U.S. patent application number 15/601523 was filed with the patent office on 2018-01-11 for process for preparation of a granular humic mineral reagent.
The applicant listed for this patent is OrganoCat, LLC. Invention is credited to Alexander I. Shulgin.
Application Number | 20180008853 15/601523 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 58708833 |
Filed Date | 2018-01-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180008853 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Shulgin; Alexander I. |
January 11, 2018 |
Process for Preparation of a Granular Humic Mineral Reagent
Abstract
A process for preparing humic-mineral agent granules is
disclosed. Such a process may comprise providing a humic
acid-containing material; crushing the humic acid-containing
material to obtain first granules; contacting a quantity of water
with the first granules, thereby forming slightly wet granules;
blending the slightly wet granules for a period of time, thereby
forming blended granules; contacting an amount of alkali with the
blended granules, thereby forming alkali-treated granules; and
mixing the alkali-treated granules at a temperature high enough to
melt organic carbon substances in the alkali-treated granules. The
resulting product has biologically, geologically, and chemically
active properties, and may be applied to the soil alone or in
combination with a commercially available fertilizer. Additionally,
the resulting product may be used to detoxify solid or liquid waste
products.
Inventors: |
Shulgin; Alexander I.;
(Louisville, KY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
OrganoCat, LLC |
Louisville |
KY |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
58708833 |
Appl. No.: |
15/601523 |
Filed: |
May 22, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
14669858 |
Mar 26, 2015 |
9656109 |
|
|
15601523 |
|
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|
62049656 |
Sep 12, 2014 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C05F 11/00 20130101;
B01J 20/24 20130101; C05C 1/00 20130101; C05B 7/00 20130101; B09C
1/08 20130101; C05C 9/00 20130101; C05B 1/02 20130101; C05C 5/02
20130101; C05B 3/00 20130101; C05F 11/02 20130101; C05C 3/00
20130101 |
International
Class: |
A62D 3/30 20070101
A62D003/30; C05F 11/00 20060101 C05F011/00; C05C 9/00 20060101
C05C009/00; C05C 5/02 20060101 C05C005/02; C05C 1/00 20060101
C05C001/00; B01J 20/24 20060101 B01J020/24; C05B 7/00 20060101
C05B007/00; C05B 3/00 20060101 C05B003/00; C05B 1/02 20060101
C05B001/02; B09C 1/08 20060101 B09C001/08; C05F 11/02 20060101
C05F011/02; C05C 3/00 20060101 C05C003/00 |
Claims
1. A process for preparing nutrient-delivering humic-mineral agent
granules suitable for amelioration and fertilization of soil and/or
stimulation of plant growth, the process comprising: providing a
humic acid-containing material; crushing the humic acid-containing
material to obtain first granules; contacting a quantity of water
with the first granules, thereby forming slightly wet granules;
blending the slightly wet granules for a period of time, thereby
forming blended granules; contacting an amount of alkali with the
blended granules, thereby forming alkali-treated granules; mixing
the alkali-treated granules at a temperature high enough to melt
organic carbon substances in the alkali-treated granules, thereby
forming humic-mineral agent granules; contacting the humic-mineral
agent granules with nutrient-bearing substance, thereby forming a
nutrient-bearing mixture; and blending the nutrient bearing
mixture, thereby forming nutrient-delivering humic-mineral agent
granules.
2. The process of claim 1, wherein the nutrient-bearing substance
comprises ammonium nitrate, urea, ammonium sulfate, potassium
nitrate and/or sodium nitrate.
3. The process of claim 1, wherein the nutrient-bearing substance
comprises calcium phosphate, super phosphate, mono-di-three
ammonium phosphate, sodium phosphate and/or potassium
phosphate.
4. The process of claim 1, wherein the nutrient-bearing substance
comprises potassium chloride, potassium nitrate and/or potassium
sulfate.
5. The process of claim 1 wherein the nutrient-bearing substances
comprises sulfur in form of elemental sulfur, sulfate, sulfite and
polysulfide.
