Appeal 2007-1169
Application 09/850,857
invention. We have jurisdiction over the appeal pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §
6(b).
STATEMENT OF THE CASE
Applicant’s invention relates to panels used as decorative building
materials, such as panels used to replace conventional vinyl siding.
(Specification p. 2, ll. 8-10). According to Applicant, there is considerable
commercial interest in “durable, lightweight building materials which are
impact and weather resistant.” (Id. at p. 2, ll. 14-15).
Applicant states that prior art panels are typically made up of single or
double layers of polymers that contain a variety of additives such as
pigments. (Id. at p. 2, ll. 17-20). Applicant states that its invention is
directed to a three-layer panel that is economical, has high impact strength
and a high heat distortion temperature and has enhanced scrap reclamation.
(Id. at p. 3, ll. 1-4). In particular, Applicant’s invention is directed to a
composite panel having an inner and outer impact modified polymer layer
formed of polyvinyl chloride (“PVC”) polymer and a center layer. The
center layer may be formed from calcium carbonate filled PVC, foamed
PVC, a combination of foamed and calcium carbonate filled PVC,
chlorinated PVC, polystyrene-PVC blend and regrind. (Br 9).
There are four independent claims on appeal, claims 1, 6, 7, and 8,
each of which is directed to a panel with three layers where a center layer is
coextruded with the inner and outer layers through a multi-manifold die.
Claim 1 is representative of the claims on appeal and reads as follows:
2
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