Hoff v. Iron-Clad Manufacturing Company

'(1) The method of forming the body of a coal-hod or other similar vessel, which consists, substantially, as before set forth, in first forming a cone-shaped body from a suitable blank, then folding in the cone end of said body in crimps to form the bottom.

'(2) As a new article of manufacture, a coal-hod formed of a single piece, and having its bottom crimped or folded to form a series of annular ribs or rings of progressively increasing diameter, substantially as shown and described.'

The defenses were in substance:

(1) That in view of the prior state of the art, as disclosed by various patents and devices, there was no novelty in the invention.

(2) That defendant did not infringe.

The circuit court at first rendered a decree for the plaintiff, (27 Fed. Rep. 307,) and subsequently, upon a rehearing, dismissed the bill, (31 Fed. Rep. 45.)

''Geo. J. Murray'', for appellants.

J. E. Hindon Hyde, Frederic H. Betts, and E. C. Webb, for appellee.

Mr. Justice BROWN, after stating the facts as above, delivered the opinion of the court.