Appeal 2006-2980
Application 10/683,240
the claimed invention in that quaternary ammonium salts are not disclosed as
one of the reaction components (Answer 3).
The Examiner found that Nissen describes cellular anime cross-linked
polyurethane elastomers comprising a reaction product of isocyanate pre-
polymers, polyols, aromatic amine chain extenders combined in the presence
of water, catalysts, and other additives (Answer 4). Nissen discloses the
blowing agent can comprise water (col. 7, ll. 28-29). Nissen discloses
organic carboxylic as salt are suitable as additives to the reaction mixture
(col. 7, ll. 54-65). The Examiner found that Nissen differs from the claimed
invention in that quaternary ammonium salts are not disclosed as one of the
reaction components (Answer 4).
The Examiner found that Vratsanos describes the suitability of
employing quaternary ammonium salts as a blowing agent utilized for the
preparation of cellular polyurethane elastomers (Answer 3-4). Vratsanos
discloses the blowing agent can comprise water, acid blocked catalysts or
alternatively quaternary ammonium salts (col. 3, ll. 41-53).
The Examiner concludes that it would have been obvious to one of
ordinary skill in the art to form the polyurethane elastomer of Meisert or
Nissen utilizing quaternary ammonium salts as one of the blowing agent
reaction components (Answer 3-4).
Appellants contend that Meisert and Nissen are both directed to a
higher density polyurethane elastomer foam and Vratsanos is directed to a
lower density polyurethane elastomer foam.1 Thus, the substitution and/or
1 Appellants consider the disclosures of Meisert and Nissen to be equivalent
to one another (Br. 10).
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