`
`
`UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`________________________
`
`BEFORE THE PATENT TRIAL AND APPEAL BOARD
`________________________
`
`
`INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION, INC.,
`
`Petitioner
`
`v.
`
`HUMANGEAR, INC.,
`
`Patent Owner
`
`________________________
`
`Inter Partes Review No. IPR2023-01174
`
`U.S. Patent No. 10,555,629
`________________________
`
`
`
`PETITION FOR INTER PARTES REVIEW OF U.S. PATENT NO.
`10,555,629
`
`

`

`Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 10,555,629
`
`TABLE OF CONTENTS
`
`I. 
`II. 
`
`INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................... 1 
`COMPLIANCE WITH REQUIREMENTS FOR A PETITION
`FOR INTER PARTES REVIEW ................................................................. 1 
`A.  Grounds for Standing (37 C.F.R. § 42.104(a)) ................................ 1 
`B. 
`Fee for Inter Partes Review (37 C.F.R. § 42.15(a)) ........................ 1 
`C.  Mandatory Notices (37 C.F.R. § 42.8(b)) ........................................ 1 
`1. 
`Real Party in Interest .............................................................. 1 
`2. 
`Related Matters ...................................................................... 2 
`3. 
`Lead and Backup Counsel ..................................................... 2 
`4. 
`Service Information................................................................ 2 
`Proof of Service Notice (37 C.F.R. §§ 42.6(e) and
`42.105(a)) ......................................................................................... 2 
`III.  RELEVANT
`INFORMATION
`CONCERNING
`THE
`CONTESTED PATENT ............................................................................. 3 
`A. 
`Effective Filing Date of the ’629 Patent .......................................... 3 
`B. 
`Level of Ordinary Skill in the Art .................................................... 3 
`C. 
`Technology Background .................................................................. 3 
`D. 
`The ‘629 Patent ................................................................................ 5 
`1. 
`Overview ................................................................................ 5 
`2. 
`Prosecution History ................................................................ 9 
`Claim Construction ........................................................................ 13 
`E. 
`IV.  OVERVIEW OF THE PRIOR ART ........................................................ 13 
`A. 
`Chinese Utility Model No. CN 2062986U ("Feng") (Ex.
`1004) ............................................................................................... 13 
`1. 
`Public Availability ............................................................... 13 
`2. 
`Overview .............................................................................. 13 
`European Design No. 001805383-0001 to Kristiansson
`("Kristiansson") (Ex. 1005) ............................................................ 14 
`
`D. 
`
`B. 
`
`i
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`Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 10,555,629
`
`C. 
`
`1. 
`Public Availability ............................................................... 14 
`Overview .............................................................................. 14 
`2. 
`U.S. Patent Publication No. 2008/0201959 to Kent
`(“Kent”) (Ex. 1006) ........................................................................ 15 
`1. 
`Public Availability ............................................................... 15 
`2. 
`Overview .............................................................................. 15 
`D.  U.S. Patent No. 6,119,351
`issued
`to Vanderputt
`("Vanderputt") (Ex. 1007) .............................................................. 16 
`1. 
`Public Availability ............................................................... 16 
`2. 
`Overview .............................................................................. 16 
`Chinese Publication No. 103504965 to Bo (“Bo”) (Ex.
`1008) ............................................................................................... 17 
`1. 
`Public Availability ............................................................... 17 
`2. 
`Overview .............................................................................. 17 
`U.S. Patent No. 2,318,129 issued to Torode ("Torode")
`(Ex. 1009) ....................................................................................... 18 
`1. 
`Public Availability ............................................................... 18 
`2. 
`Overview .............................................................................. 18 
`Printed Publication for the Charles-Francois Languedocq
`Fork ("CFL Fork") (Ex. 1010) ....................................................... 19 
`1. 
`Public Availability ............................................................... 19 
`2. 
`Overview .............................................................................. 19 
`H.  U.S. Patent No. 4,535,538 issued to Nelson ("Nelson")
`(Ex. 1011) ....................................................................................... 19 
`2. 
`Public Availability ............................................................... 19 
`3. 
`Overview .............................................................................. 20 
`PRECISE RELIEF REQUESTED (CLAIMS CHALLENGED)
`(37 C.F.R. § 42.104(b)) ............................................................................ 20 
`VI.  DETAILED REASONS FOR RELIEF REQUESTED ........................... 22 
`A.  Ground 1: Claims 1-23 are rendered obvious by Feng .................. 22 
`
`G. 
`
`E. 
`
`F. 
`
`V. 
`
`ii
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`Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 10,555,629
`
`1. 
`Claim 1: Preamble:............................................................... 22 
`Claim 1(a): ........................................................................... 22 
`2. 
`Claim 1(b): ........................................................................... 23 
`3. 
`Claim 1(c): ........................................................................... 26 
`4. 
`Claim 1(d): ........................................................................... 28 
`5. 
`Claim 1(e): ........................................................................... 28 
`6. 
`Claim 1(f): ............................................................................ 28 
`7. 
`Claim 1(g): ........................................................................... 28 
`8. 
`Claim 2: ................................................................................ 31 
`9. 
`10.  Claim 3: ................................................................................ 32 
`11.  Claim 4: ................................................................................ 33 
`12.  Claim 5: ................................................................................ 34 
`13.  Claim 6: ................................................................................ 35 
`14.  Claim 7: ................................................................................ 35 
`15.  Claim 8: ................................................................................ 35 
`16.  Claim 8(a): ........................................................................... 36 
`17.  Claim 8(b): ........................................................................... 36 
`18.  Claim 8(c): ........................................................................... 37 
`19.  Claim 8(d): ........................................................................... 38 
`20.  Claim 8(e): ........................................................................... 39 
`21.  Claim 8(f): ............................................................................ 39 
`22.  Claim 8(g): ........................................................................... 39 
`23.  Claim 8(h): ........................................................................... 40 
`24.  Claim 9: ................................................................................ 41 
`25.  Claim 9(a): ........................................................................... 41 
`26.  Claim 9(b): ........................................................................... 41 
`27.  Claim 9(c): ........................................................................... 42 
`28.  Claim 9(d): ........................................................................... 42 
`
`iii
