Appeal No. 2005-1943
Application No. 09/091,508
We also note that in column 5 of Pall ‘923, beginning at
line 4, Pall teaches that it is understood that any type of
filter element can be employed for the primary and reserve filter
elements as the system may require. Pall teaches that the filter
element need not be in corrugated form although it is desirable
because higher dirt capacity and higher filtrate flow rate result
from the greater surface area of the element, thus providing a
greater surface area for flow through a small envelope. Pall
‘923 also teaches, in column 5, at lines 42-54, that flow
conditions of all kinds can be met by appropriate design. Pall
‘923 also recognizes the importance of differential pressures in
connection with protecting the filter elements. See column 4,
lines 70 through column 5, line 2.
In view of the above, we agree with the examiner that one of
ordinary skill in the art would appreciate design choices (such
as pressure differential as a function of various parameters
including length and diameter of the fluid flow path) in making a
separation element.
With regarding to additional arguments found in the reply
brief, beginning on page 1 of the reply brief, appellants argue
that Pall ‘923 discloses a primary filter and a reserve filter
but the primary and reserve filters do not include open joiner
caps and do not function as a single longer element. Appellants
argue that joiner end caps are end caps that can be connected to
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