Ex Parte Cullen - Page 6

                  Appeal 2007-2486                                                                                         
                  Application 10/429,369                                                                                   
                         In the present appeal, Sorgenti and Gunnerman recognize that                                      
                  removing thiophenes from fossil fuels is difficult to do using                                           
                  hydrodesulfurization (Sorgenti, col. 1, ll. 33-40; Gunnerman, col. 2, ll. 63-                            
                  67, col. 3, ll. 1-5, col. 8, ll. 60-67).  Gunnerman provides a solution to the art                       
                  recognized problem: using ultrasound, an oxidizing compound, and an                                      
                  aqueous phase to remove thiophenes (Gunnerman, col. 8, ll. 60-67).  Thus,                                
                  Gunnerman’s solution (i.e., ultrasonic removal of hard to remove                                         
                  thiophenes) to the art recognized problem (i.e., thiophenes are difficult to                             
                  remove using hydrodesulfurization) provides motivation for combining                                     
                  Sorgenti’s and Gunnerman’s processes in the manner claimed by Appellant.                                 
                  KSR, 127 S. Ct. at 1741, 82 USPQ2d at 1397.                                                              
                         Accordingly, we find that there is motivation for combining                                       
                  Sorgenti’s and Gunnerman’s processes.                                                                    

                  CLAIMS 1 AND 8                                                                                           
                         Appellant further argues that neither Sorgenti nor Gunnerman                                      
                  discloses removing nitrogen containing compounds from fossil fuel using                                  
                  ultrasound facilitated oxidation and, thereafter, subjecting the oxidized                                
                  compounds to hydrodesulfurization (Br. 8-10, 14-15).  Regarding claim 8,                                 
                  Appellant argues that Sorgenti and Gunnerman require addition of an                                      
                  oxidizing agent, whereas claim 8 does not require the presence of an                                     
                  oxidizing agent separate from the fuel (Br. 16-17).                                                      
                         We have considered all of Appellant’s arguments and find them                                     
                  unpersuasive for the reasons below.                                                                      
                         Where the Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) has reason to believe                                 
                  that a functional limitation asserted to be critical for establishing novelty in                         

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