Ex parte KELLY et al. - Page 18




          Appeal No. 1997-0538                                                        
          Application No. 08/262,168                                                  


          sufficient to employ a step of determining the claimed alpha-               
          transus temperature, see Larsen in its entirety.  We find that              
          Larsen does not recognize the importance of using a                         
          temperature below the alpha-transus temperature of a given                  
          alloy.  Rather, it employs a temperature range generally                    
          applicable to the particular alloys it used, which happens to               
          fall within the claimed temperature range.  There is no reason              
          or incentive in Larsen to determine the alpha transus                       
          temperature of a given alloy.  Moreover, contrary to the                    
          examiner’s argument at page 9 of the Answer, this step is more              
          than a mere mental step as is apparent from pages 6 through 8               
          of the specification.  Accordingly, we reverse the examiner’s               
          decision rejecting claims 1 through 7, 9 through 12 and 14                  
          through 18 under 35 U.S.C. § 103 as unpatentable over the                   
          disclosure of Larsen.                                                       
               With respect to the examiner's rejection of product                    
          claims 8, 13 and 19 under section 103, we affirm for the                    
          reasons indicated supra.  Thorp, supra; Brown, supra.                       
               In summary:                                                            
          1)   The rejection of claims 13 and 19 under 35 U.S.C. § 112,               
          second paragraph, as being indefinite is reversed;                          
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