Appeal No. 2000-1006
Application 08/974,148
1. A method of cleaning solid surfaces to remove
adherent water insoluble organic materials that do not ionize in
water therefrom comprising
a) treating said solid surfaces with an aqueous
solution consisting essentially of
i) an oxidant in an amount sufficient to convert
the water insoluble organic materials to an ionized form having a
positive or negative charge, which charge is the same charge as
that of the solid surfaces;
ii) a pH adjusting agent in an amount sufficient
to provide a pH greater than the isoelectric point of said solid
surfaces for acid-type water insoluble organic materials, and1 a
pH less than the isoelectric point for basic-type water insoluble
organic materials but in an amount insufficient to cause damage
to said solid surfaces.
4. A method according to claim 1 wherein the pH
adjustment agent is hydrogen chloride.
6. A method according to claim 1 wherein the aqueous
solution further includes a surfactant.
10. A method according to claim 6 wherein the aqueous
solution further includes a defoaming agent.
The prior art relied upon by the examiner is:
Dell et al. (Dell) 3,293,148 Dec. 20, 1966
Wilkins et al. (Wilkins) 5,215,675 June 1, 1993
Jackson 5,269,850 Dec. 14, 1993
Sugihara et al. (Sugihara) 5,302,311 Apr. 12, 1994
1 It appears that the word “and” should be “or.” Should
appellant elect to continue prosecution in this case, it is
recommended that claim 1 be amended to make this correction.
2
Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Next
Last modified: November 3, 2007