliding the barrier assembly to a retracted position, disposed within the load bin." -610cv972 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 physical contact between mechanical components, and the patents' references to "disengagement" in subsequent dependent claim limitations does not require a narrower construction. Defendants also argue the prosecution history supports their construction where "engage" requires direct contact between the barrier assembly and stationary support structure. The parties do not dispute that during prosecution of the `382 Patent, the examiner rejected the inventor's proposed claim language which provided for a "locking assembly." The examiner indicated the application did not adequately disclose the locking assembly structure that purportedly locked the barrier assembly adjacent to the open end of the container while the load bin is being retracted. [See FAS000856-59, Exh. G to Doc. No. 69-2 (the language "does not reasonably provide enablement for a locking assembly that locks a barrier assembly to the support structure"; "applicant makes no reference to the fact that there [sic] barrier locking mechanism are well known in the art".] The examiner concluded the "locking assembly" description was deficient because one skilled in the art would not be able to implement the specification without more information. In response, after several failed attempts to amend the language, the inventor cancelled the "locking assembly" element altogether and replaced it with the now disputed phrasing--"wherein the barrier assembly is configured to engage the stationary support structure when the drive mechanism has moved the load bin into the transport container." [Exh. G to Doc. No. 69-2 at FAS000688, FAS000694-696 (emphasis added).] This language, coupled with two expert declarations indicating that it would be immediately clear to one skilled in the art how to implement the barrier assembly identified by the inventor, proved successful and the patent was allowed. Defendants argue the inventor's decision to delete the "locking assembly" language reflects his acquiescence to narrower claim limitations, which require direct physical contact between the barrier assembly and stationary support structure. Again, the Court disagrees. The Court has thoroughly reviewed the prosecution histories for the three patents as issue, and concludes they do not indicate the scope of the claims is limited to direct contact between the barrier assembly and the stationary support structure. Although the examiner rejected the "locking assembly" language several times during the prosecution of the `382 Patent, the examiner's -7- 10cv972 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 remarks do not suggest that in the absence of the "locking assembly" the barrier assembly and stationary support structure were in direct contact. Rather, the examiner found what the inventor described as a locking assembly to be inadequately specified, such that one reasonably skilled in the art could not implement the locking assembly without undue experimentation. The examiner's rejection does not require the conclusion that all methods of indirectly connecting, contacting or otherwise engaging the barrier assembly and stationary support structure are also precluded. Instead, it appears the inventor attempted to patent a locking assembly--a specific indirect method for engaging the barrier and the support structure--but was ultimately unsuccessful because he did not adequately explain how to implement the specified locking assembly element. Accordingly, the inventor eventually opted to delete his reference to a specific locking assembly, and replaced the rejected language with "engage." Without more, the Court concludes the prosecution history does not support a narrower construction of the term engage which requires direct contact between the barrier assembly and the stationary support structure. Indeed, the expert declaration of Lemna Hunter submitted to the examiner identifies several possible embodiments of the technology, none of which indicate direct physical contact between the structures is required, or even preferred. [See Exh. G to Doc. No. 692 at FAS000850-52.] In the absence of "contravening evidence from the specification or prosecution history, plain and unambiguous claim language controls the construction analysis." DSW, Inc. v. Shoe Pavilions, Inc., 537 F.3d 1342 (Fed. Cir. 2008) (citation omitted). Here, on its face, the patent makes clear the disputed term "engage" means that the barrier assembly and the stationary support structure connect to lock the barrier assembly in a particular position at a specific point in time. Defendants have not demonstrated the intrinsic evidence limits this connection to direct physical contact between the mechanical parts. Nothing in the record reasonably precludes an embodiment wherein the components come into contact or engage one another through intermediate means, and it is generally error to adopt a claim construction that would exclude one of the inventor's preferred embodiments. See MBO Labs., Inc. v. Becton, Dickinson & Co., 474 F.3d 1323, 1333 (Fed. Cir. 2007) ("[A] claim interpretation that excludes a preferred embodiment from the scope of the claim is rarely, if ever, correct.") (citing On-Line -8- 10cv972 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Techs., Inc. v. Bodenseewerk Perkin-Elmer GmbH, 386 F.3d 1133, 1138 (Fed. Cir. 2004)). Finally, given the unambiguous intrinsic evidence, the finds extrinsic evidence unnecessary to properly construe the disputed term. Accordingly, the Court AFFIRMS its tentative