throbber
Paper No. 1
`
`UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`BEFORE THE PATENT TRIAL AND APPEAL BOARD
`
`Owens Coming,
`Petitioner
`
`go
`
`CertainTeed Corporation,
`Patent Owner
`
`Patent No. 8,592,025
`Issued: November 26, 2013
`Filed: March 7, 2013
`Husnu M. Kalkanoglu and Stephen A. Koch
`
`Inventors:
`
`Title: SHINGLE WITH REINFORCEMENT LAYER
`
`Inter Partes Review No. 2014-01403
`
`PETITION FOR INTER PARTES REVIEW
`
`FAST FELT 2029, pg. 1
`Owens Corning v. Fast Felt
`IPR2015-00650
`
`

`
`Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 8,592,025
`
`TABLE OF CONTENTS
`
`Compliance with Requirements of an Inter Partes Review Petition .............. 1
`
`A.
`
`Certification that the Patent May Be Contested via Inter Partes
`Review by the Petitioner ....................................................................... 1
`
`B.
`
`Fee for Inter Partes Review (§ 42.15(a)) ............................................... 1
`
`C. Mandatory Notices (37 CFR § 42.8(b)) ................................................ 1
`Real Party in Interest (§ 42.8(b)(1)) ............................................ 1
`
`1.
`
`2.
`
`3.
`
`4.
`
`Other Proceedings (§ 42.8(b)(2)) ................................................ 2
`
`Lead and Backup Lead Counsel (§ 42.8(b)(3)) .......................... 2
`
`Service on Petitioner ................................................................... 2
`
`D. Proof of Service (§§ 42.6(e) and 42.105(a)) ......................................... 2
`
`II.
`
`Identification of Claims Being Challenged (§ 42.104(b)) ............................... 2
`
`III.
`
`Relevant Information Concerning the Contested Patent ................................. 3
`
`A. Background of the Technology ............................................................. 3
`The Basic Asphalt Shingle Coated on Both Sides with
`Asphalt and Granules Had Been Known for Decades ................ 3
`
`1.
`
`2.
`
`The Prior Art Disclosed a Generally Longitudinal Second
`Thickness Layer For Reinforcement in the Nailing Zone .......... 7
`3. The Prior Art Taught Thin Reinforcement Material ................. 11
`Laminated Shingles Including Multiple Reinforcement
`Layers Were Known ................................................................. 12
`
`4.
`
`B.
`
`General Overview Of The ’025 Patent ................................................ 15
`The ’025 Patent Recognizes the Basic Asphalt Shingle
`1.
`Was Known ............................................................................... 15
`2. Only a Rear Exterior Surface Reinforcement Layer Is
`Disclosed in the ’025 Patent ..................................................... 16
`The Reinforcement Layer Is "Adhered" to the Surface
`in All the Claims ....................................................................... 18
`
`3.
`
`FAST FELT 2029, pg. 2
`Owens Corning v. Fast Felt
`IPR2015-00650
`
`

`
`Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 8,592,025
`
`4. The Reinforcing Layer Provides Strength and Stability ........... 18
`
`Co
`
`Prosecution History and Effective Filing Date of the ’025 Patent ...... 19
`
`D.
`
`go
`
`2.
`
`1.
`
`Prosecution of the ’025 Patent .................................................. 19
`Prosecution of Related Patent Applications .............................. 19
`U.S. Appl. No. 10/871,911 ............................................. 20
`a.
`U.S. Appl. No. 12/857,868 ............................................. 21
`b.
`3. Effective Filing Date of the Claims .......................................... 24
`
`Person of Ordinary skill ...................................................................... 24
`
`2.
`
`3.
`
`Construction of Terms Used in the Claims ......................................... 24
`Elements (a)-(d) of Claim 1 ...................................................... 25
`"said shingle" ............................................................................ 25
`"adhered to an exterior surface of said shingle" ....................... 28
`"reinforcement... layer" .......................................................... 31
`"substantially thinner" .............................................................. 31
`
`4.
`
`5.
`
`IV.
`
`Precise Reasons for Relief Requested ........................................................... 33
`
`No
`
`Claims 1-22 Are Unpatentable Over Venrick 1939 (Ex. 1013) ......... 33
`1. Venrick 1939 Anticipates Claim 1 ............................................ 33
`
`Venrick 1939
`
`Anticipates Claim 2 ............................................ 37
`
`Renders Obvious Claim 4 .................................. 38
`Anticipates Claims 10 and 12 ............................ 38
`
`Renders Obvious Claims 5 and 7 ....................... 39
`Anticipates Claims 3, 11, 13, and 14 ................. 39
`Renders Obvious Claims 6, 8, and 9 .................. 39
`Anticipates Claim 15 .......................................... 40
`Anticipates Claim 16 .......................................... 40
`
`Renders Obvious Claim 17 ................................ 40
`Anticipates Claims 20 and 21 ............................ 41
`
`Renders Obvious Claims 18 and 19 ................... 41
`
`ii
`
`FAST FELT 2029, pg. 3
`Owens Corning v. Fast Felt
`IPR2015-00650
`
`2.
`
`3.
`
`4.
`
`5.
`
`6.
`
`7.
`
`8.
`
`Venrick 1939
`
`Venrick 1939
`
`Venrick 1939
`
`Venrick 1939
`
`Venrick 1939
`
`Venrick 1939
`
`9.
`
`Venrick 1939
`10. Venrick 1939
`11. Venrick 1939
`12. Venrick 1939
`
`

