Appeal No. 98-0393
Application No. 08/450,271
refractory body, Koffron expressly discloses that "a square
based pyramid body provides a greater shutdown ratio than the
tetra-hedral body of the preferred embodiment, and an
octagonal pyramid body effects a substantially greater
shutdown ratio for the flow of molten metal through the
nozzle" (column 4, lines 64 through column 5, line 1). Hence,
when making the non-tetrahedron refractory body, it follows
that Koffron necessarily performs the claimed step of
geometrically proportioning the body to position its center of
gravity below its center of buoyant support in order that its
"body generally conforms with the shape of the vortex
substantially along its entire length," as required in claim 1
of the reference. We fail to perceive any distinction between
the claimed "geometrically proportioning . . . by shaping
other than as a regular tetrahedron . . ." and geometrically
proportioning the refractory body in accordance with the
disclosure of Koffron for obtaining a square based or
octagonal pyramid body.
Appellant contends that the declarations of record
establish that when the refractory body of Koffron is not of
tetrahedral shape a weighting means must be added to the body
-7-
Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Next
Last modified: November 3, 2007