Appeal No. 95-5074
Application No. 08/186,900
the direction of flow will exist at least in column 32 by
virtue of the transfer of heat from the preheated carrier gas
to the column packing during passage therethrough, and
possibly in one or more subsequent columns" (column 6, lines
18-22, emphasis added). Burow further discloses that the
establishment of the temperature gradient in the first
separating zone is important (column 6, lines 22-24). In
addition, Burow explains that:
The temperature gradient functions to distribute the
sample over a relatively large portion of the column
by virtue of the fact that the gradual drop in
temperature encountered by the sample components as
they advance through the column slows the rate of
advance of the heavier components much more greatly
than the lighter components. [Column 6, lines 38-
44].
Based on these referenced disclosures, we cannot agree with
the examiner that Burow anticipates claim 2. While the
examiner invites attention to Burow at column 2, lines 3-39,
the disclosed reference to gradually increasing the
temperature of the separating zone, when read in context of
the entirety of Burow, is properly understood as a gradual
increase in the absolute temperature of the zone wherein a
downward temperature gradient exists in the direction of the
flow. In other words, when the variable rheostats 58, 60, 62
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