Appeal 2007-1368 Application 10/601,602 permselective polymer membrane separating an anode compartment and a cathode compartment, and a catalytic, metal anode and a catalytic metal cathode or a catalytic, metal anode and a gas-diffusion cathode. 34. An assembly for the continuous, cyclic production of an alkali metal halate, comprising an electrolytic cell, a gas and liquid disengager for a catholyte stream, and a gas and liquid disengager for an anolyte stream, said electrolytic cell comprising a permselective polymer membrane separating an anode compartment and a cathode compartment, a catalytic, metal anode and a catalytic metal cathode or a catalytic, metal anode and a gas-diffusion cathode. The Examiner relies upon the following references in the rejection of the appealed claims: De Nora US 4,381,979 May 3, 1983 Sawamoto US 5,290,406 Mar. 1, 1994 Appellants' claimed invention is directed to an electrolytic cell for producing an alkali metal halate. The cell comprises, inter alia, "a low alkali metal ion transport efficiency permselective polymer membrane separating an anode compartment and a cathode compartment" (claim 8), and "a permselective polymer membrane separating an anode compartment and a cathode compartment" (claim 34). According to Appellants, prior art cells for producing an alkali metal halate do not include a separating membrane. Appealed claims 8-17 stand rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 112, first paragraph, enablement requirement. Claim 34 stands rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 102(b) as being anticipated by Sawamoto. In addition, claim 35 stands rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 103(a) as being unpatentable over Sawamoto in view of De Nora. 2Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Next
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