Appeal 2007-1168
Application 10/211,407
and 0.028 inches, and a fiber diameter of between 1 and 5 microns. (Sorrick
at 4:17-20.)
32. The metric conversions of 0.016 and 0.028 inches are 0.04
and 0.07 cm, respectively.
33. According to Sorrick, the meltblown material must have a minimum
thickness to prevent destruction or damage to the layer during handling prior
to lamination and during the lamination process. (Sorrick at 2:3–8.)
34. Sorrick teaches further that "a standard layer of melt-blown material
requires at least 0.6 ounces per square yard for any significant stability of the
layer." (Sorrick at 4:51-54.)
35. According to Sorrick, the SMS substrate layer is a composite material
formed from groups of meltblown fibers interspersed between two groups of
spun bonded fibers. (Sorrick at 4:21–24.)
36. According to Sorrick, the three layers of the filter are "joined together
by needling to form an integrated layer of filter material." (Sorrick
at 2:47-49.)
37. Sorrick teaches that the needling creates holes [22] through the filter.
(Sorrick at 5:5–10.)
38. According to Sorrick, the holes increase the life of the filter because
small particles take longer to clog them; but the filter is less efficient.
(Sorrick at 5:10-13.)
39. Sorrick teaches that, due to differences in tension between the layers,
the holes will not remain precisely aligned, so meltblown fibers in the SMS
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