Appeal No. 96-0473
Application No. 08/082,727
Appellants argue that none of the references of record disclose or suggest the claimed micro
phase separation structure (Brief, pages 4-5). Appellants argue both Wellman and Crystal disclose a
simple microcapsule structure wherein a continuous core material is encapsulated by a
wall material, not a macrocapsule wherein a dispersed core material forms a micro phase separation
structure of one core component dispersed in a second core component, all of which is then
encapsulated by a wall material (Brief, pages 7-12). Therefore, appellants argue, any combination of
Wellman and Crystal would result in a block and/or graft copolymer supporting the dispersion of a core
material in a wall material, i.e., a microcapsule with a continuous core, not a microcapsule wherein the
core material itself comprises a micro phase separation structure (Brief, pages 13-14).
Wellman discloses a microcapsule toner comprising a core of a solid or liquid material within a
protective wall or shell (col. 1, lines 7-10). The toner is formed by (i) forming a dispersion of core
material in a solution of wall material in a solvent, (ii) effecting phase separation of the wall material
whereby the wall material deposits about the core material to form a dilute dispersion of particles
comprising the core material encapsulated with the wall material, and (iii) recovering the encapsulated
particles (col. 2, lines 2-15; col. 8, line 61 - col. 9, line 16). The core material may be any suitable
liquid or solid material dispersible in the same solvent as the wall material (col. 4, lines 51-55), including
any organic polymer including homopolymers and copolymers (col. 6, lines 3-5).
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