Ex Parte Harima - Page 8

               Appeal 2007-4070                                                                             
               Application 10/625,531                                                                       
                 [13] The Examiner's reproduction of Harima Figure 1, with the second of                    
                      the four pair of wire rests 15 depicted in the figure in a clockwise                  
                      manner is shown below:                                                                









                 {Harima Figure 1 as annotated by the Examiner by circling a                                
                                    pair of wire rests 15.}                                                 
               [Answer at 3.]                                                                               
                 [14] As to claims 6 and 9, the Examiner found that Harima discloses an                     
                      orthodontic wire retainer comprising a wire rest having a second                      
                      section attached to the first section, but does not show that the second              
                      section extending toward the third wire (Answer at 3).                                
                 [15] The Examiner concluded that it would have been obvious to orient the                  
                      second section of the wire rest as claimed to further exhibit anti-                   
                      sinking effect because Harima states that "'said rest (15) may exhibit                
                      the anti-sinking effect with respect to at least one premolar (30) or                 
                      molar (40) externally of said annular bridge (14).[']" (Answer at 3-4,                
                      closed inner quotation mark added).                                                   
                 [16] According to the Examiner,                                                            



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