Ex Parte HoleschovskyDownload PDFBoard of Patent Appeals and InterferencesJan 14, 201011037269 (B.P.A.I. Jan. 14, 2010) Copy Citation UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE ____________________ BEFORE THE BOARD OF PATENT APPEALS AND INTERFERENCES ____________________ Ex parte ULRICH B. HOLESCHOVSKY ____________________ Appeal 2009-008135 Application 11/037,269 Technology Center 1700 ____________________ Decided: January 14, 2010 ____________________ Before: CATHERINE Q. TIMM, JEFFREY T. SMITH, and JEFFREY B. ROBERTSON, Administrative Patent Judges. TIMM, Administrative Patent Judge. DECISION ON APPEAL I. STATEMENT OF CASE Appellant appeals under 35 U.S.C. § 134 from a rejection of claims 7, 8, and 10-13. We have jurisdiction under 35 U.S.C. § 6(b). We AFFIRM. Appeal 2009-008135 Application 11/037,269 2 The invention is directed to a process for preparing a composite structure having a fabric or fiber backing partially penetrated and/or embedded by a urethane froth prior to curing into a urethane foam (Spec. 1, ll. 8-18). The composite structure is useful as an underlay for flooring applications or as a sound absorbing layer (Spec. 5, ll. 16-24). Claim 7 and 11-13, reproduced below, are illustrative of the claimed subject matter: 7. A process for the production of a composite structure comprising: A) applying a reactive urethane froth to an open weave, natural or synthetic fabric or backing having fibers, wherein the reactive urethane froth comprises: (1) at least one polyisocyanate component, (2) at least one isocyanate-reactive component, (3) at least one non-Newtonian thickener, and (4) at least one catalyst; B) passing the fabric or backing coated with the reactive urethane froth under a doctoring device such that the urethane froth at least partially penetrates and/or embeds the fibers of the fabric or backing; and C) curing the urethane froth. 11. The process of Claim 7, wherein (2) said isocyanate- reactive component of the urethane froth comprises one or more polyoxyalkylene polyols having an intrinsic unsaturation of less than about 0.015 meq/g. 12. The process of Claim 7, wherein (3) said non-Newtonian thickener is selected from the group consisting of precipitated calcium carbonate, finely divided clay, precipitated silica, fumed silica, vegetable gum, modified cellulose, polyacrylic acid polymers, copolymers with acrylates and other unsaturated monomers, and mixtures thereof. Appeal 2009-008135 Application 11/037,269 3 13. The process of Claim 7, wherein (3) said non-Newtonian thickener is selected from the group consisting of inorganic particulates having BET surface areas greater than 10 m2/g, organic thickeners and mixtures thereof. The prior art relied upon by the Examiner in rejecting the claims on appeal is: First Named Inventor Patent Number Issue Date Terry Hutton Haubennestel Holeschovsky US 3,700,515 US 3,867,325 US 4,857,111 US 6,171,678 B1 Oct. 24, 1972 Feb. 18, 1975 Aug. 15, 1989 Jan. 9, 2001 Thomas F. Irvine, Jr. & Massimo Capobianchi, Non-Newtonian Flows, in The Handbook of Fluid Dynamics, 22-1 to 22-3 (Richard W. Johnson ed., 1998) (hereinafter “the Handbook”). Claims 7, 8, and 10 stand rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 102(b) as being anticipated by Terry as evidenced by the Handbook.1 Claim 11 stands rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 103(a) as being obvious over Terry as evidenced by the Handbook and further in view of Holeschovsky.2 Claim 12 stands 1 The Examiner states the rejection as over Terry alone, but further relies upon the Handbook in support of anticipation (Final Rej. 6; Ans. 8). As evidenced by Appellant’s arguments, the nature of the Examiner’s reliance upon the Handbook is understood by Appellant and not objected to (Reply Br. 2). Therefore, we treat the anticipation rejection as over Terry as evidenced by the Handbook. 2 For all the obviousness rejections, the Examiner relies upon Terry and the Handbook, in the same capacity as in the anticipation rejection and Appellant’s arguments with regard to Terry and the Handbook parallel those made against the anticipation rejection. Therefore, we also treat the Appeal 2009-008135 Application 11/037,269 4 rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 103(a) as being obvious over Terry as evidenced by the Handbook and further in view of Hutton. Claim 13 stands rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 103(a) as being obvious over Terry as evidenced by the Handbook and further in view of Haubennestel. We select independent claim 7 to represent the group of claims 7, 8, and 10. We address the rejections of claims 11-13 separately. II. ANTICIPATION – CLAIM 7 A. ISSUE ON APPEAL Appellant contends that Terry’s teaching of using asbestos, zinc oxide, clay, feldspar or the like constitute a teaching of “conventional fillers” which is distinguishable from the non-Newtonian thickeners claimed and described in Appellant’s Specification (Br. 5). Appellant further contends that Terry’s use of the term thixotropic is a misnomer because, in disclosing a thixotropic composition having an initial Brookfield viscosity between about 30,000 and 100,000, Terry in fact teaches a composition with a dynamic viscosity (Reply Br. 2). According to Appellant, the Handbook referenced by the Examiner teaches that a composition with a dynamic viscosity is a Newtonian fluid (Reply Br. 2). The Examiner contends that the Appellant’s definition of “non- Newtonian thickener” encompasses the thixotropic (i.e., non-Newtonian) fillers disclosed in Terry and that the claimed thickener is not limited to the specific example thickeners disclosed in Appellant’s Specification (Ans. 8). A first issue on appeal arising from the contentions of Appellant and the Examiner is: has Appellant shown that the Examiner reversibly erred in obviousness rejection as over Terry as evidenced by the Handbook in addition to the Examiner further stated references. Appeal 2009-008135 Application 11/037,269 5 rejecting claim 7 because Terry does not teach a non-Newtonian thickener as recited in claim 7? B. FACTUAL FINDINGS Appellant’s Specification teaches a “non-Newtonian thickener” may be “any thickener which exhibits a substantial inverse relationship between shear and viscosity” and includes precipitated calcium carbonate, finely divided clays and precipitated and fumed silicas as examples (Spec. 10, ll. 1-10). Terry teaches that “[a] suitable filler must be added in amounts sufficient to render the overall composition thixotropic to the desired degree but less than that which will cause the composition to become paste-like” and includes asbestos, zinc oxide, clay, and feldspar, alone, or mixed with silica or calcium carbonate (Terry, col. 3, l. 75 to col. 4, l. 13). Terry teaches that it is desirable to prevent migration of the composition into exposed yarn while permitting it to be spread by means of a doctor knife (Terry, col. 3, ll. 3-7). Terry states that migration cannot be prevented merely by increasing the viscosity of the composition, but that it is necessary that the composition be thixotropic (Terry, col. 3, ll. 14-17). Terry teaches that the thixotropic composition must have an initial Brookfield viscosity between about 30,000 and about 100,000 cps as measured on a Brookfield Viscometer, #7 spindle (Terry, col. 3, ll. 3- 5)(emphasis added). The Handbook teaches that a thixotropic (or pseudoplastic time- dependent) fluid is a common class of non-Newtonian fluids. The Handbook teaches that an important characteristic of a Newtonian fluid is that the dynamic viscosity is independent of the shear rate and that non- Appeal 2009-008135 Application 11/037,269 6 Newtonian fluids do not obey this property. However, it does not state that a composition having a dynamic viscosity is necessarily a Newtonian fluid. (Handbook, at 22-2.) C. PRINCIPLES OF LAW “To anticipate a claim, a prior art reference must disclose every limitation of the claimed invention, either explicitly or inherently.” In re Schreiber, 128 F.3d 1473, 1477 (Fed. Cir. 1997). When a claimed product appears to be substantially identical to a product disclosed by the prior art, the burden is on the Applicant to prove that the product of the prior art does not necessarily or inherently possess characteristics or properties attributed to the claimed product. In re Spada, 911 F.2d 705, 708 (Fed. Cir. 1990). D. ANALYSIS The Handbook makes clear that thixotropic compositions are a type of non-Newtonian composition, and this fact appears to be undisputed by Appellant (see Reply Br. 2). Rather, Appellant asserts that despite clearly disclosing a thixotropic composition, the composition taught by Terry, in fact, uses Newtonian fillers. However, we find Appellant’s evidence to be unpersuasive. To the contrary, the evidence weighs in favor of the Examiner’s contrary reasoning, namely, that the composition taught by Terry is thixotropic because of the addition of the filler. Terry specifically states that the filler must be added in amounts sufficient to render the overall composition thixotropic. Because it is the filler that renders the composition thixotropic (non-Newtonian), Terry’s filler is necessarily a non-Newtonian filler. Appeal 2009-008135 Application 11/037,269 7 We consider the disclosure of an initial Brookfield viscosity to be insufficient