Appeal No. 1999-0960
Application No. 08/785,437
Wright discloses a filter having an accordion pleated
filter element 1. On one or both sides of the filter, a
capping 6 of adhesive such as epoxy resin is applied to the
edges 4 of the pleats (called "fold backs" in appellants’
application), and then screens 2, 3 are adhered to the
capping. The capping 6 serves the dual purpose of anchoring
the screens to the pleat edges and of protecting the edges 4
against backfire gases and abrasion
(col. 2, lines 10 to 17, and col. 3, line 59, to col. 4, line
22), while the screens prevent distortion of the filter and
maintain uniform spacing between the pleat edges (col. 2,
lines 40 to 45).
On page 6 of the answer, the examiner seems to take the
position that the language of claim 1 is broad enough to be
readable on Wright, because "the claim does not say that the
protective mask has to be continuously adhered at every point
to the fold backs." We do not agree with this position. In
the Wright filter, as shown in Fig. 2, the screen wires are
only adhered to the pleat edges 4 where they cross the edges,
rather than running along the lengths of the edges. Such
4
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