Ex parte JENG et al. - Page 7




              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):                                                                                                      

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