Appeal No. 1999-0737
Application 08/655,176
mechanical reasons that Spirg would also prefer the temperature indicator to be an annulus shape to
avoid separating of the printed materials from the foil (column 1, lines 53-61). Thus, even if one were
to combine the teachings of Stamper and Spirg it does not appear the result would be a temperature
indicating strip disposed on an upper surface of a roof membrane and which operates below the melting
point of the roof membrane as required in the claims before us on appeal.
The main object of Takahara (column 4, lines 46-47) is the preservation and control of low-
temperature preserved goods. Its unique design includes a waxy substrate that is micro-encapsulated
so that it does not come into contact with a color developing agent even though it may melt during
handling before it is applied to the frozen foods. These micro-capsules must first be broken under a
definite load such as a hand roller before the indicator can perform a color change due to temperature.
The indicator of Takahara is designed specifically to activate a color change in a relatively ambient or
cold temperature range. This temperature is far below the temperature level that appellants’ roof
membrane heat indicator must operate. There appears to be no motivation for one of ordinary skill in
the art to combine this type of temperature indicator with a process involving the sealing of a roof
membrane.
It is also noted that each of the independent claims recites the limitation that the temperature
indicator strip must change its appearance at a preselected temperature less than the melting
temperature of the roofing membrane. As pointed out on page 10 of the specification, the indicator
strip will not be heated to a temperature as high as the opposite surface of the roofing membrane due to
the insulating characteristics of the roofing membrane material. Thus, the indicator strip must provide its
color shift at a temperature below the melting temperature of
5
Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Next
Last modified: November 3, 2007