Ex parte NARGIELLO et al. - Page 5







              silicone oil and aluminum oxide.  See Example.  The product which had an initial bulk                      
              density of 60 g/l was compacted to a bulk density of 80-150 g/l.  However, neither                         
              particle size nor structure is discussed by Ettlinger.                                                     
              The examiner thereafter relies upon references to Kostansek and Bilimoria,                                 
              directed to calcined kaolin clay, to show that improvements in reduction of oil                            
              absorption and increase in bulk density are obtained by dry milling the clay.  Although                    
              the examiner argues that clays are aluminosilicates, which are oxides of the metals                        
              aluminum and silicon, and would have reasonably been expected to behave like aluminum                      
              oxide and silicon oxide, evidence of record presented as a Declaration under 37 CFR §                      
              1.132 by Nargiello teaches otherwise.  The properties of surface area, particle size                       
              and DBP absorption in grams/100g for fully calcined kaolin is substantially different                      
              from values obtained for any of pyrogenic silicon dioxide, aluminum oxide, titanium oxide                  
              or zirconium oxide.  See Exhibit C, page 5.  Accordingly, we conclude that the person                      
              having ordinary skill in the art would not have a reasonable expectation that                              
              pyrogenic metal oxide would perform in the same manner as calcined kaolin clay based                       
              on the teachings of Kostansek and Bilimoria.                                                               
              We are accordingly left with the teachings of Perry’s which disclose many of the                           
              specific process conditions required by the claimed subject matter for ball milling.                       
              However, the issue before us is not whether the numerous conditions for ball milling                       
              are known.  Rather, it is whether there is recognition, based on the record before                         
              us, that destructuring necessarily occurs upon ball milling the composition of                             
              Ettlinger.                                                                                                 
              We answer that question in the negative.  We determine that there is no recognition in                     

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