Appeal No. 97-4173
Application 08/575,963
Claims 1, 3 and 5 stand finally rejected as unpat-
entable over Fukuda in view of Wilhelm, under 35 U.S.C. § 103.
The basis of the rejection is stated on page 4 of
the examiner’s answer as follows:
[Fukuda] shows a can collecting apparatus
with a gaming apparatus 13, 19 and a de-
flector plate at 4 of Fig. 3 which is part
of the
can identifying means 9, the deflector
plate moves to a first position to send the
valid cans to the spaced can crusher 10 or
to a second position to return invalid cans
to discharge chute 15. [Fukuda] does not
show dispensing coupons. Wilhelm '048
shows a similar can redemption apparatus
with a gaming apparatus 12 which delivers
winnings as prizes, stamps or coupons, see
col. 3, lines 35-42. It would have been
obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art
in view of the showing and teaching of
Wilhelm '048 to provide the device of
[Fukuda] with a coupon dispenser to deliver
the winnings.
The examiner further holds that the provision of drain
openings, as called for by dependent claim 3, would have been
obvious. Appellant does not argue to the contrary.
Appellant does not contend that it would not have
been obvious to employ the gaming apparatus 12 of Wilhelm as
3
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