`
`
`
`UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`
`
`BEFORE THE PATENT TRIAL AND APPEAL BOARD
`
`
`
`Hydration Labs, Inc. d/b/a Bevi,
`Petitioner
`
`v.
`
`Smart Soda Holdings, Inc.,
`Patent Owner
`
`U.S. Patent No. 11,724,927
`Filing Date: August 9, 2022
`Priority Date: March 3, 2021
`Issue Date: August 15, 2023
`Title: On Demand Function Beverage Dispenser
`
`
`
`PGR2024-00002
`
`
`
`PETITION FOR POST-GRANT REVIEW OF
`U.S. PATENT NO. 11,724,927
`
`

`

`
`
`TABLE OF CONTENTS
`
`INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................. 1
`I.
`II. STANDING AND PROCEDURAL STATEMENTS....................................... 1
`III. MANDATORY NOTICES UNDER 37 c.f.r. § 42.8 ........................................ 2
`A. Real Party-in-Interest .................................................................................... 2
`B. Related Matters .............................................................................................. 2
`C. Lead and Back-Up Counsel ........................................................................... 2
`D. Service Information ....................................................................................... 3
`IV. THE BOARD SHOULD INSTITUTE REVIEW ............................................. 3
`V. STATEMENT OF PRECISE RELIEF REQUESTED...................................... 4
`VI. OVERVIEW OF THE RELEVANT TECHNOLOGY ..................................... 5
`VII. THE 927 PATENT............................................................................................. 7
`A. Summary of the Prosecution History ............................................................ 8
`B. Effective Filing Date and PGR Eligibility Under AIA § 3(n)(1) ................10
`C. Claim Construction ......................................................................................10
`VIII. LEGAL STANDARDS FOR INVALIDITY ..................................................11
`A. 35 U.S.C. § 102 ...........................................................................................11
`B.
`35 U.S.C. § 103 ...........................................................................................11
`C. Level of Ordinary Skill in the Art ...............................................................12
`IX. PRIOR ART REFERENCES ...........................................................................12
`A. Cimatti .........................................................................................................12
`B. Bethuy ..........................................................................................................12
`C. SmartWell Dispenser ...................................................................................13
`D. SmartSoda JuLi Touch ................................................................................18
`E. O’Laughlin ..................................................................................................19
`F. Wallace ........................................................................................................19
`G. Shannon .......................................................................................................20
`H. Holler ...........................................................................................................20
`X. DETAILED EXPLANTATION OF GROUNDS FOR UNPATENTABILITY
`
`20
`A. Cimatti anticipates claims 1–5, 7–14, and 16–18 .......................................20
`1. Claim 1 .....................................................................................................21
`2. Claims 2 and 11 ........................................................................................26
`3. Claims 3 and 12 ........................................................................................28
`4. Claims 4 and 13 ........................................................................................30
`5. Claims 5 and 14 ........................................................................................36
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`6. Claim 7 .....................................................................................................36
`7. Claim 8 .....................................................................................................37
`8. Claim 9 .....................................................................................................39
`9. Claim 10 ...................................................................................................39
`10. Claim 16 ................................................................................................40
`11. Claim 17 ................................................................................................41
`12. Claim 18 ................................................................................................42
`B. Bethuy anticipates claims 1–5, 7, 9–14 and 16-20 ......................................42
`1. Claim 1 .....................................................................................................42
`2. Claims 2 and 11 ........................................................................................52
`3. Claims 3 and 12 ........................................................................................53
`4. Claims 4 and 13 ........................................................................................54
`5. Claims 5 and 14 ........................................................................................58
`6. Claim 7 .....................................................................................................58
`7. Claim 9 .....................................................................................................60
`8. Claim 10 ...................................................................................................60
`9. Claim 16 ...................................................................................................64
`10. Claim 17 ................................................................................................66
`11. Claim 18 ................................................................................................67
`12. Claim 19 ................................................................................................67
`13. Claim 20 ................................................................................................69
`C. Smartwell Dispenser anticipates claims 1–3, 5–15, 17, and 18 ..................71
`1. Claim 1 .....................................................................................................71
