Appeal No. 96-0640
Application 08/127,178
support of the examiner’s holding, Metzger teaches that (1)
conventional soundproof structures transmit 4-5 less decibels
for each doubling of their weight over a large portion of the
audio frequency range (Metzger, col. 1, l. 47-50), and (2)
powdered lead or aluminum and other fillers which have a high
density can be incorporated into his soundproofing coatings
(Metzger, col. 4, l. 63-65). Metzger also states (Metzger,
col. 3, l. 1-10; emphasis added):
[T]he sound, as it strikes the surface and starts
penetration of the material, will be refracted as
indicated
in Fig. 2. The amount of refraction is a function of the
difference in densities of the materials forming a change
in the refraction boundary. As indicated in Fig. 2 the
difference in densities between the epoxy resin binder
10,
the glass microspheres 12, and the entrapped reduced
atmospheric pressure within the microspheres, causes a
continuing process of refraction, reflection and
absorption.
However, contrary to the recognized conventional
relationship between sound transmission and the weight of the
soundproof structures which Metzger recognizes at column 1,
lines 47-50, Metzger expressly states, “[I]t is desirable that
the specific gravity be as small as possible so that the
panels are lightweight” (Metzger, col. 4, l. 20-21). It
appears that Metzger’s primary goal is “[t]o increase the
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