Appeal No. 2001-0093
Application No. 08/947,149
guides. In particular, as explained more fully in the
preceding paragraphs, the lateral guides in Regterschot
et al. only provide some preliminary straightening of
the material rather than actually functioning in
laterally aligning the tire belt strip in accordance
with its position. Such lateral alignment of the tire
belt strip in accordance with its position occurs
solely in the transition region through lateral
movement of the first conveyor responsive to sensors
located in this region. Thus, this reference can
reasonably be considered to be performing this
alignment/adjustment without lateral guides or stops as
claimed.
It is axiomatic that, in proceedings before the Patent and
Trademark Office, claims in an application are to be given their
broadest reasonable interpretation consistent with the
specification. In re Sneed, 710 F.2d 1544, 1548, 218 USPQ 385,
388 (Fed. Cir. 1983). In so interpreting appealed claim 1, we
find that the “laterally aligning” step recited therein must be
uncategorically performed pursuant to the literal meaning of the
claim recitation “without a lateral stop to guide either of the
lateral sides [of the belt construction strip].” Indeed, to
interpret otherwise would be inconsistent with the disclosure of
the subject specification concerning the objective to be achieved
via the appellants’ invention (e.g., see lines 20-22 on
specification page 1 and lines 15-18 on specification page 8).
The examiner is correct that Regterschot’s process includes
a “laterally aligning” step (e.g., see lines 29-32 in column 7
3
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