Prior art — US Patent 9545775

The most relevant prior art for US Patent 9545775, "Attachment systems and methods usable to form enclosures," are found in its patent citations. Here's a breakdown of each cited patent, including its full citation, publication/filing date, a brief description, and which claims of US9545775 it potentially anticipates under 35 U.S.C. § 102.

Prior Art Citations:

US4257207A
- Full Citation: US4257207A, Cubit Corporation, "Construction system".
- Publication/Filing Date: Publication: March 24, 1981; Filing: February 21, 1979.
- Brief Description: This patent describes a construction system utilizing interlocking panels. The panels are designed with male and female interlocking edges, allowing for the creation of various structures.
- Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Claims 1 and 5 of US9545775, which describe panels with male and female edges and their engagement to form an enclosure, could be potentially anticipated in a general sense by the concept of interlocking panels for construction. The specific fastening medium (hook and loop) and the sealing capability for pressure differential might be distinguishing features.
US5170505A
- Full Citation: US5170505A, Rohrer Nancy D, "Expandable children's clothing".
- Publication/Filing Date: Publication: December 15, 1992; Filing: November 12, 1991.
- Brief Description: This patent describes expandable children's clothing that uses hook and loop fasteners for adjustability and growth.
- Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): While not directly related to enclosures, this patent demonstrates the use of hook and loop fasteners. Claims 3 and 10 of US9545775, which specify the use of hook and loop fastening medium, could be broadly anticipated in terms of the fastening technology itself. However, the application of hook and loop fasteners to enclosure panels with male/female edges designed for pressure differentials is a distinguishing factor.
US5316541A
- Full Citation: US5316541A, Fischer William B, "Enclosure for surgical procedures".
- Publication/Filing Date: Publication: May 31, 1994; Filing: January 19, 1993.
- Brief Description: This patent describes an enclosure for surgical procedures. The description of this patent from the patent document itself is related to "method for making polysiloxane emulsions". There appears to be a discrepancy between the Google Patents summary and the detailed description for US5316541A. Based on the detailed description, it focuses on the chemical process of emulsion polymerization, not an enclosure for surgical procedures. Therefore, it is unlikely to directly anticipate any claims of US9545775.
- Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): None, given the actual technical disclosure of US5316541A as a chemical process.
US7014057B2
- Full Citation: US7014057B2, Hui-Min Wang, "Collapsible container".
- Publication/Filing Date: Publication: March 21, 2006; Filing: September 22, 2003.
- Brief Description: This patent details a collapsible container that can be easily assembled and disassembled. It likely involves panels or walls that connect to form the container.
- Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Claims 1 and 5 of US9545775, which describe forming an enclosure from panels, could be generally anticipated. The specific male/female edge design with flaps and hook-and-loop fastening for maintaining a pressure differential would likely be distinguishing.
US20060174525A1
- Full Citation: US20060174525A1, Hughes Robert P, "Fabric display panels and methods of making same".
- Publication/Filing Date: Publication: August 10, 2006; Filing: February 25, 2003.
- Brief Description: This application describes fabric display panels and methods for their manufacture. It might involve ways to connect fabric panels for display purposes.
- Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Claims 1 and 5, describing panels for forming enclosures, could be broadly anticipated by the concept of connectable panels. The specific fastening mechanism and the ability to maintain a pressure differential, along with the heat-resistant material (Claim 4), would differentiate US9545775.
WO2007148075A1
- Full Citation: WO2007148075A1, Safehouse Habitats (Scotland) Limited, "Improved panel".
- Publication/Filing Date: Publication: December 27, 2007; Filing: June 21, 2006.
- Brief Description: This international publication describes an "improved panel," which likely refers to panels used in environments requiring specific properties, possibly related to safety or controlled conditions. Given that Safehouse Habitats is a competitor mentioned in the IPR, this patent is highly relevant.
- Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Depending on the specifics of the "improved panel" and its connection mechanisms, this could potentially anticipate claims 1 and 5 (panel structure and engagement) and potentially other claims related to material properties (Claim 4) or sealing capabilities (Claim 2). A detailed review of WO2007148075A1's figures and detailed description would be necessary for a precise assessment.
US20080282652A1
- Full Citation: US20080282652A1, Wardlaw Louis J, "Modular welding or like operation conduit enclosure abstract of the disclosure".
- Publication/Filing Date: Publication: November 20, 2008; Filing: May 15, 2007.
- Brief Description: This application specifically concerns a modular enclosure for welding or similar operations, including a conduit. This directly relates to the stated purpose of US9545775.
- Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference is highly relevant. Claims 1, 5, and 11, pertaining to enclosures for hot work and containing a pressure differential, are strongly implicated. The specific "male edge with a front side and a rear side, each comprising a first portion of a fastening medium" and "female edge with first and second flaps... each flap having an inner surface comprising a second portion of the fastening medium thereon" with engagement forming a seal (Claims 1, 5, 12) would need to be carefully compared. The modular nature and use for welding operations are directly overlapping.
US20110296612A1
- Full Citation: US20110296612A1, Robert Papp, "Bed sheet for secure placement of a child".
- Publication/Filing Date: Publication: December 8, 2011; Filing: June 4, 2010.
- Brief Description: This application describes a bed sheet designed for the secure placement of a child, likely employing fastening mechanisms to keep the child in place.
- Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Similar to US5170505A, this patent primarily anticipates the use of fastening mechanisms, potentially hook and loop, as described in claims 3 and 10 of US9545775. However, the context of a bed sheet is vastly different from an enclosure for hot-work operations, meaning the overall structure and function of the claims are unlikely to be anticipated.