Ex Parte Ackerman et al - Page 14


                  Appeal 2007-0687                                                                                         
                  Application 10/797,422                                                                                   
             1           Giving the phrase “an assembled state” its broadest reasonable                                    
             2    interpretation, the Examiner found that the turbine components described in                              
             3    Spence and Hasz would necessarily be “assembled” when treated.  Answer                                   
             4    15.                                                                                                      
             5           The Appellants argue that the Examiner does not specifically point out                            
             6    where Spence or Hasz, either separately or in combination, teach or suggest                              
             7    that the turbine component is in an assembled state when it is treated.  Br.                             
             8    11.                                                                                                      
             9           The Appellants’ specification does not define “turbine component,”                                
           10     “component,” or “turbine component in an assembled state.”  Turning to The                               
           11     American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 273 (William                                       
           12     Morris ed., New College ed. 1976) (copy attached), “component” is defined                                
           13     as “A simple part, or a relatively complex entity regarded as a part, of a                               
           14     system; element; constituent.”                                                                           
           15            Spence describes coating a “turbine element” with the disclosed                                   
           16     alumina/silica sol.  Spence, col. 10, ll. 18-37.  We find that the “turbine                              
           17     element” described in Spence is a “turbine component” within the meaning                                 
           18     of claim 32.  The Appellants have failed to explain how the phrase “turbine                              
           19     component in an assembled state” distinguishes the claimed turbine                                       
           20     component from the turbine element described in Spence.  Moreover, there                                 
           21     is no reason to believe that the turbine element in Spence is not in an                                  
           22     “assembled state.”                                                                                       
           23            As a final note, we find that one of ordinary skill in the art would have                         
           24     recognized the advantages of treating a turbine component “in an assembled                               



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