Appeal No. 2006-2982 Page 12
Application No. 10/458,112
In the reply brief, appellants essentially restate the same arguments
presented in the brief with respect to claim 29 [reply brief, page 11].
We note that Rizzo discloses magnetic material layers 26 and 30
where portions of the layers can also include a plurality of ferromagnetic or
superparamagnetic particles suspended in a non-magnetic matrix, such as
an epoxy, polymer, metal, or another suitable non-magnetic matrix material.
See Rizzo, ¶ 0038:
[0038] In another embodiment, portions of magnetic material
layers 26 and 30 can include an amorphous magnetic material or
a nanocrystalline magnetic material. Portions of magnetic
material layers 26 and 30 can also include a plurality of
ferromagnetic or superparamagnetic particles suspended in a
non-magnetic matrix. The non-magnetic matrix can include an
epoxy, polymer, metal, or another suitable non-magnetic matrix
material. An epoxy is a thermosetting resin capable of forming
tight cross-linked polymer structures characterized by
toughness, strong adhesion, and low shrinkage, and is used
especially in surface coatings and adhesives.
In particular, we find that the magnetic properties of Rizzo’s magnetic
“film” derive (in at least one embodiment) from the suspension of the
superparamagnetic particles within the non-magnetic material. Therefore,
we agree with the examiner that the instant claimed “magnetic film” broadly
but reasonably reads on Rizzo’s magnetic material layers 26 and 30 where
superparamagnetic particles are suspended in a non-magnetic material, such
as epoxy or polymer [Rizzo, ¶0038]. In addition, we agree with the
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