T 1455/14 30-11-2018

Reasons for the Decision

1. Procedural violations

1.1 According to point 8 of the contested decision, the "Opposition Division uses its discretion to correct this obvious error" in the text of claim 1 after the oral proceedings had been closed. However, there is no basis in the EPC for such an alleged discretion of the Oppo­si­tion Division.

Furthermore, even if the opposition division considered there to be an obvious error, there was no corre­spon­ding request according to Rule 139 EPC on the part of the patent proprietor who may not have been aware of the existence of such an error.

This results in a threefold procedural violation, because the written decision is based on a text amended by the opposition division:

- which was not submitted by the patent proprietor [The reasoning of the decision is thus not based on an actual request of the patent proprietor - fundamental procedural violation number 1],

- on which the opponent had had no opportunity to comment [The opponent's right to be heard has been violated - fundamental procedural violation number 2] and

- which does not correspond to the decision announced at the end of the oral proceedings (Minutes, page 4, last paragraph) [The decision as announced at the end of the oral proceedings is not reasoned in wri­ting - fundamental procedural viola­tion number 3].

1.2 According to Article 11 RPBA, a board shall remit a case to the department of first instance if fundamental deficiencies are apparent in the first instance procee­dings, unless special reasons present themselves for doing otherwise.

1.2.1 The board concurs with the opposition division that the text submitted by the patent proprietor does appear to contain a linguistic error in the text

"wherein said front end of the pipe fitting is the part of the pipe which ..." (emphasis added by the board).

The text "said front end of the pipe fitting is the part of the pipe" does not make sense, because it simultaneously and inconsistently refers the "front end" to two different entities, namely the "pipe fitting" and the "pipe".

1.2.2 Since the claim concerns a "pipe fitting" and not a "pipe", the kind of amendment made by the opposition division would appear to be plausible. In this sense the root cause for the procedural vio­la­tions appears to be trivial. Thus remitting the case to the first instance would merely needlessly delay the procee­dings for all parties.

1.2.3 These procedural violations were not objected to in the grounds of appeal or in the res­ponse thereto:

- the appellant's grounds are based on the ver­sion of claim 1 as amended by the opposition division: the appellant thus discus­ses the meaning of a term in claim 1, files new docu­ments and advances arguments concerning novel­ty and inventive step; and

- the respondent (patent proprietor) refers to the main request filed during the opposition oral procee­dings (i.e. the text of claim 1 without the amendments made by the op­po­si­tion division) and does not comment on the dis­cre­pancy between what was actually filed and the diffe­ring in­tention concerning the text of claim 1 in sec­tion 5 of the minutes or the differing text of claim 1 appearing in the written decision. The res­pon­dent similarly files new documents and advances argu­ments refuting the case against the lack of novelty of claim 1 made by the ap­pellant.

Neither party requested remittal to the first instance.

1.2.4 The board thus has the above special reasons to believe that the parties are not concerned by the pro­cedural violations and instead wish to have the subs­tantive issues discus­sed before the board.

1.3 In consequence, the board does not remit the case to the first instance and instead proceeds with the substantive issues discussed by the parties on appeal.

2. Interpretation of the term "snapped on" from the fea­ture of claim 1 (main request) "the reinforcing ring (3) is snapped on the plastic body (2)"

2.1 Both parties agreed that the expression "snapped-on" is interpreted by the skilled person in accordance with the textbook definition from extract B2: namely, that "[i]n snap-fits, a protrusion on one part (hook, stud, bead) is briefly deflected during joining to catch in a depression or undercut molded into the other part. The force required for joining varies depending on the snap-fit design. After the brief joining stress, the joint is vibration resistant and usually stress-free" (page 121, right hand column, section "SNAP-FITS", 1**(st) paragraph).

2.2 The final feature of apparatus claim 1 is worded in terms of a manufacturing step in that "the reinforce­ment ring (3) is snapped on the plastic body (2)".

