Appeal No. 2002-0218
Application No. 09/332,415
particularly shaped or configured catalytic carrier (thus forming
a particularly shaped or configured catalyst). Therefore, from
our perspective, one of ordinary skill in the art interested in
reducing the size and weight of an autothermal reformer assembly
would have looked to the teachings of Narumiya to accomplish the
same. See, e.g., In re Wood, 599 F.2d 1032, 1036, 202 USPQ 171,
174 (CCPA 1979)(a prior art reference is considered from an
analogous art if it is reasonably pertinent to the particular
problem with which the inventors were involved); Nomiya, 509 F.2d
at 572, 184 USPQ at 613 (“knowledge of a problem provides a
reason or motivation for workers in the art . . . ”). This is
especially true in this situation since Naurmiya teaches that its
open cell foam carrier can also be used together with a reforming
catalytic material, such as a noble metal, and has properties
appropriate and advantageous to the reforming zone of the
autothermal reforming assembly of the type described in Clawson
as indicated supra.
Accordingly, we affirm the examiner’s decision rejecting
claim 23 under 35 U.S.C. § 103 as unpatentable over the combined
disclosures of Clawson, Narumiya and Setzer5.
5 Setzer is deemed cumulative and redundant since Clawson
teaches employing a reforming catalyst, such as a noble metal, on
any carrier. See Clawson, page 16.
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