Appeal No. 1998-2948
Application 08/400,861
claims 2 and 5, Yamamoto discloses an aluminum alloy with
0.05-15 at% rare-earth elements, which includes the claimed
range of 1 to 5 at%. As to claims 3 and 6, Kiyota discloses
the surface-treated layer, which can be an anodic oxidation
film, has a thickness of 0.1 to 1 µm (col. 6, lines 54-55),
i.e., 1000 Å to 10000 Å, which satisfies the claimed range of
500 Å or more.
For the reasons stated above, we conclude that the
collective teaching of the references is sufficient to
establish a prima facie case of obviousness as to claims 1-6
absent a showing of error by Appellants. We address
Appellants' arguments as to the correctness of the prima facie
case before reaching the obviousness conclusion.
Appellants' arguments
Appellants argue that none of the prior art references,
alone or in combination, disclose or suggest anodic-oxidizing
an interconnect/electrode film formed of a rare
earth-containing aluminum alloy (Br2; RBr1).
We conclude that the collective teachings of the
references would have suggested the claimed subject matter to
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