Appeal No. 97-2229
Application No. 08/094,748
between the points of intersection of the curved upper edges
15 and the respective side edges. Such an interpretation
gives rise to a problem, however, with regard to the claimed
“centering mark,” which provides a reference point for
centering the garment to be folded on the device. As is
explained later in the claim, the centering mark is required
to be located on the rectangular main body portion.
Therefore, even considering, arguendo, the center staple 18
shown in the Bachmann hanger to be a “centering mark,” as did
the examiner, it would not be located in the position required
by the claim language, that is, in the rectangular body
portion. Moreover, centering actually is accomplished in the
Bachmann device by hanging the garment over the curved top
edges with its neck portion spanning handle 13, which clearly
establishes that the noted center staple 18 is not a
“centering point,” from the standpoint of functional
relationship to hanger 12, but merely a fastener that happens
to be shown in the drawings as being located on the centerline
of the hanger. If, as an alternative, one were to label the
handle as the “centering point,” the “main body portion” could
not be of the required rectangular shape, for it also would
6
Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Next
Last modified: November 3, 2007