Ex parte LIPPS - Page 7




          Appeal No. 1997-1109                                                        
          Application No. 08/250,223                                                  
               According to the examiner (Answer, page 7), Colson does                
          not disclose a plurality of item switches spaced apart from                 
          some of the shelves.  Kimbrow discloses (column 1, lines 55-68              
          and column 2, lines 1-40) a plurality of item switches located              
          in close proximity and corresponding to at least some of the                
          storage locations, wherein each item switch is positioned so                
          that it can be visually correlated with items in the                        
          corresponding storage location before an item is removed, and               
          wherein the item switches are connected to the controller so                
          that the actuation of the item switches produces a record of                
          items removed from or placed into the dispensing unit.  The                 
          examiner is of the opinion (Answer, page 7) that it would have              
          been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time                
          of the invention Ąto employ the 'touch' system of Kimbrow with              
          the medical dispensing cabinet of Colson because this allows                
          for easy accountability of products.˘  We agree.                            
               Appellant argues (Brief, page 9) that Kimbrow Ądoes not                
          teach inclusion of a controller on the dispensing unit                      
          enclosure and interlocking of the controller to a door also on              
          the enclosure.˘  As indicated supra, the examiner addressed                 
          the obviousness of placing the controller on the dispenser                  
          unit based upon the teachings and suggestions of Colson alone.              
                                          7                                           





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