Appeal 2007-1902
Application 09/398,006
6-7). In this respect, the Examiner contends Gaudin illustrates a variety of
belt configurations of cord layers of varying widths (id. 7). On this basis,
the Examiner concludes one of ordinary skill in the art would have selected a
suitable belt assembly as suggested by the references (id.). The Examiner
contends, with respect to the claim limitation the outermost cord layer is 1.0-
1.2 times the width of the middle cord layer, that Farnsworth Figs. 3b-c
illustrate an arrangement in which the high angle outermost cord layer
covers and extends beyond the end of the middle cord layer falling within
the claimed range (id. 7-8).
The Examiner contends the evidence beginning on page 54 of the
Specification, Table 2
can only show that improved cut resistance is obtained by
providing an outermost [cord layer] having a width greater than
the position of the grove under which the property is measured
– the table does not provide a showing of unexpected results for
the outermost [cord layer] having a width between 1.0 and 1.2
times the width of the middle [cord layer]. This is to be
expected since one would not expect improved resistance if the
relevant reinforcement [cord] layer (outer most belt [cord]
layer) does not even extend beyond the point under which a
given property is measured (as is the case in Comparative
Examples 7 and 8). In fact, Examples 15 and 16 result in the
best cut resistance– [sic] in these examples, though, the
outermost cord layer has a width that is actually smaller than
the middle cord layer (same structure as Figure 1 of
Farnsworth).
Answer 8 (emphasis omitted).
The Examiner contends Kohno discloses a similar tire construction
wherein the steel cords of the outermost cord layer of the belt are coated
with rubber having a compression modulus greater than 200 kgf/mm2, in
order to prevent the cords from moving and causing local load buckling, and
6
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