`2. Claims 2 and 11 ........................................................................................83
`3. Claims 3 and 12 ........................................................................................85
`4. Claims 5 and 14 ........................................................................................86
`5. Claims 6 and 15 ........................................................................................86
`6. Claim 7 .....................................................................................................87
`7. Claim 8 .....................................................................................................89
`8. Claim 9 .....................................................................................................91
`9. Claim 10 ...................................................................................................91
`10. Claim 17 ................................................................................................91
`11. Claim 18 ................................................................................................93
`D. SmartSoda JuLi Touch anticipates claims 1–20 .........................................93
`E. Cimatti, Bethuy, and O’Laughlin render claims 6 and 15 obvious .............93
`F. Cimatti, Bethuy, and Wallace render claims 6 and 15 obvious...................96
`G. Cimatti, Bethuy, Shannon, and Holler render claims 19 and 20 obvious ...98
`1. Claim 19 ...................................................................................................98
`ii
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`2. Claim 20 .................................................................................................100
`2.
`Chaim 20 oe eeeeceseesseceeeeeceeeaecseeeeeesceseesaesaeeseeseesaesseeeneeeesaeenseees 100
`XI. CONCLUSION ..............................................................................................101
`XI. CONCLUSIONue ceeceseseseeeseesseseseeessescsesesaecssesssessseseeesseassseesseeeseeenaes 101
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`iii
`ill
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`
`
`Cases
`
`TABLE OF AUTHORITIES
`
`Application of Samour, 571 F.2d 559 (C.C.P.A. 1978) ...........................................15
`
`Application of Wilson, 311 F.2d 266 (C.C.P.A. 1962) ............................................15
`
`Brown v. 3M, 265 F.3d 1349 (Fed. Cir. 2001) .................................................. 29, 30
`
`Graham v. John Deere Co. of Kansas City, 383 U.S. 1 (1966) ...............................11
`
`Helsinn Healthcare S.A. v. Teva Pharm. USA, Inc., 139 S.Ct. 628 (2019) .............14
`
`In re Cavaney, 761 F.2d 671 (Fed. Cir. 1985) .........................................................14
`
`In re Donohue, 766 F.2d 531 (Fed. Cir. 1985) ........................................................15
`
`In re Wyer, 655 F.2d 221, 227 (C.C.P.A. 1981) ......................................................17
`
`KSR Intern. Co. v. Teleflex Inc., 550 U.S. 398 (2007) ............................................11
`
`Pfaff v. Wells Electronics, Inc., 124 F.3d 1429 (Fed. Cir. 1997) ............................18
`
`Phillips v. AWH Corp., 415 F.3d 1303 (Fed. Cir. 2005) .........................................10
`
`ResQNet.com, Inc. v. Lansa, Inc., 594 F.3d 860 (Fed. Cir. 2010) ...........................14
`
`Verdegaal Bros., Inc. v. Union Oil Co. of California, 814 F.2d 628 (Fed. Cir. 1987)
`
` ..............................................................................................................................11
`
`Statutes
`
`35 U.S.C. § 102 ................................... 1, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 71
`
`35 U.S.C. § 103 ............................................................................................... 1, 9, 11
`
`35 U.S.C. § 325(d) ..................................................................................................... 3
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`iv
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`America Invents Act § 3(n)(1) .................................................................................10
`
`Other Authorities
`
`MPEP § 2128 .................................................................................................... 16, 17
`
`MPEP § 2131.01(I) ..................................................................................................15
`
`MPEP § 2143 .................................................................................................. 96, 100
`
`Rules
`
`Fed. R. Evid. 901(b)(4) ............................................................................................16
`
`Regulations
`
`37 C.F.R. § 42.10(b) .................................................................................................. 2
`
`37 C.F.R. § 42.15(b) .................................................................................................. 2
`
`37 C.F.R. § 42.200(b) ..............................................................................................10
`
`37 C.F.R. § 42.202(a) ................................................................................................. 2
`
`37 C.F.R. § 42.204(a) ................................................................................................. 1
`
`37 C.F.R. § 42.206(a) ................................................................................................. 2
`
`37 C.F.R. § 42.208(c) ................................................................................................. 1
`
`37 C.F.R. § 42.22(a) ................................................................................................... 4
`
`Administrative Decisions & Guidance
`
`Becton, Dickinson & Co. v. B. Braun Melsungen AG, No. IPR2017-01586, 2017
`
`WL 6405100 (P.T.A.B. Dec. 15, 2017) ................................................................. 3
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`v
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`
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`Ex Parte Lisziwicz, 2010 WL 1607520, Appeal 2010-000027 (P.T.A.B. 2010) ....15
`
`Unified Patents Inc. v. Berman, No. IPR2016-01571, 2016 WL 10033540
`
`(P.T.A.B. Dec. 14, 2016) ....................................................................................... 4
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`vi
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`

