Appeal No. 2000-0315
Application 08/671,983
To cure the deficiency of Allen, the Examiner relies upon the teaching of Nichols
to use domed rectangles in a tray, the rectangle having drains at the corners thereof.
Figure 3 is reproduced below.
The domes are formed to slope at the corners thereof to aperture 24 to “further
assist in draining condensate or liquid through the apertures 24” (Column 4, lines 21-
23), essentially creating wells along the aperture to drain fluid.
However, the issue of the support of the mat comes into play. We are told that
reduction of surface contact with the mat is desirable to increase the contact of
steam/sterilant with the instruments and minimizes the areas where condensation can
occur (Allen, column 1, lines 26-30). However, support of the mat is necessary to
prevent sagging under heat conditions (Allen, column 1, lines 38-40) If one is to
substitute the floor of the Nichols tray in for the floor of the Allen reference, for which
there is motivation, where does the mat then lie? No guidance is found in Nichols for
placement of a mat.
If one retains the ribs which are above the floor, then the mat is not in contact
with the floor and the supporting surfaces of the individual drainage wells; a sought after
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