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. 7Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 NextLast modified: November 3, 2007