Appeal No. 2006-2023 Page 2
Application No. 10/650,785
We make reference to appellants’ Appeal Brief (“Brief,” filed 23 May 2005)
and Reply Brief (“Reply,” filed 28 December 2005) and to the examiner’s Answer
(“Answer,” mailed 28 October 2005).
Appellants have grouped the claims on appeal into 2 groups:
I. Claims 1-16
II. Claims 17-26.
(Brief, p. 6).
Therefore, we decide this appeal on the basis of claims 1 and 17. 37 C.F.R.
§ 41.37(c)(1)(vii).
Claim 1 reads (emphasis added):
1. A method for treating drinking water comprising:
a) providing raw water to a process tank;
b) adding an ion-exchange resin to the process tank to form a
water/ion-exchange resin mixture;
c) removing treated water from the process tank through the
membrane filter; and
d) regenerating the ion-exchange resin.
Claim 17 reads (emphasis added):
17. An apparatus for treating drinking water comprising:
a process tank for receiving water;
an ion-exchange resin supply operatively associated with the
process tank to provide ion-exchange resin to water within the
process tank;
a membrane filter operatively associated with the process tank
for separating particulate matter from treated water removed
from the process tank through the membrane filter; and
a supply of regeneration solution for regeneration of the ion-
exchange resin.
II. Findings of Fact
The following findings of fact are supported by a preponderance of the evidence.
Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Next
Last modified: November 3, 2007