evidence to conclude that the composition taught by Terry is not Newtonian, i.e., not thixotropic. Appellant’s own definition of a non- Newtonian composition dictates that the composition would have a first or initial viscosity when no shear is applied and a lower viscosity when shear is applied to the material. Thus, the disclosure of a measurable initial viscosity, which is presumably measured at a particular shear, is not sufficient evidence to conclude that the composition is necessarily Newtonian. Appellant points to equation 22.1 on page 22.2 of the Handbook to support the assertion that dynamic viscosities are characteristic of Newtonian fluids. While the Handbook teaches that Newtonian fluids have a linear relationship between shear stress and dynamic viscosity, there is nothing in the teachings of this equation to suggest that the disclosure of an initial viscosity necessarily means that the composition is Newtonian. Without further evidence, we are not willing to ignore the repeated teachings in Terry which disclose a desire for a thixotropic (i.e., non- Newtonian) composition. III. CLAIM 11 – TERRY IN VIEW OF HOLESCHOVSKY A. ISSUE ON APPEAL Appellant further contends that one of ordinary skill in the art would not expect and could not predict the effect of substituting the low unsaturation polyols taught by Holeschovsky for the polyols in the process taught by Terry. In particular, one of ordinary skill in the art would not have expected the degree of improved tensile strength and tear strength shown in Appellant’s Specification (comparing Example 1 and Comparative Example Appeal 2009-008135 Application 11/037,269 8 1) from the slight increase in tensile strength and tear strength taught by Holeschovsky (Table 4, Examples C6 and 13). Also, one of ordinary skill in the art would not have expected the decrease in elongation shown in Example 1 of Appellant’s Specification from the increase in elongation taught by Table 1 of Holeschovsky. (Br. 9-10.) The Examiner responds that it is the improvement in tensile strength and tear strength taught by Holeschovsky which provides the motivation to combine the low unsaturated polyols of Holeschovsky to the process taught by Terry. The Examiner also indicates that the fact that Appellant recognizes other advantages naturally flowing from the combination cannot be the basis for patentability when the differences would otherwise be obvious. (Ans. 9.) A second issue on appeal arising from the contentions of Appellant and the Examiner is: has Appellant shown that the Examiner reversibly erred in rejecting claim 11 by failing to establish, prima facie, that one of ordinary skill in the art would have a reasonable expectation of success in using the low unsaturated polyols of Holeschovsky in the process taught by Terry? B. FACTUAL FINDINGS It is undisputed that Holeschovsky teaches an increase in tensile strength and tear strength (Br. 9; Ans. 9). The data found in Table 2 on page 16 of Appellant’s Specification shows improved tensile strength and tear strength and reduced elongation in a composition of the present invention (Example 1) containing low unsaturated polyols (Polyol A) and a non-Newtonian thickener (Aerosil 200) over a comparative composition (Comparative Example 1) containing low Appeal 2009-008135 Application 11/037,269 9 unsaturated polyols (Polyol A) but without the non-Newtonian thickener (Aerosil 200) (Spec. 14, Table 1 and ll. 4-6; Spec. 16, ll. 4-6 and Table 2). It is established above that Terry teaches a process using a non- Newtonian thickener (Terry, col. 3, l. 75 to col. 4, l. 13). Holeschovsky also teaches the use of finely divided clays (limestone, dolomite) and precipitated calcium carbonate as fillers, which are example non-Newtonian thickeners identified by Appellant’s Specification (Holeschovsky, col. 5, ll. 9-16; Spec. 10, ll. 1-10). The data found in column 10, Table 4 of Holeschovsky shows improved tensile strength and tear strength and improved elongation for the composition of Example 13 containing low unsaturated polyols (Polyol H) and calcium carbonate (a non-Newtonian thickener) over a comparative Example C6 containing calcium carbonate (a non-Newtonian thickener) but without the low unsaturated polyols (polyol H) (Holeschovsky, col. 5, ll. 9- 6; col. 9, ll. 49-63; col. 10, Table 4). C. PRINCIPLES OF LAW One way to establish a prima facie case of obviousness is to show that “the prior art would have suggested to one of ordinary skill in the art that [the claimed process] should be carried out and would have a reasonable likelihood of success viewed in light of the prior art. Both the suggestion and the expectation of success must be