Appeal No. 98-2735
Application No. 90004386
Thus, we interpret "blister copper launder means" as "branch
launders (main launder attached to two other launders) having
all the specified structure indicated above, including one of
the two specifically-mentioned selective device structures at
the junction of the main launder and the two other attached
launders, or equivalents thereof"
Having interpreted that the “blister copper producing
means” and “blister copper lander means” as indicated above,
we compare the claimed subject matter with the prior art
disclosures. We find that appellants do not dispute the
examiner’s finding that:
Both Smith, at page 57, under the heading of
"Furnace Construction" for example, and the '552
Patent to Hoffmann et al, at col. 4, lines 46-61 and
col. 5, lines 11-12, teach supplying blister copper
from a blister copper producing furnace, by way of
heated launders of unspecified structure, to one of
a plurality of anode furnaces, where the blister
copper is delivered continuously (see col. 4, lines
58-61 of the '552 Patent for example) to the anode
furnaces.
Compare Answer, pages 2 and 3 with Brief and Reply Brief in
their entirety. Appellants also appear to acknowledge that
both Smith and Hoffmann describe
(1) the claimed “blister copper producing means”;
13
Page: Previous 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Next
Last modified: November 3, 2007