Appeal No. 1998-0146
Application 08/407,058
"simultaneously moving the objective lens toward and away
from the cleaning disk and reciprocating said optical head
toward the inner and outer peripheries of the disk"
(emphasis added), as defined in claim 1 (Br14). It is
argued that, "[a]t best, [the] combination only suggests
moving the lens toward the cleaning disk a single time prior
to radially reciprocating the lens, and then moving the lens
away from the cleaning disk after the radial reciprocation
is completed" (Br15).
We disagree with Appellants' argument. Sugano clearly
teaches moving the objective lens up and down while the
cleaning disk is rotating and would operate in the same way
if combined with Yamamoto. The teachings of Sugano would
have to be modified to operate in the way suggested by
Appellants, whereas the combination proposed by the Examiner
combines two independent cleaning operations.
Appellants argue that Yamamoto already includes a means
for making contact between the lens and brush, so Yamamoto
does not disclose or suggest a benefit for a non-disclosed
up-and-down operation and cannot provide the motivation for
simultaneous axial and radial movement of the lens (Br15;
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