Appeal No. 95-2745
Application 08/008,256
The subject matter on appeal is directed to a method of controlling the molecular
weight distribution (MWD) of a polyalpha-olefin during polymerization.
All the claims stand or fall together. 37 CFR § 1.192(c)(7). Claim 1 is illustrative
and reads as follows:
1. A method of controlling the molecular weight distribution of a polyalpha-olefin
during polymerization, comprising changing the aluminoxane to chromium ratio of a
polymerization catalyst comprising chromium and at least one aluminoxane during
polymerization to thereby adjust the molecular weight distribution of the produced
polyalphaolefin.
The references relied upon by the examiner are:
Manyik et al. (Manyik '550) 3,231,550 Jan. 25, 1966
Manyik et al. (Manyik '099) 3,242,099 Mar. 22, 1966
Claims 1-7, 9-19, 21-23 and 25-26 stand rejected under 35 U.S.C.§ 103 as
unpatentable over Manyik ‘550 or Manyik ‘099. We reverse.
Both Manyik ‘550 and Manyik '099 teach a process of polymerization of alpha-
olefins with a chromium/aluminoxane catalyst. Both references teach that by “varying the
ratios of the components used to produce the catalyst complex.... one can vary the
properties of the polyolefin produced." (See Manyik ‘550 at column 4, lines 36-40 and
Manyik ‘099 at column 4, lines 29-33). It is the examiner’s position that this teaching alone
is sufficient to establish a prima facie case that Manyik ('099 and '550) have taught that
MWD can be controlled by changing the aluminoxane/ chromium ratio (Examiner’s
Answer, page 6, second paragraph).
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