Appeal No. 2002-0643
Application No. 09/100,538
To dissipate heat caused by the ejection-energy generating
element, Fukuda teaches the use of a heat-capacity member (e.g.,
a metal having a high thermal conductivity such as copper,
aluminum, bronze, beryllium, nickel, platinum, stainless steel,
and steel) in contact with the heat generating substrate.
(Column 1, lines 10-54; column 4, lines 51-53; column 6, lines
8-25.)
Given these prior art disclosures, we are in complete
agreement with the examiner’s determination that the subject
matter of appealed claim 1 would have been obvious to a person
having ordinary skill in the art within the meaning of 35 U.S.C.
§ 103. Specifically, it is our judgment that one of ordinary
skill in the art would have been led to combine the teachings of
these references by modifying Braun’s product to include
Fukuda’s heat capacity member (i.e., a heat sink element) made
from a material such as steel, stainless steel, aluminum,
copper, or nickel in order to avoid the problems associated with
heat generated by the heater chip.
The appellants’ arguments (appeal brief, pages 4-5)
incorrectly focus on the teachings of Oda. We note, however,
that Oda’s teachings are not necessary to support the examiner’s
rejection of appealed claim 1.
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