Appeal No. 2002-0038 Page 2
Application No. 09/090,256
BACKGROUND
Appellants' invention relates to a process for producing a
composite article, such as a rocket nozzle component. An
understanding of the invention can be derived from a reading of
exemplary claim 6, which is reproduced below.
6. A process for producing a composite article having
a selected configuration, said process comprising:
(a) arranging a curable pre-preg into the selected
configuration at a level of compaction sufficiently low to
permit voids to be generated therein during subsequent
curing of the pre-preg; and
(b) conducting said subsequent curing of the pre-preg
at a pressure sufficiently low to permit evolving gases to
form voids in the pre-preg as the pre-preg cures into the
composite articles,
wherein the pressure at which the pre-preg is cured in
(b) is maintained at not more than 50 psig.
The prior art references of record relied upon by the
examiner in rejecting the appealed claims are:
Long et al. (Long) 3,634, 130 Jan. 11, 1972
Borgmeier et al. (Borgmeier) 4,182,495 Jan. 08, 1980
Blevins et al. (Blevins) 4,327,885 May 04, 1982
Shaw et al. (Shaw) 4,643,940 Feb. 17, 1987
Hartman 4,842,923 Jun. 27, 1989
Boinot et al. (Boinot) 5,082,918 Jan. 21, 1992
Honka 5,106,568 Apr. 21, 1992
Weitsman et al. (Weitsman) 5,340,625 Aug. 23, 1994
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