Ex Parte Dirkse et al

Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences

Mar 22, 2012

10559309 (B.P.A.I. Mar. 22, 2012)

UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARKOFFICE
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
United States Patent and Trademark Office
Address: COMMISSIONER FOR PATENTS
P.O. Box 1450
Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1450
www.uspto.gov
APPLICATION NO. FILING DATE FIRST NAMED INVENTOR ATTORNEY DOCKET NO. CONFIRMATION NO.
10/559,309 12/01/2005 Hendricus Arien Dirkse TS1369 US 1667
23632 7590 03/23/2012
SHELL OIL COMPANY
P O BOX 2463
HOUSTON, TX 772522463
EXAMINER
LEUNG, JENNIFER A
ART UNIT PAPER NUMBER
1774
MAIL DATE DELIVERY MODE
03/23/2012 PAPER
Please find below and/or attached an Office communication concerning this application or proceeding.
The time period for reply, if any, is set in the attached communication.
PTOL-90A (Rev. 04/07)

UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
____________

BEFORE THE BOARD OF PATENT APPEALS
AND INTERFERENCES
____________

Ex parte HENDRICUS ARIEN DIRKSE
and HUBERTUS WILHELMUS ALBERTUS DRIES
____________

Appeal 2010-003052
Application 10/559,309
Technology Center 1700
____________

Before BRADLEY R. GARRIS, BEVERLY A. FRANKLIN, and
MARK NAGUMO, Administrative Patent Judges.

PER CURIAM.

DECISION ON APPEAL

Appellants appeal under 35 U.S.C. § 134 from the Examiner's
rejection of claims 1-4. We have jurisdiction under 35 U.S.C. § 6.
Claim 1 is representative of the subject matter on appeal and is set
forth below:
1. A cyclone configuration comprising:

two cyclones for separation of solids from a solids-gas mixture
wherein the gas outlet of a first cyclone is fluidly connected to an outlet
Appeal 2010-003052
Application 10/559,309

2
conduit provided with a gas outlet opening and the gas inlet of the second
cyclone is connected to an inlet conduit provided with a gas inlet opening,

wherein the outlet and inlet conduit are arranged co-axial such that
gas leaving the outlet opening of the outlet conduit enters the inlet opening
of the inlet conduit and gas from the exterior of the cyclone configuration
can enter the gas inlet opening of the inlet conduit,

wherein the outlet conduit and the inlet conduit are kept in a co-axial
position relative to each other by means of guiding means which are
attached to the outlet conduit or to the inlet conduit and extend to the
opposite conduit thereby allowing movement of the inlet and outlet conduits
relative to each other in the axial direction only, and

wherein the guiding means are attached to either the outlet conduit or
the inlet conduit and extend into the opposite opening of the other conduit.

The prior art relied upon by the Examiner in rejecting the claims on
appeal is:
Kershaw et al. (Kershaw) 2,668,755 Feb. 9, 1954
Haddad et al. (Haddad) 4,502,947 Mar. 5, 1985
Claims 1-4 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 103(a) as being
unpatentable over Haddad in view of Kershaw.
We sustain the above rejection based on the findings of fact,
conclusions of law, and rebuttals to arguments expressed by the Examiner in
the Answer. We add that a preponderance of the evidence supports the
Examiner’s interpretation of the teachings of Haddad.
The decision of the Examiner is affirmed.

Appeal 2010-003052
Application 10/559,309

3
TIME PERIOD FOR RESPONSE
No time period for taking any subsequent action in connection with
this appeal may be extended under 37 C.F.R. § 1.136(a)(1).
AFFIRMED

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