Appeal No. 1999-1816 Page 15
Application No. 08/370,540
bottom member (i.e., bottom plate 15) is an open plate adapted
to slidably receive a tray 16. We do not agree for the
following reasons.
First, it is our opinion that the term "tray" is readable
on Zlotnik's bottom plate 15. It is axiomatic that, in
proceedings before the PTO, terms used in a claim are to be
given their broadest reasonable interpretation consistent with
the specification, and that claim language should be read in
light of the specification as it would be interpreted by one
of ordinary skill in the art. See In re Sneed, 710 F.2d 1544,
1548, 218 USPQ 385, 388 (Fed. Cir. 1983). Moreover,
limitations are not to be read into the claims from the
specification. In re Van Geuns, 988 F.2d 1181, 1184, 26
USPQ2d 1057, 1059 (Fed. Cir. 1993) citing In re Zletz, 893
F.2d 319, 321, 13 USPQ2d 1320, 1322 (Fed. Cir. 1989).
Webster's Third New International Dictionary, (1971) defines
"tray" as "a flat, shallow receptacle with a raised edge or
rim, used for carrying, holding, or displaying articles." For
the reasons stated previously, the combined teachings of the
applied prior art would have suggested making Zlotnik's bottom
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