Appeal 2006-2439
Application 09/986,446
invention to perform the method of filtering molten metal using the device
of Takayuki that comprises a deep-bed filter in the second filtering step
(Answer 3).
Appellants argue that it would not have been obvious to a person of
ordinary skill in the art to modify the arrangement of Takayuki, because the
arrangement of Gesing is completely different from that of Takayuki (Br.
10). Appellants assert "it is only the inventors herein who discovered the
special benefits that arise from the particular kinds of filters and their
arrangement relative to the grain refining material feed that are set forth in
claims 12 and 24" (Br. 10).
Appellants' arguments are not persuasive. The present record
indicates that persons of ordinary skill in the art recognized that metal melts
could be filtered during casting processes (Specification 1). The present
record also indicates that various types of filters were known for filtering
metal melts including loose bed filters (Specification 2 and 3). The Gesing
reference has been relied upon by the Examiner as further evidence of what
is recognized by persons of ordinary skill in the art. In particular, Gesing
discloses that metal melts could be processed through multiple filters
including a loose (deep) bed filter which are suitable for removing inclusions
from the molten metal (Col. 4, ll. 9-17). Takayuki describes a device and
method for removing inclusions from molten metal, which employs multiple
filters. As such, persons of ordinary skill in the art would have recognized
that molten metal melts could have been filtered in a device that comprised
multiple filters including a second loose-bed filter. It is recognized that
Takayuki discloses a preference for a "disposable" second filter. However, a
person of ordinary skill in the art would have recognized that the function of
4
Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 Next
Last modified: November 3, 2007