Appeal No. 2001-1384
Application No. 08/726,229
A precipitate is “a substance separated from a solution or
suspension by chemical or physical change.”2 The step of
“precipitation” in the context of the instant invention would be
the separation of the particles in the microemulsion mixture.
The question to be answered, then, is whether Ahn or Cathey
teaches or suggests that the particles are separated from the
colloidal solutions. While it is not very clear as to whether,
in fact, Ahn or Cathey actually discloses a “precipitating” step,
it would appear that particles in each of these references are
separated from the colloidal solution since the end result is a
coating of solid particles forming the micro-villus patterns.
Importantly, however, is that even if the primary references
do, in fact, suggest a precipitating step, the instant claims do
not merely call for precipitating a plurality of particles in a
microemulsion mixture. Rather, this step of the recited method
claims, is the first step in a sequence of claimed steps.
Accordingly, there must first be a precipitating of the particles
in a microemulsion mixture. Then, the lower electrode is formed
and the particles are deposited on the lower electrode. Contrary
2Webster’s Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary; 1985.
-8–
Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Next
Last modified: November 3, 2007