Appeal No. 2003-0606
Application No. 09/281,837
Schirmer does not, as recognized by the examiner, disclose that
the aqueous solution which coats the inner surface of the tube
comprises a water-soluble polysaccharide ether. However, there
is no dispute that Salzinger discloses contacting the surface of
a film with an aqueous solution of a water-soluble polysaccharide
ether for the purpose of imparting anti-fogging and anti-static
properties to the film. Consequently, since Schirmer teaches
utilizing the films for packaging applications, such as meat, we
are persuaded by the examiner's reasoning that one of ordinary
skill in the art would have found it obvious to treat the
packaging film of Schirmer with the water-soluble polysaccharide
ether of Salzinger "in order to provide a functional coating
which exhibits anti-fogging and anti-static properties" (page 5
of Answer, line 2). As pointed out by the examiner, Schirmer
expressly teaches that the heated fluid which contacts the inner
surface of the extruded tube can be a functional coating (see
column 4, lines 8-11).
Appellants cite Savage as evidence that it was known in the
art that water-soluble cellulose ethers gel at temperatures of
45-50°C and, therefore, "a person skilled in the art would not
use them in Schirmer's process where the heated water was
maintained at temperatures between 183°F (83.8°) and 204°F
-4-
Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Next
Last modified: November 3, 2007