Appeal No. 1998-0842
Application No. 08/536,350
refers, Colosimo discloses that the air filtering assembly 3 may
include a "catalytic postfilter means" (singular) 150, which "may
suitably be of the replaceable cartridge type" to clear the air
of "nonparticulate pollution" such as carbon monoxide, etc.
(col. 6, lines 40 to 48). This filter 150 is downstream from
particulate filters 35, 37, in a housing 3 which is separate from
engine 2. Colosimo does not disclose that catalytic filter 150
should be heated, and it is not clear to us that it necessarily
constitutes a catalytic converter, as claimed. However, assuming
that Colosimo's converter 150 may be termed a catalytic
converter,1 and that it would have been obvious to heat it, in
view of Geiger (e.g., col. 1, lines 15 to 30), we do not agree
with the examiner that it would have been obvious to obtain such
heat by attaching it to the exhaust manifold, since there is no
teaching or suggestion in Colosimo, Wells or Geiger of doing so.
While Wells seemingly does disclose attaching a filter to the
exhaust manifold (col. 5, line 35), this being but one point
among numerous other locations on the vehicle, the Wells filter
is not a catalytic converter, nor does it require heat for its
1 Contrary to the examiner's statement, Colosimo does not
disclose a plurality of catalytic converters.
3
Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Next
Last modified: November 3, 2007