Interference No. 103,036
would understand that, at least in connection with the
embodiment of the battery strength indicator depicted
in Fig. 10, the term “nonconductive layer” refers to
both thermally and electrically nonconductive. This
would be inherently understood because of the fact that
both controlled heat flow and controlled current flow
are discussed. For the strength indicator to operate
as described, one would require thermal insulation in
order for the heat from the reduced section area 65 to
flow to the heat sensitive material 70, as well as
electrical insulation in order to prevent the current
flowing through conductive layer 64 and reduced section
65 to short circuit against the battery housing.
23. In some specific instances described in the
Burroughs '544 patent, the nonconductive layers are
described with regard to their electrically
nonconductive function. For example, in the indicator
device 10F shown in Fig. 15, nonconductive layer 30 is
described as having a "high dielectric constant" so as
to be able to control the electric field generated
across cell 12 by electrodes 62a and 62b. In my
opinion, this does not contradict the inherent and
explicit disclosure of the capabilities of the
nonconductive layers 30 and 32 in controlling heat flow
in connection with the Fig. 10 embodiment, but merely
makes reference to their concurrent dielectric
properties in the Fig. 15 embodiment.
24. My opinion is supported by the various
dictionaries that I have consulted, including the
Dictionary of Physics, which define the term
“conductor” or “conductive” as including both thermal
conductivity and electrical conductivity. As such, the
opposite term "nonconductive” would necessarily
encompass both thermal insulation and electrical
insulation properties, unless specifically limited to
one or the other. My opinion of the nature and
understanding of the term “nonconductive” in connection
with layers 30 and 32 is supported by my experience
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