Appeal No. 1997-2947
Application No. 08/352,079
Abe provides several examples of the catalytic converter. For instance, Example 1
describes the formation of an adsorbent heater where a honeycomb structure is coated with
adsorbent zeolite. This adsorbent heater was then placed in front of a monolith catalyst which
was a commercially available three-way catalyst supported on a ceramic honeycomb structure.
(Example 1). Additionally, while not explicitly stated, a zeolite adsorbent was present in
Example 1 which was then replaced in Example 3 by a zeolite adsorbent-catalyst composition.
(Examples 1 and 3). In Example 3 the zeolite adsorbent-catalyst was composed of zeolite,
platinum and rhodium on a honeycomb carrier formed with Al2O3CeO2.2 (Example 3). In yet
another example, the three-way catalyst of Examples 1 and 3 was provided upstream from the
adsorbent-catalyst. (Example 5). Additionally, Examples 11 and 12 depict a catalytic converter
where the three-way catalyst is placed upstream from the zeolite adsorbent-catalyst and heater.
(Table 2, Examples 11 and 12).
Claim Construction
In order to determine the patentability of the claims, we must first construe the meaning
of the claims. In interpreting the claim language, we look first to the intrinsic evidence of record,
i.e., the application itself, including the claims, the specification and the prosecution history.
Within this intrinsic evidence, the appropriate starting point is always the language of the claims
2 CeO2 is also known as ceric oxide or ceria. Al2O3 is also known as aluminum oxide or
alumina.
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