Appeal No. 2004-1523
Application 09/506,920
With regard to the rejection under 35 U.S.C. § 102(e), we
note that independent claims 1 and 34 are directed to an
apparatus for folding a moving web wherein the apparatus
includes, inter alia, a first holder mechanism joined to a first
guide member to control a first portion of the web by drawing and
tightening the web against a first entrance edge of a first blade
member during the folding operation. Independent claim 35 is
also directed to an apparatus for folding a moving web which
includes a first holder mechanism similar to that set forth in
claims 1 and 34, but which is said to be configured such that the
above-noted tensioning force generates a reflex bend in a side
portion of the moving web about said first entrance edge of said
first blade member. In the examiner’s view, the sheet folding
apparatus of Smithe is fully responsive to that set forth in
independent claims 1, 34 and 35 on appeal and generally includes
a first blade member (48) which can operatively engage and fold a
first portion of a moving web; the first blade member having a
first entrance edge (Figure 1, edge under roller 18); a first
guide member (60) joined to the first blade member and having a
longitudinally extending folding edge (62) oriented parallel to
the feed path (20); and a first holder mechanism (26) joined to
4
Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Next
Last modified: November 3, 2007