Appeal No. 2004-0160
Application No. 09/939,993
Chimera likewise discloses a device that responds to many
limitations of the appealed claims. Again using claim 1 as a
guide, Chimera discloses a device for drying a moist region of a
person’s body comprising, a housing 10 having an air inlet 14 and
an air outlet 16, an electric fan 22 mounted within the housing, so
as to blow air toward the air outlet, an electric power source 20
connected to the electric fan, and an end nozzle protruding from
the air outlet. Chimera discloses a variety of end nozzles for use
with the dryer device thereof, including the Figure 2 end nozzle
that includes a brush 33 at the end thereof. It reasonably appears
that in the event the outermost end of the air outlet is blocked
air would vent to the atmosphere, at least to some degree, from
between the bristles of the brush of Chimera’s Figure 2 end nozzle.
In light of appellant’s disclosure on page 10 of the specification
regarding various nozzle structures that correspond to the claimed
“means for venting,” the examiner should consider whether the
Figure 2 end nozzle of Chimera is the same as or an equivalent of
any of appellant’s nozzle structures.
The examiner should also consider whether it would have been
obvious to incorporate an end nozzle structure like that disclosed
in Caruso at elements 82-86 in the dryer of Chimera for the purpose
of preventing excessive back pressure, it being noted in this
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