`

`Exhibit
`No.
`1001
`1002
`1003
`1004
`1005
`1006
`1007
`1008
`1009
`1010
`1011
`1012
`1013
`1014
`1015
`
`1016
`
`1017
`1018
`1019
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`EXHIBITS
`
`Description
`
`U.S. Patent No. 11,724,927 (“the 927 Patent”)
`Declaration of Pete Wolski
`U.S. Pub. No. 2020/0122994 (“Cimatti”)
`U.S. Pub. No. 2016/0368752 (“Bethuy”)
`SmartWell Video (available at https://vimeo.com/384394240)
`SmartWell Video (available at https://vimeo.com/332051430)
`SmartWell Publication, User Manual
`SmartWell Publication, Troubleshooting
`SmartWell Publication, Flavors
`U.S. Pub. No. 2016/0280526 (“O’Laughlin”)
`EP 1788916B1 (“Wallace”)
`U.S. Patent No. 5,012,955 (Shannon”)
`U.S. Pub. No. 2007/0012719 (“Holler”)
`Prosecution History of the 927 Patent
`Prosecution History of the U.S. Patent No.11,407,630
`SmartSoda JuLi Touch, Facebook (available at
`https://www.facebook.com/drinksmartsoda/photos/a.
`764429716984005/2664422596984698)
`Declaration of Tony DeCrispino
`Declaration of Matt Cremins
`International Pub. No. WO 2015/148710 (“Cremins”)
`
`
`vii
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`

`

`
`
`
`
`Limitation
`
`[1.0]
`
`[1.1]
`[1.2]
`[1.3]
`[1.4]
`
`[1.5]
`
`[1.6]
`
`[1.7]
`
`[1.8]
`
`[1.9]
`
`[2.0]
`
`[3.0]
`[4.0]
`
`[4.1]
`
`CLAIM LISTING
`Claim Language
`A control system for a beverage dispenser for dispensing a flavored
`beverage and having a display and multiple selectable reservoirs,
`wherein the control system comprises circuitry configured to:
`cause the display to display a user interface having a flavor
`selection area and a function selection area, wherein:
`the flavor selection area includes multiple selectable flavors; and
`the function selection area includes multiple selectable functions;
`receive user input identifying a selected flavor from the flavor
`selection area of the user interface;
`receive user input identifying a selected function from the function
`selection area of the user interface;
`choose from the multiple selectable reservoirs a flavor reservoir
`based on the selected flavor;
`choose from the multiple selectable reservoirs a function reservoir
`based on the selected function;
`cause the beverage dispenser to generate an enhanced flavored
`mixture by adding to a liquid the selected flavor from the flavor
`reservoir and the selected function from the function reservoir;
`wherein a concentration of a dietary supplement included in the
`selected function that is included in the enhanced flavored mixture
`is larger than a concentration of the dietary supplement included in
`the selected flavor that is included in the enhanced flavored
`mixture; and
`cause the beverage dispenser to dispense the enhanced flavored
`mixture.
`The control system of claim 1, wherein a concentration of the
`dietary supplement included in the selected flavor is zero.
`The control system of claim 1, wherein the selectable functions
`include at least one of relax, energize, immunize, or muscle.
`The control system of claim 3, wherein:
`when the selected function is relax, the circuitry is configured to
`choose as the function reservoir one of the multiple selectable
`reservoirs including at least one of cannabidiol (CBD), rhodiola
`
`viii
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`

