Appeal No. 1999-2245
Application No. 08/705,388
angled orientation of a surface. We observe that the 4
specification (page 6, line 26) describes the catch surface 54
as being disposed at an angle 59, as clearly depicted in Fig.
2. In light of the above, we cannot support the view that the
term "canted" is vague and indefinite in the ordinary context
in which it is used in claims 11 and 12.
It is also the examiner’s opinion that the use of the
term "or" is vague and indefinite. However, we are not in
accord with this perception. In particular, we find that the
term "or" is used in an understandable fashion in claim 11 to
simply denote alternative attachments for the baffle as well
as alternative positioning of the baffle end surface. As
such, we conclude that the term "or", as used, is definite in
meaning.
The obviousness issue
This panel of the board reverses the rejection of claims
11 and 12 under 35 U.S.C. § 103 as being unpatentable over
4Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam
Company, Springfield, Massachusetts, 1979.
6
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