Ex parte MURPHY - Page 3




         Appeal No. 1999-1845                                                     
         Application No. 08/659,132                                               


         Rather than repeat the arguments of appellant or the                     
         examiner, we make reference to the brief and the answer for              
         the respective details thereof.                                          
         OPINION                                                                  
         We have carefully considered the subject matter on                       
         appeal, the rejection advanced by the examiner and the                   
         evidence of obviousness relied upon by the examiner as support           
         for the rejection.  We have, likewise, reviewed and taken into           
         consideration, in reaching our decision, the appellant’s                 
         arguments set forth in the brief along with the examiner’s               
         rationale in support of the rejection and arguments in                   
         rebuttal set forth in the examiner’s answer.                             
         It is our view, after consideration of the record before                 
         us, that the evidence relied upon and the level of skill in              
         the particular art would not have suggested to one of ordinary           
         skill in the art the obviousness of the invention as set forth           
         in claims 1-21.  Accordingly, we reverse.                                
         In rejecting claims under 35 U.S.C. § 103, it is                         
         incumbent upon the examiner to establish a factual basis to              
         support the legal conclusion of obviousness.  See In re Fine,            
         837 F.2d 1071, 1073, 5 USPQ2d 1596, 1598 (Fed. Cir. 1988).  In           
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