Appeal No. 1997-2627 Application No. 08/424,122 a pH between 6 and 8 in an electrically non-conducting container (2) in which are located two chemically solid electrodes (3,4), of which the first one (3) is positive electrode and the second one (4) is negative electrode, in that between the electrodes (3,4) is located a thin membrane (5), made from material having a very small specific electrical conductivity which is of the same magnitude as the specific electrical conductivity for High Density Polyethylene when immersed in said electrolytic solution and having a thickness of 5-50 Fm, which membrane (5) divides the electrolytic solution (1) into two separated volumes (7,8) of which the first volume (7) contains the positive electrode (3) and the second volume (8) contains the negative electrode (4); applying a direct-current voltage (6) on said electrodes (3,4) during a time of 3-20 minutes; and wherein application of said direct current voltage creates a considerably increasing potential gradient within said membrane to cause ions to flow between said first volume and said second volume and wherein said specific electrical conductivity is such that the resulting pH of said first volume (7) is the same as the pH of the said electrolytic solution at the start of said method and thereby obtaining volume (7) as said fraction. THE REFERENCE Moeglich (Moeglich ‘475) 4,361,475 Nov. 30, 1982 THE REJECTION Claims 10-18 stand rejected under 35 U.S.C. � 103 as being unpatentable over Moeglich ‘475. OPINION We have carefully considered all of the arguments advanced by appellant and the examiner and agree with 3Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 NextLast modified: November 3, 2007