Appeal 2007-2133
Application 10/790,502
curing by, in this case, cross-linking, are disclosed (id. 24:19 to 25:11 and
Table 3).
Thus, on this record, the terms “epoxy nitrile resin” and “coating
precursor” include at least the fluid, reactive precursor compositions as
disclosed which when crosslinked, provide a solid epoxy nitrile resin. The
Specification discloses that such precursor compositions “can be applied
using coating techniques . . . apparent to persons of ordinary skill in the art,”
including roller coating, brushing, spraying, and screen printing, “to one or
both sides of the fuel cell plate . . . as cover-all coating or in selected
continuous or discontinuous patterns depending on the insulating and sealing
requirements” (Specification 21:2-10).
We now consider the phrases “cross-link in response to infrared
radiation” and “infrared radiation to initiate polymerization or cross-
linking,” and the term “generally ambient temperature” used in connection
therewith in product claims 29 and 36. Appellants disclose that epoxy nitrile
resin reactive precursor compositions are “typically cured by exposure to
elevated temperature for a sufficient time to effect cross-linking of the
reactive components and to volatilize the solvents” (Specification 18:15-17).
The examples of epoxy nitrile resin reactive precursor composition samples
which were “applied to steel plates were cured in a forced air (convection)
oven for about 10 minutes at about 180°C; the samples applied on graphite
composite fuel cell plates were also cured in the forced air oven, but were
cured at about 140C° for at least 30 minutes” (id. 25:7-10). In this respect,
Appellants also disclose that since “the coating precursor is capable of
polymerizing (curing) in response to exposure to energy, the method also
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