Appeal 2007-4313
Application 10/286,172
We base our understanding of this prior art solely on the admissions in
Murata's specification. (Specification (Spec.) 1-4 and FIGS. 6 & 7.)
Murata's FIG. 6 (right) shows a
basic plating apparatus 1 with a
plating solution 2 in a plating
bath 3 and with cathodes 4 and
an anode 5. A container 7 in
the bath 2 holds plating
pieces 6. A vertical shaft 8
permits agitation of the
container 7 and pieces 6 to
ensure more even plating.
Murata explains that cathodes 4 tend to accumulate
deposits 9. See FIG. 7 (left). The smooth cathodes 4
of the prior art develop protuberances 10 in the
deposit 9 at the edges of the cathodes 4. The
protuberances 10 interfere with the agitation of the
pieces 6 and prevent adequate contact with the cathodes 4. The admitted
prior art lacks the claimed improvement of providing at least one recess in
the otherwise flat upper surface of the cathodes.
The Oesterle patent
Oesterle discloses using an electrochemical process to remove heavy
metal from natural soil. (Oesterle 1:1-9.) Oesterle maximizes the surface
area of the cathode, while minimizing its footprint inside the limited space
with the reaction tank, by introducing grooves into the face of the cathode.
5
Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Next
Last modified: September 9, 2013