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`Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 10,555,629
`
`29.  Claim 9(e): ........................................................................... 43 
`30.  Claim 9(f): ............................................................................ 43 
`31.  Claim 10: .............................................................................. 43 
`32.  Claim 11: .............................................................................. 44 
`33.  Claim 12: .............................................................................. 44 
`34.  Claim 13: .............................................................................. 45 
`35.  Claim 14: .............................................................................. 45 
`36.  Claim 15: .............................................................................. 46 
`37.  Claim 15(a): ......................................................................... 46 
`38.  Claim 15(b): ......................................................................... 46 
`39.  Claim 15(c): ......................................................................... 47 
`40.  Claim 15(d): ......................................................................... 47 
`41.  Claim 15(e): ......................................................................... 47 
`42.  Claim 16(a): ......................................................................... 48 
`43.  Claim 16(b): ......................................................................... 49 
`44.  Claim 16(c): ......................................................................... 49 
`45.  Claim 17: .............................................................................. 49 
`46.  Claim 18: .............................................................................. 50 
`47.  Claim 19: .............................................................................. 50 
`48.  Claim 20: .............................................................................. 51 
`49.  Claim 21: .............................................................................. 52 
`50.  Claim 22: .............................................................................. 52 
`51.  Claim 23: .............................................................................. 52 
`Ground 2: Claims 1-23 are rendered obvious by Feng in
`view of Kristiansson ....................................................................... 53 
`1. 
`Claim 1: ................................................................................ 53 
`2. 
`Claim 1(a): ........................................................................... 53 
`3. 
`Claim 1(b): ........................................................................... 53 
`4. 
`Claim 1(c): ........................................................................... 57 
`
`iv
`
`B. 
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`Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 10,555,629
`
`5. 
`Claim 1(d): ........................................................................... 57 
`Claim 1(e): ........................................................................... 57 
`6. 
`Claim 1(f): ............................................................................ 57 
`7. 
`Claim 1(g): ........................................................................... 57 
`8. 
`Claim 2: ................................................................................ 58 
`9. 
`10.  Claim 3: ................................................................................ 59 
`11.  Claim 4: ................................................................................ 60 
`12.  Claim 5: ................................................................................ 60 
`13.  Claim 6: ................................................................................ 61 
`14.  Claim 7: ................................................................................ 62 
`15.  Claim 8: ................................................................................ 62 
`16.  Claim 8(a): ........................................................................... 62 
`17.  Claim 8(b): ........................................................................... 63 
`18.  Claim 8(c): ........................................................................... 63 
`19.  Claim 8(d): ........................................................................... 64 
`20.  Claim 8(e): ........................................................................... 64 
`21.  Claim 8(f): ............................................................................ 64 
`22.  Claim 8(g): ........................................................................... 64 
`23.  Claim 8(h): ........................................................................... 64 
`24.  Claim 9: ................................................................................ 64 
`25.  Claim 9(a): ........................................................................... 65 
`26.  Claim 9(b): ........................................................................... 65 
`27.  Claim 9(c): ........................................................................... 65 
`28.  Claim 9(d): ........................................................................... 66 
`29.  Claim 9(e): ........................................................................... 66 
`30.  Claim 9(f): ............................................................................ 66 
`31.  Claim 10: .............................................................................. 66 
`32.  Claim 11: .............................................................................. 66 
`
`v
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`Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 10,555,629
`
`33.  Claim 12: .............................................................................. 66 
`34.  Claim 13: .............................................................................. 67 
`35.  Claim 14: .............................................................................. 67 
`36.  Claim 15: .............................................................................. 67 
`37.  Claim 15(a): ......................................................................... 67 
`38.  Claim 15(b): ......................................................................... 68 
`39.  Claim 15(c): ......................................................................... 68 
`40.  Claim 15(d): ......................................................................... 68 
`41.  Claim 15(e): ......................................................................... 68 
`42.  Claim 16(a): ......................................................................... 68 
`43.  Claim 16(b): ......................................................................... 68 
`44.  Claim 16(c): ......................................................................... 69 
`45.  Claim 17: .............................................................................. 69 
`46.  Claim 18: .............................................................................. 70 
`47.  Claim 19: .............................................................................. 70 
`48.  Claim 20: .............................................................................. 71 
`49.  Claim 21: .............................................................................. 71 
`50.  Claim 22: .............................................................................. 71 
`51.  Claim 23: .............................................................................. 71 
`Ground 3: Claims 1-3, 7-13, 15, 16, 22, 23 are rendered
`obvious by Kent in view of Vanderputt and Bo. ............................ 71 
`1. 
`Claim 1: ................................................................................ 71 
`2. 
`Claim 1(a): ........................................................................... 72 
`3. 
`Claim 1(b): ........................................................................... 72 
`4. 
`Claim 1(c): ........................................................................... 76 
`5. 
`Claim 1(d): ........................................................................... 79 
`6. 
`Claim 1(e): ........................................................................... 81 
`7. 
`Claim 1(f): ............................................................................ 81 
`8. 
`Claim 1(g): ........................................................................... 81 
`
`vi
`
`C. 
`
`

