Appeal No. 1996-1813
Application No. 08/117,453
Claims 9-15 were rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 103 over the
combination of Maggard WO‘762, Inman and Dawes references. We
reverse.
Claim 9 requires a sample supply means upstream from a
sample filter means, sample temperature controller means and
degassing means all upstream from the analysis probe holder
means and sample return means. Claim 11 requires a sample
supply means upstream from a sample temperature controller
means and degassing means both upstream from the analysis
probe holder means and the prototype injection means. The
examiner states it is notoriously well known in the art to
precondition liquid samples prior to analysis in order to
remove any potentially interfering substances such as solids
or entrained gas bubbles. Therefore, it would have been
obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to provide
conventional devices known for accomplishing such sample
conditioning. (Examiner’s answer, page 9). We agree with the
examiner that preconditioning of samples prior to analysis is
desirable however, this does not address the organization and
combination of components required by claims 9 and 11. The
preconditioning of samples does not necessarily require the
specific combination of components contained in claims 9 and
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