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Eco Fiber Inc. v. Vance & Yukon Packaging — Cold-Chain Packaging Patent | PatSnap
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Case ID3:24-cv-00465
FiledMay 2024
ClosedMay 2025
Patent Litigation

Eco Fiber Inc. v. Vance & Yukon Packaging: Cold-Chain Patent Settled With Prejudice

Eco Fiber Inc. filed a patent infringement suit in the Western District of North Carolina against David Kevin Vance and Yukon Packaging, LLC over a 3-piece cold-chain packaging product. After securing a preliminary injunction and $10,000 bond within six weeks of filing, the parties reached a settlement and jointly dismissed the action with prejudice after 358 days.

Resolution time
358days
358 days — faster than the median W.D.N.C. patent case, resolved pre-trial via settlement
Patents asserted
2
US11772872B2 and 1 further patent asserted — covering a 3-piece cold-chain packaging product
Outcome
Dismissed with Prejudice
Settled with prejudice; all claims permanently barred from re-filing
Cost ruling
Each Side Pays Own Costs
All parties bear their own costs and attorneys’ fees per settlement agreement
Published by PatSnap Insights Team · Verified by PatSnap Eureka Data
Case overview

Cold-Chain Packaging Dispute Ends in Settlement After Injunction Win

Eco Fiber Inc. filed its complaint on May 9, 2024 in the Western District of North Carolina, asserting infringement of US11772872B2 and USD0964172S against David Kevin Vance and Yukon Packaging, LLC in connection with a 3-piece cold-chain product. Within 24 hours, Eco Fiber moved for a preliminary injunction. Following a June 18 hearing, the court granted the injunction on June 21, 2024 and required Eco Fiber to post a $10,000 cash bond — a notable early win for the plaintiff.

Defendant Vance filed a Notice of Interlocutory Appeal to the Federal Circuit on July 1, 2024, seeking to challenge the preliminary injunction order. That appellate proceeding was ultimately dismissed on April 10, 2025 by agreement of the parties. The following day, the parties jointly moved to dissolve the injunction, release the bond, and dismiss the entire action with prejudice under Fed. R. Civ. P. 41(a)(1)(A)(ii). The court granted the motion on May 2, 2025, returning the bond to Eco Fiber and permanently dissolving the injunction.

The 358-day resolution, while not unusually swift, is notable for its trajectory: an early injunction grant, an interlocutory appeal to the Federal Circuit, and then a comprehensive settlement that closed both proceedings simultaneously. The decision to settle with prejudice — rather than without — suggests the parties reached a durable resolution, potentially including a licensing or non-compete arrangement, though the financial terms remain confidential and are not reflected in the public record.

Case at a glance
Case no.3:24-cv-00465
CourtNorth Carolina Western
JudgeN/A
FiledMay 9, 2024
ClosedMay 2, 2025
Duration358 days
OutcomeDismissed with Prejudice
Verdict causeInfringement Action
BasisDismissed with Prejudice
Prior Art Intelligence
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Case data sourced from PACER / North Carolina Western District Court via PatSnap Eureka Litigation Intelligence Explore similar cases ↗
Case timeline

Filing to Dismissed with Prejudice in 358 days

358 days — faster than the median W.D.N.C. patent case, resolved pre-trial via settlement

Case timeline: Complaint filed MAY 9 2024, NOV–DEC — 358 days total Horizontal timeline showing the three key events in Eco Fiber Inc. v David Kevin Vance from filing to resolution. Source: PACER, North Carolina Western District Court. MAY 9 2024 Complaint filed Pre-trial proceedings MAY 2 2025 Dismissed with Prejudice 358 DAYS TOTAL
Dismissal terms

Dismissed with prejudice: what the settlement means for both parties

Legal mechanism

Rule 41 stipulated dismissal with prejudice — claims permanently closed

The dismissal was effectuated under Fed. R. Civ. P. 41(a)(1)(A)(ii), which permits dismissal without a court order when all appearing parties sign a stipulation. A dismissal with prejudice operates as a final adjudication on the merits — Eco Fiber cannot re-file these same patent infringement claims against these defendants. The court simultaneously dissolved the preliminary injunction and directed return of the $10,000 bond to Eco Fiber.

