Appeal No. 2003-0540 Page 7
Application No. 09/737,001
With respect to the inner layer, the original disclosure teaches (1) that the inner
layer is comprised of a high acid (i.e. greater than 16 weight percent acid) ionomer resin
or high acid ionomer blend (p. 10); and (2) specific disclosed ionomer resin examples
have a Shore D hardness of 40, 42, 45, 48, 50, 57, 64, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73,
74, 76 and 77 (pp. 13-15, 18 and 21-22).
With respect to the thickness of the outer layer, the original disclosure teaches
that the outer layer is about 0.010 to about 0.050 (about 0.254 mm to about 1.270 mm)
in thickness (p. 35). With respect to the difference in hardness between the first and
second ionomer resins being at least 5 in Shore D hardness, the original disclosure
teaches that a hard inner cover layer is molded about a core and a comparatively softer
outer layer is molded over the inner layer (p. 35).
In our view, the above-noted portions of the original disclosure do provide written
description support for the outer layer having a thickness of at least 0.4 mm as recited
in claims 9 and 10. In that regard, a thickness of 0.4 mm for the outer layer is within the
range of possible thicknesses taught by the appellant. Thus, we conclude that the
appellant had possession of an outer cover thickness of at least 0.4 mm. In addition, it
is our opinion that the above-noted portions of the original disclosure do provide written
Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Next
Last modified: November 3, 2007