Appeal No. 95-4526
Application 08/200,251
layer of the type disclosed by Sukiennik at element 28 beneath
the first band region 2 of Nosaki but not the second band
regions 3 thereof, suggestion being found in Sukiennik’s
teaching that a flow control layer such as element 28 should
be located only in the middle portion of the pad (column 2,
lines 14-19) to (1) minimize side staining (column 1, lines
67-68), (2) give the wearer the perception that the absorbed
material is held in the center of the pad (column 2, lines 62-
65), and (3) provide uniform transfer of fluid into the
absorbent so as not to overload the center or
target area during early use of the pad (column 3, lines 1-4).
The resulting modified Nosaki pad would correspond to the pad
of claim 4 in all respects, in our view. In particular, the
modified Nosaki pad would include be a “bicomponent” cover as
claimed (see our above discussion of Nosaki), and a separation
means for controlling dispersion of fluid downwardly. In this
latter regard, the flow control layer 28 of Sukiennik
qualifies as a separation means for controlling dispersion of
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