Appeal No. 2006-2375
Application No. 10/283,198
unsaturated monomer mixture containing a (meth)acrylic ester,
such as methyl or ethyl acrylate or methacrylate. The coating
film of the references also comprises the presently claimed
clear coat composition. Although the base coat compositions of
the references are not limited to a resin derived from
(meth)acrylate ester containing one or two carbon atoms in an
amount of at least 65% by weight, as presently claimed, the
references disclose classes for the (meth)acrylic ester
containing one or two carbon atoms, and ranges which include at
least 65% by weight. For instance, Jouck discloses that the
base composition may comprise 47-99 weight percent (meth)acrylic
ester, Schwarte teaches a base coat comprising 40-90 weight
percent of the ester, and Berdeke discloses 30-83.9 weight
percent of the ester. Accordingly, we find that each of the
primary references establishes the prima facie obviousness of
formulating a base coat comprising the claimed resin in an
amount of at least 65% by weight. Furthermore, we agree with
the examiner that Bigley would have provided further motivation
for one of ordinary skill in the art to select a (meth)acrylic
ester containing one or two carbon atoms. As pointed out by
the examiner, Bigley "teaches that C1, C2, and C4
alkyl(meth)acrylates are cheaper and available in higher
-4-
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