The parties and the patents

The proceedings are Shining 3D Tech Co., Ltd. v. SprintRay, Inc., IPR2027-00029 (U.S. Patent 10,894,355) and IPR2027-00030 (U.S. Patent 11,633,910). The petitioners and real parties in interest are Shining 3D Tech Co., Ltd. and Shining 3D Technology, Inc. The petitions name SprintRay, Inc. as the patent owner. Both patents are titled Resin Solidification Substrate and Assembly. The '355 patent issued on January 19, 2021, with nine claims, and the '910 patent issued on April 25, 2023, with twenty claims. Each petition states that the companion petition against the related patent is being filed at substantially the same time.

What the claims cover

Claim 1 of the '355 patent covers a multi-layer assembly for making a three-dimensional object by solidifying a solidifiable material. It requires a rigid or semi-rigid solidification substrate assembly with a frame and a rigid or semi-rigid translucent solidification substrate disposed in the frame, connected to a film assembly that includes at least one frame and a film disposed in that frame. Claim 1 of the '910 patent covers a multi-layer system for the same purpose, with a rigid or semi-rigid solidification substrate assembly that includes a frame and a rigid or semi-rigid translucent solidification substrate with first and second opposite surfaces, and a film assembly with at least one film frame and at least one film whose first surface is adjacent to and in non-adhesive contact with the first surface of the substrate. The petitions challenge every claim of both patents: claims 1 to 9 of the '355 patent and claims 1 to 20 of the '910 patent.

The grounds

In IPR2027-00029, the petition challenges claims 1 to 9 of the '355 patent under 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103. Ground 1A asserts that German patent DE 10204985 B4 anticipates or renders obvious claims 1, 4 to 6, and 9, and Ground 1B pairs that reference with U.S. Patent 5,158,858 against the same claims. Grounds 2A and 2B combine the German patent with U.S. Patent 7,195,472 against claims 2 to 5, Grounds 3A and 3B combine it with U.S. Patent Application Publication 2005/0248061 against claims 7 and 8, and Grounds 4A and 4B combine it with U.S. Patent Application Publication 2005/0045262 against claims 7 and 8. In each of those pairs, the B ground also adds U.S. Patent 5,158,858. Ground 5A asserts that U.S. Patent 5,158,858 anticipates claims 1, 2, 6, and 9, and Grounds 5B and 5C combine that patent with the two 2005 publications against claims 7 and 8.

In IPR2027-00030, the petition challenges claims 1 to 20 of the '910 patent under the same sections, on nine grounds. Ground 1 asserts that DE 10204985 B4 anticipates or renders obvious claims 1, 4, 5, 11, 12, 14, 17, and 19. Ground 2 pairs it with U.S. Patent 7,195,472 against claims 2 to 4 and 18. Ground 3 pairs it with WO 2008/004872 A1 against claims 6 to 10. Grounds 4 and 5 pair it with U.S. Patent Application Publications 2005/0248061 and 2005/0045262, respectively, against claims 13, 15, and 16. Ground 6 pairs it with U.S. Patent 5,213,949 against claim 20. Ground 7 asserts that U.S. Patent 5,158,858 anticipates claims 1, 2, 5, 11 to 14, 17, and 19, and Grounds 8 and 9 combine that patent with the two 2005 publications against claims 15 and 16. Each petition is supported by an expert declaration.

The district court cases

SprintRay sued Shining 3D Tech Co. Ltd. and Shining 3D Technology, Inc. on June 18, 2026, in SprintRay, Inc. v. Shining 3D Tech Co. Ltd., No. 4:26-cv-06026 (N.D. Cal.), asserting the '355 and '910 patents and U.S. Patents 11,679,555, 12,576,588, and 12,583,180. The complaint alleges that all rights, title, and interest in each of those patents have been assigned to SprintRay. The docket in that case lists a filing titled Dismiss on October 26, 2026, and an order on October 27, 2026; neither document is available.

Each petition lists that suit as a related matter, along with a District of Delaware suit by SprintRay against another company, No. 1:26-cv-00175, which the petitions say was settled and dismissed with prejudice. The '355 petition also lists a District of Delaware suit that SprintRay filed on October 23, 2026, against another 3D printer maker, No. 1:26-cv-01367, which asserts the '355 patent among others.

What to watch next

Watch for the notices according each petition a filing date, any preliminary responses from SprintRay under 37 CFR 42.107, and the Board's institution decisions under 35 U.S.C. 314. Watch the Northern District of California docket for what the October 26 and October 27 entries do to that case.