`
`Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 8,592,025
`
`13. Venrick 1939 Anticipates Claim 22 .......................................... 41
`
`go
`
`Claims 1-22 Are Unpatentable Over Venrick 1939 (Ex. 1013)
`in View of Frankoski 1998 (Ex. 1010) ................................................ 42
`Venrick 1939 In View Of Frankoski 1998 Renders
`Obvious Claim 1 ....................................................................... 42
`
`o
`
`o
`
`4.
`
`5.
`

`

`

`

`
`10.
`
`Venrick 1939 In View Of Frankoksi 1998 Renders
`Obvious Claim 2 ....................................................................... 46
`
`Venrick 1939 In View Of Frankoksi 1998 Renders
`Obvious Claim 4 ....................................................................... 46
`
`Venrick 1939 In
`Obvious Claims
`
`View Of Frankoksi 1998 Renders
`5, 7, 10, and 12 ............................................... 47
`View Of Frankoksi 1998 Renders
`Venrick 1939 In
`3, 6, 8, 9, 11, 13, and 14 ................................. 47
`Obvious Claims
`Venrick 1939 In View Of Frankoksi 1998 Renders
`Obvious Claim 15 ..................................................................... 48
`
`Venrick 1939 In View Of Frankoksi 1998 Renders
`Obvious Claim 16 ..................................................................... 48
`
`Venrick 1939 In View Of Frankoksi 1998 Renders
`Obvious Claim 17 ..................................................................... 49
`
`Venrick 1939 In View Of Frankoksi 1998 Renders
`Obvious Claims 18, 19, 20, and 21 ........................................... 49
`Venrick 1939 In View Of Frankoksi 1998 Renders
`Obvious Claim 22 ..................................................................... 50
`
`Co
`
`Claims 1-22 Are Unpatentable Over Venrick 1939 (Ex. 1013) in
`View of Kiik 2001 (Ex. 1018) ............................................................. 50
`Venrick 1939 In View Of Kiik 2001 Renders Obvious
`Claim 1 ...................................................................................... 51
`
`o
`
`o
`
`o
`
`Venrick 1939 In View Of Kiik 2001 Renders Obvious
`Claim 2 ...................................................................................... 54
`
`Venrick 1939 In View Of Kiik 2001 Renders Obvious
`Claim 4 ...................................................................................... 54
`
`Venrick 1939 In View of Kiik 2001 Renders Obvious
`Claims 5, 7, 10, and 12 ............................................................. 55
`
`iii
`
`FAST FELT 2029, pg. 4
`Owens Corning v. Fast Felt
`IPR2015-00650
`
`

`
`Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 8,592,025
`
`o
`

`

`

`

`
`10.
`
`Venrick 1939 In View Of Kiik 2001 Renders Obvious
`Claims 3, 6, 8, 9, 11, 13, and 14 ............................................... 56
`Venrick 1939 In View of Kiik 2001 Renders Obvious
`Claim 15 .................................................................................... 56
`
`Venrick 1939 In View of Kiik 2001 Renders Obvious
`Claim 16 .................................................................................... 57
`
`Venrick 1939 In View of Kiik 2001 Renders Obvious
`Claim 17 .................................................................................... 57
`
`Venrick 1939 In View of Kiik 2001 Renders Obvious
`Claims 18, 19, 20, and 21 ......................................................... 57
`Venrick 1939 In View Of Kiik 2001 Renders Obvious
`Claim 22 .................................................................................... 58
`
`Do
`
`Secondary Considerations Do Not Weigh In Favor of
`Nonobviousness ................................................................................... 59
`
`go
`
`CONCLUSION .............................................................................................. 60
`
`Attachment A.
`
`Proof of Service of the Petition
`
`Attachment B.
`
`List of Evidence and Exhibits Relied Upon in Petition
`
`iv
`
`FAST FELT 2029, pg. 5
`Owens Corning v. Fast Felt
`IPR2015-00650
`
`

