Appeal No. 2005-1949
Application No. 09/829,168
immunoglobulins, and protease-peptone (Meyer, translation, page
3, lines 28-34).
Meyer describes the use of milk proteins in the form of
caseins including sodium potassium, calcium or acid caseins.
(Meyer, translation, page 4, lines 5-6).
Meyer describes that the albumin-globulin [whey] ratio
relative to the casein fraction is from 2.1 to 3.0:4.1 to 5.0.
(Meyer, translation, page 4, lines 13-14). One endpoint of the
ratio (2.1 whey:5.0 casein) is within the claim language of
“about” 30% whey and 70% casein.
The Federal Circuit explained in Ecolab, Inc. v. Envirochem,
Inc., 264 F.3d 1358, 1367, 60 USPQ2d 1173, 1179 (Fed. Cir. 2001)
that "like the term 'about,' the term 'substantially' is a
descriptive term commonly used in patent claims to 'avoid a
strict numerical boundary to the specified parameter,'" quoting
Pall Corp. v. Micron Separations, Inc., 66 F.3d 1211, 1217, 36
USPQ2d 1225, 1229 (Fed. Cir. 1995). “[A]bout 70:30” therefore
gives leeway around the endpoints of the claimed ratio of claim
1; which leeway overlaps the description of the casein:whey ratio
in Meyer.
We therefore agree that the Examiner has established a prima
facie case of anticipation vis-à-vis claims 1 and 9 by Meyer.
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