`

`
`
`
`
`[4.2]
`
`[4.3]
`
`[4.4]
`
`[5.0]
`
`[6.0]
`
`[7.0]
`
`[8.0]
`
`[9.0]
`
`[10.0]
`
`rosea, melatonin, glycine, ashwagandha, L-theanine, B vitamins, or
`kava;
`when the selected function is energize, the circuitry is configured to
`choose as the function reservoir one of the multiple selectable
`reservoirs including at least one of caffeine, coenzyme Q10
`(CoQ10), B vitamins, iron, creatine, citrulline, rhodiola rosea, or
`ashwagandha;
`when the selected function is immunity, the circuitry is configured
`to choose as the function reservoir one of the multiple selectable
`reservoirs including at least one of vitamin C, B vitamins, vitamin
`E, vitamin A, vitamin D, folate, folic acid, iron, selenium, zinc,
`elderberry, echinacea; and
`when the selected function is muscle, the circuitry is configured to
`choose as the function reservoir one of the multiple selectable
`reservoirs including at least one of protein or creatine.
`The control system of claim 3, wherein the selectable functions
`include relax, energize, and immunize.
`The control system of claim 1, wherein the selected function
`included in the enhanced flavored mixture includes a dietary
`supplement in a quantity that is greater than or equal to 50% of a
`daily Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) for the dietary
`supplement.
`The control system of claim 1, wherein the circuitry is further
`configured to cause the display to display a water selection user
`interface for selecting the liquid, wherein the water selection user
`interface includes multiple selectable water types.
`The control system of claim 7, wherein the water selection user
`interface is displayed after the circuitry receives the selected flavor
`and the selected function.
`The control system of claim 7, wherein the selectable water types
`of the water selection user interface include sparkling water and
`still water.
`A method of controlling an amount of a flavored product and a
`functional product in a flavored mixture of the flavored product,
`the functional product, and a liquid that is dispensed from a
`beverage dispenser, the method comprising:
`
`ix
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`

`

`
`
`
`
`receiving user input from a display of the beverage dispenser
`including a user interface, the user input identifying a selected
`flavor and a selected function, wherein the user input is received by
`a control system including circuitry configured to display the user
`interface; wherein the user interface has a flavor selection area and
`a function selection area; wherein the flavor selection area includes
`multiple selectable flavors and the function selection area includes
`multiple selectable functions;
`choosing from multiple selectable reservoirs a flavor reservoir
`based on the selected flavor;
`choosing from the multiple selectable reservoirs a function
`reservoir based on the selected function;
`supplying a liquid to a mixing receptacle by using the circuitry to
`control a liquid control valve based on the received user input;
`supplying the selected flavor from the flavor reservoir and the
`selected function from the function reservoir to the mixing
`receptacle to be dissolved in the liquid and form an enhanced
`flavored mixture by using the circuitry to control a mixture control
`valve based on the received user input; wherein a concentration of
`a dietary supplement included in the selected function that is
`included in the enhanced flavored mixture is larger than a
`concentration of the dietary supplement included in the selected
`flavor that is included in the enhanced flavored mixture; and
`modulating an amount of the selected flavor and the selected
`function that is dissolved in the liquid to maintain a predetermined
`solution of the enhanced flavored mixture that is dispensed from
`the beverage dispenser by using the circuitry to control a control
`valve based on the received user input.
`The method of claim 10, wherein a concentration of the dietary
`supplement included in the selected flavor is zero.
`The method of claim 10, wherein the selectable functions include at
`least one of relax, energize, immunize, or muscle.
`The method of claim 12, wherein:
`when the selected function is relax, using the circuitry to choose as
`the function reservoir one of the multiple selectable reservoirs
`
`[10.1]
`
`[10.2]
`
`[10.3]
`
`[10.4]
`
`[10.5]
`
`[10.6]
`
`[11.0]
`
`[12.0]
`[13.0]
`[13.1]
`
`x
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`

