Third time’s a charm as Sidel wins US IP protection on its spindle chain technology
The company made a claim against US company Blow Mold Services (BMS) with a settlement reached two months ago banning BMS from selling new and rebuilt components using Sidel’s spindle chain technology.
Zero tolerance of any infringement of our patents
Tim Bast, VP, Intellectual Property, Sidel, told FoodProductionDaily the firm closely monitors relevant markets and other players offering competing products.
“In this case, BMS offered the infringing spindle chains on its website and specifically referred to Sidel blowers as the target market,” he said.
“The fact Sidel enforced this patent successfully for the third time indicates the claims are strong and that effectively protects Sidel’s innovative spindle chain from being pirated.
“We are prepared to enforce the patent again should another party start selling parts that infringe that. We use our good relationships with many of the key players in the industry to find out about potential patent infringements.”
Sidel has more 20 patents and over 50% of them focus on blow moulders including Sidel Matrix, Sidel StarLite, RightWeight and Predis.
It claims Predis is ‘the world’s first dry preform decontamination technology that remains one of the most pivotal advancements in sustainable PET packaging technology and safety’.
Previous court cases were filed against B&G Products (2006) and XL Engineering (2009), both in Michigan, for infringement of its SBO 20 preform carrier chain assembly patent 996.
Bast added, the spindle chain technology is a critical part of all recent Sidel blow moulding machines, including the Sidel Matrix blower. It carries the preforms through the oven for efficient heating prior to blowing.
Total lower cost of ownership
“The claims of the patent protect a specific chain configuration which allows for the rotation of two adjacent chains links relative to each other around the axis of the connecting shaft,” he said.
“This design is much simpler than prior spindle chains and allows Sidel to offer these parts at a much lower total cost of ownership (TCO) to its customers.”
Alessandro Paini, VP, product management, Sidel, said the company works closely with customers to find the right technology to improve their production lines and feels it has the right to protect its innovations.
He claims use of Sidel OEM technologies ensures equipment can withstand the stresses and pressures of high output beverage lines. The use of non-original third party parts poses significant risks of premature wear and damage to the equipment, resulting in reduced performance and higher production and maintenance costs.
