Ex Parte Hardwick - Page 4

                Appeal 2007-1124                                                                             
                Application 10/349,639                                                                       
                            For the reasons discussed below, we answer both of these                         
                      questions in the negative.  Accordingly, we reverse as to all four                     
                      grounds of rejection.                                                                  
                                RELEVANT FINDINGS OF FACT (“FF”)                                             

                   1)  The term “bevel” refers to the angle or inclination of a line or                      
                      surface that meets another at any angle but 90°.  The American                         
                      Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, (4th ed. 2006).  See                      
                      Answer, 9 n.1.                                                                         
                   2) Smith discloses a method and apparatus for making a solid                              
                      vinyl tile on which a decorative layer of print has been embossed.                     
                      Col. 3, ll. 34-37.                                                                     
                   3) Smith’s method includes the steps of transferring a layer of                           
                      print 19 from a preprinted release paper to a plastisol layer 14,                      
                      laminating the print and plastisol layers to a continuous base web 31,                 
                      embossing the laminate in register with the print, tile cutting in                     
                      register with the embossing and print, beveling the cut tiles and                      
                      applying a urethane coating.   See col. 3, ll. 42-53.                                  
                   4) Smith discloses that the beveling step results in smooth edges.                        
                      Col. 7, ll. 35-36.                                                                     
                   5) Ehrhart discloses a rigid tile having a flexible interlocking edge                     
                      configuration.  Abstract.                                                              
                   6) The edges of Ehrhart’s tile are made of a flexible grout material                      
                      such as a urethane and interlock by means of a tongue and groove or                    
                      shiplap configuration.  Col. 2, ll. 5-8.                                               



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