In the April issue of Auto Laundry News, Newsline reported that, following an ex parte reexamination, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office had confirmed that Hydra-Flex’s U.S. Patent No. 8,887,743 for a chemical delivery system and platform was valid.
Following this ruling, according to a report on www.chron.com, Hydra-Flex filed suit against Hoffman Car Wash and its affiliate company, InnovateIT Car Wash Equipment, alleging that InnovateIT’s dispenser, called DispenseIT, uses technology covered by Hydra-Flex’s patent.
Hydra-Flex first alleged infringement in 2018. Hoffman challenged the validity of the patent in 2019, giving rise to the ex parte reexamination.