Appeal 2006-2901
Application 10/245,088
Appellants’ invention is directed to a doctor blade in combination with
a movable surface. For example, doctor blades are used in combination
with paper making machines to remove water from elastic belts employed in
the machine. According to Appellants, the provision of a doctor blade made
with a resin impregnated fibrous laminate having a specified void content is
advantageous. In this, regard, such a doctor blade is reported by Appellants
as being easily adaptable to a mating member contacting surface and allows
for improved water removal capability, increased durability and reduces
abrasive damage to the mating member while maintaining shape retention.
See paragraph 0016, p 3-4 of Appellants’ Specification. Claim 1 is
illustrative and reproduced below:
1. In combination with a movable surface, a doctor blade for
removing water from said movable surface, the doctor blade being disposed
in sliding contact with said movable surface and comprising a fibrous
laminate impregnated with resin, and having a void content between 50%
and 80%.
The Examiner relies on the following prior art reference to show
unpatentability:
Koase (as translated) JP 56-20697 Feb. 26, 1981
Carrier US 6,643,890 Nov. 11, 2003
Claims 1 and 3 stand rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 102(b) as being
anticipated by Koase (JP 56-20697)1. Claims 2 and 4 are rejected under 35
U.S.C. § 103(a) as being unpatentable over Koase in view of Carrier.
1 Our references to Koase in this decision are to the English language
translation, of record.
2
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