6. The process of claim 1 wherein the nutrient-bearing substances
comprises organic and inorganic salts of calcium, magnesium, iron,
manganese, copper, zinc, boron and molybdenum.
7. Humic-mineral agent granules produced by a process comprising:
providing a humic acid-containing material; crushing the humic
acid-containing material to obtain first granules; contacting a
quantity of water with the first granules, thereby forming slightly
wet granules; blending the slightly wet granules for a period of
time, thereby forming blended granules; contacting an amount of
alkali with the blended granules, thereby forming alkali-treated
granules; mixing the alkali-treated granules at a temperature high
enough to melt organic carbon substances in the alkali-treated
granules, thereby forming humic-mineral agent granules; contacting
the humic-mineral agent granules with nutrient-bearing substance,
thereby forming a nutrient-bearing mixture; and blending the
nutrient bearing mixture, thereby forming nutrient-delivering
humic-mineral agent granules.
8. The granules of claim 7 for ameliorating soil, further including
contacting the humic-mineral agent granules with soil.
9. The granules of claim 7 for detoxifying a toxic material,
further including contacting the humic-mineral agent granules with
the toxic material.
10. The granules of claim 7 further including a fertilizer as the
nutrient bearing substance combined with the humic-mineral agent
granules for stimulating microbial and/or plant growth.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] Generally, a process for the manufacturing or production of
solid humic-mineral preparations, sorbents, flocculants,
coagulants, ameliorants, soil conditioners, soil and turf
rebuilders, fertilizers, and bio-stimulants is disclosed.
Additionally, a solid product of such a humic-mineral preparation,
with surface-active, ion-exchange, chelating, complexing, and
biologically, geologically, and chemically active properties is
disclosed.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] It is well known in the art that humic acid-based
preparations can have a variety of beneficial properties and uses
in agriculture (e.g. fertilizers, additives, etc.), waste water
treatment and waste detoxification. However, these preparations
also have a number of limitations. These preparations are often
labor and energy intensive to produce, costly, and often result in
products that are difficult to handle.
[0003] One such preparation, used as a sorbent for binding ions of
heavy metals, is difficult to produce, comprising several steps,
including extracting, neutralizing, filtering, washing, drying, and
calcining. The large number of complex steps make the resulting
sorbent product time consuming and expensive to produce.
[0004] Another such preparation requires the starting humic acid
containing mixture to be dried or dehydrated to a moisture content
from 6% to 12%. However, a moisture content this low results in the
humic acids, or derivatives thereof, to be placed into a dormant or
inactive state.
[0005] Another known preparation of concentrated humic product
requires preparation by an electrolysis method. This method makes
controlling the exact composition of the product difficult.
Further, the resulting humic acids-based product is of a gelatinous
consistency, making it difficult to handle for storage,
transportation, and application.
[0006] Another known method of production of a humic mineral agent
uses a method that requires the use of a large amount of water to
hydrate the humic acids-containing starting material. This
hydration results in a product that is the consistency of a viscous
flowing liquid which is then converted into a plastic media. Such a
process is energy intensive. Further, the adhesiveness of the
product resulting from such a method makes bagging the product very
difficult and labor intensive. The adhesiveness of the product also
makes its use in fertilizer or in soil treatments difficult.
[0007] Therefore, there exists a need in the art for a process that
produces a dry, granular, humic-mineral agent that does not have
the limitations of adhesiveness. Further, there exists a need in
the art for a process that minimizes the problems of intense energy
use, high labor costs, and difficulty in handling of prior art
processes.
