Appeal No. 2001-0106
Application 08/855,811
and Stow references have functional organosilanes at each adhesive-substrate bond by
virtue of being in an interpolymer with the adhesive. Merely moving the organosilane to
each boundary, as is conventional, is an obvious modification to one of skill in the art.
Claim 3 requires a layer of 100 Angstroms or less. However, the instant
specification states that “The amount of adhesion promoter to be applied to the metal
substrate is not critical and can vary widely” (Specification, Page 8, lines 27-29).
Although the specification suggests a layer less than 100 or 50 Angstroms may give
better results, these thicknesses are obvious for adhesive-type applications (Stow,
column 5, line 34 (25 – 550 micrometers); Tollefson, column 5, line 50-51 (6 to 450
micrometers)). Further, both the instant specification and Thomson suggest applying
the coupling agent by the same means (spraying … or dipping - Specification, page 8,
lines 14-15); (sprayed, brushed, or poured over the surface of the material.
Alternatively, the material or substrate can be dipped…- Thomson, column 3, lines 5-8).
We have considered the declarations submitted (Egitto and Cain) as well as
Examples 1-4 of the instant specification. The results are neither unexpected nor
unusual, in light of the teachings of Tollefson.
Rejection K
Claims 5, and 10 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 103(b) as obvious over
Tollefson and Stow, each individually in view of Thomson.
Claims 5 and 10 require that the coupling agent be an amine-terminated silane or
an epoxy –terminated silane.
Tollefson and Shaw are applied as above. Thomson discloses an amine
terminated silane. (column 1, lines 25-28).
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