`
`I.
`
`Compliance with Requirements of an InterPartes Review Petition
`
`A.
`
`Certification that the Patent May Be Contested via InterPartes
`Review by the Petitioner
`
`Petitioner certifies it is not barred or estopped from requesting interpartes
`
`review of U.S. Patent No. 8,592,025 ("the ’025 patent") (Ex. 1037). Neither
`
`Petitioner, nor any party in privity with Petitioner: (i) has filed a civil action
`
`challenging the validity of any claim of the ’025 patent; or (ii) has been served a
`
`complaint alleging infringement of the ’025 patent more than one year prior to the
`
`present date. Also, the ’025 patent has not been the subject of a prior interpartes
`
`review or a finally concluded district court litigation involving Petitioner.
`
`Petitioner also certifies this petition for interpartes review is filed in
`
`compliance with 35 U.S.C. § 315(b). Petitioner Owens Coming was served a
`
`complaint alleging infringement of the ’025 patent on April 22, 2014 resulting in
`
`Civ. A. No. I:14-cv-00510-SLR (D. Del.). See Ex. 1045 (Complaint).
`
`B. Fee for Inter Partes Review (§ 42.15(a))
`
`The Director is authorized to charge Deposit Account No. 50-1597.
`
`C. Mandatory Notices (37 CFR § 42.8(b))
`
`1. Real Party in Interest (§ 42.8(b)(1))
`
`The real party in interest is Owens Coming, located at One Owens Coming
`
`Parkway, Toledo, OH 43659.
`
`FAST FELT 2029, pg. 6
`Owens Corning v. Fast Felt
`IPR2015-00650
`
`

`
`Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 8,592,025
`
`2. Other Proceedings (§ 42.8(b)(2))
`
`The ’025 patent is the subject of litigation in the District of Delaware (Cir.
`
`A. No. I:14-cv-00510-SLR), which names Owens Coming as defendant. Patents
`
`related to the ’025 patent, by continuation, are the subject of petitions for inter
`
`partes review filed concurrently herewith (IPR Nos. 2014-01397, 2014-01401, -
`
`01402,-01404).
`
`3.
`
`Lead and Backup Lead Counsel (§ 42.8(b)(3))
`
`Lead Counsel
`Jeffrey P. Kushan
`Reg. No. 43,401
`j kushan~sidley.com
`(202) 736-8914
`
`Backup Lead Counsel
`Peter S. Choi
`Reg. No. 54,033
`peter.choi(~sidley.com
`(202) 736-8076
`
`4.
`
`Service on Petitioner
`
`Service on Petitioner may be made by mail or hand delivery to:
`
`Sidley
`
`Austin LLP, 1501 K Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20005.
`
`The fax number for
`
`Petitioner’s counsel is (202) 736-8711.
`
`D. Proof of Service (§§ 42.6(e) and 42.105(a))
`
`Proof of service of this petition is provided in Attachment A.
`
`II.
`
`Identification of Claims Being Challenged (§ 42.104(b))
`
`Claims 1-22 of the ’025 patent are unpatentable. Specifically:
`
`(1) Claims 1-3, 10-16, and 20-22 are anticipated under § 102(b) by
`
`Venrick 1939.
`
`2
`
`FAST FELT 2029, pg. 7
`Owens Corning v. Fast Felt
`IPR2015-00650
`
`

`
`Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 8,592,025
`
`(2)
`
`Claims 4-9 and 17-19 would have been obvious under § 103 based on
`
`Venrick 1939.
`
`(3)
`
`(4)
`
`Claims 1-22 would have been obvious under § 103 based on Venrick
`
`1939 in view of Frankoski 1998.
`
`Claims 1-22 would have been obvious under § 103 based on Venrick
`
`1939 in view of Kiik 2001.
`
`Petitioner’s proposed claim construction, the evidence relied upon, and the
`
`precise reasons why the claims are unpatentable are provided below. A list of
`
`evidence relied upon in support of this petition is set forth in Attachment B.
`
`III. Relevant Information Concerning the Contested Patent
`
`A.
`
`Background of the Technology
`
`1.
`
`The Basic Asphalt Shingle Coated on Both Sides with
`Asphalt and Granules Had Been Known for Decades
`
`Asphalt shingles have been used to cover roofs since the late-1800s. See,
`
`e.g., Ex. 1005, Cash, "Asphalt Roofing Shingles," Proc. 11t5 Conf. Roofing Tech.
`
`(1995) (Cash 1995), at 1; Ex. 1003 (Bryson Decl.), at ¶ 46. By the mid-1990s,
`
`three styles predominated: (1) the individual shingle; (2) the strip shingle (with or
`
`without tabs), and (3) the laminated shingle. Ex. 1005 (Cash 1995), at Figs. 10-12;
`
`Ex. 1003 (Bryson Decl.), at ¶¶ 46-47.
`
`Asphalt waterproofs the shingle. Ex. 1007, Noone, "Asphalt-Shingles - A
`
`Century of Success and Improvement," Proc. 11t5 Conf. Roofing Tech. (1993)
`
`(Noone 1993), at 2; Ex. 1003 (Bryson Decl.), at ¶ 48. In general, making an
`
`3
`
`FAST FELT 2029, pg. 8
`Owens Corning v. Fast Felt
`IPR2015-00650
`
`

