Appeal 2006-2301
Application 10/606,988
different speeds relative to each other in order to produce a skidding action
that results in a smooth surface board. As recognized by the Examiner,
Brossy is silent with respect to disclosing the use of a pulling apparatus
downstream of the oven. However, Barry evidences that it was known in the
art to employ a pulling apparatus on a board of fibrous material downstream
from an oven through which the material passes. Accordingly, based on the
collective teachings of Brossy and Barry, we fully concur with the Examiner
that it would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art to
incorporate a pulling apparatus of the type disclosed by Barry in the method
of Brossy for making a smooth surface board. Inasmuch as Brossy teaches
that a smooth surface board is made by causing the fibrous material to skid
by having the upper and lower conveyors travel at different speeds, it would
have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art to have the pulling
apparatus pull at a speed different from the speed of the upper or lower
conveyor. In our view, one of ordinary skill in the art would have
understood that the pulling apparatus can be the only force for effecting
different speeds through the oven, or the pulling apparatus can be used in
conjunction with the upper and lower conveyors operating at different
speeds. Manifestly, the principle remains the same for effecting a smooth
board, i.e., the upper and lower surfaces of the board are conveyed at
different speeds to effect a skidding action which produces a smooth surface.
Appellant submits that neither of the applied references teaches or
suggests using a pulling apparatus to pull the surfaces of the fibrous material
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