Appeal No. 94-4489
Application No. 07/857,216
melting temperature of about 270°F (about 132.5°C), a
vulcanization temperature used is below 132.5°C, which
embraces the claimed vulcanization temperature.
The dispositive question is, therefore, whether the
Gaworowski reference teaches, or would have suggested,
employing thermoplastic microspheres having the claimed
melting temperature of 135°C or higher. We answer this
question in the affirmative.
Initially, we find that Gaworowski describes
thermoplastic microspheres having a melting temperature of
about 132.5°C
(270°F) which can be used in forming compressible printing
blanket. See column 4, lines 50-56. The term “about” allows
some tolerance, thus embracing the claimed microspheres having
a melting temperature of 135°C. See e.g., In re Pappas, 214
F.2d 172, 176-77, 102 USPQ 298, 301 (CCPA 1954); In re De
Vaney 185 F.2d 679, 683, 88 USPQ 97, 101 (CCPA 1950); compare
also Titanium Metals Corp. v. Banner, 778 F.2d 775, 783, 227
USPQ 773, 779
(Fed. Cir. 1985)(the closeness of the properties of the
claimed and prior art products renders the claimed product
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