Rule 41(a)(1)(A)(ii) stipulation
Plaintiff outcome

Eco Fiber recovers bond and exits with leverage intact

Eco Fiber secured a preliminary injunction within six weeks of filing — a significant early-stage win that likely shaped settlement leverage. The bond is returned, costs are not awarded against it, and the dismissal with prejudice reflects a negotiated resolution rather than a concession. The confidential settlement terms may include licensing rights, design restrictions, or a covenant not to sue, though none of this is confirmed in the public record.

Bond returned; settled from position of strength
Defendant outcome

Injunction dissolved but dismissal with prejudice limits future exposure

Vance and Yukon Packaging faced an active preliminary injunction for approximately ten months and pursued an interlocutory appeal to the Federal Circuit — a costly and time-consuming strategy that was ultimately abandoned by agreement. The injunction is now dissolved, but the with-prejudice dismissal means defendants also cannot re-litigate the underlying dispute. Each side bearing its own costs suggests neither party claimed a clear-cut win at the settlement table.

Injunction dissolved; Federal Circuit appeal dropped
Commercial implications

Cold-chain packaging IP signals active enforcement posture

Eco Fiber’s willingness to seek — and obtain — a preliminary injunction within weeks of filing signals an aggressive enforcement strategy for its cold-chain packaging IP. Competitors and packaging converters working with 3-piece cold-chain designs should treat US11772872B2 and USD0964172S as actively enforced assets. The interlocutory Federal Circuit involvement, even in a case that settled, adds litigation cost pressure that may deter future infringers from contesting similar claims.

Active enforcement; FTO review advised
Legal analysis based on PACER docket records for case 3:24-cv-00465 and PatSnap Eureka litigation intelligence Search PatSnap Eureka ↗
Parties and representation

Full party and counsel information

RoleNameTypeDetail
PlaintiffEco Fiber Inc.CompanyCold-chain packaging innovator — holder of US11772872B2 and USD0964172SSearch in Eureka ↗
DefendantDavid Kevin VanceIndividualPackaging company and individual accused of infringing cold-chain packaging patentsSearch in Eureka ↗
Co-DefendantYukon Packaging, LLCCompanySearch in Eureka ↗
Plaintiff counselChad Dustin TillmanAttorneyCounsel for Eco Fiber Inc.Search in Eureka ↗
Plaintiff counselChristopher P. RaabAttorneyCounsel for Eco Fiber Inc.Search in Eureka ↗
Plaintiff counselDaniel McPherson NunnAttorneyCounsel for Eco Fiber Inc.Search in Eureka ↗
Plaintiff counselJames D. WrightAttorneyCounsel for Eco Fiber Inc.Search in Eureka ↗
Plaintiff law firmCaudle & Spears, P.A.Law FirmRepresenting Eco Fiber Inc.Search in Eureka ↗
Plaintiff law firmCaudle & Spears, PALaw FirmRepresenting Eco Fiber Inc.Search in Eureka ↗
Plaintiff law firmTillman Wright, PLLCLaw FirmRepresenting Eco Fiber Inc.Search in Eureka ↗
Plaintiff law firmTillman, Wright & WolginLaw FirmRepresenting Eco Fiber Inc.Search in Eureka ↗
Defendant counselChristina Davidson TrimmerAttorneyCounsel for David Kevin VanceSearch in Eureka ↗
Defendant counselClaude Roberson Wilson , IIIAttorneyCounsel for David Kevin VanceSearch in Eureka ↗
Defendant counselJohn Larrimore WrightAttorneyCounsel for David Kevin VanceSearch in Eureka ↗
Defendant counselLucas D. GarberAttorneyCounsel for David Kevin VanceSearch in Eureka ↗
Defendant counselPreston William RolleroAttorneyCounsel for David Kevin VanceSearch in Eureka ↗
Defendant counselSamuel Alexander Long , Jr.AttorneyCounsel for David Kevin VanceSearch in Eureka ↗
Defendant counselSpencer Paul MeadAttorneyCounsel for David Kevin VanceSearch in Eureka ↗
Defendant counselTom BengeraAttorneyCounsel for David Kevin VanceSearch in Eureka ↗
Defendant law firmHedrick Gardner Kincheloe & Garofalo, LLPLaw FirmRepresenting David Kevin VanceSearch in Eureka ↗
Defendant law firmShumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLPLaw FirmRepresenting David Kevin VanceSearch in Eureka ↗
Presiding judgeJudge N/AJudgeNorth Carolina Western District CourtSearch in Eureka ↗
Official verdict

