Appeal 2006-1483
Application 10/159,395
I. APPEALED SUBJECT MATTER
The subject matter on appeal is directed to a tissue paper comprising a
second plurality of regions extending outwardly from a plane, which has a
lower density than a first plurality of regions lying in the plane. See
Specification at 17, together with claim 22. The second plurality of regions
is also said to have “at least one foreshortening ridge…” See claim 22.
With respect to the foreshortened ridge, the Specification at page 17 states
that:
The cellulosic web 20 may also be foreshortened, as is
known in the art. Foreshortening can be accomplished by
creping the web 20 from a rigid surface, and preferably from a
cylinder. A Yankee drying drum 70 is commonly used for this
purpose. Creping is accomplished with a doctor blade as is
well known in the art. Creping may be accomplished according
to commonly assigned U.S. Patent 4,919,756, issued April 24,
1992 to Sawdai, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein
by reference. Alternatively or additionally, foreshortening may
be accomplished via wet microcontraction as taught in
commonly assigned U.S. Patent 4,440,597, issued April 3, 1984
to Wells et al., the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by
reference.
Details of the appealed subject matter are recited in claim 221, which
is reproduced below:
22. A tissue paper defining an X-Y plane and having a Z direction
orthogonal thereto, the tissue paper comprising a first plurality of regions,
the first plurality of regions lying in a plane; and a second plurality of
regions extending outwardly from the plane, the second plurality of regions
1 The Appellants’ arguments are limited to claim 22. See Br. 3-5 and Reply
Br. 2-4. The Appellants also state that “[c]laims 22 and 24 stand or fall
together with respect to the 35 U.S.C. § 102(a) rejection.” See Br. 2.
Therefore, for purposes of this appeal, we limit our discussion to claim 22
consistent with 37 C.F.R. § 41.37(c)(1)(vii)(2004).
2
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