Appeal No. 2005-0067
Application No. 08/853,842
DE ’283 describes a catalytic exhaust gas purification
device comprising a porous, honeycomb-shaped monolithic ceramic
body (3) with a catalytically effective surface coating,
arranged in a metallic exterior housing (1) with front-sided,
conical exhaust gas inlet and outlet pipes (2), wherein a
thermally insulating resilient mat (preferably an expansion mat)
(4) is placed between the exterior housing wall and the ceramic
body (3) and a thermally insulating mat (5) is placed on the
interior side of the exhaust gas inlet and outlet cones (2) and
is covered by a high temperature resistant shielding plate (6).
(Pages 1 and 9.)
Similarly, DE ’070 discloses a device for the catalytic
purification of automobile engine exhaust gases including a
housing (2), at least one monolith (4), spacer mat (16), a
conical transitional section (8), and an insulating mat (20)
disposed between the inner surface of the transitional section
(8) and an interior shell (12). (Pages 11-13 and Figure 1.)
Regarding the rejection of appealed claims 8, 9, 24, 25,
27, and 28, the examiner admits that neither DE ’283 nor DE ’070
discloses the “provision of...slits on the sheet material of the
end cone.” (Answer at 4.) Nevertheless, the examiner held (id.
at 5):
5
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