Appeal No. 1998-2240 Page 7
Application No. 08/443,058
that the flexible sheet be “readily removable” from the sphere
or hemisphere which it overlies. As we explained in preceding
paragraphs, we consider this to mean that it be easily
removable, that is, not permanently attached or attached in a
manner that would require the use of tools, solvents, or the
like to remove it. The examiner’s position with regard to
this limitation (Answer, page 5) is that because Wigal does
not state whether the adhesive used to attach the sheet to the
globe is permanent or removable, using a removable adhesive is
included in the teachings that one of ordinary skill in the
art would derive from it. The examiner further opines that
“[i]t should be noted that all adhesive become[s] removable
with time as it looses [sic, loses] its adhesivity,” a
statement that not only begs the question of whether a sheet
attached therewith would be “readily removable” but, in the
absence of supporting evidence, is untenable on its face.
We agree with the appellant that Wigal does not support
the examiner’s position. Wigal has among the objects of his
invention providing a device that is “durable and stable,
being resistant to breakdown through the normal, expected hard
Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Next
Last modified: November 3, 2007