`

`
`
`
`
`[13.2]
`
`[13.3]
`
`[13.4]
`
`[14.0]
`
`[15.0]
`
`[16.0]
`
`[17.0]
`
`[18.0]
`
`[19.0]
`
`[20.0]
`
`including at least one of cannabidiol (CBD), rhodiola rosea,
`melatonin, glycine, ashwagandha, L-theanine, B vitamins, or kava;
`when the selected function is energize, using the circuitry to choose
`as the function reservoir one of the multiple selectable reservoirs
`including at least one of caffeine, coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), B
`vitamins, iron, creatine, citrulline, rhodiola rosea, or ashwagandha;
`when the selected function is immunity, using the circuitry to
`choose as the function reservoir one of the multiple selectable
`reservoirs including at least one of vitamin C, B vitamins, vitamin
`E, vitamin A, vitamin D, folate, folic acid, iron, selenium, zinc,
`elderberry, echinacea; and
`when the selected function is muscle, using the circuitry to choose
`as the function reservoir one of the multiple selectable reservoirs
`including at least one of protein or creatine.
`The method of claim 12, wherein the selectable functions include
`relax, energize, and immunize.
`The method of claim 10, wherein the selected function includes a
`dietary supplement in a quantity that is greater than or equal to 50%
`of a daily Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) for the
`dietary supplement.
`The method of claim 10, further comprising: cooling the liquid by
`using the circuitry to control a cooling device.
`The method of claim 10, further comprising: carbonating the liquid
`by using the circuitry to control a carbonator.
`The method of claim 17, further comprising: supplying the
`carbonated liquid to the mixing receptacle using the circuitry to
`control the liquid control valve.
`The method of claim 10, further comprising: determining a level of
`the selected flavor and the selected function using a product level
`sensor; and wherein the modulating the amount of the selected
`flavor and the selected function that is dissolved in the liquid to
`maintain the predetermined solution of the enhanced flavored
`mixture that is dispensed from the beverage dispenser by using the
`circuitry to control the control valve is based on determined level
`of the selected flavor and the selected function.
`The method of claim 19, further comprising: maintain the level of
`the selected flavor and the selected function between fifteen and
`twenty-five milligrams.
`
`xi
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`

`
`
`I.
`
`INTRODUCTION
`
`Hydration Labs, Inc. d/b/a Bevi (“Petitioner) requests post-grant review of
`
`claims 1–20 (“Challenged Claims”) of U.S. Patent No. 11,724,927 (Ex. 1001, the
`
`“927 Patent”). This Petition demonstrates that it is more likely than not that the
`
`Challenged Claims are unpatentable under 35 U.S.C. §§ 102 and 103. 37 C.F.R. §
`
`42.208(c). As shown in this Petition, there are several prior art references that, alone
`
`or in combination, teach each limitation of the Challenged Claims.
`
`The Challenged Claims describe basic beverage dispensing functionality that
`
`has been known in the industry for decades. Beverage dispensers have long
`
`dispensed beverages mixing a flavoring with sparkling or still water. The
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`introduction of additives was also well known in the prior art. In the past decade,
`
`beverage dispensers have utilized interactive touchscreens that allow consumers to
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`customize their beverage selections. The Challenged Claims add nothing novel over
`
`the prior art and simply combine well known industry methods. The lack of novelty
`
`is underscored by the multiple prior art references that either anticipate or render the
`
`claims of the 927 Patent obvious.
`
`II.
`
`STANDING AND PROCEDURAL STATEMENTS
`
`Petitioner certifies pursuant to 37 C.F.R. § 42.204(a) that the 927 Patent is
`
`available for post-grant review and that Petitioner is not barred or estopped from
`
`
`
`1
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`

`

`
`
`requesting post-grant review of the 927 Patent. This Petition is filed within nine
`
`months of the August 15, 2023 issue date of the 927 Patent. 37 C.F.R. § 42.202(a).
`
`Petitioner files this Petition in accordance with 37 C.F.R. § 42.206(a) and
`
`concurrently files a Power of Attorney pursuant to 37 C.F.R. § 42.10(b). The
`
`required fee is paid via online Deposit Account 50-3537 pursuant to 37 C.F.R. §
`
`42.15(b).
`
`III. MANDATORY NOTICES UNDER 37 C.F.R. § 42.8
`
`A. Real Party-in-Interest
`
`Hydration Labs, Inc. d/b/a Bevi is the only real party in interest. No other
`
`party was involve in any aspect of this Petition.
`
`B. Related Matters
`
`To the knowledge of the Petitioner, there are no related matters that would
`
`affect, or be affected by, a decision in this proceeding.
`
`C. Lead and Back-Up Counsel
`
`Petitioner identifies the following lead and back-up counsel:
`
`Lead Counsel
`
`Back-Up Counsel
`
`
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`2
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`