SUMMARY
[0008] The present disclosure is generally related to production of
solid humic-mineral preparations, sorbents, flocculants,
coagulants, ameliorants, soil conditioners, soil and turf
rebuilders, fertilizers, and bio-stimulants, as well as
humic-mineral substances having surface-active, ion-exchange,
chelating, complexing, and biologically, geologically, and
chemically active properties. Generally, a process for such
production may comprise providing a humic acid-containing material;
crushing the humic acid-containing material to obtain first
granules; contacting a quantity of water with the first granules,
thereby forming slightly wet granules; blending the slightly wet
granules for a period of time, thereby forming blended granules;
contacting an amount of alkali with the blended granules, thereby
forming alkali-treated granules; and mixing the alkali-treated
granules at a temperature high enough to melt organic carbon series
substances CnHm in the alkali-treated granules. Embodiments of such
a described process may use coal or peat as a humic acid-containing
starting material. Such a humic acid-containing material may be
crushed to obtain optimal (small) granules. In some embodiments
such granules may be, for example, from about 1 to about 8
millimeters in size. Water may then added to such granules to make
the surface of such granules slightly wet in order to avoid dust
formation. An amount of water required may be determined relative
to the natural moisture content of such a starting humic
acid-containing material.
[0009] A dry alkali may then be mixed with such humic
acid-containing granules, causing an exothermic reaction. Such
mixing may continue until the temperature reaches at least
76.degree. C., the resulting humic-mineral agent becomes dry, and
the resulting humic-mineral granules have a pH between, for
example, about 6 and about 12. In some embodiments, a dry alkali
may be in the form of micro-beads or flakes. In some embodiments, a
dry alkali may comprise sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, or a
combination of sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide.
[0010] In some embodiments, such a humic-mineral agent may be
soluble and dispersible in water. In some embodiments, such a
humic-mineral agent may be used in the preparation of a liquid
humate solution.
[0011] In some embodiments, other steps may be included, such as an
application of such a granular humic-mineral agent to soil, or
mixing a particular-sized granular humic-mineral agent, for
example, an optimal-sized granular humic-mineral agent, with a
granular commercially available mineral fertilizer followed by
application of such a homogenous mixture to soil. An optimal-sized
granular humic mineral agent may have a size corresponding to a
size of a granular mineral fertilizer, for example, from about 2 to
about 5 millimeters in diameter. This may prevent segregation of
humic-mineral agent from granular mineral fertilizer during
storage, transportation and/or application.
[0012] In some embodiments, a process for preparation of a
humic-mineral agent may comprise a step of adding nitrogen-,
phosphorus, and/or potassium-bearing substances to such a granular
humic-mineral agent, which has activated organic carbons series
CnHm. In some embodiments, a nitrogen-bearing substance may
comprise ammonium nitrate, urea, ammonium sulfate, potassium
nitrate and/or sodium nitrate. In some embodiments, a
phosphorus-bearing substance may comprise calcium phosphate, super
phosphate, mono-di-three ammonium phosphate, sodium phosphate,
and/or potassium phosphate. In some embodiments, a
potassium-bearing substance may comprise potassium chloride,
potassium nitrate, and/or potassium sulfate.
[0013] Embodiments may include a step of mixing such a
humic-mineral agent with toxic liquid material in order to detoxify
the material, such as technological waste, process liquids,
solutions, dispersions, and/or waste water.
[0014] In some embodiments, such a humic mineral agent may be used
as a detoxification agent for solid or semi-solid toxic materials.
Such a process may include mixing such a humic-mineral agent with
water to form a slurry and then mixing the slurry with a solid or
semi-solid material to be detoxified. In some embodiments, such a
solid or semi-solid toxic material may comprise contaminated soil,
dewatered sewage sludge, dewatered bottom sediment, compost,
manure, bottom and/or fly ash, metal bearing slag, and/or waste
product from mining.
[0015] It should be appreciated that all combinations of the
foregoing concepts and additional concepts discussed in greater
detail below provided such concepts are not mutually inconsistent
are contemplated as being part of the subject matter disclosed
herein. In particular, all combinations of claimed subject matter
are contemplated as being part of the subject matter disclosed
herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] It should be understood that the phraseology and terminology
used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be
regarded as limiting. When used in this description and the claims
as an adverb rather than a preposition, "about" means
"approximately" and comprises the stated value and every value
within 10% of that value; in other words, "about 100%" includes 90%
and 110% and every value in between.
