Appeal No. 1996-2690
Application 07/967,787
electric field in aligning the molecule dipoles in the externally
applied field are characterized by linear (non-crosslinked)
backbones, dipolar pendant groups, and a linkage of each
dipolar pendant group with the polymer backbone which
permits spatial reorientation of the pendant group
independently of the orientation of the polymer backbone.
These linear polymers, which include a dipole molecule bound thereto capable of
being "poled" when subjected to an external electric field, reasonably appear to
correspond to the host polymer of claims 1 and 37. The examiner additionally urges that
one or ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to use the variation outlined
above in order to obtain "a more uniform ratio of polymeric binder to molecule dipole, thus
avoiding the disadvantages taught by Ulman et al in column 26, lines 3-17." (Answer, page
7).
As we have previously noted, Ulman teaches, as one technique, the binding of
dipole molecules which have been subjected to an external electric field wherein the
binding polymer is heated above its glass transition temperature followed by cooling below
the glass transition temperature while maintaining the electric field. As an alternative to
this approach, Ulman teaches the use of linear polymers which can be crosslinked to form
a crosslinked binder by the exposure to electromagnetic radiation which converts
photosensitive monomers into crosslinked polymers or crosslinked polymers. (column 26,
lines 32-63). Ulman additionally states (column 31, lines
22-29):
7
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