Appeal 2007-2030
Application 10/482,842
or PVA glue) (Finding of Fact 1). Thus, giving the claims their broadest
interpretation in light of the Specification, we construe “first glue” and “second
glue” to mean two different glues with the respective properties recited in the plain
language of independent claims 10 and 18.
A. Rejection of claims 1-6, 11-13, and 15-17 under 35 U.S.C. § 103(a) as
unpatentable over Erkkila in view of Schlueter.
Erkkila teaches a method and apparatus for end-to-end joining of paper roll
cores wherein “the abutting core end surfaces . . . or at least one of them, is treated
in a conventional manner with a glue of appropriate grade such as latex dispersion
glue.” (Findings of Fact 2-3). Because the Specification describes a dispersion
glue as one example of a glue that would possess the properties of the claimed
“second glue” (Finding of Fact 1), Erkkila meets the claim limitation for a “second
glue” (Finding of Fact 3). However, Erkkila fails to describe “applying a strand of
a first glue to at least a part of the width of the end joint surface of one of the
cylindrical sleeves, the first glue having properties that cause fixing of the end joint
surfaces of the sleeves within a first time period” (Finding of Fact 6). Instead,
Erkkila teaches that a “previous joint remains rigidly clamped within the clamp
sleeve structure, whereby the glue in the joint is given a sufficient time to set while
the joint is subjected to both an axially applied abutting force and a radially applied
compression that performs trueing of the joint shape.” (Finding of Fact 4). Erkkila
thus uses mechanical restraint, rather than a first glue by itself, to fix the end joint
surfaces together to hold the two ends in place while the second glue dries.
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