Appeal 2007-0687
Application 10/797,422
1 state,” such as preventing deposition of the alumina precursor in unnecessary
2 or unwanted areas of the component.
3 4. Claims 26 and 363
4 Claim 26 reads as follows:
5 The method of claim 23 wherein the infiltrated aluminum
6 alkoxide is thermally converted to finely divided alpha alumina.
7
8 Spence teaches using aluminum alkoxide as an alumina precursor.
9 Spence, col. 5, ll. 11-17. However, the Examiner found that the combined
10 teachings of Spence and Hasz do not expressly disclose that aluminum
11 alkoxide is thermally converted to finely divided alpha alumina. The
12 Examiner found that Ceramics and Glasses discloses that alpha alumina may
13 be produced by heating hydrates of alumina. The Examiner also found that
14 the process described in Ceramics and Glasses is the same as the claimed
15 process. Since the claimed process results in finely divided alumina, the
16 Examiner found that the alpha alumina described in Ceramics and Glasses
17 must also be finely divided. Answer 8.
18 The Appellants argue that Ceramics and Glasses does not teach or
19 suggest that the alpha alumina formed would be finely divided. The
20 Appellants also argue that the Examiner improperly relied on the
21 Appellants’ disclosure to establish that the alpha alumina described in
22 Ceramics and Glasses would necessarily be finely divided. Br. 12.
23 The Appellants disclose that thermally heated aluminum alkoxides are
24 typically converted to finely divided alpha alumina. Specification, p. 13, ll.
25 31-32. This disclosure is a statement of chemical fact which may be relied
3 The Appellants argue claims 26 and 36 as a group.
15
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