Appeal No. 1999-0124
Application No. 08/467,438
Applying these principles here, we observe that the word
“groove” may mean “a long, narrow hollow or channel made
artificially in a surface,” and that the word “channel” may
mean “a long gutter, groove, or furrow: as a: a street or road
gutter.” We further observe that the purpose of appellants’3
groove is to “spontaneously transport[] liquids along the axis
of the channels” (specification, page 5, lines 32-34; emphasis
added) rather than through the member, and that in the event
transmission of fluid through the member is desired, separate
apertures may be provided for this purpose (specification,
page 4, lines 7-10; page 10, line 33 through page 11, line 4).
In light of above, we find that a “groove,” as used herein,
denotes a long, narrow, closed-bottomed channel made in the
surface of the member for directing the distribution of fluids
such as water or aqueous solutions.
While the examiner has pointed to Thompson’s capillaries
26 as shown in the drawing figures as structure that
corresponds to the claimed “grooves,” we note that Thompson
3Webster’s Third New International Dictionary, G. & C.
Merriam Co., copyright © 1971.
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