Appeal 2006-2165
Application 10/652,958
We AFFIRM.
INTRODUCTION
Appellant claims a bearing component made of polymeric material
including an antimicrobial agent for inhibiting growth of microorganisms
(claim 20). The bearing component may be a bearing housing for use in
food, beverage and pharmaceutical manufacturing equipment and processes
(Specification 5-6). Appellant indicates that the antimicrobial agent in the
bearing component prevents growth and proliferation of bacteria, fungi and
microorganisms on the bearing housing, which is advantageous for bearing
housings used in the food and beverage industries (Specification 1, 13).
Claim 20 is illustrative:
20. A bearing component comprising:
a body made of a moldable polymeric material including an
antimicrobial agent for inhibiting growth of microorganisms.
The Examiner relies on the following prior art references as evidence
of unpatentability:
Richardson US 4,005,917 Feb. 1, 1977
Kernes US 4,932,948 Jun. 12, 1990
Blackburn US 4,968,323 Nov. 6, 1990
Seabrook US 5,554,373 Sep. 10, 1996
Ward I1 US 6,089,758 Jul. 18, 2000
Ward II US 6,623,169 B2 Sep. 23, 2003
1 Roman numerals have been added to the inventors name to differentiate
between the Ward patents US 6,089,758 and US 6,623,169 B2.
2
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