Appeal No. 1999-2505 Page 3
Application No. 08/886,635
(iii) at least one binder which is substantially incompatible with at least
one of the low molecular weight materials of layer (b), wherein the
infrared ablation layer is tackfree or substantially tack-free when on
the photopolymerizable layer; and optionally,
(d) a coversheet;
(2) removing the coversheet when present;
(3) imagewise ablating layer (c) with infrared laser radiation to form a mask;
(4) overall exposing the photosensitive element to actinic radiation through
the mask; and
(5) treating the product of step (4) with at least one developer solution to remove (I)
the infrared ablation layer which was not removed during step (3), and (II) the areas of the
photopolymerizable layer (b) which were not exposed to non-infrared actinic radiation.
THE EVIDENCE
As evidence of unpatentability, the Examiner relies upon the following prior art
references:
Fan 5,262,275 Nov. 16, 1993
Fan et al. WO 94/03839 Feb. 17, 1994
(International Application published under the PCT)
THE REJECTIONS
Claims 11-15 and 17-19 stand rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 102(b) as being anticipated by
Fan or, in the alternative, under 35 U.S.C. § 103 as obvious over Fan. Claim 16 stands rejected
under 35 U.S.C. § 103 as obvious over Fan in view of Fan et al. We reverse. Our reasons are
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