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`Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 10,555,629
`
`9. 
`Claim 2: ................................................................................ 83 
`10.  Claim 3: ................................................................................ 85 
`11.  Claim 7: ................................................................................ 86 
`12.  Claim 8: ................................................................................ 87 
`13.  Claim 8(a): ........................................................................... 87 
`14.  Claim 8(b): ........................................................................... 87 
`15.  Claim 8(c): ........................................................................... 88 
`16.  Claim 8(d): ........................................................................... 89 
`17.  Claim 8(e): ........................................................................... 89 
`18.  Claim 8(f): ............................................................................ 89 
`19.  Claim 8(g): ........................................................................... 90 
`20.  Claim 8(h): ........................................................................... 90 
`21.  Claim 9: ................................................................................ 91 
`22.  Claim 9(a): ........................................................................... 92 
`23.  Claim 9(b): ........................................................................... 92 
`24.  Claim 9(c): ........................................................................... 92 
`25.  Claim 9(d): ........................................................................... 93 
`26.  Claim 9(e): ........................................................................... 93 
`27.  Claim 9(f): ............................................................................ 93 
`28.  Claim 10: .............................................................................. 93 
`29.  Claim 11: .............................................................................. 94 
`30.  Claim 12: .............................................................................. 95 
`31.  Claim 13: .............................................................................. 95 
`32.  Claim 15: .............................................................................. 96 
`33.  Claim 15(a): ......................................................................... 96 
`34.  Claim 15(b): ......................................................................... 96 
`35.  Claim 15(c): ......................................................................... 96 
`36.  Claim 15(d): ......................................................................... 97 
`
`vii
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`Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 10,555,629
`
`37.  Claim 15(e): ......................................................................... 97 
`38.  Claim 16(a): ......................................................................... 97 
`39.  Claim 16(b): ......................................................................... 98 
`40.  Claim 16(c): ......................................................................... 99 
`41.  Claim 22: .............................................................................. 99 
`42.  Claim 23: ............................................................................ 101 
`D.  Ground 4: Claims 1-23 are rendered obvious by Torode
`in view of CFL Fork and Nelson. ................................................. 102 
`1. 
`Claim 1: .............................................................................. 102 
`2. 
`Claim 1(a): ......................................................................... 102 
`3. 
`Claim 1(b): ......................................................................... 103 
`4. 
`Claim 1(c): ......................................................................... 106 
`5. 
`Claim 1(d): ......................................................................... 107 
`6. 
`Claim 1(e): ......................................................................... 108 
`7. 
`Claim 1(f): .......................................................................... 108 
`8. 
`Claim 1(g): ......................................................................... 108 
`9. 
`Claim 2: .............................................................................. 109 
`10.  Claim 3: .............................................................................. 110 
`11.  Claim 4: .............................................................................. 111 
`12.  Claim 5: .............................................................................. 112 
`13.  Claim 6: .............................................................................. 113 
`14.  Claim 7: .............................................................................. 114 
`15.  Claim 8: .............................................................................. 114 
`16.  Claim 8(a): ......................................................................... 114 
`17.  Claim 8(b): ......................................................................... 115 
`18.  Claim 8(c): ......................................................................... 116 
`19.  Claim 8(d): ......................................................................... 117 
`20.  Claim 8(e): ......................................................................... 117 
`21.  Claim 8(f): .......................................................................... 117 
`
`viii
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`

