Appeal No. 1996-4170
Application 08/413,657
5-10. Subsequently, claim 8 was canceled leaving claims 1, 5-7, 9 and 10 for our
consideration.
Claim 1 is representative of the subject matter on appeal and reads as follows:
1. A process for inhibiting the adhesion of bacterial cells to solids surfaces and
controlling biological fouling in a paper machine aqueous system which comprises adding
to the aqueous system from about 0.01 to about 45 parts per million, based on the weight
of the aqueous liquid in the system of a vinyl cationic polymer selected from the group
consisting of poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride),
poly(dimethylaminoethylacrylate methylchloride quat),
poly(dimethylaminoethylymethacrylate [sic] methylchloride quat),
poly(acrylamido-N-propyltrimethylammonium chloride) and
poly(methacrylamido-N-propyltrimethylammonium chloride).
The references relied upon by the examiner are:
Shair et al. (Shair) 4,111,679 Sept. 5, 1978
Finck et al. (Finck) 5,246,547 Sept. 21, 1993
Claims 1, 5-7, 9 and 10 stand rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 103. As evidence
of obviousness the examiner relies upon Finck and Shair. We reverse.
DISCUSSION
Claim 1 requires the addition of a specified polymer to a paper machine aqueous
system in an amount from about 0.01 to about 45 ppm, based on the weight of the
aqueous liquid in the system. The purpose for doing so is specified in claim 1, viz, to
2
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