Appeal No. 1999-1942
Application 08/770,037
including oxides (col. 1, lines 60-68). Penneck discloses
that it was known in the prior art to incorporate hydrated
alumina in substantial amounts to polymeric materials to
protect against "tracking" (irreversible degradation of
surface material from the formation of conductive carbonized
paths due to electrical discharge or sparking) (col. 1,
lines 15-57). Penneck discloses a synergistic anti-tracking
effect due to component (b), such as allowing an increase in
the amount of carbon black fillers to increase the U.V.
(ultraviolet) resistance (col. 4, lines 8-35) and reducing the
amount of filler material without loss of anti-tracking
properties (col. 4, lines 36-54).
Penneck is not directed to Appellants' problem of
increasing the voltage endurance performance of electrical
insulating material, but is directed to a different problem of
preventing tracking on molded and extruded polymers. The
prior art need not suggest solving the same problem set forth
by Appellants. See In re Dillon, 919 F.2d 688, 693,
16 USPQ2d 1897, 1901 (Fed. Cir. 1990) (in banc) (overruling in
part In re Wright, 848 F.2d 1216, 6 USPQ2d 1959 (Fed. Cir.
1988)). However, when the references are directed to a
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