construction that "engage" means "to connect directly, or indirectly through intermediate component(s)." (B) Lock The second term disputed by the parties is "lock." The following phrases utilizing the term "lock" appear in the patents at issue: · · "lock the barrier assembly" "lock the movable wall in a fixed position" Both parties offer proposed constructions for the term "lock." Plaintiff proposes "lock" means "to position, hold, or stop temporarily." [Doc. No. 54.] Defendants propose that "lock" means to "physically restrain movement." [Id.] The Court tentatively declined to accept either party's proposed construction, and tentatively found that "lock" means to "stop and hold fast temporarily." Plaintiff stipulates to the tentative construction. Defendants however dispute the Court's tentative construction, arguing that the word "temporarily" is unnecessary and should be removed. Specifically, Defendants assert the disputed claims all include temporal limitations that make clear the barrier assembly is locked in a certain position for a specific, limited amount of time. Thus, including "temporarily" in the Court's construction is redundant and superfluous. Defendants direct the Court to a recent opinion issued by the Federal Circuit, American Piledriving Equip., Inc. v. Geoquip, Inc., 2011 U.S. App. LEXIS 5663 (Fed. Cir.), wherein the Court of Appeals reiterated the longstanding construction principle that, "the role of a district court in construing claims is not to redefine claim recitations or to read limitations into the claims to obviate factual questions of infringement and invalidity but rather to give meaning to the limitations actually contained in the claims, informed by the written description, the prosecution history if in evidence, and any relevant extrinsic evidence." (citing Phillips, 415 F.3d at 1314). The Court has reviewed the relevant claim limitations and finds that its tentative use of the term "temporarily" is appropriate. Defendants are correct that certain claims in the patents at issue -9- 10cv972 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 provide relatively clear temporal limitations in the surrounding language. For example, Claim 1 of the `382 Patent states in relevant part: wherein the barrier assembly is configured to engage the stationary support structure when the drive mechanism has moved the load bin into the transport container, to lock the barrier assembly adjacent to the open end of the container, such that when the drive mechanism thereafter retracts the load bin from the container, the wall of the barrier assembly retains the unpalletized load within the container. (emphasis added). From this language, the reader can reasonably infer that the barrier assembly is locked adjacent to the open end of the container after the loan bin has been moved inside the transport container, until the load bin is retracted and leaves the unpalletized load inside; the barrier assembly is therefore only in the locked position temporarily. In other claims, however, the temporal limitation is not readily apparent. For example, Claims 1 and 6 of the `406 Patent both read, in relevant part: the step of engaging includes engaging the barrier assembly with the stationary support structure, to lock the barrier assembly adjacent to the open end of the transport container; and the step of engaging further includes operating the drive mechanism so as to retract the load bin from the transport container, while the barrier assembly remains engaged with the stationary support structure, such that the unpalletized load remains within the transport container. (emphasis added). Here, the claim language does not provide a clear indication that the barrier assembly remains in the locked position temporarily. Unlike Claim 1 in the `382 Patent, here, the disputed term "lock" appears in its own paragraph that does not include a temporal limitation. Instead, the reader must infer the duration of the barrier assembly's locked position from the surrounding paragraphs in the claims. Further, Plaintiff's argument that the step wherein the term "lock" appears is separate and distinct from the following step that provides a temporal limitation, is well-taken. On the face of the patent, the inventor intentionally separated the phrases in Claims 1 and 6 to describe the distinct steps in the loading process. Although the paragraphs of a given claim limitation are necessarily read in connection with and in reference to one another, the Court finds that the connection between the inventor's use of the term "lock" and the surrounding - 10 - 10cv972 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 temporal language is sufficiently disconnected to warrant the Court's tentative construction, which supplies the intended temporal limitation. See, Phillips, 415 F.3d at 1314-15. Importantly, Defendants do not dispute that the barrier assembly is locked in place temporarily. Rather, Defendants argue the Court's inclusion of the term "temporarily" in its tentative construction is unnecessary because the temporariness of the "locking step" is apparent in the surrounding claim language. Having considered the parties' submissions and oral arguments, the Court finds including "temporarily" in its tentative construction of "lock" is appropriate. The role of the Court in construing claims is to "give meaning to the limitations actually contained in the claims." American Piledriving Equip., 2011 U.S. App. LEXIS 5663 at *10. Here, the Court's inclusion of the word "temporarily" makes clear what is otherwise impliedly present in the surrounding claim language, and is therefore consistent with