Appeal No. 2006-0791 Ex parte Gore Enterp. Holdings, Inc.
Silva
[43] Silva teaches an ion-exchange membrane based on a microporous PTFE sheet
(Silva at, e.g., 1:32-44).
[44] Silva teaches (at 6:13-17) a PTFE ion-exchange membrane that is 01.-10 mils,
preferably 0.5-3.0 mils, thick.
[45] Like Ito, Silva is directed to solving the problem of providing an effective thin
ion-exchange membrane with adequate mechanical strength (Silva at, e.g., 1:10-28).
[46] Augmented mechanical strength is sufficient motivation to use PTFE as the
material for the membrane of Ito.
[47] Silva discloses that PTFE film can be processed at temperatures well in excess of
140°C (at 7:51-52; at 8:7-9).
Mallouk
[48] Mallouk teaches (at 1:62-66):
[a] porous composite membrane...comprising a film of porous, expanded
polytetrafluoroethylene whose surfaces, both exterior and within its pores, are
coated with a metal salt of perfluoro-cation exchange polymer.
[49] Mallouk's metal salt is a perfluoro-cation exchange resin (at 2:49-55).
[50] Mallouk's film has a thickness of 1-6 mils and a porosity exceeding 60%
(at 2:6-12).
[51] Mallouk is concerned with making a nerve-gas sensor (at 1:6-10).
[52] Mallouk's membrane is specifically designed to permit air flow through the
membrane (at 2:15-24).
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