Appeal No. 2006-1872
Application No. 09/769,376
INTRODUCTION
The subject matter of the claims relates to a resin substrate for optical use and suitable as
a liquid-crystal cell substrate (specification, p. 1, ¶ 1). According to the specification, in a liquid-
crystal cell substrate, surface smoothness is a concern. This is because high surface roughness
tends to result in alignment defects, such as Williams domains, which considerably influence
display quality including contrast and visibility (specification, p. 1, ¶ 2). Appellants’ claims are
directed to structures that have a surface roughness Ra of 0.8 nm or lower. Claim 1 is
illustrative:
1. A liquid-crystal cell substrate which comprises a multilayer structure having a
surface roughness, Ra, of 0.8 nm or lower on at least one side and having an average
thickness of from 100 to 800µm, wherein the multilayer structure comprises a layer of a
cured epoxy resin as a base layer.
The Examiner relies on the following prior art references to show unpatentability:
Kon et al. (Kon) 6,136,444 Oct. 24, 2000
(filed: Feb. 1, 1996)
Beeson et al. (Beeson) 6,261,664 Jul. 17, 2001
(filed : Oct. 4, 1999)
Sugawa et al. (Sugawa) 6,500,518 Dec. 31, 2002
(filed: May 6, 1999)
The rejections maintained by the Examiner are as follows:1
1. Claims 1, 4, and 5 are rejected under the judicially created doctrine of obviousness-type
double patenting as being unpatentable over claim 1 of Sugawa.
2. Claims 1 and 3-6 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 102(e) as anticipated by Sugawa.
3. Claims 1 and 3-5 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 102(e) as anticipated by Kon.
1 The Examiner withdrew a rejection under 35 U.S.C. § 112, ¶ 2 (Answer, § 6 on page 2).
2
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