`
`Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 8,592,025
`
`asphalt shingle involves passing a base mat through a coater, where layers of hot
`
`asphalt are applied to the top and back surfaces. Ex. 1007 (Noone 1993), at 2; Ex.
`
`1003 (Bryson Decl.), at 1 48. Colored or non-colored granules are then dropped on
`
`the front surface and other granular materials are applied to the back. Ex. 1007
`
`(Noone 1993), at 2, 5; Ex. 1003 (Bryson Decl.), at 1 48. The granular material on
`
`the front adds color and texture. Finely ground talc and sand or other granular
`
`materials are added on the back to prevent sticking during storage and shipment.
`
`Ex. 1007 (Noone 1993), at 2, 5-6; Ex. 1003 (Bryson Decl.), at 1 48.
`
`The basic steps for making an asphalt shingle, including coating both sides
`
`of the base mat (i. e., substrate) with asphalt and applying granular material on both
`
`sides, have remained the same for decades. Ex. 1003 (Bryson Decl.), at 11 49-50.
`
`U.S. Patent No. 2,099,131 to Miller (issued in 1937) (Miller 1937) (Ex. 1008)
`
`states, for example:
`
`It has heretofore been common practice to manufacture prepared
`
`roofing by saturating a suitable absorbant fabric, such as roofing felt,
`
`with a liquid bituminous material, e.g., asphalt, coating both sides of
`
`the saturated fabric with a bituminous material, surfacing the
`
`bituminous coating on one side of the fabric with mineral grit, such
`
`as crushed slate, and applFing mica, soapstone~ or other anti-stick
`
`material to the coating on the other side of the fabric.
`
`Id. at 4, col. 1:13-24 (emphasis added); Ex. 1003 (Bryson Decl.), at 1 50.
`
`4
`
`FAST FELT 2029, pg. 9
`Owens Corning v. Fast Felt
`IPR2015-00650
`
`

`
`Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 8,592,025
`
`A typical shingle includes a plurality of tabs (i. e., flaps) that extend
`
`downwardly from a headlap area. Ex. 1003 (Bryson Decl.), at ¶¶ 56-57. Each
`
`asphalt shingle has a nailing zone or fastening zone for attachment to a roof. Id.
`
`As shown below in the 1997 edition of the ARMA Residential Roofing Manual
`
`(ARMA Manual 1997) (Ex. 1009), at Fig. 10, the nailing zone typically is located
`
`just above the tabs in the headlap area. Also shown is the generally longitudinal
`
`dimensions of the typical strip shingle, i.e., 36"x 12".
`
`~ Headlap Area ]
`
`Ex. 1003 (Bryson Decl.), at ¶ 57. The nailing zone is (a) generally
`
`longitudinal like the shingle itself, (b) located between the right and left shingle
`
`edges, and (c) generally intermediate of the upper and lower edges. Id. at ¶¶ 57-58.
`
`Claim 1 of the ’025 patent provides: ’°[a] shingle having front and rear
`
`exterior surfaces and being comprised of shingle material, with the shingle having
`
`a width defined by upper and lower edges and a length defined by right and left
`
`edges." Elements (a)-(d) of claim 1 require the following:
`
`(a) a base layer of mat having front and rear surfaces;
`
`FAST FELT 2029, pg. 10
`Owens Corning v. Fast Felt
`IPR2015-00650
`
`

`
`Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 8,592,025
`
`(b) a coating of asphaltic material on both front and rear surfaces of
`
`the mat;
`
`(c) coatings of granular material on said both front and rear surfaces
`
`of the mat, which, together with said base layer of mat and coatings of
`
`asphaltic material comprise a first thickness layer; and
`
`(d) a longitudinal fastening zone between right and left shingle edges,
`
`generally intermediate said upper and lower edges.
`
`Ex. 1037 (’025 patent), at col. 6:57-7:3.
`
`These elements describe nothing more than the basic asphalt shingle, or
`
`what was "common practice" since at least the 1930s. Ex. 1003 (Bryson Decl.), at
`
`¶¶ 59-68. The ’025 patent acknowledges that the "basic" asphalt shingle was
`
`known in the prior art. Ex. 1037 (’025 patent), at col. 2:50-5:7.
`
`To the basic asphalt shingle, elements (e)-(f) of claim 1 of the ’025 patent
`
`add and describe a "reinforcement second thickness layer":
`
`(e) and an at least partially externally visible generally longitudinal
`
`reinforcement second thickness layer of a substantially thinner
`
`dimension than said first thickness layer; said reinforcement second
`
`thickness layer being adhered to an exterior surface of said shingle
`
`and extending at least substantially between right and left edges of the
`
`shingle; and
`
`(f) said reinforcement second thickness layer extending at least
`
`partially lower than the fastening zone, toward the lower edge of the
`
`shingle or at least partially into the fastening zone toward the upper
`
`edge of the shingle.
`
`6
`
`FAST FELT 2029, pg. 11
`Owens Corning v. Fast Felt
`IPR2015-00650
`
`

