Appeal No. 1998-2834
Application 08/659,858
that the parameter tan * is defined as the ratio of G” to G’,
where G” is a plastic or viscous component of shear modulus of
an adhesive and G’ is an elastic component of shear modulus of
an adhesive. Kenney goes on to explain on page 358 that
viscous characteristics determine the apparent tack on touch
of an adhesive and that elastic characteristics determine the
strength and integrity of an adhesive. We are informed by
Kenney that a good pressure sensitive adhesive for application
to human skin “must have a balance of viscoelastic properties.
This balance would include sufficient flow to enable the
adhesive to form a bond with skin. Also, it must have
internal integrity to maintain the bond” (Kenney, page 358).
Kenney’s Table VIII on page 359 lists tan * as a function of
frequency for a particular adhesive and includes several
combinations of tan * and frequency (referred at 36"
Centigrade) that lie within the claimed quadrangle ABCD. 3
Kenney teaches (pages 360-61) that the cohesive strength,
tackiness and ease of removal properties of an adhesive vary
depending on its tan *, and that the selection of a suitable
3In this regard, claim 18 does not specify the reference
temperature of tan *.
6
Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Next
Last modified: November 3, 2007