Appeal No. 2006-0711
Application No. 10/407,020
deposits, while vom Schemm does not address the question of
optimizing flow of the medium through the grooves or the problem
of carbon deposits (id.). Appellants further argue that the
embossed recesses 32 to 35 in Figures 2 and 3 of vom Schemm
“clearly show the opposite dimensional geometry” as recited in
claim 1, namely deep and narrow embossed recesses so that a width
is “significantly smaller” than a total depth of each groove
(id.).
Appellants’ arguments are not well taken. As correctly
found by the examiner (Answer, pages 3-4), the combination of
references teach every limitation as recited in claim 1 on
appeal. We note that appellants have not contested the
examiner’s finding that vom Schemm discloses helical grooves with
a trapezoidal profile and the groove is configured to allow
return of a medium toward the interior space (Answer, page 3;
Brief, page 4). Accordingly, appellants’ argument that vom
Schemm does not address the question of optimizing flow of the
medium through the grooves is not well taken since this reference
specifically teaches that the embossed recesses or grooves
“surprisingly improves the ... oil returning effect of the shaft
seal ring 20” (col. 4, ll. 34-38; see the Answer, page 3).
Furthermore, it is well settled that references need not be
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