Appeal No. 96-3920
Application 08/151,891
appellants. More specifically, Gaines overcomes the problem6
of clogged holes in a tip by using a finger to close off a
small opening (air vent) 17 and exert pressure on a rubber
bulb 15 to increase air pressure in the ink reservoir to force
fluid through the openings in the tip for effectually cleaning
the instrument. Of course, the structure of Gaines differs
from the structure now claimed.
Since a prima facie case of obviousness has not been
established, we need not address the argued secondary
considera-tions (main brief, pages 10 through 12 and reply
brief, pages 3 through 5).
In summary, this panel of the board has:
reversed the rejection of claims 1 through 3, 5, 6, 8,
and 10 through 12 under 35 U.S.C. § 103 as being unpatentable
over the German reference in view of Abe, the British
document, and Gaines; and
Appellants overcome the problem of clogging of marker tips or nibs by6
applying pressure to a reservoir to force clogging material from the pores of
the nib and effectively unclog the nib (specification, pages 1 and 2).
8
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