Ex Parte Harima - Page 5

               Appeal 2007-4070                                                                             
               Application 10/625,531                                                                       
                 [6] Figure 4 of the specification depicts a section of the retainer having a               
                      wire rest 17 and is shown below:                                                      









                  {Figure 4 is said to show top view of retainer section having a wire clasp                
                                               and wire rest}                                               
                 [7] The section of the retainer illustrated in Figure 4 is said to show wire               
                      rest 17 as having an L-shape with a first section extending between                   
                      premolar 30 and molar 40 and a second section resting on top of                       
                      premolar 30 (Am. Specification ¶ 15).  However, "if the third wire 13                 
                      were [sic] positioned between the premolar 30 and molar 40, . . ., the                
                      wire rest would rest upon the molar 40" (Am. Specification ¶ 15).                     
                 [8] Wire rest 17 is said to be attached to first metal wire 11 and to prevent              
                      "elongation of the molar and sinking of the wire retainer" (Am.                       
                      Specification ¶ 15.                                                                   
                      B. Harima                                                                             
                 [9] Figure 1 of Harima depicts an orthodontic wire retainer comprising a                   
                      first metal wire (11) conforming to the posterior surface of a dental                 
                      arch, a second metal wire (12) conforming to the anterior surface of a                
                      dental arch, and a pair of third metal wires (13), wherein the first (11)             
                      and second (12) metal wires are fused to the third metal wires (13) to                

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