[0017] A process for making a humic-mineral agent may begin with
obtaining a raw composition of humic acid-containing substance
containing, for example, at least 25% naturally hydrated humic
acids and, for example, an ash content of 30% or less. In addition,
bulk and mobile forms of heavy metals in such a selected raw humic
acids-containing substance may not exceed allowable concentrations
for soils. A humic acid-containing starting material for producing
a humic-mineral agent may comprise brown coal and/or peat. Coal and
peat have been found to be composed of molecules of organic carbon
represented by normal straight chain hydrocarbons having a carbon
and hydrogen content from C.sub.10H.sub.22 to C.sub.35H.sub.72.
Such hydrocarbon compounds may be strongly bonded with other
components of carbon-series humates and caustobiolith, and, under
normal conditions, they may be inert in terms of their biological
and chemical activity. Such hydrocarbon compounds may have a
melting temperature as high as 76.degree. C. and an evaporative
temperature as low as 173.degree. C.
[0018] Once selected, a humic acid-containing starting material may
be crushed and sieved such that granules, such as from about 1 to
about 8 millimeters in diameter in size, may be obtained. Such
granules may be mechanically mixed (e.g. auger, razors on the
shaft, etc.) with just enough water to hydrate the surface of, the
micro and macro cracks of, and the capillaries of the humic
acid-containing granules for a short time, such as from about 2 to
about 3 minutes. A moisture content that is too high may cause coal
or peat to become sticky and to clump together and adhere to walls
of equipment and/or other surfaces. However, a moisture content
according to a process such as is described herein allows coal or
peat to be available for crushing and sieving. Moisture content may
be, for example, from about 10% to about 25%. Dry weight is
measured as the difference between the total weight of the
humic-containing granules and the weight of the moisture content of
the humic-containing granules. Therefore, a quantity of water to be
added may be determined based on moisture content and natural
hydration of such a raw starting material, and such a quantity of
water to be added may range between, for example, zero (for more
naturally hydrated humic-containing material) and, for example, 40%
(for less naturally hydrated humic containing material) of the dry
weight of the granules.
[0019] Following hydration, an alkali, such as a dry alkali, may be
added, for example, slowly added in small portions, to such
hydrated granules, in an amount ranging from, for example, about
4.0% to about 18% of the dry weight of the humic-acid containing
granules. Addition of a dry alkali may initiate an exothermic
reaction, which may intensify hydrolysis of organic and mineral
compounds and form humic-mineral agent granules. An addition of
alkali greater than 18% of the dry weight of such hydrated humic
acid-containing granules may cause a product with high alkalinity,
which may be harmful for biological objects. An addition of alkali
less than 4.0% of the dry weight of such hydrated humic
acid-containing granules may result in slow humic acid hydrolyzing.
Preliminary hydration of such hydrated humic acid containing
granules allows for such granules to adsorb (and/or absorb) alkali
at their surface, as such alkali is highly adhesive to and
interactive with water. Preliminary hydration is undertaken to
increase the likelihood of such adhesion and interaction,
hydration; for example, adding alkali to a non-hydrated coal or
peat may result in alkali beads and flakes passing through the bulk
pore space of the coal or peat and accumulating on the bottom of
the mixer without interaction with the coal or peat. Alkali, such
as solid granulated and/or flaked alkali, may comprise, for
example, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, or a mixture of
sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide. Such alkali, such as
solid granulated and/or flaked alkali, may be, for example, in the
form of micro-beads or flakes. Interaction of alkali with hydrated
humic acid granules is exothermic and may result in rapid heating
to temperatures as high as 120.degree. C. The intensity of the
reaction may be dependent on the amount of alkali added and the
intensity of the mixing of the alkali and coal or peat granules.
The greater the amount of alkali, the more rapid the temperature
rise; the more intense the mixing, the more rapid the temperature
rise. If too much alkali is added and/or the mixing too intense the
temperature may rise too quickly, which may result in too much
water evaporation, melting of organic carbon substances, and the
fluidization of such melted organic carbon substances. Fluidization
of organic substances may result in formation of large coal clumps
(20 to 1000 millimeters), due to their extremely high adhesion
under high temperature.
