Ex parte KRONENBERGER - Page 5




          Appeal No. 98-0361                                                          
          Application 08/394,725                                                      


          Given the substantial differences between the rim/bill                      
          constructions disclosed by the two references, it is not                    
          evident how or why Simon's teaching of ornamentation having                 
          first and second parts which fully conform to or follow the                 
          contour of the crown and rim/bill, respectively, such that the              
          second part is a unitary continuation of the first part would               
          have suggested modifying the Kellin hat so as to arrive at the              
          headwear piece recited in claims 1 and 9.  In this regard,                  
          neither reference discloses ornamentation having the three-                 
          dimensional visual effect required by the claims.  In this                  
          light, it is apparent that the examiner has engaged in an                   
          impermissible hindsight reconstruction of the invention set                 
          forth in claims 1 and 9 by using these claims as a blueprint                
          to selectively pick and choose from among isolated elements in              
          the prior art.  Rife, applied to support the rejection of                   
          dependent claims 12 and 13, does not cure this fundamental                  
          flaw in the Kellin-Simon combination.                                       
               Thus, the prior art evidence relied upon by the examiner               
          fails to establish a prima facie case of obviousness with                   
          respect to the subject matter recited in independent claims 1               
          and 9, and in claims 2 through 8 and 10 through 24 which                    
                                          5                                           





Page:  Previous  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  Next 

Last modified: November 3, 2007