Appeal No. 2005-1451 Page 2
Application No. 09/833,546
INTRODUCTION
The claims are directed to an endless seamed flexible belt. The belt has a seam formed
by interlocking mating elements, i.e., a puzzle cut seam (specification, p. 9, ll. 6-7), and the seam
includes an adhesive including an alcohol-soluble polyamide such as a polyamide with methoxy,
ethoxy, or hydroxy pendant groups (specification, p. 15, l. 15 to p. 16, l. 17). Typical
commercially available alcohol-soluble polyamides suitable for use include Luckamide® 5003
from Dai Nippon Ink, CM4000® and CM8000® from Toray Industries, Ltd., Nylon® 8, and other
N-methylene methoxy pendant polyamides (specification, p. 16, ll. 17-23). Claim 1 is
illustrative of the subject matter on appeal:
1. An endless seamed flexible belt comprising a first end and a second
end, each of the first end and the second end comprising a plurality of mutually
mating elements which join in an interlocking relationship to form a seam, the
belt comprising a substrate and the seam comprising an adhesive comprising an
alcohol-soluble polyamide.
As evidence of unpatentability, the Examiner relies upon the following prior art
references:
Sakakibara et al. (Sakakibara) 5,663,283 Sep. 03, 1997
Parker et al. (Parker) 5,721,032 Feb. 27, 1998
Fuller et al. (Fuller) 6,096,470 Aug. 01, 2000
Landis et at., “Handbook of Thermoset Plastics” 2nd Ed., (1998) p. 426
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