Appeal No. 1996-1735
Application No. 08/184,526
inferior stability and diminished shelf life.
Any ratio greater than 2.00:1 also will result
in free unreacted amine moieties, which are
particularly unwanted in a latent epoxy
composite as they are immediately reactive with
the base used. (Emphasis Added).
At the hearing dated October 18, 1999, appellants have also
acknowledged that the imprecise term “about” is used in front
of “1.95:1.00" to include a ratio little higher than
“1.95:1.00", which, according to page 18 of the specification,
can be “2.00:1.00 or lower”.
In light of the foregoing, we agree with the examiner
that the Weiss reference fully describes the subject matter of
claims 1, 2 and 10 through 15 within the meaning of 35 U.S.C.
§ 102(b). Hence, we affirm the examiner’s decision rejecting
claims 1, 2 and 10 through 15 under 35 U.S.C. § 102(b).
However, claim 3 is on a different footing. As indicated
by appellants at pages 10-11 of the Brief, the Weiss reference
does not describe an amine-terminated polyamide curative
formed of the specific polyamine and polycarboxylic acid
recited in claim 3. The examiner has not referred to anywhere
in the Weiss reference, which describes a polyamide curative
formed of the claimed polyamine and polycarboxylic acid.
8
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