Appeal No. 2007-0999
Application No. 10/600,280
or nursing nipple (Col. 3, ll. 1-7). To accomplish sterilization, the pacifier
(or nipple) is inserted into the opening of the disinfectant-filled sponge
which places the pacifier in contact with the disinfectant solution (Col. 2, l.
6-13; Col. 3, ll. 5-7 and 60-65; Col. 4, ll. 36-39). The container can also
have “an attached hook for hanging on a purse, baby bag, stroller, or crib.”
(Abstract.)
Briggs describes a device for cleansing a stethoscope head with an
antimicrobial spray liquid (Abstract). “The device includes a housing which
defines a generally central cavity in which an aerosol spray cannister [sic] is
releasably disposed in a bracket. The housing is closed but is openable in
order to replace the cannister [sic], as needed.” (Id.) The housing includes
an openable port, such as a “flexible resilient closeable X-shaped or iris-
shaped diaphragm” through which the head of a stethoscope is inserted for
cleansing in the cavity.” (Col. 3, ll. 30-35.) When the stethoscope head is
inserted into the port, “diaphragm 60 closes around tube 28 of stethoscope
58, sealing plate 40 from egress of aerosol spray from cannister [sic] 15.”
(Id.)
The Examiner asserts:
It would have been well within the purview of one of
ordinary skill in the art to configure the device of Sigler for
access to the absorbent, with the engagement structure as taught
[i]n Briggs, [sic] III, such as to accommodate the head of a
stethoscope for disinfection because it would provide an
effective, compact, portable system which be carried with the
stethoscope user for immediate, on-site disinfection between
uses while eliminating the need for a potentially flammable
propellant, minimizing the probability of spillage and user
contact with the decontaminating agent by containment within
the absorbent pad in the housing. (Answer 4-5.)
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