Appeal 2007-2140
Application 09/892,790
Patent 5,917,679
26. The Examiner based the rejection of claims 21, 30-32 and 41 on
the grounds that pads 108 and 120 of Nepela’s Figure 5c anticipate the
claims.
27. The Examiner’s reasoning is found at pages 5-9 of the March 1,
2007 Supplemental Answer.
E. Nepala
28. Nepela teaches at col. 2, ll. 41-50:
The negative pressure air bearing slider has two side rails
providing air bearing surfaces extending fully from the leading
edge towards the trailing edge of the slider, and a central pad at
the leading edge for providing an additional air bearing surface.
Relief vents are formed between the two side rails and the
central pad and extend from the slider leading edge to connect
to a central recessed cavity that extends from the central pad to
the trailing edge of the slider. The central recessed cavity
defines an effective negative pressure region.
29. Thus Nepela describes “a central pad at the leading edge for
providing an additional air bearing surface,” “a central recessed cavity that
extends from the central pad to the trailing edge of the slider,” and “[the]
central recessed cavity defines an effective negative pressure region.”
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