Appeal No. 2000-1877
Application No. 08/881,457
into a flake. When the NaLAS is dried with the sodium
sulfate, two distinct phases are created within the
flake. The insoluble phase creates a network structure
of aggregate small particles (0.4-2 um) which allows
the finished non-aqueous detergent product to stably
suspend solids.
The NaLAS powder prepared according to this
example has the following makeup shown in Table I.
TABLE I
LAS Powder
Component Wt. %
NaLAS 85%
Sulfate 11%
Sulfosuccinate 2%
Water 2.5%
Unreacted, etc. balance to 100%
% insoluble LAS 17%
# of phase (via X-ray diffraction) 2
Thus, a portion of the C12 linear alkyl benzene sulfonate remains
insoluble in the non-aqueous organic diluent.
Reading the claims in light of the specification, the powder
produced by the process of claim 1 comprises a soluble phase and
an insoluble phase. Moreover, the insoluble phase of the powder
includes a C10-C16 linear alkyl benzene sulfonate. See In re
Prater, 415 F.2d 1393, 1404, 162 USPQ 541, 550 (CCPA 1969)
(claims are not read in a vacuum but rather must be read in the
light of the specification).
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