`

`
`
`
`
`Dan Huynh (Reg. No. 67,991)
`Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP
`3343 Peachtree Road, NE
`1600 Atlanta Financial Center
`Tel: 404-495-3608
`Fax: 404-365-9532
`Email: dhuynh@mmmlaw.com
`
`Adam J. Thompson (Reg. No. 72,831)
`Anna M. Malcom (Reg. No. 80,438)
`Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP
`3343 Peachtree Road, NE
`1600 Atlanta Financial Center
`Tel: 404-504-5498
`Fax: 404-365-9532
`Email: athompson@mmmlaw.com
`Email: amalcom@mmmlaw.com
`
`D.
`
`Service Information
`
`Please address all correspondence to the lead and back-up counsel at the
`
`addresses provided above. Petitioner hereby consents to electronic service by email
`
`at ipdocket@mmmlaw.com.
`
`IV. THE BOARD SHOULD INSTITUTE REVIEW
`
`The Board should exercise its discretion to institute review under 35 U.S.C. §
`
`325(d). The Board considers six factors when determining if it should exercise its
`
`discretion: (a) similarities and material differences between the asserted art and the
`
`art from prosecution; (b) cumulative nature of the asserted art and the art from
`
`prosecution; (c) extent to which the asserted art was evaluated during examination,
`
`including if it was a basis for rejection; (d) overlap between arguments made during
`
`examination and by the petitioner; (e) errors made by the Examiner; and (f) if
`
`reconsideration is warranted. Becton, Dickinson & Co. v. B. Braun Melsungen AG,
`
`IPR2017-01586, Paper 8 (P.T.A.B. Dec. 15, 2017).
`
`
`
`3
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`

`

`
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` Notably, the USPTO did not consider any of the prior art references that form
`
`the bases of this Petition. None of the prior art references cited by Petitioner were
`
`identified by the Applicant in any Information Disclosure Statements or considered
`
`during prosecution. See Unified Patents, Inc. v. Berman, IPR2016-01571, Paper 10,
`
`at 12-13 (PTAB Dec. 14, 2016) (instituting grounds relying on art not cited
`
`previously); see also Ex. 1014. The 927 Patent only received one office action,
`
`which only included a double patenting rejection. Since the Examiner did not
`
`consider any of these references identified in this petition, there is no overlap in
`
`arguments made during prosecution and in the Petition, and the remaining references
`
`were neither cited to, nor considered by, the patent office.
`
`V.
`
`STATEMENT OF PRECISE RELIEF REQUESTED
`
`Pursuant to 37 C.F.R. § 42.22(a), Petitioner respectfully requests the
`
`cancellation of the Challenged Claims of the 927 Patent. The specific prior art and
`
`statutory grounds for invalidity of the Challenged Claims are outlined below.
`
`This Petition requests cancellation of the Challenged Claims of the 927
`
`Patent on the following grounds:
`
`Challenged Claims
`Reference(s)
`Ground Basis
`1–5, 7–14, 16–18
`A
`§ 102 Cimatti
`1–5, 7, 9-14, 16-20
`B
`§ 102 Bethuy
`1–3, 5–15, 17, 18
`C
`§ 102 SmartWell Dispenser
`1–20
`D
`§ 102 Smart Soda JuLi Touch
`E
`§ 103 Cimatti, Bethuy, and O’Laughlin 6, 15
`F
`§ 103 Cimatti, Bethuy, and Wallace
`6, 15
`4
`
`
`
`

