Appeal No. 2003-0391
Application 09/228,433
along the core upper surface substantially parallel to the
longitudinal resin flow axis and arraying lateral resin
distribution grooves along the core upper surface by forming the
lateral resin distribution grooves to intersect the longitudinal
resin distribution grooves, wherein “the lateral resin
distribution grooves are selectively spaced to wet the fiber-
reinforced ply at substantially equal ply resin wetting rates in
directions along the longitudinal resin flow axis and
perpendicular thereto across the core upper surface upon the
introduction of resin.” As framed by the appellants, the
dispositive issue in the appeal is whether the combined teachings
of Louderback, Palmer and Seemann would have suggested a process
embodying the foregoing selective spacing of the lateral resin
distribution grooves.
All three of the applied references pertain to VARTM
fabrication of a fiber-reinforced resin structure having a core
body and at least one fiber-reinforced ply disposed upon the core
upper surface. Finding that Louderback, the primary reference
applied in support of the rejection, does not disclose the step
of forming lateral resin distribution grooves which intersect the
longitudinal resin distribution grooves 60a in the upper surface
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