Appeal No. 2002-2261
Application No. 09/568,111
a) a hydrophobically modified high amylose starch where
the starch has an amylose content of at least 40% by weight and
is modified with a hydrocarbon group of 6 to 18 carbon atoms, and
b) from about 1 to 10% by weight, based on the weight of
dry starch, of hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohol having a degree of
hydrolysis of from about 88% to 99%.
The examiner relies upon the following references as
evidence of obviousness:
Lacz et al. (Lacz '473) 5,567,473 Oct. 22, 1996
Schlom et al. (Schlom) 5,833,755 Nov. 10, 1998
Lacz et al. (Lacz '450) 5,254,450 Oct. 19, 1993
Appellants' claimed invention is directed to a paper coating
composition comprising the recited high amylose starch and
hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohol. According to appellants'
specification, the coating composition "provides good barrier
properties when applied to paper" (page 1, line 3). The
specification explains that "[b]arrier properties refer to an
increase in the resistance of paper to various materials such as
water, air, oil and grease, and also higher surface strength (wax
pick) and resistance to crack-on-fold" (page 3, lines 6-8).
Appealed claims 1-5, 7, 8, 11, and 14-21 stand rejected
under 35 U.S.C. § 103 as being unpatentable over Lacz '450 in
view of Lacz '473. Claims 6, 9, 10, 12, 13 and 22 stand rejected
under 35 U.S.C. § 103 as being unpatentable over the stated
combination of references further in view of Schlom.
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