`
`Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 8,592,025
`
`Ex. 1037 (’025 patent), at col. 7:4-15; see also id. col. 3:16-18 ("the shingle
`
`20 is similar to that of the [prior art] shingle 10 of FIG. 1, but with a reinforcement
`
`layer"). Reinforcement layers having the claimed features were known in the prior
`
`art. Ex. 1003 (Bryson Decl.), at ¶1 69-120.
`
`2.
`
`The Prior Art Disclosed a Generally Longitudinal Second
`Thickness Layer For Reinforcement in the Nailing Zone
`
`U.S. Patent No. 2,161,440 to Venrick (Venrick 1939) describes a
`
`"reinforcing strip" for "strengthening," to "reduce... tear," and to "provide a
`
`reinl~oreed area for nailing the shingle to the roof." Ex. 1013 (Venrick 1939), at 3,
`
`col. 1:40-46 (emphasis added); Ex. 1003 (Bryson Decl.), at 11 93-97.
`
`The Venrick 1939 strip, which may be made of, inter alia, felt, metal, or
`
`"layers of roofing tape," Ex. 1013 (Venrick 1939), at 4, col. 2:74-75, also functions
`
`to add "rigidity" to "resist[] the action of the wind." Id. at 5, col. 1:1-9; Ex. 1003
`
`(Bryson Decl.), at 1 94. "[I]mproved resistance to failure upon bending" is also a
`
`function of the reinforcement layer in the ’025 patent. Ex. 1037 (’025 patent), at
`
`col. 5:28-29; Ex. 1003 (Bryson Decl.), at 1 94. The reinforcing strip is shown in
`
`Fig. 1 of Venrick 1939 as 15 on the front surface of a shingle.
`
`7
`
`FAST FELT 2029, pg. 12
`Owens Corning v. Fast Felt
`IPR2015-00650
`
`

`
`Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 8,592,025
`
`Ex. 1003 (Bryson Decl.), at ¶ 95. Venrick 1939 also teaches that the
`
`reinforcement strip can be placed on the "undersurface," or rear. Ex. 1013
`
`(Venrick 1939), at 4, col. 2:60-63, see also Figs. 8-14; Ex. 1003 (Bryson Decl.), at
`
`¶ 96. Also, the strip is preferably "cemented" onto the granule surfacing, Ex. 1013
`
`(Venrick 1939), at 4, col. 2:32-37, and overlaps with the nailing zone to "give
`
`greater nailing strength," Ex. 1013 (Venrick 1939), at 4, col. 2:2:11-23; Ex. 1003
`
`(Bryson Decl.), at ¶ 96.
`
`Figs. 8 and 9 of Venrick 1939 show the reinforcement strip 45 as a visible
`
`component that is adhered to the exterior rear surface of the shingle. Ex. 1013
`
`(Venrick 1939); Ex. 1003 (Bryson Decl.), at ¶ 97. It extends at least partially into
`
`the zone having nailing holes 47, and as shown by the hashed lines, it also extends
`
`at least partially lower than the nailing zone (i. e., into the tab portion toward the
`
`lower edge of the shingle). Id. It also extends toward the upper edge of the shingle
`
`into the headlap area. Id. The reinforcement strip clearly forms a second thickness
`
`layer. Id. The strip is also generally longitudinal (as shown by the hashed lines) as
`
`would be expected given that shingles are generally longitudinal. Id.
`
`-~_,~
`
`FAST FELT 2029, pg. 13
`Owens Corning v. Fast Felt
`IPR2015-00650
`
`

`
`Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 8,592,025
`
`It was known in the art that nailing through multiple layers of shingle
`
`material provided strength and contributed to roofing integrity. Ex. 1003 (Bryson
`
`Decl.), at 1 98. E.g., U.S. Patent No. 6,145,265 (Ex. 1011), at col. 1:60-62
`
`("[N]ailing through a double layer of material provides strength, which is essential
`
`for roofing integrity in windy conditions."). Because the nailing zone was
`
`generally longitudinal, see Ex. 1009 (ARMA Manual 1997), at Fig. 10, it would
`
`only make sense to make the reinforcement layer generally longitudinal while
`
`extending it at least partially into the nailing zone. Ex. 1003 (Bryson Decl.), at 1
`
`98. This is what Venrick 1939 teaches. See Ex. 1013 (Venrick 1939), at 5, col.
`
`1:50-54 ("The shingles are nailed preferably.., where the raised median strip is.");
`
`Ex. 1003 (Bryson Decl.), at 1 98.
`
`Examples of reinforcing layers affixed to the rear surface abound. U.S.
`
`Patent No. 4,875,321 to Rohner (Rohner 1989) (Ex. 1015) discloses a "backing
`
`strip" (Fig. 2, 25) that can be made of "light-weight weather-resistant material" to
`
`"provide a stiffer shingle which grips the nails .... " Id. at col. 1:55-59; Ex. 1003
`
`(Bryson Decl.), at I 103. Fig. 2 exemplifies a shingle with a reinforcing backing
`
`layer 25. Ex. 1003 (Bryson Decl.), at 11 103-104. Fig. 3 confirms that the rear
`
`facing reinforcing layer 25 extends at least partially into the nailing zone 37. Ex.
`
`1015 (Rohner 1989); Ex. 1003 (Bryson Decl.), at 11 103-104.
`
`9
`
`FAST FELT 2029, pg. 14
`Owens Corning v. Fast Felt
`IPR2015-00650
`
`