Official order — verbatim text

“THIS MATTER is before the Court on the parties’ Joint Motion to Dissolve Injunction, Release Bond, and Dismiss Action. (Doc. No. 78.) For the reasons set forth below, the parties’ Joint Motion is GRANTED. On May 9, 2024, Plaintiff filed its Complaint. (Doc. No. 1.) On May 10, 2024, Plaintiff filed a Motion for Preliminary Injunction and Bond. (Doc. No. 5.) On June 18, 2024, the Court held a hearing on Plaintiff’s motion and on June 21, 2024, the Court granted Plaintiff’s motion and required Plaintiff to post a $10,000.00 cash bond. (Doc. No. 25.) On July 1, 2024, Defendant David Kevin Vance (“Vance”) filed a Notice of Interlocutory Appeal as to the Order. (Doc. No. 27.) On July 23, 2024, Plaintiff filed its Amended Complaint. (Doc. No. 39.) On April 10, 2025, the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit issued an Order dismissing Vance’s appeal, (Doc. No. 27), as the parties agreed the proceeding is dismissed and the parties shall bear their own costs. (Doc. No. 79.) On April 11, 2025, the parties filed a Joint Motion to Dissolve Injunction, Release Bond, and Dismiss Action. (Doc. No. 78.) The parties have “entered into a settlement of the dispute between them” and “agreed to the dismissal of the appeal and this lawsuit with prejudice, ECO FIBER INC., ) ) Plaintiff, ) ) v. ) ORDER ) DAVID KEVIN VANCE, YUKON PACKAGING, LLC, ) ) ) Defendants. ) ) Case 3:24-cv-00465-FDW-DCK Document 80 Filed 05/02/25 Page 1 of 2 2 dissolution of the injunction, and release of the bond to [Plaintiff], with all parties to bear their respective costs and attorneys’ fees.” (Doc. No. 78-1, p. 2.) All parties signed the motion and the memorandum in support, (Doc. No. 78, p. 2; Doc. No. 78-1, p. 4.) Accordingly, the Court considers this motion and memorandum in support to be a stipulation of dismissal pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41. According to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41, a “plaintiff may dismiss an action without a court order by filing a stipulation of dismissal signed by all parties who have appeared.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 41(a)(1)(A)(ii). After a case is dismissed, a previously entered injunction is dissolved and security payments are remitted. See Bryant v. Core Contents Restoration, LLC, No. 7:20-cv00040-M, 2021 WL 2270673, at *1 (E.D.N.C. June 3, 2021). IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that the parties’ Joint Motion to Dissolve Injunction, Release Bond, and Dismiss Action, (Doc. No. 78), is GRANTED. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that: 1. Plaintiff’s Amended Complaint is DISMISSED with prejudice. 2. The previously entered preliminary injunction is DISSOLVED. 3. The Clerk of Court is respectfully DIRECTED to remit Plaintiff’s Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 65(c) security payments to Plaintiff. IT IS SO ORDERED”
Source: PACER Docket, Case 3:24-cv-00465, North Carolina Western District Court

The court’s order reflects a fully consensual resolution: all parties signed both the joint motion and its supporting memorandum, satisfying the Rule 41(a)(1)(A)(ii) stipulation requirement without judicial merits adjudication. The dismissal with prejudice — expressly confirmed in the order — permanently extinguishes Eco Fiber’s ability to re-assert these claims against these defendants. The simultaneous dissolution of the injunction and return of the $10,000 bond closes the procedural loop cleanly, leaving no lingering equitable obligations on either side.

