Appeal No. 1996-2690 Application 07/967,787 electric field in aligning the molecule dipoles in the externally applied field are characterized by linear (non-crosslinked) backbones, dipolar pendant groups, and a linkage of each dipolar pendant group with the polymer backbone which permits spatial reorientation of the pendant group independently of the orientation of the polymer backbone. These linear polymers, which include a dipole molecule bound thereto capable of being "poled" when subjected to an external electric field, reasonably appear to correspond to the host polymer of claims 1 and 37. The examiner additionally urges that one or ordinary skill in the art would have been motivated to use the variation outlined above in order to obtain "a more uniform ratio of polymeric binder to molecule dipole, thus avoiding the disadvantages taught by Ulman et al in column 26, lines 3-17." (Answer, page 7). As we have previously noted, Ulman teaches, as one technique, the binding of dipole molecules which have been subjected to an external electric field wherein the binding polymer is heated above its glass transition temperature followed by cooling below the glass transition temperature while maintaining the electric field. As an alternative to this approach, Ulman teaches the use of linear polymers which can be crosslinked to form a crosslinked binder by the exposure to electromagnetic radiation which converts photosensitive monomers into crosslinked polymers or crosslinked polymers. (column 26, lines 32-63). Ulman additionally states (column 31, lines 22-29): 7Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 NextLast modified: November 3, 2007