HOUSTON (LN) — U.S. District Judge Rodney Gilstrap on April 22, 2026, issued a claim construction opinion in a patent infringement suit brought by Oribel Pte Ltd. against Carter's Retail Inc., The William Carter Company, and Skip Hop Inc., resolving disputes over the scope of U.S. Patent 10,736,437.
The patent covers a portable activity center for young children that can convert into a table. Oribel alleges the defendants infringed the patent with their own lines of baby gear.
The parties disputed the meaning of three terms. Gilstrap rejected the defendants' argument that the term "playgroup accessory" was indefinite, ruling that the patent specification provided enough context for a skilled artisan to understand its scope.
The court construed "playgroup accessory" as an "accessory designed to provide educational or entertainment activities for a child."
Gilstrap also sided with the defendants on the meaning of "interchangeable," rejecting Oribel's broader interpretation. The court ruled that "interchangeable playgroup accessories" means accessories "that can be exchanged with other playgroup accessories," rather than simply being removable or repositionable.
The judge noted that the patent specification repeatedly showed accessories with the same attachment ends fitting into the same apertures, supporting the conclusion that the accessories must be exchangeable with one another.
The third disputed term, "slopes radially inwardly," was construed as "slopes downward toward a central point."
The defendants had argued the term required a continuous slant, while Oribel contended the phrase allowed for a "step" profile with a vertical ridge separating two horizontal surfaces. Gilstrap expressed skepticism that a vertical ridge could satisfy the limitation but reserved final judgment on infringement for the jury.
The opinion followed a hearing on Feb. 19, 2026, where counsel clarified the technical distinctions between removable and interchangeable components.
Gilstrap ordered the parties not to refer to their own claim construction positions in front of the jury, limiting references to the court's adopted constructions.