Ex Parte Steenburg - Page 25



           Appeal 2006-1865                                                                         
           Application 09/660,433                                                                   
           Patent 5,802,641                                                                         

           recapture analysis, North American Container has clarified the application of the        
           three-step framework analysis.  North American Container holds that the “inner           
           walls” limitation (a portion of the issued claim that was added to the rejected claim    
           by amendment) was “subject matter that was surrendered during prosecution of the         
           original-filed claims.”  415 F.3d at 1350, 75 USPQ2d at 1557.                            
                 It is believed that the Substep (3)(a) rationale of the Eggert majority (1) is     
           not consistent with the rationale of the Federal Circuit in North American               
           Container and (2) should no longer be followed or be applicable to proceedings           
           before the USPTO.                                                                        

















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