`
`Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 8,592,025
`
`Rohner 1989, Fi~. 2
`
`Rohner 1989, Fig. 3
`
`31
`
`FIG. 2
`
`~ 5~ 33
`
`2~
`
`F1G.~
`
`The Rohner 1989 "backing strip" forms a second thickness layer on the rear
`
`surface, and is longitudinal like the shingle itself. Ex. 1003 (Bryson Decl.), at ¶¶
`
`103-104.
`
`Similarly, U.S. Patent No. 5,860,263 to Sieling (Sieling 1999) (Ex. 1016)
`
`shows a "reinforcement" strip 60 affixed to the back portion of an asphalt shingle.
`
`Ex. 1003 (Bryson Decl.), at ¶ 105.
`
`FIG.5
`
`Sieling 1999 describes the reinforcing strip as having dimensions which the
`
`person of ordinary skill would understand to fall within the nailing zone of the
`
`shingle. Ex. 1016 (Sieling 1999), at col. 3:23-28; Ex. 1003 (Bryson Decl.), at ¶
`
`106. The reinforcing strip in Sieling 1999 is on the exterior surface, forms a
`
`10
`
`FAST FELT 2029, pg. 15
`Owens Corning v. Fast Felt
`IPR2015-00650
`
`

`
`Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 8,592,025
`
`second thickness layer, and is longitudinal in orientation. Ex. 1003 (Bryson Decl.),
`
`at1 106.
`
`3. The Prior Art Taught Thin Reinforcement Material
`
`As Venrick 1939, Rohner 1989, and Sieling 1999 show, the concept of using
`
`a reinforcing layer on the back of a shingle was not new. Ex. 1003 (Bryson Decl.),
`
`at 11 69-120. Nor was the concept of using thin material for reinforcement. Id.
`
`U.S. Patent No. 3,813,280 to Olszyk (Olszyk 1974) (Ex. 1014) shows a web
`
`layer 16 affixed to the back of an asphalt shingle. Ex. 1003 (Bryson Decl.), at 1
`
`99.
`
`Among other things, the purpose of the web layer in Olszyk 1974 is "adding
`
`reinl~orcement ... and providing additional tear strengtlt." Ex. 1014 (Olszyk
`
`1974), at col. 4:17-27 (emphasis added); Ex. 1003 (Bryson Decl.), at I 100. The
`
`thickness of the web is on the order of 1/1000th of an inch. Ex. 1014 (Olszyk
`
`1974), at col. 3:59-60 ("a thickness of between 10 mils or less to about 30 mils.");
`
`Ex. 1003 (Bryson Decl.), at I 101.
`
`11
`
`FAST FELT 2029, pg. 16
`Owens Corning v. Fast Felt
`IPR2015-00650
`
`

`
`Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 8,592,025
`
`U.S. Patent Publ. No. 2001/0055680 to Kiik (Kiik 2001) (Ex. 1018) Kiik
`
`2001 discloses an asphalt roof shingle having a "backing material" that can be
`
`made of woven polyester and latex fiber bound by latex. Id. at [0004], [0006]; Ex.
`
`1003 (Bryson Decl.), at ¶ 110. The exemplary backing materials have a thickness
`
`of 13-23 1/1000t5 of an inch. Ex. 1018 (Kiik 2001), at [Table 1]; Ex. 1003 (Bryson
`
`Decl.), at ¶ 110. Data in Kiik 2001 show that reinforced laminated shingles
`
`exhibited improved tear strength and nail pull strength. Ex. 1018 (Kiik 2001), at
`
`Table 1 and 2; Ex. 1003 (Bryson Decl.), at ¶ 113. Thus, like Venrick 1939 and
`
`Olszyk 1974, Kiik 2001 showed that thin material could be affixed to the back of
`
`an asphalt shingle to provide reinforcing properties.
`
`Ex. 1003 (Bryson Decl.), at ¶
`
`113.
`
`4.
`
`Laminated Shingles Including Multiple Reinforcement
`Layers Were Known
`
`U.S. Patent No. 5,822,943 to Frankoski (Frankoski 1998) (Ex. 1010)issued
`
`in 1998. Ex. 1003 (Bryson Decl.), at ¶ 71. The ’025 patent incorporates by
`
`reference Frankoski 1998 and says that the "basic" asphalt shingle can be made
`
`according to its teachings. Ex. 1037 (’025 patent), at col. 3:4-7.
`
`Frankoski 1998 (Ex. 1010) discloses a laminated shingle. Ex. 1003 (Bryson
`
`Decl.), at ¶ 71. A laminated shingle is simply a shingle made of two layers that are
`
`glued together. Id. This is shown in Figure 1 of Frankoski 1998 (Ex. 1010).
`
`12
`
`FAST FELT 2029, pg. 17
`Owens Corning v. Fast Felt
`IPR2015-00650
`
`

