Appeal 2007-1675
Application 10/158,708
INTRODUCTION
The claims are directed to a polymeric plumbing fixture, e.g. a sink,
lavatory or tub (Specification 1: ¶ 0001). Claims 1, 6 and 27 are illustrative:
1. A polymeric plumbing fixture having a desired configuration, the
fixture comprising:
a continuous polymeric shell thermoformed from an extruded,
calendered or cast polymeric sheet, said shell having a predetermined shape
and size, and an underside;
a continuous polymeric cap thermoformed from an extruded,
calendered or cast polymeric sheet, said cap substantially conforming to the
shape and size of the shell;
a substantial portion of the shell being nestable inside a substantial
portion of the cap;
and an intermediate layer applied to the underside of the shell while
the shell is inverted, the intermediate layer comprising a cross-linkable
polyester resin, a cross-linking agent and a chopped fibrous filler that bonds
the shell, cap and intermediate layer into an integral structure conforming to
the desired configuration of the fixture when the cap is inverted and pressed
into seated, contacting engagement with the intermediate layer and cured.
6. The fixture of claim 1 wherein the fixture is a sink.
27. The fixture of claim 6, further comprising a plurality of adjustment
rails.
The Examiner relies on the following prior art references to show
unpatentability:
Schulz US 3,673,617 Jul. 4, 1972
Wimmer US 3,720,540 Mar. 13, 1973
Sauter US 5,016,297 May 21, 1991
Bortz US 4,289,717 Sep. 15, 1981
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