Appeal No. 1997-2099
Application No. 08/233,468
Nonaka discloses ternary absorption agent for air-conditioning devices which
comprise lithium bromide, zinc chloride and water. To improve heat pump capacity, the
inventors added lithium hydroxide and lithium molybdenum to the absorption
composition. (Pg. 2). Nonaka discloses the described absorption composition is “an
attempt to sufficiently prevent the corrosion[s] of device materials by chlorine ions.”
(Pg. 3). Nonaka discloses the anticorrosive effects chlorine ions, resulting from zinc
chloride, was lowered by the addition of lithium hydroxide and lithium molybdenum.
(Paragraph bridging pages 3 to 4).
Ohuchi discloses an absorbent compositions for air conditioners comprising
aqueous lithium bromide and either zinc chloride or zinc bromide. (Page 1). The
Examiner asserts it would have been obvious to substitute zinc bromide for zinc
chloride in absorbent compositions because Ohuchi teaches the equivalence of zinc
chloride and zinc bromide. (Examiner’s Answer, pg. 4). We disagree.
Nonaka recognizes absorption compositions containing zinc chloride tend to
corrode the air conditioning devices. To solve the corrosion problem, Nonaka adds
lithium hydroxide and lithium molybdenum absorption compositions. (See pages. 3 to
4). If one of ordinary skill were to substitute zinc bromide for zinc chloride in
the Examiner, such as the insertion of a new ground of rejection, is petitionable under 37 CFR § 1.181 to
the Commissioner. Since Appellant has failed to timely file a petition, we will address the rejection using
the translation of Nonaka provided in the record.
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