Appeal No. 96-1678
Application 08/322,731
sealing elements for displacement transverse to an axis of said
roll . . . .” Because the function recited in lines 37-38 is not
recited as being an additional function of the “means” of lines
15-17, but instead is attributed to an apparently different
means, a fair reading of appellants’ claim terminology is that
the “means” of lines 37-38 is separate and distinct from the
“means” of lines 15-17. This circumstance results in an
inability to determine precisely what disclosed structure in the
elected species of Figures 2-3 corresponds to the “means” of
lines 37-38. In this regard, it is clear that the lifting
cylinder 17 lowers the air distributor 15 from the lower wedge-
shaped gap between the support cylinders 2, 3, as called for in
lines 15-17 of claim 19. However, lifting cylinder 17 would also
appear to be the only disclosed structure in Figures 2-3 capable
of performing the function of displacing the sealing elements 18
transverse to the axis of the wound roll 6, as called for in
lines 35-37 of claim 19. Accordingly, we are left to speculate4
as to precisely what disclosed structure corresponds to the
“means mounting said sealing elements for displacement transverse
4While we appreciate that certain embodiments of appellants’
invention have the seal elements 18 mounted for transverse
movement independent of the air distributor 15, this does not
appear to be the case with respect to the elected species of
Figures 2-3.
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