Appeal No. 98-2735 Application No. 90004386 or both unbranched launders, (depending on the desired number (increased number) of blister copper refining furnaces to be used) in the same manner the unbranched launders are employed in Smith or Hoffmann. By using or operating branched launders in the same manner as those unbranched launders described in Smith or Hoffmann, one of ordinary skill in the art would have had a reasonable expectation of successfully reducing the cost associated with the number of lengthy launders needed for a given plurality of blister copper furnaces and the number of holes needed in a blister copper producing furnace for a given number of launders employed, as well as reducing the potential leakage associated with the increased number of holes present in a blister copper producing furnace. See In re Thompson, 545 F.2d 1290, 1294, 192 USPQ 275 (CCPA 1976); In re Clinton, 527 F.2d 1226, 1228, 188 USPQ 365, 367 (CCPA 1976). We find that one of ordinary skill in the art has "common knowledge and common sense” to recognize the cost saving and potential problem avoidance associated with employing branched launders as indicated supra. 15Page: Previous 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 NextLast modified: November 3, 2007