Appeal No. 2003-0410
Application 09/775,785
2. Claims 6 and 17 stand rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 103 as
obvious over Naumann.
3. Claims 7, 8 and 18 stand rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 103
as unpatentable over Naumann in view of Boudy.
We affirm as to all three grounds of rejection.
BACKGROUND
The invention relates to a process for manufacturing a
chewing gum base which includes, inter alia, an elastomer, one or
more fillers and a plasticizer. Specification, page 1, lines 13-
19. In particular, the invention is directed to a continuous
process for making a chewing gum base wherein all of the
necessary component additions and compounding steps are completed
in a single, continuous mixing apparatus. Appeal brief, paper
no. 9, received March 21, 2002, page 2. Thus, the chewing gum
base is made without the need for a pre-blending or pre-treatment
processing step, such that transfer of a pre-mix material to a
second mixing apparatus is not required. Id. According to
appellants, there are numerous advantages associated with the
claimed method which include a reduction in average residence
time in processing equipment for the gum base ingredients, and
improved metering and mixing of the ingredients. Id., page 6.
DISCUSSION
3
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