Appeal No. 2005-2487
Application 08/900,254
We observe that the claim is drawn to a method including:
(1) a step of forming a single fibrous web from undrawn and drawn synthetic
fibers (i.e. a mixed fiber non-woven web);
(2) a step of pre-heating the fibrous web; and
(3) a step of calendering the pre-heated single fibrous web
(3a) between non-heated profiled calender rolls
(3b) in a single calendering step
(3c) without subsequent re-heating.
The appellant’s claim, utilizing “wherein” clauses and negative limitations, also
states that, during the calendering step:
(4) the undrawn fibers in the single fibrous web are bonded
(4a) in a tension-free manner to form a non-woven fabric
(4b) without using flat bonding
(4c) without inhomogeneities, and
(4d) spacers are formed in the non-woven fabric
to thereby form the filter material. (Appeal Brief, September 24, 2005, page 13,
Appendix A; Examiner’s Answer, October 4, 2005, page 3).
The scope of the terms “flat bonding,” “spacers,” “without inhomogeneities,” and
“tension free” are as noted above.
Keeping these claim limitations in mind, we analyze the appellant’s contentions.
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