Appeal No. 1997-0106
Application 07/792,482
Subparagraph (b) of claims 36, 56 and 66 reads as
follows:
(b) in the absence of a photoimaging step, at least
partially thermally crosslinking the antihalation
composition layer[.]
Appellants argue that the phrase "in the absence of a
photoimaging step" recited in subparagraph (b) establishes
that the thermal cross-linking step in step (b) is not a
curing step caused by exposure to imaging radiation. See
Brief, p. 8. Appellants further argue that the specification
describes the thermal cure embodiment of step (b) and in
support thereof, rely on several portions of the
specification, including the following (Brief, pp. 8-9):
On page 5, lines 26 to 31, it is stated that the
antihalation composition in general comprises a
resin binder and a compound capable of causing a
thermally induced crosslinking reaction of the resin
binder. . . . On page 7, line 30 to page 8, line 9,
it is stated that the antihalation composition is
one that cures or hardens on thermal treatment.
Similarly, subparagraph (g) of claims 36, 56 and 66 reads
as follows:
(g) in the absence of a photoimaging step, removing
the bared antihalation layer[.]
Appellants argue that the phrase "in the absence of a
photoimaging step" recited in subparagraph (g) establishes
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