Appeal 2007-2062
Application 10/360,263
(1) Schneider discloses coating compositions having improved mar
and scratch resistance, where the composition includes particles
added to a film-forming resin, and the film-forming resin is
formed by reaction of a polymer containing functional groups with
a curing agent (Abstract; ¶ [0002], [0013], and [0020]);
(2) Schneider teaches that the particles have a size range of about 0.1
to 15 microns (¶ [0008] and [0025]);4
(3) Schneider teaches that, for average particle sizes “smaller than 1
micron” TEM can be used to determine the average particle size (¶
[0026]);
(4) Schneider teaches that the size of the particles can affect the level
of mar and scratch resistance as well as appearance, and in
automotive clear coating compositions where appearance is
particularly relevant, low particle sizes are useful; Schneider
further teaches that one skilled in the art can optimize particle size
(¶ [0034]);
(5) Schneider teaches another embodiment of the invention where
“nanoparticles” are also incorporated into the particle-containing
polymer coating composition, and these nanoparticles include
organic and inorganic particles with an average particle size of 0.8
to less than 500 nm, such as between 10 and 100 nm (¶ [0036]);
4 Schneider discloses this range of “average particle sizes” (¶ [0025]) while
claim 1 on appeal recites a “mean particle size.” Neither Appellants nor the
Examiner comment on these terms (see the Brief, Reply Brief, and Answer
in their entirety). Therefore, for purposes of this appeal, we consider these
terms to be equivalent.
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