Appeal No. 2002-1356
Application No. 09/206,063
Horn discloses a method of stabilizing an osmotic agent. Thus, we find the examiner
has provided sufficient evidence to support a prima facie case of obviousness, which
has not been rebutted by appellants.
Similarly, with respect to claim 5, Solomons particularly describes the reduction
of D-glucose (the primary component of maltodextrin) to D-glucitol. Eliasson teaches
that other non-cellulosic polysaccharides (e.g., arabinoxylans, xyloglucans and
glucomannans) are preferentially extracted using aqueous solutions of alkali, containing
sodium borohydride. The borohydride converts the reducing end groups of the
polysaccharides to a hydroxymethyl group, and this decreases the incidence of alkaline
degradation (stabilizes). The cited references, in combination teach decreasing the
incidence of alkaline degradation of polysaccharides and reduction of D-glucose (the
primary component of maltodextrin) to D-glucitol. In our view, one of ordinary skill in
the art at the time of the present invention, upon review of Solomons and Eliasson,
would have reasonably concluded that a polysaccharide made up of multiple D-glucose
units could be treated with sodium borohydride and water to decrease the incidence of
alkaline degradation. We find the examiner has provided sufficient evidence to support
a prima facie case of obviousness, which has not been rebutted by appellants.
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