ST. LOUIS, MO May 22, 2017 - On May 10, 2017, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) confirmed the validity of U.S. Patent 9,144,700 entitled “Fire Protection Systems Having Reduced Corrosion” directed to the Dry Pipe Nitrogen Inerting technology of Engineered Corrosion Solutions, LLC.
In May 2016, the USPTO agreed to review whether U.S. Patent 9,144,700 is invalid due to obviousness, as asserted by Petitioners South-Tek Systems, LLC and Potter Electric Signal Co., LLC. The awarded claims of U.S. Patent 9,144,700 are directed to a dry pipe fire sprinkler system having a nitrogen generator for supplying pressure maintenance gas and a vent to eliminate oxygen and reduce corrosion.
“We are very pleased with the outcome of the IPR review,” said Jeff Kochelek, CEO of Engineered Corrosion Solutions. “In finding that Petitioners failed to establish any claims of the patent are unpatentable for obviousness, the USPTO’s decision validates and confirms the strength and significant value of ECS’s patent.”