It is not clear what concrete technical device features are implied thereby for the claimed pipe fitting, once finally assembled, or how it differs from a pipe fitting in which the reinforcement ring was assembled differently (e.g. by insert moulding; by squeezing the ring radially into place; by thermal shrink fitting, etc.).

2.3 In conse­quence, the subject-matter of claim 1 is only limited by the feature "the reinforcement ring (3) is snapped on the plastic body (2)" in that the claimed pipe fitting (in terms of arrangement, dimensions and materials) is such that it is suitable for snap-fitting the reinforcement ring (3) onto the plastic body (2).

3. Public prior use of the Georg Fischer pipe fitting 727.910.226

3.1 The opposition division considered the alleged public prior use based on the evidence A1 to A5 to have been proven and fully sub­stantiated (contested decision, section 2 and point 2.2 in particular).

This was not contested by the parties on appeal.

3.2 Admissibility of brochure A1', drawing A6 and affidavit A7

3.2.1 According to article 12(4) of the Rules of Procedure of the Boards of Appeal (RPBA), the board may hold inad­mis­sible evidence which could have been presented in the first instance proceedings.

3.2.2 In this respect, the course of the opposition procee­dings was essentially as follows:

With the notice of opposition dated 20 September 2012 the appellant advanced the public prior use of the Georg Fischer pipe fitting 727.910.226 based on documents A1 to A5.

In the reply dated 26 February 2013 the respondent con­sidered that the public prior use was not suffi­cient­ly substantiated and that none of the documents A1 to A5 show a pipe fitting comprising the features of claim 1.

The opposition division's provisional opinion was favourable to the opponent (annex the summons to oral proceedings of 21 October 2013).

In the further letter dated 26 February 2014 (one month before the oral proceedings before the opposition division) the respondent filed a new main request and five auxiliary requests and further indicated: "the inner diameter of the metal ring is not men­tioned" (page 4, paragraph 3) and "the dimensions of the metal ring are not dis­closed in the material submitted by the opponent" (page 4, paragraph 6).

With the letter dated 25 March 2014 (one day before the oral proceedings before the opposition division) the appellant filed document E10 with respect to pipe fittings made of polyphenylsulphone (PPSU).

3.2.3 Since the respondent provided the auxiliary requests and new detailed arguments (e.g. concerning the inner diameter of the reinforcement ring of the prior use) only one month before the oral proceedings before the opposition division, the board considers it is only fair to accept brochure A1', drawing A6 and affidavit A7 filed with the grounds of appeal in support of the alleged public prior use (article 12(4) RPBA), espe­cially as the drawing A6 entitled "Reinforcing Ring" prima facie concerns the contested reinforcement ring and thus constitutes a response to the detailed objections first raised by the respondent in his letter of 26 February 2014.

3.3 Technical drawing A6

However, technical drawing A6 of the reinforcing ring is dated 11 April 2003 and is thus dated after the last modifi­cation date (12 July 2001) of pipe fitting drawing A2.

Since pipe fitting drawing A2 nevertheless already refers to a reinforcing ring drawing number 700.600.381 (i.e. with the same number as the drawing A6), drawing A2 can only refer to an earlier reinforcing ring drawing (also with number 700.600.381 700.600.384) than the CAD-drawing which has been supplied as A6.

Drawing A6 FORMULA/TABLE/GRAPHIC

Thus, on closer inspection, drawing A6 cannot be considered relevant for the public prior use of the Georg Fischer pipe fitting 727.910.226 of drawing A2.

3.4 Admissibility of late filed drawing A6'

3.4.1 According to article 13(3) RPBA, amendments sought to be made after oral proceedings have been arranged shall not be admitted if they raise issues which the board or the other party or parties cannot reasonably be expected to deal with without adjournment of the oral proceedings.

The board considers that drawing A6' was filed in support of arguments which were already advanced during the opposition proceedings and is sufficiently simple that in itself it does not raise any issues which the board or the other party or parties cannot reasonably be expected to deal with without adjournment of the oral proceedings.

