Appeal No. 2000-0533
Application No. 08/821,508
being performed by axially pressing a second tool into the
first end of the flared conduit and the extruding step as
being performed by the axial pressing of the second tool.
Each of independent claims 33, 39 and 60 requires, inter
alia, the steps of axially pressing a tool into a member or
conduit to form exterior and interior parallel conical
surfaces and simultaneously extruding an annular reduced
resistance bead by the axial pressing of the tool as a
continuous one-piece extension from a plane defined by one of
the conical surfaces. According to the examiner, the claimed
method is suggested by the combined teachings of Takikawa,
McIntosh and Currie.
Takikawa discloses a flared double-wall conduit having an
annular reduced resistance bead (annular brim 2) formed as a
one-piece, radially inwardly projecting extension from the
interior conical surface of the flared end. Takikawa does not
disclose a specific method of forming the flared double-wall
conduit, other than a broad reference to "molding processes"
and "machining and/or cutting" (column 2, lines 51-52).
McIntosh discloses a two-step process of forming a double
walled flare on tubing. The process, like appellants' method,
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