Appeal 2007-3962
Application 10/005,846
We AFFIRM-IN-PART.
I. BACKGROUND
The invention relates to a diffusion membrane made from a blend of
an aliphatic polyolefin such as polyethylene and a thermoplastic olefin
elastomer such as ethylene-propylene rubber. The claims are directed to a
method, and to the membrane article made. Claims 1 and 9 are illustrative
of the subject matter on appeal:
1. A method of improving the mechanical strength of a membrane
comprising the step of:
providing a microporous sheet comprising a blend of an aliphatic
polyolefin and a thermoplastic olefin elastomer selected from the group of
ethylene-propylene rubbers, ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer rubbers,
and combinations thereof with the elastomer comprising less than 10 percent
by blend weight.
9. A diffusion membrane comprising:
a dry stretched microporous sheet comprising a blend of an aliphatic
polyolefin and a thermoplastic olefin elastomer, the elastomer comprising
less than 10 percent by blend weight, the polyolefin being selected from the
group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, copolymers thereof, and
blends thereof, the thermoplastic olefin elastomer being selected from the
group consisting of ethylene-propylene rubbers, ethylene-propylene-diene
terpolymer rubbers, and combinations thereof.
The Examiner relies on the following prior art reference as evidence
of unpatentability:
Kondo (as translated) JP 10-17694 Jan. 20, 1998
2
Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Next
Last modified: September 9, 2013