Appeal No. 1998-2002
Application 08/690,016
issues raised in the rejection under 35 U.S.C.
§ 112, second paragraph, moot. See Answer, pp. 7-9 (“nickel
carbonyl would not be formed until and unless the impure
hydrogen gas stream contaminated with carbon monoxide is
contacted with the elemental nickel in the first reaction
zone”).
For the reasons set forth above, the rejection of claims
33-40 and 42-57 under 35 U.S.C. § 112, second paragraph, is
reversed.
C. Rejections under 35 U.S.C. § 103
The rejections under 35 U.S.C. § 103 are based on (1) a
combination of Reilly and Tanaka and (2) a combination of
Reilly, Tanaka and EP ‘270. Reilly, Tanaka and EP ‘270 are
directed to processes which absorb hydrogen for different
purposes. According to the examiner, Reilly suggests that any
transition metal is suitable for absorbing hydrogen, and
Tanaka discloses that alloys of titanium and nickel are useful
for absorbing hydrogen. Furthermore, EP ‘270 discloses that
elemental nickel is useful for purifying an inert gas, such as
nitrogen or argon. See Answer, pp. 5-7. However, as pointed
out by appellants, neither Reilly, Tanaka nor EP ‘270 disclose
-8-
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