Appeal 2007-2358
Reexamination Control No. 90/006,888
5. The figures show the innerduct 10, the inner layer 12 (TeflonŽ), the
outer layer 16 (polyethylene), and a cable 14. (442 patent at 3:45–63;
extraneous labels have been removed for clarity.)
Oestreich
6. Oestreich relates to an "improved protective casing for optical fibers
and optical cables." (Oestreich at 1:10-11.)
7. According to Oestreich, there are two distinct requirements for a
protective casing for optical transmission elements. (Oestreich at 2:11–31.)
8. First, there should be "a small coefficient of friction of the casing with
respect to the optical transmission element, with a loose arrangement of
transmission element in the protective casing." (Oestreich at 2:17–20.)
9. According to Oestreich, the inner layer should also have a large
modulus of elasticity. (Oestreich at 2:46–47.)
10. Oestreich teaches that suitable materials for the inner layer include
polystyrene or a fluoropolymer such as "a copolymerisate of ethylene and
tetrafluoroethylene, such as that marketed by DuPont under the name
'Tefzell'; a fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) along with perfluoroalkoxy
resin (Teflon PFA sold by DuPont)." (Oestreich at 2:45–58.)
11. According to Oestreich, "[i]t is particularly advantageous to choose
the dimensions such that the inside diameter of protective casing is about
two to three times as large as the outside diameter of the fiber or fiber
bundle." (Oestreich at 2:37–41.)
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