Appeal No. 97-3703 Page 13
Application No. 08/110,349
patent claim recites an alignment device for aligning the cut
dunnage section with the outlet opening of the cushioning
dunnage conversion machine. We also note that neither patent
claim 1 nor patent claim 15 recites any structure for
supporting the dunnage during cutting or any apparatus
downstream of the cutting assembly, such as a further
processing station or conveyor or a post-cutting constraining
assembly. As discussed above, the shear pan of Scott is used
to help guide and transfer product between a first conveyor
and a second conveyor. Accordingly, in our opinion, Scott
would not have suggested to one of ordinary skill in the art
provision of a
transfer/alignment or anti-crushing device of the type
disclosed therein on the apparatus recited in patent claim 1
or patent claim 15.
We have also reviewed the teachings of Walker, Osmera and
Giordano but find nothing therein which would overcome the
above-mentioned deficiency. Accordingly, we cannot conclude,
on the basis of the teachings of the applied references, that
the claims on appeal are directed to obvious variants of the
subject matter of patent claims 1 and 15.
Page: Previous 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Next
Last modified: November 3, 2007