Appeal 2007-2603
Application 10/958,559
6) Tomka discloses a method of producing a thermoplastically
processable starch which is a substantially water free,
combination of starch with at least one additive such as a
plasticizer (claim 1). In particular, Tomka teaches that the
resultant starch may have a water content of less than 1.0%
(claim 16).
7) According to Tomka, a high water content, i.e., on the order
of 17% or more prevents reasonable extrusion of the starch
(col. 2, ll. 6-8).
8) The thermoplastically processable starch can be in the form
of granulates, flakes, pills, tablets, powder, or fibers (col. 5, ll.
64-68; claim 10).
9) In accordance with Tomka’s process, native starch is mixed
with a plasticizer using an extruder or kneader to form an
approximately homogeneous thermoplastic mass (col. 4, ll. 18-
24).
10) According to Tomka, the thermoplastically processable
starch is suitable, in particular, as a blending component or
formulation aid for addition to thermoplastic or thermosetting
polymers (col. 6, ll. 14-18).
ANALYSIS AND CONCLUSIONS
Appellants concede that Ryan discloses degradable polymer fibers for
use in nonwovens, the fibers being comprised of polylactide blended with
different types of polymers, such as a destructurized starch composition (Br.
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