Appeal No. 1999-2245
Application No. 08/705,388
arranged between sealing points 2 of the rotor 3. The stated
objective of the blades between the sealing points is to
induce turbulent flow and swirling in the chamber between the
sealing points. As further explained by the patentee,
auxiliary blades can be mounted not only at the rotating
component but also at the stator with respect to the chamber.
We, of course, fully comprehend the examiner’s view of
the references and the rationale for combining same as
explained in the answer (pages 5 through 7). In particular,
we appreciate that, broadly akin to appellant’s seal, the
overall packing of Schweich relies upon an angled or canted
surface, blades, and the action of centrifugal force.
However, when we set aside in our minds what appellant has
specifically disclosed in the present application, and
consider only the collective teachings of Schweich and Wolff,
it becomes apparent to us that only impermissible hindsight
would have enabled one having ordinary skill in the art to
effect the claimed invention based upon the aforesaid prior
art teachings. More specifically, it is our opinion that the
evidence of obviousness before us simply would not have been
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