Drawing A6' FORMULA/TABLE/GRAPHIC

In consequence, article 13(3) RPBA does not prevent admitting drawing A6'.

3.4.2 According to article 13(1) RPBA, any amendment to a party's case after it has filed its grounds of appeal or reply may be admitted and considered at the board's discretion. The discretion shall be exercised in view of inter alia the complexity of the new subject-matter submitted, the current state of the proceedings and the need for procedural economy.

The board does not consider that dra­wing A6' - prima facie repre­sen­ting reinforcement rings (title) - is particularly complex so that the complexity of the new subject-matter submitted and the need for procedural economy do not stand in the way of admitting it.

3.4.3 In consequence, the board admits drawing A6' into the proceedings (article 13(1) RPBA).

However, on closer inspection, technical drawing A6' concerns a reinforcing ring made of cadmium plated, passivated or galvanised steel and thus does not concern the stainless steel reinforcing ring referenced in drawing A2. Thus, drawing A6' cannot contri­bute to clarifying the nature of the prior use reinforcing ring refe­ren­ced in drawing A2.

3.5 Conclusions

Neither drawing A6 (too recent) nor drawing A6' (too old) can confirm the configuration of the prior use reinforcing ring referred to in drawing A2.

Affidavit A7 only refers to drawing A6 and is thus not further supported by any evidence concerning the rein­forcing ring as referenced by drawing A2.

In consequence, although further documents were filed, there is no further factual development with respect to the situation decided upon by the opposition division with respect to the public prior use of the Georg Fischer pipe fitting 727.910.226.

4. Novelty of the subject-matter of claim 1 with respect to the public prior use of the Georg Fischer pipe fitting 727.910.226

Drawing A2 FORMULA/TABLE/GRAPHIC

The opposition division considered the indica­tion "nach­träglich aufgepresst" with respect to the rein­for­cing ring ("Verstärkungsring Tab.Nr. 700.600.381 700.600.384 St Rostfrei") on the technical drawing A2 of the pipe fitting 727.910.266 to be ambi­gu­ous with respect to the direction (radial or axial) along which the ring was to be subsequently pressed on­to the pipe fitting. The opposition division thus concluded that the feature "the reinforcement ring (3) is snapped on the plastic body (2)" (which necessarily implies an axial pressing direction of a suitable ring) is not directly and un­am­bi­gu­ously disclosed in the then available evidence A1 to A5 con­cerning the public prior use (contested deci­sion, sec­tion 6.2).

The various attempts of the appellant in terms of drawings A6 and A6' and affidavit A7 to supplement the missing information concerning the reinforcement ring with number 700.600.381 700.600.384 contemporary with drawing A2 having failed, there have been no further factual developments with respect to the situation decided upon by the opposition division with respect to the public prior use of the Georg Fischer pipe fitting 727.910.226. The board thus sees no reasons to depart from the conclusions already reached by the opposition division.

The subject-matter of claim 1 (main request) is new with respect the public prior use of the Georg Fischer pipe fitting 727.910.226 (drawing A2) (article 54 EPC 1973).

5. Inventive step of the subject-matter of claim 1 (main request)

5.1 Closest prior art

It was not disputed between the parties that the public prior use of the Georg Fischer pipe fitting 727.910.226 constitutes the closest prior art.

5.2 Differences

The subject-matter of claim 1 (main request) differs therefrom in that the reinforcement ring is snapped on the plastic body.

5.3 Technical effect of difference

According to the patent in suit the advantages are:

- "Manufacturing the body and the reinforcement ring separately provides the advantages that the pipe fitting is easy to manufacture and it is easier to make the structures and forms of the body and reinforcement ring with the desired properties" (patent in suit, paragraph [0008]);

- "Thus, it is easy to manufacture the plastic body 2 and reinforcement ring 3 such that they have all the desired properties" (patent in suit, paragraph [0018]).

