Appeal No. 98-2031
Application 08/794,154
invention to utilize the compliant, extremely soft, highly flexible gelatinous elastomer of Chen to make
the conformable sealing pad (42) of Runckel. We base this determination on our belief that one of
ordinary skill in the art of goggles (like those envisioned by Runckel) would have readily understood
that the compliant and resiliently deformable gelatinous elastomer of Chen would be a desirable material
and an obvious choice for a cushioning/sealing pad like (42) of Runckel.
The material of Chen has numerous desirable characteristic to commend itself to the attention of
the skilled artisan. Chen notes (col. 1, lines 60-62) that the gelatinous elastomer therein has high
dimensional stability, excellent crack, tear, craze and creep resistance, improved tensile strength and
high elongation. In addition, it is indicated that this material has “excellent processing ability for cast
moulding“ (col. 1, lines 67-68) and has a long service life and allows for repeated handling (col. 1, lines
64-65). Chen (col. 2, lines 1-5) notes that articles formed of the gelatinous material therein may be
transparent, non-toxic, nearly tasteless and odorless, extremely soft, highly flexible, and easily hand
deformable. Column 4, lines 25-36, describe the material of Chen as extremely soft and highly elastic,
and as having a gel rigidity of “about 20 gram or lower to about 700 gram Bloom.” Column 6, lines
23-36, describe characteristics of articles molded from the gelatinous elastomer compositions of Chen
and expressly point out that
7
Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Next
Last modified: November 3, 2007