Bigbelly files patent infringement complaints against ECube and EconX

Needham, Massachusetts-based Bigbelly Inc., a manufacturer of waste and recycling systems that feature compacting stations with sensors that offer real-time reporting via its software, says it has filed a complaint with the U.S. Central District Court in California and the German Court alleging that Ecube Labs Co. Ltd. (South Korea), Ecube Labs Co. (U.S.) and EconX Waste Solutions B.V. (Netherlands) infringe on two Bigbelly patents covering energy management technologies for solar powered compactors. 

These patented Bigbelly technologies enable the Bigbelly smart waste and recycling system to acutely manage an energy budget based on the solar energy harvested and the energy needs of the station, the company says. It is imperative that solar powered compactors function in locations with limited or no direct sunlight because most waste bins are in proximity of buildings, trees and other infrastructure. When deploying a solar powered, compacting waste solution, Bigbelly’s patented energy management is critical to its success, according to Bigbelly.

The company says it requests that the U.S. and German courts issue rulings confirming that certain Ecube and EconX products infringe Bigbelly’s U.S. and European patents.

“Bigbelly is proud of the technology we have developed,” says Brian Phillips, CEO of Bigbelly. “We have leveraged critical customer installations in regions around the globe to enable us to develop the world’s leading smart waste and recycling system. The patents we are asserting represent important technologies in our IP portfolio and are vital to the basic function of a solar powered compactor.  They enable Bigbelly to operate with or without direct sunlight and in any location. These lawsuits seek to stop infringement of our patented technologies.”