Appeal No. 1999-0441
Application No. 08/676,454
edge of the main body. A bond which extends over
the length of a longitudinal edge is clearly
distinct from a single bond point as taught in the
cited reference.
In keeping with the above argument, appellant directs us
to certain portions of the specification for guidance in
understanding the meaning of the claim language in question.
Specifically, appellant states:
The cited portion of the Specification [i.e.,
page 8, lines 11-17] states that “the longitudinal
peripheral edge portions of the main body are then
folded over the cover layer side along the
longitudinal edges of the napkin, and bonded to the
cover layer 5 with either discrete or continuous
elongated thermal bonds 18 which run from points
near the end corners of the body 2 to points where
the tabs 3 begin as illustrated.” It is
respectfully submitted that a “discrete or
continuous elongated thermal bond” as defined above
is consistent with “both layers being bonded to said
cover layer along each respective longitudinal edge
of said main body with the exception of at least a
portion of a line of intersection between each tab
and said main body remains unbonded to form a pocket
adjacent to each tab” as required by the claims.
[Reply Brief, paragraph bridging pages 3 and 4.]
In proceedings before it, the PTO applies to verbiage of
claims the broadest reasonable meaning of the words in their
ordinary usage as they would be understood by one of ordinary
skill in the art, taking into account whatever enlightenment
by way of definitions or otherwise that may be afforded by the
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