Appeal 2007-1389
Application 10/790,898
II. DISCUSSION
A. Issue
The dispositive issue arising from the contentions of the Examiner and
Appellants is whether Lu describes a composite article having “large scale
predictable dimensional stability” as claimed (see Claims 1 and 11).
B. Facts
1. The clause “large scale predictable dimensional stability” is
recited in the preamble of claims 1 and 11, the independent
claims.
2. The clause “large scale predictable dimensional stability” is
defined in the Specification as referring to “the ability of a
segment of shaped sheet-like substrate to retain substantially its
predicted dimensions after being subjected to a heated
environment of 150°C or less for 60 minutes or less and then
returned to ambient temperature.” (Specification 8:1-4).
3. The “predicted dimensions” are dimensions resulting from
known or predictable shrinkage or expansion that takes place
during curing of the radiation curable composition
(Specification 12:24 to 13:17). The term “predictable”
dimensional stability is intended to take into account such
shrinkage or expansion because the master used to impart the
microstructure on the surface of the curable layer is easily made
oversized to produce predictable dimensions in the cast
polymer after curing (Specification 13:7-15).
3
Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Next
Last modified: September 9, 2013