Ex Parte NAKAJIMA et al - Page 1




               The opinion in support of the decision being entered today was not written for publication and is not binding precedent of the Board.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. 49              
                           UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE                                                      
                                                      ____________                                                        
                                BEFORE THE BOARD OF PATENT APPEALS                                                        
                                               AND INTERFERENCES                                                          
                                                      ____________                                                        
                                   Ex parte SETSUO NAKAJIMA, YASUYUKI ARAI,                                               
                                     HISATO SHINOHARA, and MASAYOSHI ABE                                                  
                                                      ____________                                                        
                                                  Appeal No. 2003-0456                                                    
                                                Application No. 09/149,289                                                
                                                      ____________                                                        
                                                  HEARD: July 17, 2003                                                    
                                                      ____________                                                        
              Before HAIRSTON, BARRETT, and BARRY, Administrative Patent Judges.                                          
              BARRY, Administrative Patent Judge.                                                                         


                                                 DECISION ON APPEAL                                                       
                     A patent examiner rejected claims 1-12 and 17-33.  The appellants appeal                             
              therefrom under 35 U.S.C. § 134(a).  We reverse.                                                            


                                                    BACKGROUND                                                            
                     The invention at issue on appeal is a photoelectric conversion device, such as a                     
              solar cell, employing a substrate made of a flexible, organic material.  According to the                   
              appellants, the organic material features "high workability," (Spec. at 1), and is lighter                  
              than metal.  (Id. at 2.)                                                                                    







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