Appeal No. 96-4007
Application No. 08/294,769
Keller discloses a candy can forming machine having a
continuously operating gripper chain 42. The gripper chain 42
consists of a pair of transversely spaced chains 43 and 44
passing around sprockets 45 and 46. The gripper chains are
bridged by gripper jaws 53 and 54 rigidly mounted upon adjacent
links of the carrying chains. When traveling along the lower
flight, the gripper jaws will have their adjacent faces spaced
apart substantially the diameter of the candy cane to be handled.
As the links turn around the sprockets, the gripper jaws assume
radial positions with respect to the sprocket which causes
increased separation between adjacent jaw faces. This permits
ready insertion of the candy canes from the transfer means 12 to
the gripper jaws as well as ready release of the candy canes from
the gripper jaws.4
With respect to the standing § 103 rejection of independent
claims 1 and 9 as being unpatentable over Beidler in view of
Keller, the examiner determined that the only limitation not
disclosed by Beidler is the continuous operation of the belt when
loading. Based on the teachings of Beidler and Keller, the
examiner concluded that it would have been obvious to one of
4See column 3, line 63 to column 4, line 19, of Keller.
6
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