Appeal No. 2001-2028 3
Application No. 09/141,163
THE REFERENCES OF RECORD
As evidence of obviousness, the examiner relies upon the following references:
Liang et al. (Liang) 5,504,245 Apr. 2, 1996
Kirk-Othmer, “Esterification,”Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, Vol. 9, pp. 291-08
(3rd Ed., New York, John Wiley & Sons, 1980).
THE REJECTION
Claims 1through 5 and 7 through 17 stand rejected under 35 U.S.C. §103(a) as
being unpatentable over Liang in view of Kirk-Othmer.
OPINION
We have carefully considered all of the arguments advanced by the appellants and
the examiner and agree with the examiner that the rejection of the claims under Section
103(a) is well founded. Accordingly, we affirm the rejection.
As an initial matter, it is appellants’ position that claim 1 does not stand or fall
together with the other claims and separate consideration must be given to Groups A and B
directed to claims 4, 5, 9, 14 and 16 and claims 2 and 3 respectively. Accordingly, we
select claims 1, 2, and 4 as representative of each group of claims before us and limit our
consideration thereto. See 37 CFR § 1.192 (c)(7)(1999).
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