Appeal No. 2000-1668 Page 4
Application No. 08/948,052
We note that the definition of the bead to which the examiner directs our
attention is the fourth definition given for the term bead and relates to architecture. The
definition is
A strip of material usually wood, with one molded edge
placed flush against the inner part of a door or window
frame, used as a sash guided or as the stop against which a
door closes.
In our view a person of ordinary skill in the art would understand the term “bead”
as used in Dragoo to be a small round object, which is also a definition contained in the
American Heritage dictionary because the quoted definition seems limited to objects
used in connection with doors or windows. A “band,” on the other hand, is a thin or
narrow strip of material. See, for example, the American Heritage Dictionary page
attached to the brief. In our view, a “bead” of round cross section as disclosed by
Dragoo is neither a thin nor narrow strip.
We, therefore, agree with the appellants that Dragoo does not disclose a band of
adhesive. Figure 2 of Dragoo depicts adhesive area 78 as a bead (i.e., a small round
adhesive area). In addition, Dragoo discloses at col. 4, line 63 and col. 5, line 53 that
the adhesive area 78 is a bead.
In addition, in our view Dragoo does not disclose that the central sheet and each
proximal zone is bonded in a side by side relationship to the adhesive zone 78, as
called for in the claims.
In view of the foregoing, we will not sustain the rejection of the examiner.
Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 Next
Last modified: November 3, 2007