Appeal 2007-2421
Application 10/289,793
FINDINGS OF FACT
A. JFE’s ‘793 Specification
1) JFE’s ‘793 specification states that hot-dip plating is a known
method of continuous plating for a metal strip. (Specification, p. 1).
2) JFE ‘793 states that the hot-dip process involves introducing the
metal strip into a molten metal bath wherein the molten metal adheres
to the surface of the strip. (Id. at 2).
3) JFE ‘793 states that hot dip metal strip processing methods
have long used submersed support rolls to control warp and vibration
of metal strips during processing. (Id. at 9-10).
4) JFE ‘793 alleges that dross adheres to the submersed support
rolls and metal strips and becomes a defect of the metal strip and that
regular shut down of the lines is necessary for maintenance and
replacement of the submersed rolls. (Id. at 3).
5) JFE ‘793 states that support rolls located outside of the metal
bath can suppress vibration in the metal strip and that magnetic forces
may be used to control the shape of the metal strip. (Specification, p.
28, Example 4 and Fig. 18).
B. Prior Art
1. Kawamura, JP 11-100651
6) Kawamura is directed to a continuous hot dip metal coating
device that has gas wiping nozzles for regulating the amount of metal
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