Appeal No. 97-1242
Application 08/226,521
14, 19) combined with an outer capsule of relatively heavy and
strong
material (discs 8,9) constructed to resist fatigue and to
“continuously support” the expansive movement of the lighter
inner capsule to the interior of which pressure is applied.
From our perspective, the teaching of Stalker would not
have been suggestive of modifying the upper surface of the bottom
member 18 of Yumoto to be of wave-like shape. Simply stated,
unlike the operation of the diaphragm within the steam trap of
Yumoto, which is a working member movable between the cover
member 15 and the bottom member 18, the inner discs 18, 19 are
continuously supported by the outer discs 8,9 effecting the com-
posite wall structure of the Stalker diaphragm. Stalker simply
lacks a teaching of a movable diaphragm that can engage a member
at one extent of its movement.
The patent to Clayton concerns itself with a “balanced”
pressure thermostatic element of a bellows (Figure 1) or a multi-
diaphragm arrangement (Figures 2A and 2B) wherein volatile fluid
surrounds and supports the element, distinct from the steam trap
of the present invention and that of the Yumoto reference. Of
interest, is the spring-biased configuration of Clayton which
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