Appeal 2007-0906
Application 10/445,238
composite material onto the LCP layer; (3) curing the LCP and composite
layers; and (4) removing the layers from the tool in a manner substantially
corresponding to the claimed method (Answer 3; Clarke, col. 2, ll. 12-62,
col. 3, l. 54 – col. 5, l. 24, Fig. 1). While Clarke discloses that a variety of
available LCP materials can be used as a coating, including several
VECTRA products available from Hoechst Celanese, Clarke does not
explicitly describe the coating as being a multi-axially oriented LCP having
a softening temperature within the temperature range recited in
representative claim 11 and/or with a softening temperature as related to the
curing temperature as specified in representative claim 4 (Clarke, col. 3, l.
54 - col. 4, l. 13).
Regarding the required LCP coating material as specified in
representative claims 1 and 4, the Examiner additionally relies on Harvey to
evidence that multi-axially oriented LCP coating materials are known to
produce films having advantageous properties that are useful in making
laminate film composites (Answer 4; Harvey, Abstract, col. 2, ll. 12-46, col.
3, ll. 20-25, and col. 6, ll. 8-68). As indicated by the Examiner (Answer 8
and 9), Appellants acknowledge VectranTM is a known and available LCP
that is bi-axially oriented and has a softening temperature of about 110 to
120 degrees Centigrade (Specification 6).2 Furthermore, the Examiner has
determined that VectranTM is similar to an LCP material disclosed by Clarke
and Harvey (Answer 8 and 9).
1 The claim 1 term “about 177°C” defines a temperature range, albeit the
boundaries thereof may not be precisely defined.
2 It is axiomatic that admitted prior art, including prior art found in an
applicant’s Specification, may be used in determining the patentability of a
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