Appeal No. 2006-0711
Application No. 10/407,020
namely improving the return flow of medium through the grooves to
the interior space. See In re GPAC Inc., 57 F.3d 1573, 1577,
35 USPQ2d 1116, 1120 (Fed. Cir. 1995). As discussed above, vom
Schemm is concerned with improving the oil returning effect of
the recesses or grooves to the oil side “a” of the seal (col. 4,
ll. 32-38). Similarly, von-Arndt is concerned with “a good
return flow of medium being sealed toward the space being sealed”
(col. 2, ll. 50-51; and col. 4, ll. 42-47). Accordingly, the
combination of references as proposed by the examiner is proper
(Answer, page 5). The examiner has not relied upon von-Arndt for
any teaching of a “sealing disc” (Answer, page 4) as this feature
has already been disclosed by vom Schemm (Answer, page 3).
Contrary to appellants’ characterization of the grooves of the
applied prior art as “internal” or “external,” we note that both
the grooves of vom Schemm and von-Arndt are grooved surfaces on a
sealing ring facing the surface to be sealed (see Figures 2 and 3
of vom Schemm and Figures 1-3 of von-Arndt).
For the foregoing reasons and those stated in the Answer, we
determine that the examiner has established a prima facie case of
obviousness in view of the reference evidence. Based on the
totality of the record, including due consideration of
appellants’ arguments, we determine that the preponderance of
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