`

`
`
`G
`
`
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`§ 103 Cimatti, Bethuy, Shannon, and
`Holler
`
`19, 20
`
`VI. OVERVIEW OF THE RELEVANT TECHNOLOGY
`
`The first commercial use of a machine to dispense soft drinks occurred at the
`
`1933 World’s Fair when Coca-Cola introduced the first automatic drink dispenser.
`
`The dispenser model was named the Dole Master Dispenser and was manufactured
`
`by The Dole Valve Company as shown below. The introduction of the Dole Master
`
`Dispenser was the beginning of the development of beverage dispensers that create
`
`and dispense soft drinks on-premise for immediate consumption. (Ex. 1002 (Wolski
`
`Declaration) at ¶ 27).
`
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`User interfaces also evolved from simple lever actuated approaches to multi
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`button portion selector panels and LED based communications. For example, in
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`2009, Coca-Cola introduced the Freestyle dispenser that used a touchscreen interface
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`to allow a consumer to select a customized beverage. (Ex. 1002 at ¶ 28).
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`5
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`Also, as early as 2009, the industry explored adding neutraceuticals such as
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`vitamins and medicines as an option when dispensing beverages. (Ex. 1002 at ¶ 29).
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`In addition, a company called Voda developed and sold a beverage dispenser called
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`the SmartWell Beverage Dispenser. The SmartWell Beverage Dispenser allowed
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`users to select additives such as electrolytes and vitamins to include in their
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`dispensed drinks. Voda sold its first SmartWell Beverage Dispenser in 2016. In
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`2018, Voda was acquired by Elkay Manufacturing where they started to sell
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`SmartWell Beverage Dispensers in 2019. (Ex. 1018 at ¶¶ 3-8). The founder of Voda
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`and the SmartWell Beverage Dispenser is a named inventor in a patent application
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`filed in March 25, 2015 that describes some of the functionality of the SmartWell
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`Beverage Dispenser. (Ex. 1019).
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`6
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`VII. THE 927 PATENT
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`The 927 Patent generally describes a beverage dispenser that allows a user to
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`select a flavor and “function” to be added to a beverage that is to be dispensed. In
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`particular, the 927 Patent describes displaying a user interface with “a flavor
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`selection area and a function selection area.” Ex. 1001, 927 Patent at claim 1. The
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`beverage dispenser receives the user input, “chooses from the multiple selectable
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`reservoirs,” and dispenses the beverage. Id. The functions “include at least one of
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`relax, energize, immunize, or muscle.” Id. at claim 3. FIG. 11 illustrates the process
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`for dispensing the beverage:
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`7
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`(Ex. 1002 at ¶ 30).
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`A.
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`Summary of the Prosecution History
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`In the first and only office action for the 927 Patent, the examiner rejected
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`pending claims 1–18 for non-statutory double patenting with U.S. Patent No.
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`11,407,630 (the “630 Patent”). Ex. 1014. The examiner indicated that claims 19
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`and 20 were objected to as being dependent upon a rejected base claim, but would
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`be allowable if rewritten into independent form. The applicant filed a terminal
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`disclaimer to overcome the double patenting rejection and claims 1–20 were
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`8
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`allowed. The examiner never rejected the Challenged Claims under 35 U.S.C. §§
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`102 or 103. (Ex. 1002 at ¶ 31).
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`The 927 Patent application claims priority to Application No. 17/190,665,
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`which issued as the 630 Patent. During prosecution of the 630 Patent, the examiner
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`rejected some of the pending claims under 35 U.S.C. §§ 102 and 103 over Beavis
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`(U.S. Pub. No. 2013/0292407) and an Official Notice.1 Ex. 1015. However, the
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`examiner indicated that claims 5 and 10–15 were objected to as being dependent
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`upon a rejected base claim, but would be allowable if rewritten into independent
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`form. The applicant amended the independent claims to incorporate the limitations
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`of claim 5, which, as originally filed, read:
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`The control system of claim 1, wherein a concentration of a dietary
`supplement included in the selected function that is included in the
`enhanced flavored mixture is at least five times larger than a
`concentration of the dietary supplement included in the selected flavor
`that is included in the enhanced flavored mixture.
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`
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`1 The Official Notice indicated that pending claim 6 was “an obvious design choice to a person of ordinary skill in the
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`art.” Non-final Office Action (September 22, 2021), p. 4, U.S. Application No. 17/190,665. Claim 6, which, as
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`originally filed, read: “The control system of claim 1, wherein the selected function included in the enhanced flavored
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`mixture includes a dietary supplement in a quantity greater than or equal to 50% of a daily Recommended Dietary
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`Allowances (RDA) for the dietary supplement.” The applicant did not object to the Official Notice when responding
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`to the Office Action.
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`9
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`Ex. 1014. In the next action, an Ex Parte Quayle action, the examiner objected to
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`the drawi