Appeal 2007-0098
Application 10/169,909
into a film-like structure in the embossed areas. [Emphasis
added.]
Radwanski goes onto teach (col. 4, ll. 16-27) that:
The use of hydraulic entangling techniques, to mechanically
entangle (e.g., mechanically bond) the fibrous material, rather
than using other bonding techniques, including other
mechanical entangling techniques such as needle punching,
provides a composite nonwoven fibrous web material having
increased web strength and integrity, and allows for better
control of other product attributes, such as absorbency, wet
strength, hand and drape, printability, abrasion resistance,
barrier properties, patterning, tactile feeling, visual aesthetics,
controlled bulk, etc. [Emphasis added.]
Given the above recognition of the advantage of employing a
combination of conventional bonding techniques, i.e., thermal bonding (light
bonding) and hydraulic entanglement, for bonding air-formed wood pulp
fibers and synthetic fibers, we concur with the Examiner that the prior art
references as a whole would have led one of ordinary skill in the art to
employ such bonding techniques, motivated by a reasonable expectation of
successfully bonding and improving the properties of the multi-layered
nonwoven absorbent fabric taught by Schilkowski. In reaching this
determination, we consider the Appellant’s argument that one of ordinary
skill in the art would not have employed the above bonding combination to
the air-formed multi-layered nonwoven fabric taught by Schilkowski. See,
e.g., the Reply Brief, pages 1-3. However, the Appellant has not proffered
any objective evidence to contradict the evidence relied upon by the
Examiner.
9
Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Next
Last modified: September 9, 2013