The opinion in support of the decision being entered today was not written for publication and is not binding precedent of the Board.
Paper No. 23
UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
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BEFORE THE BOARD OF PATENT APPEALS
AND INTERFERENCES
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Ex parte THOMAS E. COWAN, RICHARD H. HOWELL, and CARLOS A. COLMENARES
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Appeal No. 2002-2110
Application No. 09/224,748
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ON BRIEF
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Before HAIRSTON, BARRY, and SAADAT, Administrative Patent Judges.
BARRY, Administrative Patent Judge.
DECISION ON APPEAL
A patent examiner rejected claims 1, 2, 4-13, 17, and 18. The appellants appeal
therefrom under 35 U.S.C. § 134(a). We affirm-in-part.
BACKGROUND
The invention at issue on appeal uses positron emission tomography ("PET") to
detect cracks and other surface anomalies in metallic or mechanical parts. During
manufacturing and long-term storage of such parts, cracks, voids, and porous regions
need to be detected. This is of particular concern in maintaining nuclear stockpiles.
(Spec. at 1.)
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