Appeal 2006-2908
Application 10/370,840
Slide plate 14 can be mounted at various set points 22 in
accordance with the measured bow in the extrudate. Typically
the degree of bow in an extrudate is measured from the center
to ends. In FIG. 1, slide plate 14 is aligned with set points 22e,
which provides an intermediate amount of bow correction.
Setpoint 22a provides the minimum-correction position.
Conversely, setpoint 22h provides the maximum-correction
position.
Col. 3, ll. 7-20. Consequently, it can be seen that the size of the aperture is a
result-effective variable that controls the amount of bow correction.
As appreciated by the Examiner, the bow deflector device of Grover
does not comprise the claimed plurality of adjustable plates. Rather,
Grover’s device employs a single adjustable plate. However, as pointed out
by the Examiner, it has long been held that it is a matter of obviousness for
one of ordinary skill in the art to duplicate known structures or elements of
an apparatus or device. Accordingly, we concur with the Examiner that it
would have been obvious for one of ordinary skill in the art to either add an
additional adjustable plate to the device of Grover to effect greater control of
the aperture size and shape, or to break the plate of Grover into two or more
parts to provide more control of the dimensions for the aperture. We find
that this is particularly so since Grover expressly discloses that it was known
in the art to use more than one adjustable plate in a bow deflector device.
However, Grover articulates certain disadvantages of using more than one
adjustable plate, namely,
[w]hile this approach is sound in theory, problems have
been identified in practice and include high maintenance costs
from clogged and wore-down apertures causing extrudate flow
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Last modified: November 3, 2007