Appeal No. 95-3615
Application No. 08/003,401
The subject matter on appeal relates to a continuous
process for removing residual monomer from an aqueous latex of
a synthetic polymer. This appealed subject matter is
adequately illustrated by independent claim 1 which reads as
follows:
1. A continuous process for removing residual monomer
from an aqueous latex of a synthetic polymer comprising:
treating said latex of a synthetic polymer containing
residual monomer by passage through a heat exchanger
comprising a closed chamber divided into two distinct
superposed parts, an unobstructed upper part placed under
reduced pressure and adapted to communicate with a plant for
recovery of the residual monomer, and a lower part equipped
with a partitioning bounding two separate extended and
adjoining circuits, one of the circuits being traversed by the
latex to be treated and being maintained in communication, via
a top face extending over its entire path with the upper part
of the chamber, and the other circuit, isolated from the upper
part of the chamber, being traversed by a heat-transfer fluid
maintained at a temperature of about 40 to 100°C, said latex
to be treated and said heat-transfer fluid traversing their
respective circuits in opposite directions, and
removing said residual monomer.
No references have been relied upon by the examiner in
the rejection before us.
According to the examiner, "[c]laims 1 and 3-6 are
rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 112, first paragraph, as the
disclosure is enabling only for claims limited to a process
2
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