the Court's role during claims construction. The Court's construction does not improperly import limitations into the claim language, as the parties agree the "locking step" occurs for a limited duration at a certain place and time. The Court's tentative construction accurately describes what takes place during the relevant period of the loading process; specifically, after the barrier assembly engages the support structure, it stops temporarily, adjacent to the open end of the container and holds fast while the bin is retracted. The Court acknowledges that the temporal limitation in some claims is more clear than it is in others, but finds that its use of the term "temporarily" to expressly define what is implied in the claim limitations can consistently be applied across the patents at issue, and the Court's tentative construction does not render the existing claim language superfluous when read directly into the patents. Accordingly, the Court AFFIRMS its tentative construction that "lock" means to "stop and hold fast temporarily." III. DEFENDANTS' EVIDENTIARY OBJECTIONS On March 21, 2011, Defendants filed evidentiary objections to the Declaration of Dr. John D. Pratt submitted in support of Plaintiff's responsive claim construction brief [Doc. No. 75-5]. [Doc. No. 104.] The Court declines to rule on the merits of Defendants' objections in connection with its claim construction order, as the Court did not rely on Dr. Pratt's declaration to reach its - 11 - 10cv972 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 constructions of the disputed terms. Accordingly, Defendants' objections are OVERRULED without prejudice as MOOT. To the extent the Court finds Dr. Pratt's declaration relevant to its ruling on the parties' pending motions for summary judgment, the Court will consider the merits of Defendants' objections at that time. IV. PLAINTIFF'S MOTION TO STRIKE In an order dated March 9, 2011, Magistrate Judge Bencivengo permitted Defendants to submit a supplemental claim construction brief, not to exceed five pages, "regarding the operation of the Fastek Loader based on [Defendants'] inspection of the device . . . to challenge Dr. Pratt's conclusions." [Doc. No. 94.] Defendants filed their supplement brief on March 21, 2011. [Doc. Nos. 103 (redacted), 114 (under seal).] On March 23, 2011, Plaintiff moved ex parte to strike Defendants' supplemental brief on the ground that it exceeds the scope of Magistrate Judge Bencivengo's March 9 Order. [Doc. No. 107.] Defendants oppose Plaintiff's motion to strike. [Doc. No. 112.] The Court has considered the parties' submissions and DENIES Plaintiff's motion to strike as MOOT. In their supplemental brief, Defendants correctly note that purported commercial embodiments of the patents at issue are not relevant to the Court's claim construction. [Doc. No. 103, p.1 citing Int'l Visual Corp. v. Crown Metal Co., 991 F.2d 768, 771-72 (Fed. Cir. 1993) and SmithKline Beecham Corp. v. Apotex Corp., 403 F.3d 1331, 1339 (Fed. Cir. 2005).] Plaintiff does not challenge this general proposition, but rather accuses Defendants of exceeding the scope of the sur-reply permitted by Judge Bencivengo. Irrespective of whether Defendants' brief exceeds the scope of additional briefing contemplated by Judge Bencivengo, the Court does not find the parties' arguments regarding the structure of the Fastek CLS Loader relevant to its construction of the disputed terms in the patents at issue. Accordingly, because the Court did not consider the parties' commercial embodiment arguments in reaching its constructions of the disputed terms, the Court finds Plaintiff's motion to strike moot. /// - 12 - 10cv972 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 DATED: April 6, 2011 CONCLUSION For the reasons stated above, the disputed terms of United States Patent Nos. 7,172,382; 7,588,406; and 7,699,575 are construed as set forth in this Order. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that: (i) Defendants' objections to Dr. Pratt's declaration are OVERRULED without prejudice as MOOT [Doc. No. 104]; and (ii) Plaintiff's ex parte motion to strike Defendants' supplemental claim construction brief is DENIED as MOOT [Doc. No. 107]. IT IS SO ORDERED. Hon. Michael M. Anello United States District Judge - 13 - 10cv972 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 - 14 - COURT'S EXHIBIT A 10cv972 TENTATIVE CLAIM CONSTRUCTION WORKSHEET (prepared by the Court)1 AGREED PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION "assembly" -- a collection of parts so assembled as to form a complete machine, structure, or unit of a machine. "barrier/wall" -- a structure which hinders or restricts the passage of material. "unpalletized load" - a load which is not stored on portable platforms. "movable front wall" -- a structure(s) of the load bin that opens to allow the load to exit the load PLAINTIFF'S PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION N/A DEFENDANTS' PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION N/A COURT'S CONSTRUCTION Court adopts the parties' agreed proposed constructions. `382 Patent, Claim 1: A loading assembly for use with a transport container having an open end, comprising: a load bin sized to be inserted into a transport container through an open end thereof, the load bin including a floor, two side walls, and a movable front wall; a barrier assembly including a wall disposed within the load bin, spaced from the movable front wall thereof, wherein the load bin and the barrier assembly cooperate to define a volume configured to hold an unpalletized load of sufficient size to fill the transport 1 The parties are