Appeal No. 2001-1275 Page 6
Application No. 09/128,120
environments, and the advantages of the grid construction are explained on page 9 the
translation:
As a result of the grids on the sliding surface 32 of the guide profile 20, a
suction of the conveyor belt on the guide profile 20 during wet operation is
prevented, and the liquid between the parts is laterally discharged. In the
case of a dry operation, the friction between the conveyor belt and guide
profile 20 is reduced as a result of the air cushion, which is formed in the
depressions of the grid.
Thus, the system disclosed by the German reference solves two problems. The first is the
same as that solved by the appellant’s invention, and the second is peculiar to wet
operation, which apparently is not a concern of the appellant.
Baker is directed to an anti-friction bearing device comprising a tape having a
pressure-sensitive adhesive on one side and an anti-friction coating on the other side. The
reference teaches that it may be used “wherever desired to provide an anti-friction runner
or bearing or the like wherever the same may be needed, for instance for sticking drawers,
slides, doors or the like” (column 1, lines 35-38). Fiedler discloses a means for reducing
the friction between the lower surface of a continuous treadmill belt and the upper surface
of the base that supports it, comprising a sheet of friction-reducing material such as
TEFLON placed on the opposed surfaces of the belt and the base. Fiedler explains that
coefficients of friction can be achieved which are 0.04 or less (column 3, lines 7-18).
The German reference recognizes the problem to which the appellant has directed
his inventive efforts, and solves it by placing a grid of depressions directly upon the surface
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