PACER case 3:24-cv-00465 · Public docket record Explore in Eureka ↗
Patent at issue

US11772872B2 & USD0964172S — 3-Piece Cold-Chain Packaging Technology

Publication No.US11772872B2
Application No.US17/552408
Patent details
Product3-piece cold-chain insulated packaging system
Cited in actionMay 9, 2024

Publication No.USD0964172S
Application No.US35/511537
Patent details
Productornamental design for a cold-chain packaging product
Cited in actionMay 9, 2024

US11772872B2 covers a 3-piece cold-chain product — a packaging system designed to maintain temperature-controlled integrity during shipping and distribution. Cold-chain packaging patents typically protect structural innovations in insulation configuration, assembly mechanics, and thermal performance. USD0964172S is a design patent protecting the ornamental appearance of the same product, providing a separate, visually distinct IP layer. Together, these two patents create overlapping protection across both functional and aesthetic dimensions of the product.

Eco Fiber’s decision to assert both a utility and a design patent over the same cold-chain product reflects a sophisticated IP stacking strategy common among packaging innovators seeking to maximise enforcement leverage. For competitors in temperature-controlled logistics, food shipping, and pharmaceutical cold-chain packaging, these patents represent a meaningful exclusionary zone. Any company developing or sourcing a 3-piece insulated cold-chain packaging solution should conduct clearance analysis against both assets before commercialisation.

Patent data sourced from USPTO via PatSnap Eureka patent database Search patent records in Eureka ↗
Freedom to operate

Should you run an FTO against US11772872B2 and USD0964172S?

Any manufacturer, converter, or distributor working with 3-piece cold-chain packaging formats should treat these patents as active risk assets. Eco Fiber has demonstrated a willingness to seek immediate preliminary injunctive relief — a court-granted injunction arrived within 43 days of filing. Product teams launching insulated shipping solutions, particularly multi-component cold-chain designs, face meaningful infringement exposure if their designs are not cleared against both the utility and design patent claims.

PatSnap Eureka’s FTO Search Agent can run automated clearance searches across US11772872B2 and USD0964172S, map independent claim elements against your product specifications, and surface design-around options in the cold-chain and thermal packaging space. Eureka also tracks litigation history for both patents, alerting your team if enforcement activity expands to new defendants — giving R&D and IP counsel the earliest possible signal to act.

PatSnap Eureka FTO Search

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Related litigation

Similar Cold-Chain & Packaging Patent Cases in U.S. District Courts

Explore comparable patent infringement cases involving cold-chain, insulated packaging, and design patents litigated in U.S. district courts, including W.D.N.C.

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Eco Fiber Inc. patent enforcement history, North Carolina Western case history, Eco Fiber Inc.’s full IP portfolio, and comparable case analysis
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Strategic implications

What this case signals for the cold-chain packaging IP landscape

An early injunction, a Federal Circuit detour, and a with-prejudice settlement — this case has strategic lessons beyond its outcome.

Preliminary injunctions in packaging cases can force early settlement

Eco Fiber obtained a preliminary injunction just 43 days after filing. In product-based patent disputes, injunctive relief at this stage dramatically alters settlement leverage. Companies in cold-chain and insulated packaging should evaluate their design freedom before product launch — not after receiving a cease-and-desist.

With-prejudice dismissals signal durable deals — not plaintiff retreats

A Rule 41 dismissal with prejudice is a mutual, permanent closure. When a plaintiff who has already won an injunction agrees to this outcome, it typically suggests the commercial objectives were met through confidential settlement terms — such as licensing or product design changes — rather than litigation failure.

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Frequently asked questions

Eco v David — key questions answered

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Run an FTO on cold-chain packaging patents before your next product launch

Eco Fiber’s rapid injunction success shows these patents carry real enforcement weight. Use PatSnap Eureka to clear your cold-chain packaging designs against US11772872B2 and USD0964172S and monitor future filings in this space.

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