Appeal 2006-2300
Application 10/615,746
space together with reinforcing webs such as glass fiber fabric”
(Hoffmann, col. 1, ll. 21-24).
18) According to Hoffmann, a problem with conventional glass fiber
fabrics is that they cannot prevent the formation of gas bubbles
underneath the upper facing as the foam expands (Hoffmann col. 1, ll.
45-48).
19) Hoffmann solves this problem by using a meshwork web having
openings of a particular size (see Hoffmann, col. 2, ll. 15-20 and 33-37).
20) Hoffmann discloses that the meshwork web may be made of any
of the materials typically used for reinforcing webs, such as glass fibers,
metal fibers or wires (Hoffmann, col. 2, ll. 44-47).
21) In one embodiment, Hoffmann discloses the formation of a foam
laminated with facings using a composite layer of an aluminum foil and
meshwork web (Hoffmann, col. 5, ll. 22-26).
22) The Specification states that “[a] composite web comprises a low
binder fiber mat disposed onto a support mat prior to conveying either
the low binder fiber mat or the support mat into a fiber reinforced foam
fabrication process” (Specification 4:8-10).
23) The Specification states that low binder fiber mats typically
comprise multiple fibers held together by some binder “to facilitate
handling, but theoretically need not have any binder” (Specification
3:31-4:1).
24) According to the Specification, “[s]uitable fibers include “glass
fibers, polymer fibers, ceramic fibers, metal fibers, and organic fibers
such as cotton or wool.” Most preferably, the fibers are glass fibers.
(Specification 3:11-13).
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