advised the Court made some formatting changes to the Joint Claim Construction Worksheet prepared by the parties to maintain readability after the Court's constructions were added; no substantive information provided by the parties has been altered. The parties are further advised that despite the bolding of entire phrases to keep the formatting consistent with that created by the parties, the Court has only construed the limited terms "engage" (and its grammatical variations) and "lock." 1 LA 129,250,485v6 12-28-10 container to capacity in a single operation, and wherein the load bin and the barrier assembly further cooperate to define a top opening for receiving an unpalletized load; a stationary support structure including a base support disposed below the load bin and a pair of upstanding side supports disposed on opposing sides of the load bin; and a drive mechanism coupled to the load bin to move the load bin into the transport container through the open end thereof and to retract the load bin from the container; wherein the barrier assembly is configured to engage the stationary support structure when the drive mechanism has moved the load bin into the transport container, to lock the barrier assembly adjacent to the open end of the container, such that when the drive AGREED PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION bin. "load bin" -- a box, frame, crib, or enclosed place used for storing a load. "support structure /support" -- a structure(s) that holds up or serves as a foundation or prop for another structure. "stationary" -- nonmoving. "adjacent" -- close to or nearby. PLAINTIFF'S PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION DEFENDANTS' PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION COURT'S CONSTRUCTION "engage" -- any type of mechanical engagement which establishes contact, interlocking, or meshing, between respective elements, whether indirectly, through intermediate component(s), or directly. 2 "engage" -- direct physical contact between mechanical components. "engage" means "to connect directly, or indirectly through intermediate component(s)." - This construction is supported by the patent itself (i.e. col. 2, ln. 2631; col. 2, ln. 56-61; col. LA 129,250,485v6 12-28-10 AGREED PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION mechanism thereafter retracts the load bin from the container, the wall of the barrier assembly retains the unpalletized load within the container. PLAINTIFF'S PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION DEFENDANTS' PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION COURT'S CONSTRUCTION 5, ln. 29-32) - The patent language does not preclude an embodiment wherein the barrier assembly and support structure will not be in direct physical contact. - Defendants' additional narrowing terms "direct" and "physical" are not supported by the IE. "wherein the barrier assembly is configured to engage the stationary support structure" -wherein the barrier assembly has or includes some component(s) or structural feature which participates or cooperates in establishing contact, interlocking, or meshing either indirectly, through 3 LA 129,250,485v6 12-28-10 "wherein the barrier assembly is configured to engage the stationary support structure" -- See above. AGREED PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION PLAINTIFF'S PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION intermediate component(s), or directly, with the stationary support structure. DEFENDANTS' PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION COURT'S CONSTRUCTION "lock" -- to position, "lock" -- to physically hold or stop temporarily. restrain movement. "lock" means to "stop and hold fast temporarily." - This construction is supported by the patent itself (i.e. col. 2, ln. 2731, ln. 56-61; col. 3, ln. 10-13; col. 4, ln. 47-49.) - IE cited by Defendants does not support their narrow construction; Defendants' proposed construction cannot reasonably be read into the claim language. 4 LA 129,250,485v6 12-28-10 AGREED PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION PLAINTIFF'S PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION "lock the barrier" -- to position, hold, or stop temporarily the barrier. DEFENDANTS' PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION "lock the barrier" -- to physically restrain the barrier. COURT'S CONSTRUCTION See above. `382 Patent, Claim 2: A loading assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the barrier assembly can be positioned in the load bin, prior to loading, to conform the internal volume of the load bin to prescribed container sizes. See above, `382 Patent, Claim 1. See above, `382 Patent, Claim 1. See above, `382 Patent, Claim 1. `382 Patent, Claim 3: A loading assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the load bin is configured to hold a load in excess of 22,000 pounds. See above, `382 Patent, Claim 1. See above, `382 Patent, Claim 1. See above, `382 Patent, Claim 1. `382 Patent, Claim 6: A loading assembly as defined in claim 3, wherein the barrier assembly is configured to be positioned to conform the See above, `382 Patent, Claim 1. See above, `382 Patent, Claim 1. See above, `382 Patent, Claim 1. 