Appeal 2007-2421
Application 10/289,793
STATEMENT OF THE CASE
JFE’s claims on appeal relate to a method of manufacturing a
hot-dip plated metal strip. JFE’s specification states that hot-dip
plating is a known method of continuous plating for a metal strip.
(Specification, p. 1). JFE states that the hot-dip process involves
introducing the metal strip into a molten metal bath wherein the
molten metal adheres to the surface of the strip. (Id. at 2). In the bath,
the metal strip is contacted with submersed support rolls to correct
warp generated in the width direction and reduce vibration. (Id.).
JFE’s specification however, identifies several problems with using
submersed support rolls in the hot-dip process. For example, JFE
alleges that dross adheres to the submersed support rolls and metal
strips and becomes a defect of the metal strip and that regular shut
down of the lines is necessary for maintenance and replacement of the
rolls. (Id. at 3).
There are five independent claims on appeal, claims 1, 4, 5, 6
and 19, each of which is directed to a method of manufacturing a hot-
dip metal strip. Claim 1 is representative of the claims on appeal and
reads as follows:
A method for manufacturing a hot-dip plated metal strip
comprising:
introducing a metal strip into a molten metal bath
of plating metal to adhere the molten metal onto a surface
of the metal strip;
turning a running direction of the metal strip and
then taking the metal strip out from the molten metal bath
without applying external force from outside the surface
of the metal strip;
adjusting a plating weight of the molten metal
adhered onto the metal strip; and
2
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Last modified: September 9, 2013