Appeal No. 2006-0752
Application No. 10/263,671
Appellants repeatedly argue that their claim language
requires that the charge measurement takes place during or after
the treatment in each step. The examiner indicates, on page 5
of the Answer, that it is not clear that Bartelloni teaches
whether the Zeta potential of the polymers is measured prior to
the addition to the fiber slurry, but concludes it would have
been obvious to do so.
Bartelloni teaches that steps 1 through 9 are conducted in
performing the disclosed process. See column 9, line 64 through
column 10, line 44. In particular, step 3 indicates that the
Zeta potential of the fibrous material, in suspension in water
at the paper making concentration, is measured. Step 4 requires
that the cationic bridging agent is selected and its Zeta
potential is determined. Step 5 states that the quantity of
cationic bridging agent necessary is then calculated as a
function of the previously measured Zeta potential. Most
preferred is utilization of a quantity of the bridging agent so
that after addition of the latex, the Zeta potential of the
final furnish is then essentially the same as that of the
aqueous starting pulp slurry.
Consideration of the above-described teachings as to
whether these teachings suggest measuring the charge during or
after the treatment in each step, is instructed.
We also refer to column 11 of Bartelloni, beginning at line
3, wherein Bartelloni teaches that upon addition of the dilute
solution of bridging agent to the fibrous material, stirring
should be maintained for a period of time sufficient for all the
bridging agent to become attached to the fibers. Bartelloni
teaches that this will normally take from 2 to 4 minutes, and
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