Interference No. 105,019
Correa v. Roberts
Lawson '278 are capable of being used to wrap around the edges of an undergarment
notwithstanding that that may not be the intended use of the flaps in Lawson '278.
Regarding claim 14, party Roberts admits and does not dispute that the recited (1) "a
liquid pervious topsheet," (2) "a liquid impervious backsheet joined with said top sheet," and (3)
"an absorbent core positioned between said top sheet and said backsheet" are present or disclosed
in the Lawson '278 reference. Claim 14 further recites: "at least one barrier element joined to
said topsheet." Roberts admits and does not dispute that the Lawson '278 reference discloses a
barrier cuff 62 joined to the topsheet 38 as shown in Figure 3. In that regard, we find that the
barrier cuff 62 is a barrier element. Claim 14 further recites: "said barrier element having a
proximal edge joined to said topsheet." Roberts admits and does not dispute that barrier cuffs 62
of the Lawson '278 reference each has a proximal edge 64 joined to the topsheet. Claim 14
further recites that the at least one barrier element has "a free edge spaced away from said
proximal edge and being free from securement to at least a portion of said topsheet." Roberts
admits and does not dispute that the distal edge 66 of the barrier cuff of the Lawson '278
reference is spaced away from the proximal edge and that the Lawson '278 reference discloses
that the distal edge 66 is preferably not secured to any element at least in the crotch region so that
it may be spaced away from the top surface 40 of the topsheet 38. Claim 14 further recites: said
at least one barrier element comprising an absorbent material for absorbing and containing body
fluids which contact said barrier element." Roberts admits and does not dispute that the Lawson
'278 reference discloses that the barrier cuffs may additionally be provided with absorbent means
to absorb and contain exudates which contact the barrier buff. On that basis, we find that the
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