Appeal No. 2006-0752
Application No. 10/263,671
then can be more precisely determined in a laboratory, as
indicated above, the time depending on the initial Zeta
potential of the fibrous material and the Zeta potential of the
bridging agent added. Bartelloni then teaches to adjust the pH
of bridging-agent-linked pulp if necessary to within plus or
minus 0.2 of the pH of the latex to be introduced. Then,
Bartelloni teaches to introduce the latex into the mixture with
gentle stirring. Bartelloni teaches to add, if necessary,
further bridging agent if the initial quantity of bridging agent
was less than that necessary to effect complete removal of latex
particles from the aqueous phase onto the fibers. Then,
Bartelloni teaches to adjust the Zeta potential of the final
mixture to the same value as that of the starting fibrous
material. See column 11, lines 3-30 of Bartelloni.
Consideration of these teachings, as to whether these teachings
suggest measuring the charge during or after the treatment in
each step, is also instructed.
Bartelloni also teaches, in a specific example1, that
ingredients are placed into suspension and the Zeta potential of
the mixture is determined. A solution of a selected bridging
agent is added and its Zeta potential is measured. Next a
selected latex is added, the latex having a particular Zeta
potential. As the quantity of bridging agent initially added is
on the low side, there is then added an additional quantity of
2.5 liters of the same solution. The Zeta potential of the
furnish is then - 7.8, the same as the Zeta potential of the
starting pulp. Consideration of whether this specific
disclosure suggests measurement of the charge of the polymer
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