[0020] Slow and partial addition of dry alkali to such coal or peat
hydrated granules, as well as controlling intensity of mixing, may
prevent formation of such large clumps. A temperature at which such
interaction between alkali and hydrated granules takes place may
be, for example, about 76.degree. C. Around 76.degree. C., for
example, organic carbon substances (C.sub.10H.sub.22 to
C.sub.35H.sub.72) may melt, dissolve in humic acid, and form
humic-mineral and mineral complexes, which may then later solidify
during cooling. Such a process may disrupt to at least some degree
initial bonds of humic acids, humic-minerals, mineral complexes,
and organic carbon substances of the initial carbon series humates
and caustobioliths. According to such a process, new bonds may form
with a humic mineral agent resulting in activation of organic
carbons, such that a product of such process may be able and
available to accept and be involved in biological and chemical
interactions. Due to evaporation of water and a maintenance of
stable interaction temperature, for example, a temperature of about
76.degree. C., granules according to such a process may maintain
granular size and not clump together. Such mixing may continue for
a period of time as long as is appropriate to mix, for example,
essentially completely, or completely, added alkali with humic
acid-containing granules and to evaporate excessive water. Such a
process may result in conversion of coal or peat into granular
humic mineral agent.
[0021] Once produced, such a humic-mineral agent may be transferred
to a thermo-resistant bag while at a temperature of, for example,
about 76.degree. C. or lower. A reaction begun prior to such
transfer may continue for, by way of example, from about 2 to about
3 days, during which time vapor may continue to be released. Such a
continued reaction of such stationary bagged humic-mineral agent
may avoid a need for long mixing times and may prevent formation of
fine particles. Once reaction is complete the temperature of such
stationary bagged humic-mineral agent may lower to ambient
temperature, and such a resultant product is suitable for use
and/or application. Such a resulting humic-mineral agent may be in
solid form and may be less susceptible (than a liquid product) to
degradation that might otherwise result from various physical
and/or chemical insults such as solar (e.g., ultraviolet) radiation
and/or alternate moistening and drying cycles.
[0022] Exothermically melted and resolidified organic carbons of
raw humates and caustobioliths may be chemically bound to naturally
and additionally hydrated and hydrolyzed humic acids. Resulting
active organic carbons may be available to accept chemical and
biological interaction, including ion-exchanging, complexing,
chelating, flocculating, and/or coagulating. Additionally, acid
groups of such a humic-mineral agent may be dissociated and in a
hydrolyzed state where they may become water-soluble and water
dispersible compounds. Due to such water solubility, such a
granular humic-mineral agent, such as, for example, a dry granular
humic-mineral agent, may be used in preparation of liquid humate
products.
[0023] Such hydrated and/or hydrolyzed humic-mineral and/or mineral
complexes may feature properties that may synergistically intensify
effects of humic acids, a combination of which effects establishes
a high physical and chemical activity potential of such a
humic-mineral agent product. Such activity potential may in turn
determine economically useful properties thereof. Such a resulting
humic-mineral agent may include a combination of naturally hydrated
humic acids and additionally hydrated and hydrolyzed humic-mineral
and mineral components, having a pH value within safe limits for
biological objects and a predetermined solid-liquid ratio.
[0024] A high chemical reactivity of such a humic-mineral agent may
allow for addition of nitrogen-, phosphorus- and/or
potassium-bearing substances to such a granular humic-mineral agent
in order to enhance activated organic carbons. A nitrogen-bearing
substance to be added may comprise ammonium nitrate, urea, ammonium
sulfate, potassium nitrate and/or sodium nitrate. A
phosphorus-bearing substance to be added may comprise calcium
phosphate, super phosphate, mono-di-three ammonium phosphate
(ammonium phosphates), sodium phosphate, and/or potassium
phosphate. A potassium-bearing substance to be added may comprise
potassium chloride, potassium nitrate, and/or potassium
sulfate.