5 LA 129,250,485v6 12-28-10 AGREED PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION internal volume of the load bin to prescribed container sizes. PLAINTIFF'S PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION DEFENDANTS' PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION COURT'S CONSTRUCTION `382 Patent, Claim 8: A loading assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the base support is configured for lateral and vertical adjustments to aid in aligning the load bin with the transport container. See above, `382 Patent, Claim 1. See above, `382 Patent, Claim 1. See above, `382 Patent, Claim 1. `382 Patent, Claim 11: A method of loading a transport container, comprising: positioning a transport container and a loading assembly relative to one another such that the loading assembly is adjacent to an open end of the container, the loading assembly including a load bin including a floor, two side walls, and a movable front wall, "engage/engaging/ engaged" -- see above, `382 Patent, Claim 1. "engage/engaging/ engaged" -- see above, `382 Patent, Claim 1. See below, p.8-11. "lock the barrier" -see above, `382 Patent, Claim 1. "lock the barrier" -see above, `382 Patent, Claim 1. See below, p.8-11. 6 LA 129,250,485v6 12-28-10 AGREED PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION a barrier assembly having a wall disposed within the load bin, spaced from the movable front wall, wherein the load bin and the barrier assembly cooperate to define a volume configured to hold an unpalletized load of sufficient size to substantially fill the transport container to capacity in a single operation, and wherein the load bin and the barrier assembly further cooperate to define a top opening for receiving an unpalletized load, a stationary support structure for supporting the load bin and the barrier assembly while in a position adjacent to the open end of the transport container, and a drive mechanism configured to move the load bin into the transport container through the open end thereof; loading the load bin with an PLAINTIFF'S PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION DEFENDANTS' PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION COURT'S CONSTRUCTION 7 LA 129,250,485v6 12-28-10 AGREED PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION unpalletized load through the top opening; operating the drive mechanism so as to move the load bin into the transport container through the open end thereof until the unpalletized load is fully disposed within the container, while the container is maintained generally stationary; engaging the barrier assembly with the stationary support structure after the drive mechanism has been operated to move the load bin into the transport container, to lock the barrier assembly adjacent to the open end of the container; and PLAINTIFF'S PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION DEFENDANTS' PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION COURT'S CONSTRUCTION "engaging the barrier assembly with the stationary support structure" -- establishing contact, interlocking, or meshing between structure or component(s) of the barrier assembly and structure or component(s) attached to the stationary support structure. "engaging the barrier assembly with the stationary support structure" -- directly physically contacting the barrier assembly with the stationary support structure. "engaging the barrier assembly with the stationary support structure" means "causing the barrier assembly and the stationary support structure to connect directly, or indirectly through intermediate component(s)." 8 LA 129,250,485v6 12-28-10 AGREED PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION operating the drive mechanism so as to retract the load bin from the transport container, while the barrier assembly remains engaged with the stationary support structure, such that the load remains within the container. PLAINTIFF'S PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION "engaged with the stationary support structure" -- in contact, interlocked, or meshed with structure or component(s) attached to the stationary support structure. DEFENDANTS' PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION "engaged with the stationary support structure" -- direct physical contact with the stationary support structure. COURT'S CONSTRUCTION "engaged with the stationary support structure" means "connected directly, or indirectly through intermediate component(s)." 9 LA 129,250,485v6 12-28-10 AGREED PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION PLAINTIFF'S PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION DEFENDANTS' PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION COURT'S CONSTRUCTION `382 Patent, Claim 16: A loading assembly for use with a transport container having an open end, comprising: a load bin sized to be inserted into a transport container through an open end thereof, the load bin including a floor, two side walls, and a movable front wall; a barrier assembly including a wall disposed within the load bin that conforms to the internal dimensions of the load bin, and further including a brace coupled to the wall; wherein the load bin and the barrier assembly cooperate to define a volume configured to hold an unpalletized load of sufficient size to fill the transport container to capacity in a single operation, and wherein the load bin and the barrier assembly further cooperate to define a top opening for receiving an unpalletized load; 10 LA 129,250,485v6 12-28-10 AGREED PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION a stationary support structure disposed about the load bin; and a drive mechanism coupled to the load bin to move the load bin into the container through the open end thereof and to retract the load bin from the container; wherein the barrier assembly is configured to engage the stationary support structure when the drive mechanism has moved the load bin into the transport container, to lock the barrier assembly in place adjacent to the open end of