Appeal 2007-2175
Application 10/315,464
Wurtz is directed to a feeder for feeding with controlled volumetric
and relative gravimetric accuracy substantially dry, free-flowing materials.
Wurtz describes gravimetric feeders as “very complex equipment which
weigh the material delivered and, through complex controls, adjust the
equipment as required to give the gravimetric accuracy desired.” (Wurtz,
col. 3, ll. 1-4).
According to the Examiner the mandrel of Jahn is a type of feeder and
mixer mechanism. To meet the claim’s requirement of a transport
arrangement situated to receive the fibrous material and binder from the
feeder, the Examiner relies upon the conveyor belt and air-jet system of
Hergeth. The Examiner recognizes that the mandrel of Jahn is not a
gravimetric feeder mechanism as claimed (Answer 7-8). To remedy this
deficiency, the Examiner turns to Wurtz, a reference describing a
gravimetric feeder, and concludes “[i]t would be obvious [sic; would have
been obvious] to one skilled in the art to modify the apparatus taught by
Jahn 884 and Hergeth 886 with Wurtz 268’s gravimetric feeder.” (Answer
8.)
The Examiner has not adequately explained why and how one of
ordinary skill in the art would have incorporated Hergeth’s conveyors and
air-jets, a loose fiber feeding system, into Jahn’s reinforced composite
forming apparatus, a system that wraps fiber and binder on a mandrel and
places the mandrel in a mold. The fibers on the mandrel of Jahn are not
loose fibers capable of being conveyed and blown.
Nor has the Examiner adequately explained how one of ordinary skill
in the art would have incorporated a gravimetric feeder into the apparatus.
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Last modified: September 9, 2013