Appeal No. 95-0996
Application 07/943,025
Tachikawa II differs from Tachikawa I, as discussed
above, by specifically teaching that “the active sites on the
polymerization catalyst are partly or entirely modified by the
activity inhibitor.” (page 8, lines 6-8, emphasis added).
Thus complete deactivation is contemplated by Tachikawa II,
although not exemplified. This reference also teaches that
this polymerization catalyst which has been contacted with the
activity inhibitor can be stored for periods of time, with
subsequent reactivation by reaction with a cocatalyst such as
an organometallic compound (page 8, lines 9-11 and 13-16).
Accordingly, in view of the disclosure of carbon dioxide
as an activity inhibitor and the teaching of complete
deactivation of the catalyst system by Tachikawa II, the use
of this activity inhibitor in amounts to completely deactivate
a Ziegler-Natta catalyst system would have been obvious to one
of ordinary skill in the art within the meaning of 35 U.S.C. §
103.
EP ‘410 has a similar disclosure to that of Tachikawa II
in that Ziegler-Natta type catalyst systems used in the
polymerization of alpha-olefins have too much activity and
must be treated with polymerization inhibiting agents
9-12 of Tachikawa II.
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