Appeal No. 95-2269
Application No. 08/047,159
(b) from 1 to 15% by weight of at least one monomer selected
from the group consisting of N-dodecylmaleamic acid and N-C /C -
8 18
alkylmaleamic acid;
said copolymer having a viscosity of greater than 443
mPa.s at a shear rate of 1.0s at 0.5% by weight in 10% by-1
weight NaC1 solution.
The reference relied on by the examiner is:
Fong et al. (Fong) 4,801,388 Jan. 31, 1989
The issue presented for review is whether the examiner erred
in rejecting claim 22 under 35 U.S.C. § 103 as unpatentable over
Fong.
DISCUSSION
On consideration of the record, we reverse the examiner's
rejection under 35 U.S.C. § 103.
Claim 22, component (b), requires from 1 to 15% by weight of
"at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of N-
dodecylmaleamic acid and N-C /C -alkylmaleamic acid." N-
8 18
dodecylmaleamic acid contains a dodecyl group attached to the
nitrogen atom of maleamic acid. The dodecyl group is derived
from dodecane, which is a saturated hydrocarbon containing 12
carbon atoms. Respecting N-C /C -alkylmaleamic acid, this
8 18
derivative contains a C -C -alkyl mixture attached to the
8 18
nitrogen atom of maleamic acid (specification, page 10, lines 28
through 34). In our judgment, the Fong reference is insufficient
to support a conclusion of obviousness of claims drawn to either
-2-
Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 Next
Last modified: November 3, 2007