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For patent # 5,584,962 I have developed a tensioned hub for the supply roll that fits these machines. This mainly concerns figure 8. My hub design is different.
My questions are:
How can I tell what is patented in 5,586,962. Is the tensioned function patented? Is the hub design?
Also, when would this patent expire?
As with all patents, it is the claims that define what the inventor "owns". In both independent claims there are elements a - h. All of the eight elements must be present for something to infringe.
It looks like this would have expired 17 years from issue which was Dec. of 2013.
