Appeal 2006-2931
Application 10/447,009
binder comprises a polymer containing vinyl acetate, ethylene, and a cross-
linking monomer (Specification [0011]).
Appellants report an improvement in the nonwoven product resides in
the use of a polymer having a crystalline melting point (Tm) ranging from 35
to 90°C (Specification [0011]).
Factors leading to the crystalline ethylene domains within a polymer
include the pressure and temperature of polymerization (Specification
[0023]).
Redox systems can be used for polymerization over a wide range of
temperatures generally 60°C or lower. Suitable redox systems are based
upon sulfoxylates and peroxides including sodium formaldehyde sulfoxylate
and ascorbic acid and hydrogen peroxide. (Specification [0024]).
Example 2 describes a redox system polymerization at a temperature
of 60°C employing sodium formaldehyde sulfoxylate. (Specification [0041-
0042]).
Suitable pressure for introduction of ethylene during the
polymerization process is below 2000 psig. Preferred pressure for
polymerization ranges from about 500 psig to 1800 psig (Specification 3,
section [0027]).
The following facts are relevant to issue I:
Mudge describes nonwoven products comprising the nonwoven web
of fibers bonded together with a binder that comprises an emulsion
polymerized polymer containing vinyl acetate, ethylene, and a cross-linking
monomer meeting all the limitations of claim 1, except for the description of
“polymerized units of crystalline ethylene segments” and the “polymer
5
Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Next
Last modified: September 9, 2013