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`Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 10,555,629
`
`22.  Claim 8(g): ......................................................................... 117 
`23.  Claim 8(h): ......................................................................... 117 
`24.  Claim 9: .............................................................................. 118 
`25.  Claim 9(a): ......................................................................... 118 
`26.  Claim 9(b): ......................................................................... 119 
`27.  Claim 9(c): ......................................................................... 119 
`28.  Claim 9(d): ......................................................................... 119 
`29.  Claim 9(e): ......................................................................... 119 
`30.  Claim 9(f): .......................................................................... 120 
`31.  Claim 10: ............................................................................ 120 
`32.  Claim 11: ............................................................................ 120 
`33.  Claim 12: ............................................................................ 121 
`34.  Claim 13: ............................................................................ 121 
`35.  Claim 14: ............................................................................ 121 
`36.  Claim 15: ............................................................................ 122 
`37.  Claim 15(a): ....................................................................... 122 
`38.  Claim 15(b): ....................................................................... 122 
`39.  Claim 15(c): ....................................................................... 122 
`40.  Claim 15(d): ....................................................................... 123 
`41.  Claim 15(e): ....................................................................... 123 
`42.  Claim 16(a): ....................................................................... 123 
`43.  Claim 16(b): ....................................................................... 123 
`44.  Claim 16(c): ....................................................................... 123 
`45.  Claim 17: ............................................................................ 124 
`46.  Claim 18: ............................................................................ 125 
`47.  Claim 19: ............................................................................ 125 
`48.  Claim 20: ............................................................................ 126 
`49.  Claim 21: ............................................................................ 126 
`
`ix
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`Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 10,555,629
`
`50.  Claim 22: ............................................................................ 127 
`51.  Claim 23: ............................................................................ 127 
`VII.  CONCLUSION ....................................................................................... 128 
`
`
`x
`
`

