Appeal No. 96-1881
Application No. 08/095,476
in Figure 7 during the inflation of a cushion; and Figure 9 is an
enlarged fragmentary view, partially in section of the nozzle in
Figures 7 and 8, but illustrated with a heated tube in position
to seal an inflated cushion. Casey further discloses that
(1) the cushions (14 in Figure 2 or 110 in Figure 10) have a
plurality of inflatable chambers (26 in Figure 2 or 115 in Figure
10) between layers of polyolefin (18 and 20 in Figure 2 or 112
and 113 in Figure 10), (2) the one layer of the cushion has an
opening (22 in Figure 2 or 116 in Figure 10), and (3) the
chambers are disposed around the opening and each have a portion
providing an inlet passageway (28 in Figure 2 or 117 in Figure
10) to the chamber from the opening. Additionally, Casey teaches
at column 4, lines 4-9, that the means for sealing the inflated
chambers in the cushion 14, includes the end of a heated, hollow,
cylindrical tube 48 which is pressed toward the support surface
46 around the nozzle 44 to seal shut the inlet passageways 28
around the opening 22 (see Figure 9). Further, Casey discloses
at column 6, lines 40-61, that the means for sealing the inlet
passageways 28 to the chambers 26 after the cushion 14 is
inflated (i.e., the hollow cylindrical heated tube 48) includes
an annular end sealing surface 97 which is movable by cylinder
102 between a waiting position spaced from an inflatable cushion
13
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