APPLE VALLEY, Minn., Nov. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Uponor, Inc., a leading supplier of plumbing, fire sprinkler and radiant heating and cooling systems for residential and commercial spaces worldwide, has filed suit against Missouri-based Sioux Chief Mfg. Co., in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois for infringement of U.S. Patent No. 8,146,225. The patent generally relates to Uponor's pioneering invention of the ProPEX® Rings with a leading-edge chamfer and integral stop edge. According to the suit, Sioux Chief violated Uponor's patent when it introduced new clamping rings with its PowerPEX™ F1960 Ring with Stop.

"Uponor has built its reputation for high-quality, reliable, easy-to-install plumbing systems in part based on its investments in innovation and technology," said Bill Gray, President of Uponor North America. "We don't often take this kind of action, but we owe it to customers and investors to defend against companies that we believe infringe on intellectual property that is the foundation of our industry differentiation." 

Uponor is seeking damages and an injunction to prevent Sioux Chief from selling the PowerPEX™ F1960 Ring with Stop, which it believes violates Uponor's patent.

Uponor, Inc. is a leading supplier of plumbing, fire safety and radiant heating and cooling systems for the residential and commercial building markets in the United States. Uponor, Inc. employs 380 people at its North American headquarters in Apple Valley, Minn. For more information, visit www.uponorpro.com, www.uponor-usa.com or call (800) 321-4739.

For more information about Uponor, visit the Uponor media room at http://uponor.oreilly-depalma.com or www.uponor-usa.com/mediaroom.

SOURCE Uponor, Inc.