Appeal No. 2006-1038
Application No. 10/138,994
In this later regard, Holeschovsky discloses a tufted carpet
of the type taught by Irwin wherein the polyurethane adhesive
includes a non-Newtonian thickener as here claimed (e.g., see the
paragraph bridging columns 2 and 3) and wherein the adhesive may
be in the form of a froth foam as here claimed (e.g., see the
paragraph bridging columns 11 and 12). This polyurethane
adhesive with non-Newtonian thickener is disclosed not only as
suitable but advantageous due to the viscosity characteristics
provided by the non-Newtonian thickener (e.g., again see the
paragraph bridging columns 2 and 3 and also see the paragraph
bridging columns 4 and 5). For example, under the high shear of
application conditions, the viscosity is low which "allows the
reactive polyurethane to thoroughly penetrate exposed tufts and
primary backing, ensuring adequate tuft bind" whereas, "[u]nder
conditions of low shear, however, for example while traversing
the curing oven, the viscosity is quite high" (column 5,
lines 8-12).
In light of the respective teachings of these references, it
is the examiner's basic position that it would have been obvious
for one with ordinary skill in this art to provide the tufted
carpet of Irwin with an adhesive coating (e.g., see element 26 of
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Last modified: November 3, 2007