<it still took 3 mos to get the recert issued...take that a step further...and now see how long the fight we have on 336 is going to take..esp. when it is based on so subjective an opinion as obviousness.>

I do not disagree that it is going to take much longer, but is the argument really about obviousness? I don't think we are going to arguing obviousness, but the extreme to which the examiner has gone in interpeting the plain meaning of certain terms - namely "independent" and "connected to." I think application of proper meaning of these terms eliminates Kato as prior art. One would hope that the examiner's interpetations will not stand up to any kind of professional scrutiny or a court of law. Opty