Appeal No. 2002-0515
Application No. 09/222,092
BACKGROUND
The invention relates to an apparatus that uses ultraviolet fluorescence emitted from
the binder to determine the binder dosage and distribution on a surface of a substrate. The
apparatus comprises a UV light source, a filter or set of filters, a lens, a video camera and a
means for correlating the ultraviolet fluorescence data collected from the sample.
(Specification, p. 6). According to Appellants, the UV light source is positioned so that the
ultraviolet light waves will contact a substrate to which the binder has been applied. The
filter blocks all but the visible light waves emitted from the fluorescence of the binder. The
lens images the light onto a focal plane. The video camera converts the visible light waves
to an electronic signal. The apparatus also comprises a device capable of correlating the
electronic signal to determine the binder dosage and distribution. (Brief, p. 2). Claim 1,
which is representative of the claimed invention, appears below:
1. An apparatus for determining binder dosage and distribution during the
production of composite materials comprising:
a) a source of long wave ultraviolet light positioned so that ultraviolet waves
emitted therefrom will come into contact with a composite-forming material to
which binder has been applied,
b) a filter which blocks ultraviolet waves emitted from the UV light source and
reflected by the composite-forming material to which binder has been applied
but allows visible light waves emitted by fluorescence of the binder to pass,
-2-
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