the container during retraction of, such that when the drive mechanism thereafter retracts the load bin from the container, the barrier assembly retains the unpalletized load within the container. PLAINTIFF'S PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION DEFENDANTS' PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION COURT'S CONSTRUCTION "engage" -- see above, `382 Patent, Claim 1. "wherein the barrier assembly is configured to engage the stationary support structure"-see above, `382 Patent, Claim 1. "lock the barrier"-see above, `382 Patent, Claim 1. "engage" -- see above, `382 Patent, Claim 1. "wherein the barrier assembly is configured to engage the stationary support structure"-see above, `382 Patent, Claim 1. "lock the barrier"-see above, `382 Patent, Claim 1. "engage" -- see above, `382 Patent, Claim 1. "wherein the barrier assembly is configured to engage the stationary support structure"-see above, `382 Patent, Claim 1. "lock the barrier"-see above, `382 Patent, Claim 1. 11 LA 129,250,485v6 12-28-10 `406 Patent, Claim 1: A method of loading a transport container, comprising: positioning a transport container having a predetermined maximum loading capacity and a loading assembly wherein the container and the loading assembly are movable relative to one another such that the loading assembly is disposed adjacent to an open end of the container, the loading assembly including: a load bin including a nontelescoping floor and two side walls, a barrier assembly having a horizontally movable wall disposed within the load bin, a stationary support structure supporting the load bin and the barrier assembly, the support structure comprising frame members fixed relative to a AGREED PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION "non-telescoping floor" -- the floor is not made of parts which slide one within the other. PLAINTIFF'S PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION N/A DEFENDANTS' PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION N/A COURT'S CONSTRUCTION Court adopts the parties' agreed proposed construction. 12 LA 129,250,485v6 12-28-10 AGREED PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION ground support surface, wherein the barrier assembly is selectively positionable along the load bin to define a load bin maximum capacity, and wherein the load bin and the barrier assembly further cooperate to define a top opening for receiving an unpalletized load; defining the predetermined maximum loading capacity by positioning the barrier assembly along the load bin, wherein the step of defining the predetermined maximum loading capacity further comprises positioning the barrier assembly relative to and within the load bin therealong to a volume configured to hold an unpalletized load of sufficient size to substantially fill the transport container to the predetermined maximum loading capacity in a single operation; PLAINTIFF'S DEFENDANTS' PROPOSED PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION CONSTRUCTION "the step of engaging" - "the step of engaging" - see above. - the step of establishing contact, interlocking, or meshing, between respective elements, either indirectly, through intermediate component(s), or directly. COURT'S CONSTRUCTION "the step of engaging" ­ see `382 Patent, Claims 1 and 11 above. "engaging the barrier assembly with the stationary support structure" -- see above, `382 Patent, Claim 1. "engage/engaging/ engaged"-- see above, `382 Patent, Claim 11. "lock the barrier"-see above, `382 Patent, Claim 1. "engaging the barrier assembly with the stationary support structure" -- see above, `382 Patent, Claim 11. "engage/engaging/ engaged"-- see above, `382 Patent, Claim 11. "lock the barrier"-see above, `382 Patent, Claim 1. "engaging the barrier assembly with the stationary support structure" -- see above, `382 Patent, Claim 11. "engage/engaging/ engaged"-- see above, `382 Patent Claims 1, 11. "lock the barrier"-see above, `382 Patent, Claim 1. 13 LA 129,250,485v6 12-28-10 AGREED PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION loading the load bin with an unpalletized load through the top opening and to the predetermined maximum loading capacity defined by the barrier assembly and the load bin; PLAINTIFF'S PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION DEFENDANTS' PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION COURT'S CONSTRUCTION positioning the loaded load bin within the transport container through the open end thereof, such that the unpalletized load is fully disposed within the container; and engaging the movable wall of the barrier assembly with the 14 LA 129,250,485v6 12-28-10 AGREED PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION unpalletized load and simultaneously repositioning the load bin and the transport container relative to each other such that the load bin again is disposed adjacent to the open end of the transport container, while the unpalletized load remains disposed within the transport container, wherein: the loading assembly further includes a drive mechanism operable to move the load bin into the transport container during the step of positioning and to retract the load bin from the transport container during the step of engaging; PLAINTIFF'S PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION DEFENDANTS' PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION COURT'S CONSTRUCTION the step of positioning includes operating the drive mechanism so as to move the load bin into the transport container through the open end thereof until the unpalletized load is fully disposed within the transport container, while the transport