Appeal 2007-1207
Application 10/703,917
converting the unknown coefficients into known
coefficients in accordance with the data acquired from the
experiments;
converting the provisional plasticized-resin temperature
estimating mathematical expression into a complete plasticized-
resin temperature estimating mathematical expression using the
known coefficients; and
estimating a current temperature of the plasticized resin
within the heating cylinder by substituting data for the selected
plasticizing conditions into the complete plasticized-resin
temperature estimating mathematical expression.
The reference
The examiner rejected claim 1 over a patent to Searle.4 Searle is
concerned with controlling the temperature within the feed assembly of an
injection-molding machine, both to bring it up to temperature from a cold
start and to tune the temperature in steady-state operation.5 Searle explains
that, in the art, plastic for injection molding enters a feed barrel in granular
form, where it is melted in preparation for injection. In this process,
temperature control is critical to bring the temperature up to a set point
without overshooting. It is also desirable to have the system "autotune" the
temperature for steady-state operation.6
The examiner points7 to Searle's discussion of melting plastic in the
heating tube 8 to show that Searle estimates the plastic resin temperature.
Searle discloses that:
4 J.G. Searle et al., "Injection molding machine temperature control system",
U.S. Patent 5,397,515 (granted 14 March 1995).
5 Searle, abstract.
6 Searle at 1:9-22.
7 Answer at 9.
8 Searle at 3:20-34.
3
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Last modified: September 9, 2013