REVERSED

1600 Biotechnology and Organic Chemistry
Ex Parte Krawitz SPIEGEL 103(a) 37 C.F.R. 41.50(b) DILWORTH & BARRESE, LLP

It is a matter of obviousness for one of ordinary skill in the art to combine two or more materials, such as the known antioxidants disclosed by Kosbab, when each is taught by the prior art to be useful for the same purpose. Kerkhoven, 626 F.2d at 850; In re Crocket, 279 F.2d 274, 276-77 (CCPA 1960). Optimization of a known result-effective variable, such as concentration here, is generally obvious. Aller, 220 F.2d at 456.

Kerkhoven, In re, 626 F.2d 846, 205 USPQ 1069 (CCPA 1980). . . . . . . . . . 2144.06

Crockett, In re, 279 F.2d 274, 126 USPQ 186 (CCPA 1960) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2144.06

Aller, In re, 220 F.2d 454, 105 USPQ 233 (CCPA 1955). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2144.05

1700 Chemical & Materials Engineering
Ex Parte Kuzyk ROBERTSON 103(a) DANN, DORFMAN, HERRELL & SKILLMAN

Ex Parte Kato et al ROBERTSON 103(a) BIRCH STEWART KOLASCH & BIRCH

2600 Communications
Ex Parte Juhler MARTIN 102(b)/103(a) BIRCH STEWART KOLASCH & BIRCH

The Examiner concluded that the term “foldable” in the preamble is merely a statement of intended use and thus entitled to no weight, citing In re Hirao, 535 F.2d 67 (CCPA 1976) and Kropa v. Robie, 187 F.2d 150 (CCPA 1951). (Answer 5.) We agree with Appellant that Kropa supports the position that “foldable” is entitled to weight. The preamble in Kropa read, “An abrasive article comprising . . . .” The court held that these introductory words “are essential to point out the invention,” concluding that they “give life and meaning to the counts, for it is only by that phrase that it can be known that the subject matter defined by the claims is comprised as an abrasive article.” Id. at 152.

Hirao, In re, 535 F.2d 67, 190 USPQ 15(CCPA 1976). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .707.07(f) , 2141.02

Kropa v. Robie, 187 F.2d 150, 88 USPQ 478 (CCPA 1951) . . . . . . . . . . . . 707.07(f) , 2111.02

2800 Semiconductors, Electrical and Optical Systems and Components
Ex Parte Buttner et al MARTIN 103(a) COHEN, PONTANI, LIEBERMAN & PAVANE LLP

3600 Transportation, Construction, Electronic Commerce, Agriculture, National Security, and License & Review
Ex Parte Sowul et al KERINS 102(b) LESLIE C. HODGES GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION

3700 Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing, and Products & Designs
Ex Parte Bajaj McCARTHY 102(a)/103(a) 37 C.F.R. § 41.50(b) SONNENSCHEIN NATH & ROSENTHAL LLP

Ex Parte Kohlgruber KERINS 102(b)/103(a)/ obviousness-type double patenting NORRIS MCLAUGHLIN & MARCUS, PA

AFFIRMED-IN-PART

1600 Biotechnology and Organic Chemistry
Ex Parte Kabra PRATS 103(a) ALCON RESEARCH, LTD.

2600 Communications
Ex Parte Berkema et al HAHN 102(b)/103(a) HEWLETT-PACKARD COMPANY

Ex Parte Smith et al NAPPI 112(1)/103(a) HUNTON & WILLIAMS LLP

3700 Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing, and Products & Designs
Ex Parte Priebe et al MILLS 103(a) MERCHANT & GOULD PC

Ex Parte Zakheim et al BAHR 102(b)/103(a) E I DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY