The opinion in support of the decision being entered today was not written
for publication and is not binding precedent of the Board.
UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
__________
BEFORE THE BOARD OF PATENT APPEALS
AND INTERFERENCES
__________
Ex parte DAVID WILLIAM KOENIG, FRANKLIN M. C. CHEN,
MELANIE A. KEOMANY, and JASON ROBERT BORSKI
__________
Appeal No. 2006-2581
Application No. 10/029,322
__________
ON BRIEF
__________
Before SCHEINER, MILLS, and GRIMES, Administrative Patent Judges.
GRIMES, Administrative Patent Judge.
DECISION ON APPEAL
This appeal involves claims to absorbent products (e.g., diapers) that minimize
the bacterial ammonia production. The examiner has rejected the claims as obvious in
view of the prior art. We have jurisdiction under 35 U.S.C. § 134. We reverse.
Background
“Human urine has a high level of osmotic strength and toxicity toward bacteria.
Based on these characteristics, it could be assumed that bacterial growth in urine would
be significantly inhibited such that foul odors, such as odors from ammonia, generated
by the bacteria through metabolism would not be problematic. However, numerous
bacteria have evolved the ability to adapt to high osmolarity and toxicity conditions by
Page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Next
Last modified: November 3, 2007