Appeal No. 94-4428
Application 08/024,034
would have been obvious to crystallize an amorphous film in
Strangman’s process overlooks the fact that Strangman deposits
a high purity, dense chemical vapor deposition alpha alumina
layer, i.e., a crystalline layer (column 5, lines 6 through
11). In this regard, we take official notice that alpha
alumina is crystalline and is composed of fine hexagonal
crystalline plates. See Kirk-Othmer, 3rd Edition, Volume 2,
pages 218, 219 and 233-236, particularly page 233, (1978),
copy attached. Accordingly, the examiner’s rejection of the
appealed claims cannot be sustained.
We remand this application to the examiner for further
consideration of the disclosure of Strangman at column 6,
lines 13 through 18 which has apparently been overlooked by
the examiner and appellant. This disclosure appears to
suggest that an alpha alumina coated superalloy structure is
preheated prior to exposure to a ceramic coating vapor. The
examiner should determine whether such a ?preheating step?
reads on the claimed step of ?heating said aluminum oxide
layer? which is all that is required by the language of
appealed claim 1. Thus, the examiner should determine based
on the above disclosure in Strangman whether appealed claim 1
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