Appeal No. 1999-2802
Application 09/076,005
(brief, page 4; reply brief, page 2), and argues that “[t]he
present application uses the term ‘methyl mercaptans’ to refer
as a group to intermediate compounds produced during the
claimed method having at least one methyl (CH ) radical bonded
3
to at least one sulfur (S) atom, such as methanethiol (CH SH),
3
dimethyl sulfide (CH SCH ), and dimethyl disulfide (CH SSCH )”3 3 3 3
(brief, page 3).
The appellant’s specification does not define “methyl
mercaptans”. At one point the specification recites: “methyl
mercaptans, (primarily methanethiol (CH SH) and a small amount
3
of dimethyl sulfide (CH SCH ))” (page 1, lines 15-16), and at
3 3
another point recites: “methyl mercaptans, (methanethiol
(CH SH) and dimethyl sulfide (CH SCH ))” (page 4, lines 8-9).3 3 3
These disclosures indicate that the appellant considers
“methyl mercaptans” to mean “methanethiol and dimethyl
sulfide”. At two other points, however, the specification
recites: “methyl mercaptans, such as methanethiol (CH SH) and
3
dimethyl sulfide (CH SCH )” (page 2, lines 13-14; page 3, lines
3 3
9-10), and at a third point recites: “methyl mercaptans,
4
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