Appeal No. 1997-3388 Page 2
Application No. 08/060,767
BACKGROUND
Appellants' invention relates to a float-zone apparatus
for processing a silicon element that includes a susceptor
positionable around the free end of the silicon element.
According to appellants, the susceptor is “formed from a
material having less resistivity than the silicon element to
be zoned” (specification, page 7). The design of the
susceptor allows for the cylindrical susceptor “to be
positioned around a free end of a silicon element to heat the
free end of the silicon element to facilitate inductive
coupling of the free end of the silicon element with an RF
induction coil heater” (brief, page 2). Hence, appellants’
susceptor is arranged and constructed to be positioned around
a free end of the silicon element so as to function as a
preheater of the silicon element to be zoned (specification,
page 7). A further understanding of the invention can be
derived from a reading of exemplary claim 1, which is
reproduced below.
Examining Procedure (MPEP) §§ 1002 and 1201, Rev. 1 (Feb.,
2000). Accordingly, we will not review the restriction
requirement issue as raised by appellants on pages 2-4 of the
brief.
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