US 7851394

Here is a concise summary of US Patent 7851394, "Fining of boroalumino silicate glasses":

Title: Fining of boroalumino silicate glasses
Assignee: Corning Inc.
Inventors: Adam J. G. Ellison
Filing Date: 2006-06-28
Issue Date: 2010-12-14

Abstract:
The patent discloses alkali-free boroalumino silicate glasses suitable for use as substrates in flat panel display devices, such as active matrix liquid crystal displays (AMLCDs). These glasses are characterized by magnesium oxide (MgO) concentrations ranging from 1.0 to 3.0 mole percent and a Σ[RO]/[Al₂O₃] ratio (where Σ[RO] is the sum of mole percents of MgO, CaO, SrO, and BaO, and [Al₂O₃] is the mole percent of Al₂O₃) greater than or equal to 1.00. These compositional features are stated to enhance the melting properties of the glass batch materials, facilitating fining (refining) with more environmentally friendly agents like tin, in contrast to arsenic and/or antimony.

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Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

• Claim 1: This independent claim describes an alkali-free glass composition defined by specific ranges of major oxide components: silicon dioxide (SiO₂: 64.0-71.0 mol%), aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃: 9.0-12.0 mol%), boron oxide (B₂O₃: 7.0-12.0 mol%), magnesium oxide (MgO: 1.0-3.0 mol%), calcium oxide (CaO: 6.0-11.5 mol%), strontium oxide (SrO: 0-2.0 mol%), and barium oxide (BaO: 0-0.1 mol%). Crucially, the sum of the molar percentages of alkaline earth oxides (MgO, CaO, SrO, BaO) divided by the molar percentage of Al₂O₃ (Σ[RO]/[Al₂O₃]) must be between 1.00 and 1.25. The glass must also contain at least 0.01 mole percent tin oxide (SnO₂) and possess a density of 2.41 grams/cm³ or less.

• Claim 5: This independent claim also defines an alkali-free glass composition with specific oxide ranges for SiO₂ (64.0-71.0 mol%), Al₂O₃ (19.0-12.0 mol% - note: '19.0-12.0' appears to be a typographical error in the original patent text and is interpreted literally here), B₂O₃ (7.0-12.0 mol%), MgO (1.0-3.0 mol%), CaO (6.0-11.5 mol%), and BaO (0-0.1 mol%). It specifies that the SrO content is at most 1.0 mole percent, the glass comprises at least 0.01 mole percent SnO₂, and the Σ[RO]/[Al₂O₃] ratio must be between 1.00 and 1.25.

• Claim 8: This independent claim outlines an alkali-free glass composition with oxide ranges for SiO₂ (64.0-71.0 mol%), Al₂O₃ (9.0-12.0 mol%), B₂O₃ (7.0-12.0 mol%), MgO (1.0-3.0 mol%), CaO (6.0-11.5 mol%), SrO (0-1.0 mol%), and BaO (0-0.1 mol%). The primary defining characteristic is that the Σ[RO]/[Al₂O₃] ratio must be greater than or equal to 1.00. This claim does not inherently require a minimum SnO₂ content or a specific density limit.

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Litigation Information (as of April 26, 2026):
US Patent 7851394 is marked as "Active" with an adjusted expiration date of 2026-10-07.
The patent family has been involved in litigation, including several cases filed in the International Trade Commission (ITC):

• 337-TA-1433 (Critical case)
• 337-TA-3795
• 337-TA-1441
  An inter partes review (IPR) case, IPR2025-00439, was filed but is marked as "Not Instituted - Procedural."
  A search of CAFC 2026 dockets for patent number 7851394 indicates no active appeal related to this specific patent, consistent with the IPR not being instituted. However, it is important to note that ongoing litigation in the ITC may have related appeals or future impacts on the patent.

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Uncertainty Note:
The range for Al₂O₃ in Claim 5 is listed as "19.0-12.0" mole percent in the provided patent text. This appears to be a typographical error, as a typical range would have the lower value first (e.g., 9.0-12.0 as seen in other claims and the description). However, adhering to the strict instruction to interpret alphanumeric IDs literally, this has been transcribed as written.
The absence of a specific CAFC 2026 docket for this patent based on direct search does not preclude the possibility of appeals from the ITC cases in the future, or other indirect litigation.