container is maintained generally 15 LA 129,250,485v6 12-28-10 AGREED PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION stationary; PLAINTIFF'S PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION DEFENDANTS' PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION COURT'S CONSTRUCTION the step of engaging includes engaging the barrier assembly with the stationary support structure, to lock the barrier assembly adjacent to the open end of the transport container; and the step of engaging further includes operating the drive mechanism so as to retract the load bin from the transport container, while the barrier assembly remains engaged with the stationary support structure, such that the unpalletized load remains within the transport container. `406 Patent, Claim 4: A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the stationary support structure includes side supports disposed on opposing sides of the load bin. See above, `406 Patent, Claim 1. See above, `406 Patent, Claim 1. See above, `406 Patent, Claim 1. 16 LA 129,250,485v6 12-28-10 AGREED PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION PLAINTIFF'S PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION DEFENDANTS' PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION COURT'S CONSTRUCTION `406 Patent, Claim 6: A method of loading a transport container, comprising: providing loading assembly including a load bin, a barrier assembly having a horizontally movable wall disposed within the load bin, and a stationary support structure supporting the load bin and the barrier assembly, the support structure comprising frame members fixed relative to a ground support surface, wherein the barrier assembly is selectively positionable along the load bin, and wherein the load bin and the barrier assembly further cooperate to define a top opening for receiving an unpalletized load; providing a transport container having an open end and a predetermined maximum loading capacity; defining the predetermined 17 LA 129,250,485v6 12-28-10 AGREED PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION maximum loading capacity by positioning the barrier assembly along the load bin, wherein the step of defining the predetermined maximum loading capacity further comprises positioning the barrier assembly relative to and within the load bin therealong to a volume configured to hold an unpalletized load of sufficient size to substantially fill the transport container to the predetermined maximum loading capacity in a single operation; loading the load bin with an unpalletized load through the top opening to the predetermined maximum loading capacity defined by the barrier assembly and the load bin; locating the transport container in alignment with the load bin adjacent the open end of the container; positioning the loaded load bin within the transport container PLAINTIFF'S PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION DEFENDANTS' PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION COURT'S CONSTRUCTION 18 LA 129,250,485v6 12-28-10 AGREED PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION through the open end thereof, such that the unpalletized load is fully disposed within the container; and engaging the movable wall of the barrier assembly with the unpalletized load and simultaneously repositioning the load bin and the transport container relative to each other such that the load bin again is disposed adjacent to the open end of the transport container, while the unpalletized load remains disposed within the transport container, wherein: the loading assembly further includes a drive mechanism operable to move the load bin into the transport container during the step of positioning of the loaded load bin and to retract the load bin from the transport container during the step of engaging; the step of positioning the loaded load bin includes operating the PLAINTIFF'S PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION DEFENDANTS' PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION COURT'S CONSTRUCTION "the step of engaging" - "the step of engaging" - "the step of engaging" - see above, `406 - see above, `406 - see above, `382 Patent, Claim 1. Patent, Claim 1. Patent, Claims 1, 11. "engage/engaging/ engaged"-- see above, `382 Patent, Claim 11. "engage/engaging/ engaged"-- see above, `382 Patent, Claim 11. "engage/engaging/ engaged"-- see above, `382 Patent Claims 1, 11. "lock the barrier"-see above, `382 Patent, Claim 1. "engaging the barrier assembly with the stationary support structure" -- see above, `382 Patent, Claim 11. "lock the barrier"-see above, `382 Patent, Claim 1. "engaging the barrier assembly with the stationary support structure" -- see above, `382 Patent, Claim 11. "lock the barrier"-see above, `382 Patent, Claim 1. "engaging the barrier assembly with the stationary support structure" -- see above, `382 Patent, Claim 11. 