Appeal No. 1997-3769
Application 08/418,257
approximately 400 and 500 degrees Centigrade. The sputter
deposition first step in Armstrong is done at a temperature
below 200 degrees Centigrade (column 3, lines 12-13 of
Armstrong). Thus, we find no connection between the teaching
of Wolf and the temperatures required by the instant claims
when viewed in light of the sputtering temperature disclosed
by Armstrong.
Now, it may be that the first aluminum layer of
Armstrong, deposited on a relatively cold surface, might be
considered a “refractory metal” so that the aluminum deposited
in Armstrong’s second step, at higher temperature, may be said
to satisfy the claimed requirement of “during said step of
raising the temperature, beginning to deposit aluminum on the
layer including the refractory metal...”. However, among
other problems of Armstrong regarding the instant claimed
invention, we do not think it is reasonable to call the first
layer of aluminum a “refractory metal,” as that term is used
in the instant application. While, in general, a “refractory
metal” would appear to indicate a metal capable of enduring
high temperature, with “high” being a relative term subject to
much interpretation, “refractories” has been defined by the
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