Appeal No. 2006-0201 Page 2
Application No. 10/125,272
pelleting. Preferred manufacturing protocols in the feed industry involve steam pelleting
where the feed is subjected to steam injection(s) prior to pelleting, a process called
conditioning. . . . During this conditioning process temperatures may rise to 60-95°C.
The combined effect of high moisture content and high temperature is detrimental to
most enzymes.” Pages 1-2.
The specification discloses “a process for the preparation of an enzyme-
containing granulate suitable for use in an animal feed, the process comprising
processing an enzyme, a solid carrier, optionally additives and water . . . to obtain
enzyme-containing granules, drying the granules, and coating the dried granules with
polyethylene glycol.” Page 3.
The specification reports that coating the granules with polyethylene glycol (PEG)
“protect[s] against the formation of dust” and “provide[s] a good pelleting stability of the
granule”; i.e., results in less loss of enzyme activity during pelleting. Page 4, lines 1-2
and 7-8. Moreover, granules coated with PEG dissolve twenty times faster than
granules with a fat-type coating, and “[a] short dissolution time significantly improves the
bioavailability of the enzyme to the animal.” Page 4, lines 3-7.
Discussion
1. Claim construction
Claims 1 and 3-36 are on appeal. Claim 1 is the only independent claim and
reads as follows:
1. A process for the preparation of an enzyme-containing granulate suitable
for use in animal feed, the process comprising:
(a) mixing a feed enzyme, a solid carrier, water, and at least one
additive in an effective amount;
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Last modified: November 3, 2007