founded in the prior art, not in the applicant’s disclosure.” In re Dow Chem. Co., 837 F.2d 469, 473 (Fed. Cir. 1988) (citations omitted). “‘[T]he expectation of success need only be reasonable, not absolute.’” PharmaStem Therapeutics, Inc. v. ViaCell, Inc., 491 F.3d 1342, 1364 (Fed. Cir. 2007) (quoting Pfizer, Inc. v. Apotex, Inc., 480 F.3d 1348, 1367–69 (Fed. Cir. 2007)). Appeal 2009-008135 Application 11/037,269 10 “[E]ven though applicant’s modification results in great improvement and utility over the prior art, it may still not be patentable if the modification was within the capabilities of one skilled in the art, unless the claimed ranges 'produce a new and unexpected result which is different in kind and not merely in degree from the results of the prior art.'” See In re Huang, 100 F.3d 135, 139 (Fed. Cir. 1996) (quoting In re Aller, 220 F.2d 454, 456 (CCPA 1955)). D. ANALYSIS We agree with the Examiner that the improvements to tensile strength and tear strength due to the inclusion of low unsaturated polyols taught by Holeschovsky would be sufficient evidence of a reasonable expectation of similar success when the same low unsaturated polyols were added to the process taught by Terry. Thus, the Examiner has established a prima facie case of obviousness. The burden thus shifted to Appellant to show that the results of adding low unsaturated polyols to the invention of Terry would provide superior and unexpected results over a prior art composition (Terry) having no such low unsaturated polyols. The data provided in Appellant’s Specification is not sufficient evidence to prove unexpected results. Appellant’s data shows only superior results due to the addition of a non-Newtonian thickener over a composition without such a thickener. Appellant’s data does not speak to any improvement due to the addition of low unsaturated polyols, since both the comparative example and the present invention example both include a low unsaturated polyol. Moreover, the data provided by Holeschovsky explicitly demonstrates that an improvement in tensile strength and tear Appeal 2009-008135 Application 11/037,269 11 strength due to the inclusion of low unsaturated polyols would have been a result well known to one of ordinary skill in the art. Likewise, it is of no moment that Appellant’s data shows adding a non-Newtonian thickener to reduce elongation while Holeschovsky’s data shows adding low unsaturated polyols to improve elongation. Appellant’s data cannot be used to show that a reduction in elongation would have been unexpected by the inclusion of low unsaturated polyols in the process taught by Terry, since both the comparative example and the present invention example both include a low unsaturated polyols. IV. CLAIM 12 – TERRY IN VIEW OF HUTTON A. ISSUE ON APPEAL The Examiner relies on the teachings of Hutton to show the advantage of using precipitated calcium carbonate as the particular type of calcium carbonate taught by Terry, specifically, an improvement in the physical stress/strain of the carpet taught by Terry (Ans. 10). Appellant contends that (a) there is no motivation to use a filler suitable for use in a PVC product taught by Hutton in the polyurethane carpet product taught by Terry; (b) Hutton teaches away from using precipitated calcium carbonate by recognizing that precipitated calcium carbonate is more expensive than other fillers; (c) Terry also teaches away from using calcium carbonate alone due to the higher amount of calcium carbonate needed to achieve a desirable thixotropy, as evidenced by Examples 2 and 3 of Terry; (d) the advantage of a smoother and higher gloss finish are not desirable to a carpet backing because a particular finish is not necessary nor is the advantage to impact strength desirable to the carpet Appeal 2009-008135 Application 11/037,269 12 backing of Terry; and (e) the teachings of Hutton would merely instruct one of ordinary skill in the art to use PVC polymers (Br. 11-13). The Examiner responds that claim 12 does not require the use of calcium carbonate alone and that the teachings of Terry include the use of calcium carbonate when incorporated with other fillers (Ans. 11). A third issue on appeal arising from the contentions of Appellant and the Examiner is: has Appellant shown that the Examiner reversibly erred by failing to provide a sufficient reason for one of ordinary skill in the art to use the precipitated calcium carbonate taught by Hutton as the calcium carbonate taught by Terry considering the teachings of the advantages and disadvantages taught by the references? B. FACTUAL FINDINGS Appellant’s Specification teaches the use of calcium carbonate as both a non-Newtonian