Appeal No. 1997-3354 Page 4
Application No. 08/469,809
We find that Brumbaugh describes aqueous liquid dishwashing compositions. In addition to
water and surfactants, the compositions contain either an amido amine oxide or an alkyl ethoxylated
carboxylate. Optionally, a number of other ingredients can be added including a source of alkalinity
(col. 6, lines 57-62) and a chelating agent (sequestrant) (col. 7, lines 1-8). The composition containing
the alkyl ethoxylated carboxylate is formulated to provide good detergency and foam stability at high
water hardness levels (col. 2, lines 10-13).
We find that Brumbaugh describes preferred alkyl ethoxylated carboxylates within the genus of
the claimed composition (col. 5, line 57 to col. 6, line 2). Furthermore, Brumbaugh describes
formulating the composition so the three component mixture of surfactants and alkyl ethoxylated
carboxylate represents 5 to 60 parts by weight of the total composition (col. 3, lines 27-31) and the
alkyl ethoxylated carboxylate represents about 1 to about 30 percent of the three component mixture
(col. 6, lines 24-26). Therefore, alkyl ethoxylated carboxylates would comprise from about 0.05 to 18
percent of the total composition. This range substantially overlaps the 0.1 to 20 weight percent range
recited in the claim.
The preferred sources of alkalinity disclosed by Brumbaugh, i.e mono, di, and triethanolamines,
are within the group recited in claim 13. Furthermore, Brumbaugh describes adding them in quantities
of up to about 5 percent of the total composition, a range overlapping the range recited in the claim.
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