Appeal No. 96-0362
Application No. 07/909,350
In the present case, the explicit language of Claim 1
requires an edge follower means for tracking a longitudinal edge
of the photosensitive material in response to movement of the
photosensitive material. The edge follower means is described in
the specification and shown in Figure 4 as edge follower means 44
which is held against the longitudinal edge by bias spring 72.
Specification at 6, lines 18-30 and at 8, lines 27-35. Edge
follower means engages the longitudinal edge as the material is
transported past magnetic reading and/or recording head 40.
In our view, calling Tamamura’s pressure plate 1 an edge
follower means for tracking the longitudinal edge is not
reasonable and is not consistent with the specification. The
Specification clearly uses “follower” and “tracking” to indicate
that the edge follower means is held in engagement with and
conforms to the movement of the longitudinal edge.
Because Tamamura’s pressure plate 1 is not held in
engagement with and does not conform to the movement of the
longitudinal edge of the photosensitive material, Tamamura does
not contain the recited edge follower means. Therefore, we will
not sustain this rejection.
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Last modified: November 3, 2007