Appeal No. 1998-2927 Page 8
Application No. 07/584,667
2, second paragraph) that sponges g are mounted upon the
sponge-shaft B with forks f properly entered to secure
rotation of the sponges with the sponge-shaft B. Prentis then
teaches (column 2, third and fourth paragraphs) that a small
quantity of water is supplied to the cup and one compartment
may be used as a pen-cleaner and the other compartment may be
used when counting bills.
In view of the above-noted teachings of Prentis, we reach
the conclusion that the phrase "independent compartments" as
recited in claim 1 is readable on Prentis' "distinct"
compartments since the compartments are designed to be used
with a small quantity of water therein and the compartments
are to be used for two different (i.e., independent) purposes
(i.e., pen-cleaner and counting bills).
For the reasons set forth above, the decision of the
examiner to reject claim 1 under 35 U.S.C. §§ 102(b) and
103(a) is affirmed.4
4We note that a disclosure that anticipates under 35
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