Interference No. 103,036
nonconductive layers 30 and 32, and will naturally
desire to flow in all directions from reduced cross
sectional conductive area 65, unless somehow
constrained. In this instance, the clear function of
nonconductive layers 30 and 32 is with regard to heat
flow to ensure that the heat generated by the reduced
conductive layer 65 is able to raise the temperature
of the color indicating, heat sensitive material 70.
The only way this can be accomplished is if layers 30
and 32 are thermally nonconductive. It would be
illogical for anyone of ordinary skill in this art to
understand that "nonconductive' layers 30 and 32 are
somehow thermally conductive, since this would cause
heat to flow away from color indicating, heat
sensitive material 70 and would not permit material
70 to receive heat to undergo a visible color change
to indicate the remaining strength of the battery, as
is described. Likewise, in order for the current to
be able to flow through conductive layer 64,
"nonconductive” layers 30 and 32 must also be
electrically nonconductive, or else the device would
short circuit.
18. Additionally, the portion of the chamber,
cell or bubble below the conductive layer and the air
pocket (see Sections I.A. and I.F.) are inherently
thermal insulative and independently provide adequate
support to provide adequate support for the thermal
insulation limitation. As such, it is the natural
result of such construction that the nonconductive
layer (30 or 32) adjacent to the battery housing,
along with any portion of the sealed chamber or zone
66 beneath the conductive area 65, has both
sufficient electrical insulation to prevent short
circuiting and sufficient thermal insulation to
overcome heat sinking when the battery strength
indicator is in contact with the battery housing.
The reference to repeated use of this embodiment of
the battery strength indicator at column 9, lined 1-3
also requires that heat sinking to the battery
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Last modified: November 3, 2007