material. See Answer, page 4. As stated in the Answer, “[i]t is the examiner’s position
that it would have required no more than routine experimentation to choose and
determine the specific sizing agent commensurate with the desired properties of the
end product.” See Answer, pages 4 and 5. We disagree.
Edelman is directed to carbon fibers coated with a sizing agent. See Edelman,
Abstract, column 1, line 67 - column 2, line 2, and column 2, lines 30-32. The
sizing agent is applied after the thermal treatment. See column 6, lines 4-7 and
Example 2.
Weldy discloses carbon fibers coated with a sizing composition. See Abstract, and
column 1, lines 45-47. Indeed, Weldy states that the size composition does not
detract from the adhesion between the carbon fibers and the resin matrix.
Miller likewise discloses a sizing formulation adapted for use with carbon fibers.
See Abstract, and column 2, lines 60-63. Miller discusses at length removal of the
sizing.
However, although the carbon filament yarns of each of the references of
record contain sizing agents, there is no teaching or suggestion that the carbon
filament yarns meet the conditions of the claimed subject matter, which require both
“a sizing material at least partially coating said plurality of filaments,” and “wherein
said sizing material of each said filament is substantially separated from the sizing
material of said at least one other said filament.”
Furthermore, the examiner has provided no evidence in support of his contention
that the choice of a specific sizing agent would result in a composition meeting the
requirements of the claimed subject matter.
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