Appeal No. 2003-0804
Application No. 09/196,266
not dehydrated, and whereby a first liquid effluent is produced
that comprises as its components at least some ester, alcohol,
and water, the components of the first liquid effluent being
substantially in reaction equilibrium; and
b. feeding the first liquid effluent to a second vessel,
whereby a vapor product stream and a second liquid effluent
stream are produced, the vapor stream comprising ester, alcohol,
and water, wherein the second vessel is maintained at vapor-
liquid equilibrium but not at reaction equilibrium; wherein at
least one of temperature, pressure, and residence time is greater
in the first vessel than in the second vessel.
The examiner relies upon the following references as
evidence of obviousness:
Datta et al. 5,723,639 Mar. 3, 1998
Ridland et al. EP 0812818A1 Dec. 17, 1997
Appellant’s claimed invention is directed to a process for
producing an ester by feeding organic acid, alcohol and water to
a first vessel to produce a first liquid effluent that is
substantially in reaction equilibrium, and feeding the first
effluent to a second vessel to produce a vapor product stream and
a second liquid effluent. The second vessel is maintained at
vapor-liquid equilibrium but not at reaction equilibrium. Also,
“at least one of temperature, pressure, and residence time is
greater in the first vessel than in the second vessel” (claim 1,
last three lines). According to appellant, “[t]he present
-2–
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