Appeal No. 1998-3158
Application No. 08/467,634
cellulose to impart wrinkle resistance and smooth drying
properties to cellulosic textiles which may be woven or
nonwoven (col. 1, lines 12-15; col. 4, lines 24-26). The
cellulosic material is impregnated with polycarboxylic acid
and the catalyst, and then heat curing takes place to produce
esterification and crosslinking of the cellulose with the
polycarboxylic acid (col. 3, lines 19-23). The catalyst is an
alkali metal salt of a phosphorous-containing acid, i.e.,
phosphorous acid, hypophosphorous acid or polyphosphoric acid
(col. 3, lines 27-30).
The examiner argues (answer, page 3):
Welch teaches the use of the alkyl metal phosphite
catalysts provides compositions which have wrinkle
resistance and smooth drying properties. One of
ordinary skill in the art would be motivated to
employ the curing catalysts disclosed by Welch in
the composition of Arkens to provide a composition
which has improved wrinkle resistance and smooth
drying properties.
In order for a prima facie case of obviousness to be
established, the teachings from the prior art itself must
appear to have suggested the claimed subject matter to one of
ordinary skill in the art. See In re Rinehart, 531 F.2d 1048,
1051,
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