Appeal 2007-2774
Application 10/285,632
and 44 have been cancelled without prejudice for purposes of this appeal
(Br. at 2; Answer2 at 3). We have jurisdiction under 35 U.S.C. § 6(b)
(2002). We REVERSE.
The subject matter on appeal is directed to a method of treating a
"dirty" water-based flush solution used to remove paint from coating
application equipment such that a portion of the treated flush solution is
recycled back to the application equipment. Claims 1 and 45 are illustrative
and read as follows (emphasis added):
1. A process for removing solids from a water-
based flush solution comprising:
providing dirty flush solution, wherein the
dirty flush solution contains from 5% to 20% by
volume paint;
directing the dirty flush solution to a
treatment vessel;
adding one or more chemicals to the
treatment vessel to form a treated flush solution,
wherein the one or more chemicals include a
flocculent [sic] or a coagulant to facilitate removal
of paint compounds by forming aggregated paint
compounds that have a particle size of at least 20
microns;
separating aggregated paint compounds
from the treated flush solution to form a filtered
flush solution; and
directing the filtered flush solution to spray
application equipment.
2 Examiner's Answer ("Answer") mailed 13 February 2007 and remailed 17
April 2007.
2
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