Appeal No. 1998-2515
Application 08/548,938
examiner responds that conductive pads are notoriously well
known and are necessarily included on the slider for
connection to the two conductors [answer, pages 5-6]. The
examiner also responds that the point where the conductors
exit the insulation is an aperture in the dielectric layer as
recited in the claim [id., pages 6-7].
The examiner has failed to establish a prima facie
case of anticipation because the examiner has ignored certain
language of the claim. Specifically, claim 29 recites that a
plurality of conductive pads are disposed along a selected
edge of the slider. Although we agree with the examiner that
electrical connection between the conductors and the slider in
Oberg must be present, there is no requirement in Oberg or any
disclosure that the electrical connection is along a selected
edge of the slider. In fact, the drawings of Oberg appear to
show the conductors and the dielectric entering the interior
of the slider assembly. We agree with appellant that the
conductors of Oberg may “traverse a substantial portion of the
body of slider 202 before being electrically coupled to a
plurality of conductive pads” [reply brief]. Thus, the
examiner has failed to demonstrate the presence of conductive
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