Appeal No. 2000-1413
Application No. 08/650,883
to associate a film with the Yellott reflective surface "in
order to utilize one of many conventionally accepted methods
for rendering a surface heat reflective" (answer, pages 5-6).
However, we observe that even if this combination were made,
we agree with appellant (brief, page 16) that the result would
not be a pool cover like that set forth in claims 6, 9, 11, 30
and 32 on appeal, since both Yellott and Wilson teach a
unidirectional reflective surface on the interior of the air
spaces therein for the specific purpose of creating a "green
house" effect in the air spaces. Therefore, even if the
unidirectional reflective characteristic of the surface in
Yellott were to be provided by a film, as taught in Wilson
(col. 2, lines 56-62), the over-layer would still not reflect
a substantial amount of the heat radiating from the pool water
toward the lower layer of the pool cover back into the pool
water, as required in appellant's claims on appeal, but would
instead allow that heat energy to be transmitted through the
over-layer (9) and trapped within the air spaces (10), as
described in both Yellott and Wilson. Accordingly, we will not
sustain the examiner's rejection of claims 6, 9, 11, 30 and 32
under 35 U.S.C. § 103 as being unpatentable over Yellott in
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