Appeal No. 1999-0060
Application No. 08/567,771
specification refers to “a reflux column through which vapors of
said starting mixture are supplied to said condenser and down
which liquid flows to mix with said vapors” (page 15, lines
14-16).3
Thus, Jensen’s conduit means 24 is not a “reflux column” as
that term is used by the appellants. Jensen’s conduit means 24
is part of a reflux system, but the reflux column in this system
is Jensen’s tower 10, not conduit means 24.
The examiner does not rely upon Vinz for any disclosure that
remedies the above-discussed deficiency in Jensen.
Accordingly, we conclude that the examiner has not carried
the burden of establishing a prima facie case of obviousness of
the appellants’ claimed invention.
REMAND
The appellants acknowledge that there were prior art
distillation systems which included the appellants’ evaporation
tank, reflux column and condenser (specification, page 1,
lines 21-35; figure 6). Such distillation systems, the
3 See the specification also at page 5, line 35 - page 6, line 3; page
9, lines 6-8; page 11, line 37 - page 12, line 6; page 13, line 38 - page 14,
line 11; page 14, line 38 - page 15, line 5; page 18, lines 1-7; and page 21,
lines 16-31.
5
Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Next
Last modified: November 3, 2007