Appeal No. 1997-3260 Application 08/506,153 each of the primary references, discloses “a composite material having a reinforcement texture and a matrix, the composition of the matrix varying substantially without discontinuity along a thickness direction of the structure, from being an essentially refractory material, in the region of a front face intended to be exposed to very high temperatures, to being an essentially heat conductive material” (col. 2, lines 4-11). The examiner argues that “each of the primary references discloses actual process steps for producing a metal matrix composite substantially the same as the steps recited in the claims on appeal” (answer, page 5). The examiner, however, has not explained where any of the primary references discloses a step for making the fiber density graduated. Nor has the examiner explained why Boury would have fairly suggested, to one of ordinary skill in the art, making such a modification to any of the primary references. Instead, the examiner has merely made an assertion to that effect (answer, page 5). The primary references disclose techniques for 4Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 NextLast modified: November 3, 2007