thickener and a filler (Spec. 10, ll. 1-10; 13, l. 23). Terry teaches that, while the use of calcium carbonate alone is undesired since high concentrations are needed to attain a desired level of thixotropy, calcium carbonate can be mixed with asbestos, zinc oxide, clay, feldspar or the like and used in the process taught by Terry (Terry, col. 4, ll. 7-13). Example 1 of Terry uses 15 pounds of asbestos and 100 pounds of calcium carbonate, among other ingredients, and produces a sufficiently thixotropic carpet backing. Comparative Examples 2 and 3 do not produce a sufficiently thixotropic carpet backing. Comparative Example 2 uses no asbestos and 100 pounds of calcium carbonate. Comparative Example 3 also uses 15 pounds of asbestos and 100 pounds of calcium carbonate but Appeal 2009-008135 Application 11/037,269 13 used a different temperature which caused a severe drop in viscosity. (Terry, col. 5, ll. 44-47; col. 6, ll. 1-3, 13-18, 31-33, 52-54, and 68-75). The background section of Hutton teaches that precipitated calcium carbonate fillers are generally more expensive than ground natural chalks or limestone but have in the finished article improved physical properties compared to those achieved using larger particle size filler materials. These improved physical properties include a smoother finish, a higher gloss, a reduced tendency to white scratch when subjected to an abrasive, and improved impact strength. (Hutton, col. 1, ll. 36-51.) Hutton teaches the use of calcium carbonate as a preferred filler (Hutton, col. 2, ll. 3-11). C. PRINCIPLES OF LAW “[I]f a technique has been used to improve one device, and a person of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that it would improve similar devices in the same way, using the technique is obvious unless its actual application is beyond his or her skill.” KSR Int'l Co. v. Teleflex, Inc, 550 U.S. 398, 417 (2007). A reference may be relied upon for all that it would have reasonably suggested to one having ordinary skill in the art, including non-preferred embodiments. Merck & Co v. Biocraft Labs., 874 F.2d 804, 807 (Fed. Cir. 1989) (“all disclosures of the prior art, including unpreferred embodiments, must be considered.”) (quoting In re Lamberti, 545 F.2d 747, 750 (CCPA 1976)). “[T]he question is whether there is something in the prior art as a whole to suggest the desirability, and thus the obviousness, of making the combination,” not whether there is something in the prior art as a whole to suggest that the combination is the most desirable combination available. In re Fulton, 391 F.3d 1195, 1200 (Fed. Cir. 2004). Appeal 2009-008135 Application 11/037,269 14 A reference “teaches away” when it suggests that the developments flowing from its disclosures are unlikely to produce the objective of the Appellant’s invention. See In re Gurley, 27 F.3d 551, 553 (Fed. Cir. 1994). Disclosed examples and preferred embodiments do not constitute a teaching away from a broader disclosure or non-preferred embodiments. In re Susi, 440 F.2d 442, 446 n.3 (CCPA 1971); Fulton, 391 F.3d at 1201 (explaining “[t]he prior art’s mere disclosure of more than one alternative does not constitute a teaching away from any of these alternatives because such disclosure does not criticize, discredit, or otherwise discourage the solution claimed”). D. ANALYSIS Neither the teachings of Terry nor the teachings of Hutton teaches away or discourages one of ordinary skill in the art from the use of precipitated calcium carbonate in the process taught by Terry. To the contrary, Terry teaches that calcium carbonate is a preferred filler when used with another filler. Further, Hutton provides evidence that one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that precipitated calcium carbonate would predictably improve the process of Terry in the same way it improves the process of Hutton due to its smaller particle size. We agree with the Examiner that claim 12 uses open “comprising” language which does not restrict the use of calcium carbonate as the only filler. Thus, if the precipitated calcium carbonate is used as the calcium carbonate taught by Terry, the modified composition would not fall outside the scope of the claimed invention merely because asbestos is also used as a filler. Appeal 2009-008135 Application 11/037,269 15 The Examiner finds that Hutton’s broad teaching of improved physical properties in a resinous material via the smaller particle size of precipitated calcium carbonate would have served as motivation to one of ordinary skill in the art to have incorporated the precipitated calcium carbonate as the form of calcium carbonate in the method taught by Terry (Ans. 