Appeal No. 1999-0525
Application 08/590,859
to us that claim 1, in particular, requires that the sealing
element and the multipole ring be a single entity since the
element and ring are constructed “integrally” and
“continuously with one another”, and are “made of a uniform
material” (elastomeric and magnetizable material).
Turning to the evidence of obviousness relied upon by the
examiner, we find that Alff addresses a rotating seal
arrangement that includes a multipolar magnetic ring 22 locked
onto a
cylindrical contact surface of an elastomer seal and
positioned against a facing thrust surface of the seal (column
1, lines 26 through 30). The ring 22 can be force-fit into
the seal or installed by shrinking it and then expanding it
(column 2, lines 27 through 33). In our opinion, one having
ordinary skill in the art would have readily understood the
elastomer seal and magnetic ring of Alff as separate entities,
physically engaging one another when assembled.
As to the Hixson, II disclosure, we find that it relates
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