Appeal No. 95-4216
Application 08/035,076
the catalyst particles, which results in transfer, during
operation of the fluidized bed, of a portion of the cupric
chloride, particularly that which is concentrated on the
surfaces of the catalyst particles, to the bare support
particles (col. 3, lines 6-48). The bare support particles
can be 5% to about 50% of the weight of the entire bed,
provided that the final copper content is not reduced below
about 2% (col. 4, lines 46-53).
Regarding the preparation of the catalyst particles,
Cowfer states (col. 2, lines 9-19):
Typically cupric chloride is dissolved in water, and
the solution is slowly sprayed on the support with
continuous mixing (or alternatively adding the
support to the solution with mixing) followed by
drying the wet subject until it is free flowing,
calcining for a few hours at a temperature of about
110EC., and screening to eliminate large particles.
The supported catalyst is then ready for addition to
the oxyhydrochlorination reactor to function as the
fluidized catalyst bed. The supported catalyst is
prepared to contain from about 2 to 10 percent by
weight copper.
Rejection under 35 U.S.C. § 102(b)
The examiner, relying upon the above excerpt from Cowfer
(col. 2, lines 9-19) regarding the preparation of the catalyst
particles, argues that “[p]resumably, the catalyst composition
-6-6
Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Next
Last modified: November 3, 2007