Appeal No. 1998-2836
Application No. 08/453,211
suggestion or motivation for one of ordinary skill in the art
to combine the teachings of references, it is not necessary
that such be found within the four corners of the references
themselves; a conclusion of obviousness may be made from
common knowledge and common sense of the person of ordinary
skill in the art without any specific hint or suggestion in a
particular reference. See In re Bozek, 416 F.2d 1385, 1390,
163 USPQ 545, 549 (CCPA 1969). Further, in an obviousness
assessment, skill is presumed on the part of the artisan,
rather than the lack thereof. In re Sovish, 769 F.2d 738,
742, 226 USPQ 771, 774 (Fed. Cir. 1985). Insofar as the
references themselves are concerned, we are bound to consider
the disclosure of each for what it fairly teaches one of
ordinary skill in the art, including not only the specific
teachings, but also the inferences which one of ordinary skill
in the art would reasonably have been expected to draw
therefrom. See In re Boe, 355 F.2d 961, 965, 148 USPQ 507,
510 (CCPA 1966); and In re Preda, 401 F.2d 825, 826, 159 USPQ
342, 344 (CCPA 1968).
Ito discloses a hardenable composition useful as a
filling or cushioning material in dental and orthopedic
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