19 LA 129,250,485v6 12-28-10 AGREED PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION drive mechanism so as to move the load bin into the transport container through the open end thereof until the unpalletized load is fully disposed within the transport container, while the transport container is maintained generally stationary; the step of engaging includes engaging the barrier assembly with the stationary support structure, to lock the barrier assembly adjacent to the open end of the transport container; and the step of engaging further includes operating the drive mechanism so as to retract the load bin from the transport container, while the barrier assembly remains engaged with the stationary support structure, such that the unpalletized load remains within the transport container. PLAINTIFF'S PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION DEFENDANTS' PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION COURT'S CONSTRUCTION 20 LA 129,250,485v6 12-28-10 AGREED PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION `406 Patent, Claim 9: A method as defined in claim 6, wherein the stationary support structure includes side supports disposed on opposing sides of the load bin. PLAINTIFF'S PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION See above, `406 Patent, Claim 6. DEFENDANTS' PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION See above, `406 Patent, Claim 6. COURT'S CONSTRUCTION See above, `406 Patent, Claim 6. `575 Patent, Claim 2: A method of loading a transport container, comprising: positioning a transport container having a predetermined load capacity and a loading assembly relative to one another such that the loading assembly is disposed adjacent to an open end of the container, the loading assembly including "while repositioning the load bin and the transport container relative to each other" -- the load bin may move while the transport container is stationary, or vice versa, or both the load bin and the transport container may move. N/A N/A Court adopts the parties' agreed proposed construction. 21 LA 129,250,485v6 12-28-10 AGREED PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION a load bin including a floor and two side walls, wherein the bin is movable relative to the transport container between a retracted position, external of the transport container, and an inserted position, internal of the transport container, a barrier assembly having a movable wall disposed within the load bin, the movable wall being movable relative to the load bin, wherein the load bin and the barrier assembly cooperate to define a volume configured to hold a bulk material load of sufficient size to substantially fill the transport container to the predetermined load capacity in a single operation, and wherein the load bin and the barrier assembly further cooperate to define a top opening for receiving the bulk material load, and PLAINTIFF'S PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION "lock the movable wall in a fixed position" -to position, hold or stop temporarily the movable wall. DEFENDANTS' PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION COURT'S CONSTRUCTION See above, `382 Patent, Claim 1. 22 LA 129,250,485v6 12-28-10 AGREED PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION support structure supporting the load bin and the barrier assembly, wherein the support structure is stationary during loading assembly operation, defining the predetermined maximum loading capacity by positioning the barrier assembly along the load bin, wherein the step of defining the predetermined maximum loading capacity further comprises positioning the barrier assembly relative to and within the load bin therealong to the volume configured to hold the bulk material load of sufficient size to substantially fill the transport container to the predetermined maximum capacity in the single operation; loading the load bin with a bulk material load through the top opening; positioning the load bin relative to the transport container through the open end thereof to the PLAINTIFF'S PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION "engaging the barrier assembly with the stationary support structure" -- see above, `382 Patent, Claim 11. DEFENDANTS' PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION "engaging the barrier assembly with the stationary support structure" -- see above, `382 Patent, Claim 11. COURT'S CONSTRUCTION See above, `382 Patent, Claim 11. 23 LA 129,250,485v6 12-28-10 AGREED PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION inserted position such that the load bin and the unpalletized load are disposed within the container; and engaging the movable wall of the barrier assembly with the support structure to lock the movable wall in a fixed position with respect to the bulk material load and with said wall being adjacent the open end of the transport container while repositioning the load bin and the transport container relative to each other from the inserted position with the load bin internal of the container to the retracted position external of the container such that the load bin again is disposed adjacent to the open end of the transport container, while the bulk material load remains disposed within the transport container. PLAINTIFF'S PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION DEFENDANTS' PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION COURT'S CONSTRUCTION 24 LA 129,250,485v6 12-28-10 AGREED PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION `575 Patent, Claim 3: A method as defined in claim 2, wherein: the loading assembly further includes a drive mechanism operable to separate the load bin relative to the transport container during the step of engaging. PLAINTIFF'S DEFENDANTS' COURT'S PROPOSED PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION CONSTRUCTION CONSTRUCTION "the step of engaging" - "the step of engaging" - "the step of engaging" - see above, `406 - see above, `406 - see above, `382 Patent Patent, Claim 1. Patent, Claim 1. Claims 1, 11. `575 Patent, Claim 7: A method as defined in claim 2, wherein the support structure includes side supports disposed on opposing sides of the load bin. See above, `575 Patent, Claim 2. See above, `575 Patent, Claim 2. See above, `575 Patent, Claim 2. 25 LA 129,250,485v6 12-28-10

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