Ex Parte Ryan et al - Page 6

                Appeal  2007-1799                                                                            
                Application 10/036,991                                                                       
                containment chamber (Call 4: ¶ 0035; ‘674 13:22-24 and 15:13-15).                            
                Accordingly, Call teaches a sanitizer module for sanitizing the mailpiece                    
                positioned down stream of the incoming mail handler.                                         
                      Call teaches that containment chamber includes HEPA filters to filter                  
                air released into the environment from inside the containment chamber (Call                  
                8: ¶ 0110; ‘674 15:3-7).  As Call explains, once mail has passed through the                 
                mail sampling system (e.g., containment chamber) it is further processed by                  
                conventional mail handler machines (e.g., an outgoing mail handler) (Call 9:                 
                ¶ 0121; ‘674 15:20-21).  However, prior to reaching the outgoing mail                        
                handler, the mail must pass through a transition zone (e.g., the outgoing side               
                of the containment chamber) which is not only filtered, but is also operated                 
                under negative pressure to avoid contamination of the environment outside                    
                of the chamber (Call 2: ¶ 0020 and 9: ¶ 0116 ; ‘674 13:11-19).  While we                     
                recognize that claim 1 requires a filtered transition area downstream of the                 
                sanitizer module, we note that both the claim and Appellants’ Specification                  
                fail to specifically define the intended scope encompassed by an area                        
                downstream of the sanitizer module.  At best Appellants’ Specification states                
                      [a]ppropriate filtration and sealing can be provided in transition                     
                      area 43 of the feed path F that is a passage between the clean                         
                      room  42  and  sanitization  area  42  [sic,  40].  A  containment                     
                      module (not shown), for example, can be placed around that                             
                      area with filtration devices and an opening along the feed path                        
                      F to accommodate the largest mailpiece which can be sorted by                          
                      the system.                                                                            
                (Specification 12: ¶ 038; see also 16: ¶ 048 and 19: ¶ 056).                                 
                      As discussed above, Call teaches a sanitizer module as a subsystem of                  
                the containment chamber.  The containment chamber is filtered and operated                   
                under negative pressure.  Accordingly, we find that the transition from the                  

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