5.4 Objective technical problem

The corresponding objective technical problem is thus to make the pipe fitting easy to manufacture.

5.5 Obviousness

The skilled person is generally familiar with different methods of assembly. According to the extract from textbook B2, the skilled person is not only familiar with snap-fittings but associates the following technical effects with such fittings: "Snap-fiting [sic] is an economical, rapid, and popular assembly method, and its use is increasing due to the trend toward elimination of separate faste­ners in order to simplify manufacturing costs" (page 121, right hand column, section "SNAP-FITS", 2**(nd) para­graph).

Thus the skilled person starting from the pipe fitting according to the public prior use and seeking an easy way to manufacture the pipe fitting would consider using a snap-fitting - because it is known to simplify manufacturing - as part of his routine work without requiring an inventive step.

The fact that the skilled person is necessarily also familiar with many other means of assembly - as argued on behalf of the respondent - does not change the fact that using a known means of assembly for its known advantages is part of routine work of the skilled person and thus does not require an inventive step. Similarly, the fact that snap-fits require a certain amount of attention to engineering design (Textbook B2, page 121, right hand column, section "SNAP-FITS", 2**(nd) para­graph) is not a sufficient reason for justifying an inventive step, since the skilled person will be familiar with the design requirements for a snap-fit.

5.6 The subject-matter of claim 1 (main request) is not based on an inventive step (article 56 EPC 1973).

6. Auxiliary request 1

6.1 Admissibility of document E10

Document E10 was filed by the appellant with the letter dated 25 March 2014 (one day before the oral procee­dings before the opposition division) with respect to pipe fittings made of polyphenylsulphone (PPSU). This document thus appears to be a reaction to the new main request and five auxiliary requests filed by the respondent (letter of 26 February 2014, i.e. one month before the oral proceedings before the opposition division), in which polyphenylsulphone was being claimed for the first time in the auxiliary requests.

No decision concerning document E10 was necessary (opposition decision, point 3) during the opposition proceedings, as the contested decision only concerned the main request.

Since document E10 was explicitly filed during the opposition proceedings with respect to the material of the pipe fitting which corresponds to the only added feature of auxiliary request 1, the board cannot see any reason not to admit this document, since it constitutes a legitimate reaction to an auxiliary request based on a feature taken from the description.

In consequence, document E10 is admitted into the proceedings (article 13(1) RPBA).

6.2 Document E10 discloses a pipe fitting with an external thread (paragraph [0009], figure 1) made by injection moulding (paragraph [0012]) of plastic such as polyphenylsulphone PPSU (paragraphs [0008] and [0011]) but does not disclose any reinforcement rings.

6.3 Inventive step of claim 1 (auxiliary request 1)

6.3.1 Closest prior art

The parties did not agree on which of the public prior use of the Georg Fischer pipe fitting 727.910.226 and document E10 constitutes the closest prior art.

The pipe fitting of document E10 exhibits more diffe­rences (see point 6.2 above) than the public prior use of the Georg Fischer pipe fitting 727.910.226 (see point 4. above).

Therefore, the board considers that the public prior use of the Georg Fischer pipe fitting 727.910.226 constitutes the closest prior art.

6.3.2 Differences

In addition to the snap-fitting (see point 5.2 above) the subject-matter of claim 1 (auxiliary request 1) differs from the public prior use of the Georg Fischer pipe fitting 727.910.226 in the choice of poly­phenyl­sulphone as the material of the plastic body.

6.3.3 Technical effect

The patent in suit only mentions poly­phenyl­sulphone in paragraph [0001] amongst a list of alternative mate­rials without indicating any particular advantages therefore. The patent in suit does not disclose any technical link between the snap-fitting and the choice of poly­phenyl­sulphone, nor can the board determine any such link. These two differences are thus independent of one another.