`

`Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 10,555,629
`
`Attachment A:
`
`TABLE OF ATTACHMENTS
`Proof of Service of the Petition
`
`Attachment B:
`
`List of Evidence and Exhibits Relied Upon in Petition
`
`
`
`xi
`
`

`

`Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 10,555,629
`
`I.
`
`INTRODUCTION
`Petitioner Industrial Revolution, Inc. (“Petitioner” or “Industrial
`
`Revolution”) respectfully requests the Board institute inter partes review ("IPR")
`
`of claims 1-23 of U.S. Patent No. 10,555,629 (the “‘629 Patent”) (Ex. 1001).
`
`II. COMPLIANCE WITH REQUIREMENTS FOR A PETITION FOR
`INTER PARTES REVIEW
`A. Grounds for Standing (37 C.F.R. § 42.104(a))
`Petitioner certifies that the ‘629 Patent is available for IPR and that the
`
`Petitioner is not barred or estopped from requesting IPR challenging the claims of
`
`the ‘629 Patent.
`
`B.
`Fee for Inter Partes Review (37 C.F.R. § 42.15(a))
`The director is authorized to charge the fee specified by 37 C.F.R. § 42.15(a)
`
`to Deposit Account No. 191090.
`
`C. Mandatory Notices (37 C.F.R. § 42.8(b))
`1.
`Real Party in Interest
`The real party-in-interest of this petition pursuant to Section 42.8(b)(1) is
`
`Industrial Revolution, Inc.
`
`1
`
`

`

`Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 10,555,629
`
`2.
`Related Matters
`The '629 Patent is involved in the following proceeding:
`
`Humangear, Inc. v. Industrial Revolution, Inc., Civil Action No. 2:23-cv-
`
`00102-LK (W.D.Wash.) (service waived on January 26, 2023, alleging patent and
`
`trademark infringement).
`
`3.
`Lead and Backup Counsel
`Petitioner appoints as lead counsel Kevin S. Costanza (Reg. No. 37,801),
`
`and Bradley J. Zentz (Reg. No. 76,666) as backup counsel, both at Seed
`
`Intellectual Property Law Group, 701 Fifth Avenue, Suite 5400, Seattle, WA,
`
`98104, phone 206-622-4900, and facsimile 206-682-6031.
`
`4.
`Service Information
`Petitioner consents to electronic service by email at: KevinC@seedip.com,
`
`BradZ@seedip.com, and LitStaff@seedip.com.
`
`D.
`Proof of Service Notice (37 C.F.R. §§ 42.6(e) and 42.105(a))
`Proof of service is provided in Attachment A.
`
`2
`
`

`

`Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 10,555,629
`
`III. RELEVANT INFORMATION CONCERNING THE CONTESTED
`PATENT
`A. Effective Filing Date of the ’629 Patent
`The '629 Patent was filed on December 7, 2018, and issued on February 11,
`
`2020. (Ex. 1001, cover page.) The ‘629 Patent claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §
`
`121 to U.S. Patent Application No. 15/268,175 filed on September 16, 2016, now
`
`abandoned, and U.S. Patent Application No. 14/204,497 filed on March 11, 2014,
`
`now U.S. Patent No. 9,468,321. (Id.) Thus, the effective filing date of the ‘629
`
`Patent is March 11, 2014.
`
`B.
`Level of Ordinary Skill in the Art
`A person of ordinary skill in the art (“POSITA”) before the effective filing
`
`date of the ‘629 Patent would have been would have been a person with a
`
`bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or a related field or
`
`equivalent experience in designing and manufacturing of consumer products
`
`including, but not limited to, camping gear, utensils, cutlery, and related devices.
`
`(Ex. 1002 at ¶ 44.)
`
`C. Technology Background
`The technology at issue relates to eating utensils. Sporks, to be exact. The
`
`usefulness of a knife, fork, and spoon for eating purposes is well recognized.
`
`3
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`

`Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 10,555,629
`
`(Torode at 1:1-3,1 Ex. 1009.) There are countless known advantages to a utensil
`
`where these three elements, namely a knife, fork, and spoon are combined in a
`
`single structure. (Id. at 1:4-10.) For example, a single piece utensil may be
`
`advantageous for those with a disability, as well as those who are able-bodied. (Id.
`
`at 1:11-18.) Single piece utensils are also beneficial for students, hospitals, and the
`
`like because single piece utensils save time in serving meals and cleaning after a
`
`meal. (Id. at 1:18-24.) It is further known that single piece utensils are invaluable
`
`for camping and would have an important value for use by the armed forces. (Id.
`
`at 1:25-28.) In sum, single piece utensils that combine a knife, fork, and spoon are
`
`“very simple” inventions that are, and have been, well known in the art. (Id. at
`
`1:30; Ex. 1001, pp. 1-3, “references cited”; Ex. 1002 at ¶¶50-73, Fig. 9.)
`
`Of particular importance here is the combination of a knife and a fork at one
`
`end of the single piece utensil. It is well-known that a variety of structures are
`
`suitable for defining a cutting edge on a fork of a combination utensil that
`
`functions similarly to a knife. (Vanderputt at 1:10-35, Ex. 1007.) For example, a
`
`sharp edge can be provided on both outer tines of the fork or on a single outer tine
`
`of the fork. (Id.) Alternatively or additionally, a serrated edge can be provided on
`
`
`1 Text in the document is referenced by column and line number, separated by a
`colon. If the document contains paragraphs instead of columns, then text is
`referenced by paragraph number.
`
`4
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`Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 10,555,629
`
`one or more tines of the fork. (Id.) It is also known that serrated edges have the
`
`disadvantage of potentially causing injury to the mouth during use. (Nelson at
`
`1:19-21, Ex. 1011.) Yet a further option is a blunted knife edge. (Kent at ¶10, Ex.
`
`1006.) Still further, “it is old and well known in the art of fork tines with a cutting
`
`feature to incorporate a chamfered outer edge.” (‘629 Prosecution History at p.
`
`165, Ex. 1003.)
`
`It is further known that using a curved cutting edge on an outer tine allows a
`
`user to easily cut through many softer foods. (Ex. 1007 at 3:1-6.) The outer tines
`
`that include the cutting edge are preferably rigid to improve the cutting
`
`functionality. (Id.)
`
`D. The ‘629 Patent
`1. Overview
`The ‘629 Patent is directed to an eating utensil system that includes a
`
`combination spoon and fork. (Ex. 1001 at Abstract, Fig. 7A.) According to the
`
`‘629 Patent, a combination fork and spoon utensil 200 can be provided as a single
`
`integral unit that includes a handle 210 positioned laterally between a spoon 220 on
`
`one end and a fork 240 on the other end. (Id. at 9:34-42.) The fork 240 has a head
`
`portion 241, which includes the tines, that is connected to the handle 210. (Id. at
`
`9:43-56.) The fork 240 has two substantially straight center tines 242 and two
`
`5
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`Petition for Inter Partes Review of U.S. Patent No. 10,555,629
`
`outer tines 244 that each have a substantially straight inner edge and a curved outer
`
`edge 245. (Id.) Each tine 242, 244 has a pointed tip, which aids in spearing or
`
`piercing pieces of food so that the food can be picked up by the fork. (Id.)
`
`In addition to being curved, the outer edges 245 of the two outer tines 244
`
`are also tapered or chamfered such that the fork 240 can be used to cut through or
`
`separate foods that do not require a knife. (Id. at 9:57-10:19.) As illustrated in
`
`Figure 7A of the ‘629 Pa