U. S. Sanitary Specialties Corp. v. West Disinfecting Co.

PER CURIAM. Claim 2 of Roark’s patent, No. 1,346,337, here involved, reads: “As a new' article of manufacture, a deodorizing material consisting of a solid cake of paradiehlorbenzol and an odoriferous substance incorporated therewith.” The record conclusively established that paradiehlorbenzol, a by-product of the dye industry, is a chemical whose properties and qualities were well known to chemists and to dealers in chemicals for years. It was known to he “not unpleasant” in odor; that it vaporized rapidly and diffused extensively; that it solidified readily and naturally, and could he put up in solid cake form; that it had been used as an insecticide and germicide protecting furs, wearing apparel, etc. Patents had been issued in Germany, England, and America, covering it in various ways, in which patents the aforesaid qualities of this chemical were disclosed. It further appears that numerous deodorants were in common use, and it was common practice to combine perfumes or other odoriferous substances with the deodorant. In view of this disclosed state of the art, appellants’ combination did not measure np to the standards of patentable invention or discovery. The urge that a large commercial success followed the appearance of this deodorant as an’article of commerce has not been overlooked. Such evidence may resolve a doubtful case in favor of the validity of the patent. But there must be an existing doubt before such evidence becomes material or persuasive. Here there is none. Moreover, the District Court found a pri- or public use of the article of commerce covered by claim 2. The record shows that a producer, in 1916, manufactured and sold solid cakes of paradiehlorbenzol, to which an odoriferous substance had been applied, as a deodorant. Markowsky’s testimony is not disputed and is sufficiently corroborated to support the finding of prior public use. The decree is affirmed.