Appeal No. 95-2622
Application 08/125,524
from 3.5 to 4.7 times their original length. The drawing
is generally carried out in two stages but not limited to
two stages. The diameter of the final monofilament is as
noted above, and is measured from crest to crest in the
striations.
Accordingly, we hold that the “polymeric monofilament” of
Claim 1 is a polymer which has been melt-extruded through a
die to form a monofilament and quenched. We hold that an
“oriented polymeric monofilament” is a “polymeric
monofilament” which has been drawn by customary techniques to
about from 3.4 to 7.0 times its original length. Appellant’s
claims are directed to “oriented polymeric monofilament”
(Claim 1, line 1; emphasis added).
Spencer describes elastic rubber threads or filaments
having one or more compressible projections or fins on its
surface.
See Spencer, p. 1, col. l, l. 1-4, and col. 1, l. 53, to col.
2,
l. 11; and p. 2, l. 3-9. While the ratio of the height of
each of Spencer’s fins to the mean diameter of each filament
is between 1:2 and 1:5, Spencer’s elastic fins, unlike the
striations which impart abrasion resistance to appellant’s
oriented polymeric monofilament (Spec., p. 3, l. 33, to p. 4,
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