Appeal 2007-1118
Application 10/237,089
Appellants appeal under 35 U.S.C. § 134(a) from the Examiner’s
decision rejecting claims 1-14 and 16-20. We have jurisdiction under
35 U.S.C. § 6(b).
We AFFIRM.
I. BACKGROUND
The invention relates to a conductive silicon oxide powder, a negative
electrode material comprising the powder, and a method of preparing the
powder. The negative electrode is used in a lithium ion secondary battery
cell (Specification 1:7-11). Claims 1, 8, and 9 are illustrative of the subject
matter on appeal:
1. A conductive silicon oxide powder in which particles of silicon
oxide having the general formula: SiOx wherein 1 ≤ × < 1.6 are covered on
their surfaces with a conductive coating by chemical vapor deposition
treatment.
8. A negative electrode material for a non-aqueous electrolyte
secondary cell, comprising a mixture of the conductive silicon oxide powder
of claim 1 and 1 to 60% by weight of a conductive agent, the mixture having
a total carbon content of 25 to 90% by weight.
9. A method for preparing the conductive silicon oxide powder of
claim 1, comprising the step of heat treating particles of silicon oxide having
the general formula: SiOx wherein 1 ≤ × < 1.6 in an atmosphere containing
at least an organic gas or vapor at a temperature of 500 to 1,200°C.
The Examiner relies on the following prior art references to show
unpatentability:
Sakashita (as translated) JP 2001-185125 Jul. 6, 2001
Umeno US 6,383,686 B1 May 7, 2002
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