Appeal No. 1999-0545 Page 7
Application No. 08/606,068
does not teach that the edge dam blocks should separately be heated, however, Ross
does provide teachings regarding the advantages of utilizing induction heaters that lead us
to conclude that it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to modify the
Wood apparatus by replacing the radiant edge dam block heaters with induction heaters.
1
In this regard, Ross points out that infra red heating units “take up considerable physical
space within the casting machine” which “cause engineering and construction problems in
order to provide available space." The reference goes on to state that these heaters suffer
from an “inconsistency” in the transfer of heat “decreasing the certainty that a controlled
transfer of heat to the belts is occurring,” and,”if a flame infra red heating device is used,
imprecise fuel flow rates can cause flames to issue from the burner housing and burn the
endless belts damaging their surface.” See column 2, lines 19-36. According to Ross,
among the advantages
achieved by using induction heaters are the ability to provide instantaneous heat of a
desired temperature in an independent manner as soon as the induction heaters are
energized, the ability to induce highly concentrated amounts of energy into the belt within a
limited physical space, the efficient use of space, and the ability to adjust the amount of
heat produced. See column 3, line 51 et seq.). Finally, on this subject, Ross states:
1The appellants have not argued that the infra red heating units of Ross are not
radiant heaters.
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