10). Appellant’s assertion that the particular improvements would not be desirable for a carpet backing is speculative and fails to adequately rebut the Examiner’s reasoning. The fact of the matter is that the use of precipitated calcium carbonate filler, as shown by the prior art, had known and predictable effects on resinous materials due to its smaller particle size. Use of the filler for those known and predictable effects would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art. Finally, any additional expense incurred by using precipitated calcium carbonate would not discourage one of ordinary skill in the art from making the substitution proposed by the Examiner. “That a given combination would not be made by businessmen for economic reasons does not mean that persons skilled in the art would not make the combination because of some technological incompatibility.” In re Farenkopf, 713 F.2d 714, 718 (Fed. Cir. 1983) (reference does not teach away from addition of inhibitor to an Angiotensin I standard solution or composition, where reference indicated that adding inhibitor “can be costly”). V. CLAIM 13 – TERRY IN VIEW OF HAUBENNESTEL A. ISSUE ON APPEAL Appellant contends that one of ordinary skill in the art reading Haubennestel would not have been motivated to use highly dispersed silica Appeal 2009-008135 Application 11/037,269 16 because Haubennestel teaches that dispersed silica in the absence of hydroxyfunctional carboxamide is not effective (Br. 13-14). The Examiner responds that Haubennestel has a broad teaching that silica having the claimed BET surface area is known in the art for achieving thixotropy and that claim 13 does not exclude the use of hydroxyfunctional carboxamide in addition to the dispersed silica (Ans. 11-12). A fourth issue on appeal arising from the contentions of Appellant and the Examiner is: has Appellant shown that the Examiner reversibly erred in concluding that one of ordinary skill in the art would have used the dispersed silica having the BET surface area recited in claim 13 as a filler in the process taught by Terry because Haubennestel does not teach the use of dispersed silica without the use of hydroxyfunctional carboxamide? B. FACTUAL FINDINGS Terry teaches that, while the use of silica alone is undesired since high concentrations are needed to attain a desired level of thixotropy, silica can be mixed with asbestos, zinc oxide, clay, feldspar or the like and used in the process taught by Terry (Terry, col. 4, ll. 7-13). The background section of Haubennestel broadly teaches the use of highly dispersed silica having a BET surface area of about 50 to 400 m2/g is well known to those of ordinary skill in the art (Haubennestel, col. 1, ll. 15- 25). Yet, in the invention of Haubennestel, the desired thixotropy is achieved using hydroxyfunctional polycarboxylic acid amides in addition to the dispersed silica (Haubennestel, col. 3, ll. 19-56; col. 11, ll. 10-22). C. PRINCIPLES OF LAW The principles of law presented above with respect to claim 12 are equally relevant to deciding the present issue with respect to claim 13. Appeal 2009-008135 Application 11/037,269 17 D. ANALYSIS For the cogent reasoning provided by the Examiner, we find Appellant’s arguments unpersuasive (Ans. 11-12). Haubennestel broadly teaches that the use of silica as claimed was well known in the art without any qualifications. Further, even if the teaching of Haubennestel was limited to using carboxamide in combination with the highly dispersed silica, Haubennestel does not teach away from the use of dispersed silica as claimed. Claim 13 uses open “comprising” language and, as such, does not exclude the use of fillers in addition to the recited dispersed silica. VI. CONCLUSION For the reasons discussed above, we sustain the Examiner’s rejections of: claims 7, 8, and 10 under 35 U.S.C. § 102(b) as being anticipated by Terry as evidenced by the Handbook; claim 11 under 35 U.S.C. § 103(a) as being obvious over Terry as evidenced by the Handbook and further in view of Holeschovsky; claim 12 under 35 U.S.C. § 103(a) as being obvious over Terry as evidenced by the Handbook and further in view of Hutton; and claim 13 under 35 U.S.C. § 103(a) as being obvious over Terry as evidenced by the Handbook and further in view of Haubennestel. VII. DECISION We affirm the Examiner’s decision. VIII. TIME PERIOD FOR RESPONSE No time period for taking any subsequent action in connection with this appeal maybe extended under 37 C.F.R. § 1.136(a)(1)(iv). AFFIRMED cam Appeal 2009-008135 Application 11/037,269 18 BAYER MATERIAL SCIENCE LLC 100 BAYER ROAD PITTSBURGH, PA 15205 Copy with citationCopy as parenthetical citation