Appeal No. 2004-1133
Application No. 09/796,253
group consisting of a chemical blowing agent, a blowing agent
mixture, and microspheres,” as recited in claim 1 on appeal (Brief,
page 9). This argument is not well taken since the examiner
specifically cites the portion of Masui that discloses such an
expanding step, as well as the citation to the portion of Masui
teaching the use of chemical foaming (blowing) agents (Answer,
paragraph bridging pages 5-6, citing col. 6, ll. 60-64, and col. 3,
ll. 42-56, respectively).
Appellant argues that Masui discloses a temperature range of
120 to 200°C. but does not disclose that the foamable material
should be heated to a series of different increasing temperatures
as recited in claim 2 on appeal (Brief, paragraph bridging pages 9-
10). This argument is not well taken since, as noted by the
examiner (Answer, page 6), the foamable material of Masui would
have to be subjected to a succession of higher temperatures as it
was being heated from an initial lower temperature to reach the
higher temperature range specified by Masui. We note that claim 2
does not limit or specify the time for heating at each different
temperature.
For the foregoing reasons and those stated in the Answer, we
determine that the examiner has established a prima facie case of
obviousness in view of the reference evidence. Based on the
6
Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Next
Last modified: November 3, 2007