`
`Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 8,592,025
`
`15 10
`
`25
`
`FIG. 1
`
`The shingle comprises an upper layer 5 and a lower layer 7, which are glued
`
`together with a sealant 9. Ex. 1003 (Bryson Decl.), at ¶ 72. The upper layer
`
`includes a headlap area 10 and a number of tabs 35. Id. The lower layer is
`
`longitudinal, and extends between the right and left edges. Id.
`
`It was widely known that gluing an extra shingle layer to the back surface of
`
`what was essentially a single layer strip shingle, as in a laminated shingle, provided
`
`reinforcement by enabling a roofer to nail through two, rather than one, layer of
`
`material. Id. at ¶ 76. U.S. Patent No. 6,145,265 (Malarkey 2000)(Ex. 1011)
`
`explains this common-sense principle by noting that ’°nailin~ through a double
`
`laFer o[material provides strength." Id. at col. 1:54-62 (emphasis added); Ex.
`
`1003 (Bryson Decl.), at ¶ 76. Laminated shingles, which by the late 1990s and
`
`early 2000s were among the most popular shingles made and sold, therefore
`
`utilized a second thickness layer of material that were recognized to add
`
`reinforcement. Ex. 1003 (Bryson Decl.), at ¶ 76.
`
`13
`
`FAST FELT 2029, pg. 18
`Owens Corning v. Fast Felt
`IPR2015-00650
`
`

`
`Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 8,592,025
`
`Fig. 2 of Frankoski 1998 (Ex. 1010) also shows a scrim layer 60 in the
`
`laminated shingle. Ex. 1003 (Bryson Decl.), at ¶1 77-78.
`
`FI~. 2.
`
`Scrim is thin material that can be made from any number of different fabrics,
`
`synthetic, or composite materials. Id. The scrim layer "provides a superior
`
`strength and nail pull-through resistance to withstand, for example, hurricane force
`
`winds." Ex. 1010 (Frankoski 1998), at col. 3:20-24; Ex. 1003 (Bryson Decl.), at 1
`
`78. Frankoski 1998 states that the reinforcing scrim preferably extends the entire
`
`length of the shingle. Id. at col. 5:27-28. This would be understand to mean the
`
`reinforcing scrim is generally longitudinal given that most shingles were longer
`
`than they were wide. Ex. 1003 (Bryson Decl.), at 11 78-81. Frankoski 1998 also
`
`explicitly states that the scrim should "coincide with at least a portion of the nail
`
`zone." Ex. 1010 (Frankoski 1998), at col. 5:38-39; Ex. 1003 (Bryson Decl.), at I
`
`81.
`
`As discussed infra at § III.C.2., Patent Owner distinguished the alleged
`
`invention over Frankoski 1998 by arguing that the reinforcing layer of the alleged
`
`invention is not "embedded" within the shingle as the scrim 60 is in Frankoski
`
`1998, and that it instead is affixed to the exterior, rear surface of the shingle. At
`
`14
`
`FAST FELT 2029, pg. 19
`Owens Corning v. Fast Felt
`IPR2015-00650
`
`

`
`Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 8,592,025
`
`the time these arguments were made, neither Venrick 1939, Rohner 1989 nor
`
`Sieling 1999 (each discussed above) were before the Patent Office. See generally,
`
`Ex. 1003 (Bryson Decl.) §§ III.F-III.H.
`
`B. General Overview Of The ’025 Patent
`
`The ’025 patent issued on November 26, 2013, to inventors Kalkanoglu and
`
`Koch. The title of the ’025 patent is "Shingle With Reinforcement Layer." Ex.
`
`1037 (’025 patent), at col. 1:1.
`
`1.
`
`The ’025 Patent Recognizes the Basic Asphalt Shingle Was
`Known
`
`The ’025 patent acknowledges that the basic components of an asphalt
`
`shingle were known in the prior art. Ex. 1037 (’025 patent), at col. 2:50-3:3.
`
`Referring to Fig. 1, the ’025 patent describes the "prior art shingle" as follows:
`
`Referring now to the drawings in detail, reference is first made to FIG.
`
`1, wherein a prior art shingle is illustrated as comprising a shingle
`
`generally designated by the numeral 10, constructed as a mat of
`
`preferably fiberglass mesh, having asphalt, or some other form of
`
`bitumen material impregnated therein, and forming layers on each
`
`surface thereof, with a granular material on each exposed surface. On
`
`the upper exposed surface, will be granules of a size desired to resist
`
`sun and other weather conditions, and on the opposite, or undersurface
`
`11, there will be preferably smaller granules of a mica, sand or like
`
`material, for example.
`
`15
`
`FAST FELT 2029, pg. 20
`Owens Corning v. Fast Felt
`IPR2015-00650
`
`

