Appeal 2007-2154
Application 10/374,773
As part of the background of the claimed invention, Appellants say
that “a fugitive or disposable pattern, such as a wax, polystyrene or other
commonly used fugitive pattern material, of the article to be cast is made by
injection molding a fluid pattern material in a die corresponding to the
configuration of the article to be cast.” This is reported to be known as the
“‘lost wax’ process of investment casting” and is used for making a replica
or “fugitive pattern” of the article to be cast (Specification 1). Appellants’
claimed invention is directed to a pattern material for making a fugitive
pattern. The material includes a substantially random interpolymer1 and
another polymer wherein the proportionality of these two polymers is such
that the pattern material is injection moldable so as to provide pattern
properties for making a casting mold. Claim 1 is illustrative and is
reproduced below:
1. A pattern material for making a fugitive pattern of an article to be cast
of a metal or alloy, comprising;
A) a substantially random interpolymer, and
B) a polymer other than said interpolymer,
wherein A) and B) are present in proportion that said pattern material is
injection moldable to provide pattern properties for making a casting mold.
The Examiner relies on the following prior art reference as evidence
in rejecting the appealed claims:
Betso US 6,524,702 B1 Feb. 25, 2003
1 Appellants define the term “interpolymer” as a polymer made from the
polymerization of at least two different monomers. Interpolymers include
copolymers, terpolymers, etc. (Specification 8).
2
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