Appeal No. 2005-0247 Page 11
Application No. 10/171,657
As mentioned regarding the prior point of contention, supra, at some point in time
during the growth of the bubbles generated by the heater element, an opening in the
middle of the growing bubbles would constitute a virtual chamber. Because the heater
element 12 is located in the ink-filled print cavity 21, Fig. 1, moreover, we find that the
virtual chamber will contain ink.
Later during growth, the bubbles will "coalesce or stick together . . . at the center
during bubble growth. The bubbles 26a, 26b grow into a single pillow-shaped bubble 22
(see FIG. 2) so that the momentum is directed toward the nozzle 19. . . . " Col. 3, ll. 55-
59. Bounded by the surface 11 of the substrate 10 on the bottom, and the pressure
from ink flowing into the print cavity 21 via the ink flow channel 20 on the sides, the ink
previously contained in the virtual chamber will be forced toward the nozzle and then
"ejected in an energy-efficient manner," id. at l. 60, therefrom. Therefore, we affirm the
obviousness rejection of claim 13 and of claims 1, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12, 14-19, 24, 25, and 27,
which fall therewith.
2. CLAIMS 2-5, 8, 10, 20, 23, AND 26.
Rather than arguing the rejections of claims 2-5, 8, 10, 20, 23, and 26 separately,
the appellants rely on their aforementioned arguments. (Appeal Br. at 9-10.)
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