Appeal No. 2002-2130
Application No. 09/483,647
air pulses emanating from converging slots in a meltblown
nozzle.
Appellant concludes that Kwok in view of Haynes fail to
disclose or suggest forming an atomized liquid flow by drawing
the liquid with continuous fluid flows directed along
substantially opposite sides of the liquid as required by claim
26. (brief, page 7)
On page 9 of the answer, the examiner basically responds
and states that while neither of the references teaches all the
claimed features, it is the combination that provides the
suggestion of all the claimed features.
However, upon our review of Kwok in view of Haynes, we find
that while Kwok utilizes continuous fluid flows, Kwok utilizes
the continuous fluid flows in conjunction with dispensing
meltblown adhesive filaments rather than dispensing an atomized
liquid flow.
On the other hand, Haynes does teach the ability of forming
an atomized liquid flow, but this is in the context of utilizing
pulsating fluid flows, not continuous fluid flows.
The examiner does not explain how the teaching of Haynes,
when incorporated into the method of Kwok, would provide for a
method of forming an atomized liquid flow by drawing a liquid
using a continuous fluid flow. Possibly, the examiner believes
that one skilled in the art would decide to form an atomized
liquid flow (according to Haynes), yet use the continuous fluid
flow of Kwok. However, the examiner has not explained why one
of ordinary skilled in the art would have been motivated to
conduct the meltblown method of Kwok to form an atomized liquid
flow. We note that obviousness can be established by combining
or modifying the teachings of the prior art to produce the
claimed invention where there is some teaching, suggesting, or
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