6.3.4 Objective technical (partial) problem

The objective technical problem corresponding to the choice of poly­phenyl­sulphone is thus to specify an alternative material for the plastic body.

The respondent's focus on the higher hardness of poly­phenyl­sulphone with respect to the PP-H of the prior use pipe fitting cannot be followed, because the hardness of the pipe fitting material is not addressed in either the patent in suit or in document E10, nor do either of these documents consider a particular level of hardness to be particularly desirable or otherwise advantageous.

6.3.5 Obviousness

The skilled person starting from the public prior use of the Georg Fischer pipe fitting 727.910.226 and seeking an alternative material for the plastic body would learn from document E10 that polyphenylsulphone is a material which is suitable for pipe fittings (see point 6.2 above). The skilled person does not require an inventive step when using a particular material such as polyphenylsulphone for an application (pipe fittings) for which it is known to be suitable.

The fact that the detailed dimensions of the known PP-H pipe fitting of document A2 need to be adapted to the different, particular, known properties (e.g. higher processing temperatures and higher hardness than PP-H) of polyphenylsulphone (e.g. to permit welding or avoid internal stresses during moulding) forms part of the routine work of the skilled person when choosing a material for a pipe fitting and thus, contrary to what was advanced on behalf of the respondent, cannot justify an inventive step.

6.3.6 In consequence, the subject-matter of claim 1 (auxi­liary request 1) is not based on an inventive step (article 56 EPC 1973).

7. Auxiliary request 4 - inventive step

7.1 Closest prior art

The public prior use of the Georg Fischer pipe fitting 727.910.226 again constitutes the closest prior art (see point 6.3.1 above).

7.2 Differences

With respect to inventive step, the parties only discussed the following additional feature of claim 1 (auxiliary request 4): "the plastic body (2) comprises a support rib (6) for supporting the back end (3b) of the reinfor­cement ring (3)".

This feature is based on granted claim 4 and its clarity (article 84 EPC) thus cannot be questioned in opposition (G 3/14, OJ EPO 2015, 102). According to the respondent, the term "rib" is understood as an eleva­tion from the outer surface of the fitting which stops with the end of the rib. This definition was not ques­tioned by the appellant and the board sees no reason to depart from it.

It was not contentious between the parties that an elevation disclosed in drawing A2 at the back end of the groove in which the ring is to be seated forms a support shoulder and not a support rib. This disclosed shoulder is suitable for supporting the reinfor­cement ring against axial movement.

7.3 Technical effect of this difference

The patent in suit does not disclose any particular technical effect for this feature.

7.4 Corresponding objective technical problem

The board thus concludes that the corresponding objec­tive technical problem is to provide an alternative to the support shoulder for the reinforcement ring.

7.5 Obviousness

The board considers providing a support rib instead of a support shoulder to be a change which falls within the routine work of a skilled person, especially as the support rib does not provide any unexpected advantages over the known support shoulder.

7.6 The board notes that the other two additional, inde­pendent features of claim 1 according to auxiliary request 4 are not associated with any unexpected technical effects and are already explicitly known from the prior art:

- "the plastic body is made by injection moulding" (document E10, see point 6.2 above);

Drawing A2 FORMULA/TABLE/GRAPHIC

- "the length of female threads is more than double of the width of the reinforcement ring (3)" (dis­clo­sed in drawing A2: 15 mm for the length of female threads versus 7 - 2 = 5 mm for the maximum available space for the reinforcement ring).

7.7 No synergistic effect was advanced for any combination of the technical differences and the board cannot identify one either.

Furthermore, the use of injection moulding for manufacturing a plastic body is considered obvious for the skilled person skilled in the design of plastic components (see also point 6.3.5 above).

7.8 In consequence, none of the independent differences justifies an inventive step (points 5.5, 6.3.5, 7.5 and 7.7 above).

7.9 Conclusion

The subject-matter of claim 1 according to auxiliary request 4 lacks an inventive step (article 56 EPC 1973).