Appeal No. 2003-0580
Application No. 09/139,081
Jenkins discloses a method for “improving the stain
resistance, lightfastness and ozone resistance of nylon,
especially nylon carpet” (col. 1, lines 11-13). Jenkins teaches
that “[c]ationic dyeable nylons contain SO3H groups or COOH
groups within the polymer structure in an amount sufficient to
render the nylon fiber dyeable with a cationic dye which groups
are receptive to cationic or basic dyes” (col. 1, lines 24-28)
and that “[c]ationic dyeable nylons generally exhibit inherent
stain resistant properties, especially to acid-type stains”
(col. 1, lines 34 and 51-52). Jenkins dyes cationic dyeable
nylon fibers with acid dyes or premetalized acid dyes at a pH of
about 4.0 to 6.5, fixes the dyes to the fibers, and produces,
from the fibers, carpet having improved stain and ozone
resistance and lightfastness properties (col. 1, lines 11-13
and 62-65; col. 12, lines 7-10). Two of Jenkins’ dyes (Acid
Blue 277 and Acid Red 361, col. 6, lines 14 and 18) are among the
appellants’ acid dyes (specification, page 16, lines 4-5).
Jenkins does not disclose that nylon 6,12 is cationic
dyeable. However, Jenkins teaches that “[a]n affinity for
cationic dyes is usually imparted by the incorporation of a
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