Appeal No. 2006-1098
Application No. 09/990,115
applying polyurethane on the substrate, wherein the
polyurethane is applied substantially only in the identified
areas wherein enhanced sound attenuation characteristics are
required.
The examiner relies upon the following references as
evidence of obviousness:
De Winter 6,071,619 Jun. 6, 2000
Leenslag et al. 6,335,379 B1 Jan. 1, 2002
(Leenslag) (filed Nov. 23, 1998)
Appellants’ claimed invention is directed to a method of
forming a sound attenuating laminate for use in automobiles and
the like. The method entails determining the acoustic
properties of the article, such as the firewall or dashboard of
an automobile, in order to identify areas of the article where
sound attenuation is necessary. A substrate is then formed in
the shape of the article and polyurethane is applied to the
substrate in the areas that were identified as needing enhanced
sound attenuation.
Appealed claims 1-26 and 52-72 stand rejected under
35 U.S.C. § 103(a) as being unpatentable over De Winter in view
of Leenslag.
We have thoroughly reviewed each of appellants’ arguments
for patentability. However, we are in complete agreement with
the examiner that the claimed subject matter would have been
obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art within the meaning
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