Appeal No. 2003-0298 Page 12
Application No. 09/497,797
from the water-based ink can be minimized while still preventing condensation of water
into the ink. Moreover, by controlling the humidity within the atmosphere surrounding
the print and/or blanket cylinders, the temperature set point can be set at a static value
(e.g., 93-95 degrees Fahrenheit).
The rejection
In the rejection before us in this appeal (final rejection, pp. 2-3), the examiner
(1) ascertained1 that Van Haag does not have a computer which uses temperature and
moisture sensors to control a fan for regulating humidity in the space (i.e., the space
formed between the sides of housing 32, roll stacks 6 and 7 and the web of sheet
material 3) by adding or removing air2; and
(2) concluded that it would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art at the
time the invention was made to modify the apparatus and method of Van Haag to use
the temperature and humidity control system of Palmatier to adjust temperature and
humidity within the calender housing (i.e., Van Haag's housing 32).3 The examiner then
1 After the scope and content of the prior art are determined, the differences between the prior art
and the claims at issue are to be ascertained. Graham v. John Deere Co., 383 U.S. 1, 17-18, 148 USPQ
459, 467 (1966).
2 The examiner did not ascertain the actual differences between Van Haag and each of the
independent claims at issue.
3 The examiner did not determine that the actual differences between Van Haag and each of the
independent claims at issue would have been obvious at the time the invention was made to a person of
ordinary skill in the art.
Page: Previous 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Next
Last modified: November 3, 2007