Appeal No. 2005-1538 Application No. 09/950,654 By stable is meant minimum D.P. loss in alkaline environments, and very low self cross linking and color reversion. The examiner further states that Seltzer on page 1, last full paragraph, discusses that color reversion or discoloration of pulp is ascribed to light induced reactions that cleave or breakdown ketyl radicals formed in the lignin. The phenoxy radicals are oxidized by other oxygen-centered radicals to form yellow chromophores. The examiner reasons that clearly the color reversion discussed by Jewell is due to the yellowing of the lignin in the pulp. The examiner concludes therefore that Jewell teaches using hindered amino hydroxides, including 4-amino TEMPO, to prevent the lignin contained in the lignocellulosic material from yellowing. Answer, page 4. We agree with the examiner’s position for the following reasons. Seltzer does explain that discoloration of pulp is ascribed to light induced reactions that cleave or breakdown ketyl radicals formed in the lignin. As such, we agree with the examiner’s reasoning that lignin does exist in the material disclosed in Jewel because Jewel addresses color reversion. We also note that lignocellulosic material is raw vegetable matter consisting primarily of cellulose and lignin, or primarily of cellulose and lignin and minor amounts of carbohydrate and resin, and such materials include straw, bagasse, corn stalk, grass, wood pulp, wood, and bark. See the attached definition of U.S. Subclass 106/162.5. As such, we agree with the examiner that the hardwood and softwood pulps disclosed in column 4 at lines 8-10 of Jewell contain lignin (especially in view 5Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 NextLast modified: November 3, 2007