Appeal No. 1998-0126
Application 08/272,700
4 to 6 obvious there over. Compton’s range of the ratio D/P
is 0.75 to 3.0. Compton’s preferred (optimized) ratio is
1.42. (See column 5, lines 29-43.) We fail to see how
Compton’s ratio of 3, or optimized ratio of 1.42, meets or
makes obvious the claimed ratio range of 4 to 6. It is not
Appellants’ disclosure
that must be optimized to meet the claim limitations, but the
reference’s disclosure that should be optimized. Thus,
Compton does not teach or suggest (even through optimization)
the claim 5 limitations, and we will not sustain its
rejection.
Claim 6 requires the same sharp discharge ends, and
additionally that the ends be made of recited amounts of
nickel and chromium, and be coated with a material having a
high electric resistance. The Examiner notes that Compton
discloses the sharp ends made of stainless steel (column 3,
lines 54-55). The Examiner further notes that Woell teaches
it is well known that stainless steel is made of the recited
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