Appeal No. 1997-3094
Application 08/405,279
component disposed on an activated alumina refractory support,
a platinum catalytic component disposed on an alumina-
stabilized bulk ceria support, and a rhodium catalytic
component disposed on an activated alumina support” (col. 5,
line 65 - col. 6, line 2). Bedford is relied upon (answer,
pages 5-6) for a disclosure of the ceria particle size
required by claim 25 (col. 2, lines 57-58). We note that Wan
is incorporated by reference in Rudy (col. 7, lines 22-24).
See In re Howarth, 654 F.2d 103, 106, 210 USPQ 689, 692 (CCPA
1981); In re Lund, 376 F.2d 982, 989, 153 USPQ 625, 631 (CCPA
1967). Wan discloses high surface area ceria which is
suitable for treating combustion exhaust gas and which has a
surface area of at least about 100 m /g (col. 10, lines 13-2
16).
The examiner argues that it would have been obvious to one
of ordinary skill in the art to eliminate Rudy’s platinum
(and, apparently, also the rhodium) along with its function
(answer, page 18). This argument is not persuasive because
Rudy’s bulk ceria and alumina are merely supports for the
platinum and rhodium catalytic components. Thus, if the
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