Appeal No. 96-3586
Application No. 08/262,848
the colorant material be "ink." When the microcapsules of5
etchant material and colorant material or ink are ruptured, a
"mixture of a visible ink and an encapsulated surface etchant"
can be considered to be applied to the layer or covering.
This being the case, we will sustain the rejection of claim 14
under 35 U.S.C. § 103 as being unpatentable over Lawson.
Considering next the rejection of claims 14 and 15 under
35 U.S.C. § 103 based on the teachings of Wright, the examiner
notes that Wright discloses (1) "a method of etching in which
encapsulated etchant is used (e.g. at col. 2, lines 35-43)"
(answer, page 8) and (2) that "the microcapsules can be
applied to the substrate neat or mixed with adhesive, col. 8-
9" (answer, page 5). While this may be true, Wright's method
163 USPQ 545, 549-50 (CCPA 1969). Moreover, in evaluating
such references it is proper to take into account not only the
specific teachings of the references but also the inferences
which one skilled in the art would reasonably be expected to
draw therefrom. See In re Preda, 401 F.2d 825, 826, 159 USPQ
342, 344 (CCPA 1968).
5Webster's Third New International Dictionary of the
English Language, Unabridged, G. & C. Merriam Co.,
Springfield, MA, 1961, defines "ink" as -- 1a: a fluid or
viscous material of various colors . . . that is composed
essentially of a pigment or dye in a suitable vehicle and is
used for writing and printing . . . b: a similar solid
preparation . . . --.
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