1995-2802
Application No. 07/983,002
Suitable hydrophilic finishes include sulphonated polyesters
and ethoxylated polyamides.
In view of this claim construction, we determine that the
applied prior art on this record fails to disclose, suggest or
teach the “durable hydrophilic surface modifier associated
with said channel” as recited in claim 1 on appeal. Masuda
teaches that “the fiber material surface is rendered
hydrophilic by corrosion [due to alkali treatment] and fine
convexities and concavities are imparted to the surface.”
(Column 5, lines
38-40). The examiner has presented no evidence or reasoning
as to why the artisan would have expected the physical surface
modification of Masuda to be equivalent to the chemical
modification described by appellants and to be “durable” as
defined by appellants. The examiner points to the disclosure
of Masuda that the fiber “has excellent durability against
rubbing” (column 5, lines 64-65) but has failed to show that
this disclosure would have suggested the “durable” modifier
recited in the claims on appeal and as defined in the
specification.
Reinehr also discloses surface modification of fibers by
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