Late Allergen Reduction, LLC v. Dynarex Corp., No. 10 C 129, Slip Op. (N.D. Ill. Apr. 21, 2011) (Bucklo, J.).

Judge Bucklo construed the claims in this patent infringement case involving a method of neutralizing protein allergens found in natural rubber latex. Here are constructions of note:

  • "The protein allergens" was construed to require that the method degrade all of the protein allergens in the latex, not just one or more protein allergens.
  • "Non-allergenic to humans" was construed as "the protein allergens contained within the natural rubber latex are degraded such that the natural rubber latex is incapable of producing an allergic reaction in any human . . . ." Plaintiff’s proposed construction requiring greatly reduced levels of allergens to "most humans" would render the claims indefinite.
  • "Non-transmissive" was construed as "an optical structure that reduces the transmission of radiant light to the greatest degree practicable consistent with the intended purpose."
  • "A protease enzyme and a peptidase enzyme" was construed as requiring two separate enzymes, one being a protease and the other being a peptidase. It could not be a single enzyme of both types.