Appeal No. 2004-1583
Application No. 09/760,962
The subject matter on appeal relates to a process for
preparing a nonwoven fabric. Further details of this appealed
subject matter are recited in representative claim 28 reproduced
from the May 8, 2003 amendment below:
28. A process of preparing a nonwoven fabric,
comprising:
forming a substrate of continuous multicomponent
fibers, said, continuous multicomponent fibers
comprising a plurality of individual components having
a portion exposed at an outer surface of the
continuous multicomponent fiber;
pattern bonding from about 5% to about 50% of the
surface area of the substrate of continuous
multicomponent fibers to form a bonded substrate; and
thereafter
entangling the bonded substrate wherein portions
of the individual components become separated from
said multicomponent fibers and further wherein said
multicomponent fibers and said components separated
therefrom become entangled to form an integrated
nonwoven web.
The examiner relies on the following prior art references
as evidence of unpatentability:
Haid et al. 5,240,764 Aug. 31, 1993
(Haid)
Baravian 5,355,565 Oct. 18, 1994
8), proposing the cancellation of claims 30 and 31 and changes
to claims 28, 29, 32, 33, 41, 42, and 45. The examiner
indicated in the interview summary mailed Jun. 4, 2003 (paper
10) that the amendment will be entered for purposes of this
appeal.
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