2014 (Gyo-Ke) 10186 [Circular Knitting of Elastic Fabric Containing Elastomeric Yarn] <Shimizu>
Updated: 2 days ago
Article information
Article type: Case note
Category: Patents
Topics: Motivation and teaching away, Numerical limitations and parameters, Design choices
First published on this website: 2026-11-01
Display and classification checked: November 2, 2026
Originally published on Ameblo: 2024-12-28 (Japan time). Full English translation.
2014 (Gyo-Ke) 10186 [Circular Knitting of Elastic Fabric Containing Elastomeric Yarn] <Shimizu>
The upper draw-ratio limit of 2.5 times in the claimed invention was not particularly high at filing.
*The cited invention uses a close value (2.7 times) for the same parameter (draw ratio).
⇒ The cited invention is not at a limiting value.
—A design matter
(Excerpt from the court's reasoning)
Assuming ordinary yarn is used, the upper draw-ratio limit of 2.5 times in the claimed invention was not particularly high at filing, regardless of yarn thickness (Exhibit Otsu 5). Indeed, Example 1 of the cited reference …selects a draw ratio of 2.7 times to achieve commercially acceptable shrinkage at 44 dtex, a decitex value within the claimed invention. Thus, there is no technical difficulty in setting a draw ratio of no more than 2.5 times, smaller than 2.7 times. Accordingly, the shrinkage envisaged by the cited invention was not a limiting value under the state of the art at filing. There is no teaching away from increasing the draw ratio while increasing the decitex value in the cited invention, and setting “no more than 2.5 times” in that case is also a design matter a person skilled in the art could readily implement.
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November 1, 2026: First published on this website.
November 2, 2026: Added article information, classification, topics, language navigation, related articles where the same case was confirmed, consultation guidance, and SEO. The original text and first-published date were preserved.
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