`
`Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 8,592,025
`
`Id. at col. 2:50-60. The ’025 patent states that the "basic" prior art shingle
`
`can be made by the methods disclosed in, among other references, Frankoski 1998.
`
`Id. at col. 3:4-7; Ex. 1003 (Bryson Decl.), at 1 70.
`
`2.
`
`Only a Rear Exterior Surface Reinforcement Layer Is
`Disclosed in the ’025 Patent
`
`The person of ordinary skill would understand that the reinforcement layer
`
`disclosed in the ’025 patent is affixed to the rear surface of the asphalt shingle, and
`
`nowhere else. Ex. 1003 (Bryson Decl.), at 1 206.
`
`The specification states: the "present invention is directed toward providing
`
`a shingle, wherein a separate, exterior reinforcement layer is provided outside the
`
`rear surface of the shingle .... " Ex. 1037 (’025 patent), at col. 1:53-57 (emphasis
`
`added); Ex. 1003 (Bryson Decl.), at 11 137, 194,206.
`
`The figures in the ’025 patent show the reinforcement layer to be located on
`
`the rear. Ex. 1003 (Bryson Decl.), at 11 138-143,194,206. Fig. 2 shows the prior
`
`art shingle with "a reinforcement la!:er applied to the rear surface thereof, in
`
`accordance with the present invention." Ex. 1037 (’025 patent), at col. 2:19-21
`
`(emphasis added); Ex. 1003 (Bryson Decl.), at 11 139, 194, 206. Figure 3 also
`
`shows the "rear surface" of the shingle.
`
`Ex. 1003 (Bryson Decl.), at 11 141,194,
`
`206.
`
`Indeed, the specification consistently emphasizes that the reinforcement
`
`layer is located on the "rear surface."
`
`See, e.g., Ex. 1037 (’025 patent), at Figs. 4
`
`16
`
`FAST FELT 2029, pg. 21
`Owens Corning v. Fast Felt
`IPR2015-00650
`
`

`
`Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 8,592,025
`
`and 4A (reinforcement layer 29 on rear surface of shingle); col. 1:54-57
`
`("reinforcement layer is provided outside tlte rear surface"); col. 3:18-21 ("a
`
`reinforcement layer.., added on tlte rear 21 of the shingle"); col. 4:12-13 ("the
`
`scrim 46 applied to tlte undersurface"); col. 5:50-6:50 (extolling performance of
`
`

This document is available on Docket Alarm but you must sign up to view it.


Or .

Accessing this document will incur an additional charge of $.

After purchase, you can access this document again without charge.

Accept $ Charge
throbber

Still Working On It

This document is taking longer than usual to download. This can happen if we need to contact the court directly to obtain the document and their servers are running slowly.

Give it another minute or two to complete, and then try the refresh button.

throbber

A few More Minutes ... Still Working

It can take up to 5 minutes for us to download a document if the court servers are running slowly.

Thank you for your continued patience.

This document could not be displayed.

We could not find this document within its docket. Please go back to the docket page and check the link. If that does not work, go back to the docket and refresh it to pull the newest information.

Your account does not support viewing this document.

You need a Paid Account to view this document. Click here to change your account type.

Your account does not support viewing this document.

Set your membership status to view this document.

With a Docket Alarm membership, you'll get a whole lot more, including:

  • Up-to-date information for this case.
  • Email alerts whenever there is an update.
  • Full text search for other cases.
  • Get email alerts whenever a new case matches your search.

Become a Member

One Moment Please

The filing “” is large (MB) and is being downloaded.

Please refresh this page in a few minutes to see if the filing has been downloaded. The filing will also be emailed to you when the download completes.

Your document is on its way!

If you do not receive the document in five minutes, contact support at support@docketalarm.com.

Sealed Document

We are unable to display this document, it may be under a court ordered seal.

If you have proper credentials to access the file, you may proceed directly to the court's system using your government issued username and password.


Access Government Site

We are redirecting you
to a mobile optimized page.





Document Unreadable or Corrupt

Refresh this Document
Go to the Docket

We are unable to display this document.

Refresh this Document
Go to the Docket