Appeal No. 2006-1139
Application No. 09/740,977
Beachem further discloses that the respective variations of each basic program
can be altered such that at least one of the five program variations for each of the basic
laundry program selections A-H will satisfy special laundering conditions.
We have carefully considered the evidence before us, including, inter alia, the
disclosure of Beachem and the arguments of appellants and the examiner, and we
conclude therefrom that Beachem does disclose the “slates,” as broadly set forth in
claims 2 and 16.
Beachem clearly teaches a laundry appliance comprising a CPU. Beachem’s
switches A-H activate a plurality of “slates,” in that each selection will activate a different
programmed set of laundry instructions, e.g., switch A represents “heavy laundry.” The
program associated with switch A provides for a plurality of cycles for operating the
laundry appliance. These cycles include at least one operational parameter of the
laundry appliance. Note that column 22, lines 20-63, describes how the “heavy laundry”
programs may have a variation for laundering bedspreads for hotel environments and
another variation for laundering tablecloths in restaurant environments. Also, these
variations may be “selected.”
Accordingly, we find that the subject matter of claims 2 and 16 is anticipated by
Beachem and we will sustain the rejection of these claims under 35 U.S.C. § 102 (b).
With regard to independent claim 1, this claim permits the creation of a new slate
by replacing a cycle with another cycle from another slate, and for editing an operational
parameter. Dependent claims 3, 6, 10, 17, and 20 contain a limitation also permitting the
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