Ex parte SAAR - Page 7




          Appeal No. 2000-0327                                          Page 7            
          Application No. 08/745,330                                                      


          per minute" to mean that Thompson is determining the volume of                  
          water flowing through the pipe.  We interpret this language of                  
          Thompson as indicating that the flow detectors can detect an                    
          extremely low flow rate ("flow" or "no flow") through the pip;                  
          i.e., as long as there is at least about 0.1 gallons per                        
          minute flowing through the pipe, flow is detected.  This                        
          detection of an extremely low flow rate is not the same as                      
          determining that a selected volume of water has flowed through                  
          the pipe, as required by independent claims 1 and 11.                           
               We additionally find that Thompson further discloses                       
          (col. 2, lines 60-67) that each fixture has a selected maximum                  
          time limit for which each control valve may be opened.  For                     
          example,  a tub may only be allowed to have water flowing into                  
          it for up to 15 minutes.  If it is unintentionally left on in                   
          excess of 15 minutes, the fluid management system will close                    
          the main shut-off valve thereby preventing it from overflowing                  
          and causing damage.  From this teaching of Thompson, it is                      
          clear that Thompson presumes that the flow is a full flow that                  
          will fill the tub in a predetermined period of time.  Thus,                     
          Thompson presumes the volume of water flowing, but does not                     
          measure the volume of the water flowing.  If the volume of                      







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