Appeal 2007-2483
Application 09/899,183
development of cold spots.24 Zhao notes that the especially thin neck of the
second embodiment provides additional thermal insulation. Zhao also
recommends using materials with relatively low thermal conductivity to
enhance the insulating effectiveness of the neck, particularly stainless steel
and PTFE.25
Differences between the prior art and the claims
Mitsubishi contends that Li does not teach a cooling block in physical
contact with a portion of the spray nozzle adjacent to the plate.26 This
contention is true if the narrow definitions that Mitsubishi urges for "nozzle"
and "adjacent" are correct.
Mitsubishi also contends that Li has no heat conduction restriction
region.27 The examiner appears to concede28 that—
Fig. 2 of Li illustrates a middle portion (where
thermocouple 32 is located) that is positioned between and
connects the lower heated portion of Li's vaporizer with the
cooled upper portion of the vaporizer. Li does not disclose the
middle portion as designed or intended to act as a heat
conduction restricting region, and in view of the schematic
nature of patent drawings it is not clear from Li's Fig. 2 that the
middle portion is a heat conduction restricting region.
We are not convinced that Li does not teach a heat conduction
restriction region. A reference must be evaluated from the perspective of
24 Zhao 7:34-43 and 9:29-35.
25 Zhao 9:29-35. We note that PTFE is polytetrafluoroethylene, a heat-
resistant plastic. Cf. Spec. 12:11-14, recommending the heat conduction
restricting means be formed of, inter alia, stainless steel or heat-resistant
plastic.
26 Br. 4.
27 Br. 4-5.
28 Ans. 4.
9
Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Next
Last modified: September 9, 2013