Appeal 2006-1593
Application 09/737,413
Appellants’ invention relates to a transfix member, and an image
forming apparatus, such as a printing machine, that includes such a transfix
component (Specification 1). According to Appellants, “a transfix or
transfuse member uses heat associated with the transfer member in order to
both transfer and fix or fuse the developed image to a copy substrate”
(Specification 2). Appellants’ transfix component device is disclosed as
including a substrate or core, an optional intermediate layer and an outer
layer including a delaminated nanocomposite. The delaminated
nanocomposite is said to be made from a silicone elastomer and a mica-type
layered silicate employed in the outer layer (Specification 7-8). Appellants
provide that a heating source (member) can be associated with the transfix
substrate (Specification 11). Claim 20 is illustrative and reproduced below:
20. A transfix member comprising:
a) a transfix substrate, and thereover
b) a conformable intermediate layer comprising a
polymeric material, and having thereron
c) an outer transfix layer comprising a mica-type layered
silicate and silicone elastomer, said silicone elastomer
and said mica-type layered silicate together forming a
delaminated nanocomposite, and
d) a heating member associated with said transfix substrate.
The Examiner relies on the following prior art references as evidence
in rejecting the appealed claims:
Badesha ‘643 US 5,846,643 Dec. 8, 1998
Swift US 6,381,436 Apr. 30, 2002
Badesha ‘504 US 6,482,504 Nov. 19, 2002
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