Appeal No. 95-3303
Application No. 07/960,892
bottom layer (i.e., a layer of colored lacquer "proximate to
the surface") thereby producing a marking on the surface. In
prior art processes, "conventionally applied layers of
lacquer" are said to "suffer from variations in thickness" so
that under some circumstances in which the outer layer is
relatively thick, it is incompletely removed (specification,
page 2, lines 9-14). To remedy this problem, the laser power
may be increased, but this often has the adverse effect of
damaging or completely removing the bottom (underneath)
lacquer layer (specification, page 2, lines 14-22). To solve
the thickness variation problem, appellants form both colored
lacquer layers on a carrier and then transfer the layers to
the desired surface (in a manner similar to applying a decal
to a surface) for subsequent laser marking. Prior art workers
were apparently aware of the need to apply at least the outer
layer as uniformly as possible (specification, page 2, lines
29-32). However, the "conventional" application techniques 2
resulted in considerable increases in the cost of marking a
2In the record before us, the examiner has made no
factual findings regarding what specific "conventional"
application techniques are utilized in the prior art
processes.
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Last modified: November 3, 2007