Appeal No. 2001-0096
Application 09/301,891
We find claims 5 and 6 of Pannell to be particularly illustrative and reproduce
them below.
5. A bonded composite structure having a pin-reinforced thermoplastic
weld, comprising:
a) at least two fiber-reinforced composite elements arranged to define
a bond line along an interface between the elements;
b) a composite strip of cured resin having X -Y fiber reinforcement and
Z-pin reinforcement, the strip being positioned at the bond line; and
c) a thermoplastic weld between each element and the strip along the
interface, the welds including Z-pin reinforcement resulting from
penetration of the Z pins in the strip into each weld.
6. A bonded composite structure, comprising:
a) at least two fiber-reinforced composite elements arranged to define
a bond line along an interface between the elements;
b) a composite strip of cured resin having X -Y fiber reinforcement and
Z-pin reinforcement, the strip being positioned along the bond line;
and
c) bonds between the elements and the strip along the interface, the
bonds including Z-pin reinforcement resulting from penetration of
the Z-pins in the strip into each bond,
wherein the strip includes a metal susceptor susceptible to heating by
magnetic induction.
Our review of Pannell’s claims above indicate that they include claims in the form
of a bonded composite structure (see colum n 20, line 44 - column 22, line 5), and are
not merely product-by-process claims as implied by the Appellant’s briefs (Main Brief,
page 4, lines 13-14 and Reply Brief, page 4, line 12).
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