Appeal No. 1999-1951 6
Application No. 08/797,062
a linear diol of polycaprolactone. See column 6, lines 8-11. We find however, that
the only molecular weights disclosed are for the polycaprolactone diol. The molecular
weight range disclosed is “between about 500 and 2,000.” Id. There is no disclosure
of a polyether polyol having the molecular weight required by the claimed subject matter.
Nor is there any disclosure directed to “end group unsaturation,” as required by the
claimed subject matter.
The Belisle reference refers to polyols disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 3,846,378 to
Griswold. We find that Griswold discloses polyurethane prepared from a variety of
polyols, column 4, lines 24-51. However, as in the primary reference, there is likewise
no disclosure directed to the molecular weight of the polyols nor their end group
unsaturation.
In contrast, Li is directed to a retroreflective applique comprising a monolayer of
retroreflective elements partially embedded in and partially protruding from the front
surface of a binder layer. See Abstract and column 2, lines 6-24. We find the binder
material contains one or two component urethanes. See column 5, lines 7-9. We find
that Example 1 comprises glass microsphere retroreflective elements embedded in a
polyurethane binder prepared from a polyether polyol based on polytetramethylene
oxide having a hydroxy equivalent weight of 3000. Polyols are customarily defined as
having two or more hydroxy groups or being a polyhydric alcohol. Accordingly, we
conclude that the polytetramethylene oxide of Li has a molecular weight of at least 6000,
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