[0025] Organic carbon substances that have been melted and
solidified and/or dissolved in humic acids create a highly
efficient humic-mineral agent, which results in increased
availability of carbon as an energy source for microorganisms in
the soil. Such resulting hydrated and/or hydrolyzed humic acids,
humic-mineral and mineral compounds, as well as activated organic
carbon substances of such a humic-mineral agent, have an increased
affinity for soil microbiota, as compared to raw brown coal
(leonardite or lignite) and peat, and thus render a greater
positive effect on growth, activity, and stability of native soil
microbiota and plants. These beneficial effects result in better
soil properties and function, and a greater crop yield, making
application of such a humic-mineral agent to soil desirable. Such a
granular humic-mineral agent may be applied to soil alone. Such a
granular humic-mineral agent may be homogenously mixed with a
commercially available mineral fertilizer prior to application to
soil, in order, for example, to increase or change its effect. Such
a homogenous mixture may be stored and/or transported as a mixture,
or separately.
[0026] Such a humic-mineral agent may be used to detoxify solid
toxic substances and/or liquid toxic substances. For detoxification
of liquid waste or toxicants, a layer of granular humic-mineral
agent may be prepared. Liquid waste or toxicant may then be poured
over such a layer of humic-mineral agent granules, resulting in,
for example, dissolution of such humic-mineral agent granules. A
slurry containing such a humic-mineral agent, for example,
dissolved humic-mineral agent, and liquid toxicant is created. High
chemical reactivity of such a humic-mineral agent allows for such
granules, for example, while being dissolved in a slurry, to react
with and absorb and/or adsorb toxicants and/or heavy metals present
in such a toxic liquid substance. A toxic liquid substance that
such a humic-mineral agent may detoxify may comprise, for example,
waste water and/or sewage.
[0027] For detoxification of solid toxicants such a solid
humic-mineral agent may first be dissolved in water to create a
slurry, for example, a homogenous slurry. After such a slurry is
prepared, a solid toxicant may be added to such a slurry for
detoxification. The mixture of such a slurry and a toxic solid may
have a consistency between viscous-flowing liquid to dry or
semi-dry. For a solid toxicant and/or a liquid toxicant, when such
a humic-mineral agent is dissolved and mixed with such a toxicant,
such a highly chemically active humic-mineral agent may react with
one or more mobile forms of heavy metals and/or other toxicants.
With heavy metals, such a reaction may result in conversion of such
heavy metals into an immobile and insoluble state, forming, for
example, small or large flock formations. Since such flock
formations are insoluble in water they may be easily removed from a
mixture in which they are contained by steps comprising addition of
water followed by filtration, centrifugation, precipitation, etc.
For example, about 48% (manganese) to about 95% (zinc, copper,
cobalt, etc.) of heavy metals may be removed from such toxic
material in a single treatment. Polycyclic and/or polychlorinated
hydrocarbons may also be absorbed and/or adsorbed by humic acids
and non-water-soluble parts of humic-mineral agents; for example,
the rate of removal of polycyclic and/or polychlorinated
hydrocarbons may be about 60% in a single treatment. Types of solid
or semi-solid materials capable of being detoxified according to
such a process may include, for example: contaminated soil,
dewatered sewage sludge, dewatered bottom sediment, compost,
manure, bottom and/or fly ash, metal bearing slag, and/or waste
products from mining operations.
[0028] Many modifications and other embodiments of a process such
as is described in various embodiments herein will come to mind to
one skilled in the art to which this disclosed process pertains
having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing
description. Therefore, it is to be understood that a process such
as is described in various embodiments herein is not to be limited
to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and
other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of
the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein,
they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for
purposes of limitation.
[0029] All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be
understood to control over dictionary definitions, definitions in
documents incorporated by reference, and/or ordinary meanings of
the defined terms. The indefinite articles "a" and "an," as used
herein in the specification and in the claims, unless clearly
indicated to the contrary, should be understood to mean "at least
one." The phrase "and/or," as used herein in the specification and
in the claims, should be understood to mean "either or both" of the
elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively
present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases.
Multiple elements listed with "and/or" should be construed in the
same fashion, i.e., "one or more" of the elements so conjoined.
[0030] It should also be understood that, unless clearly indicated
to the contrary, in any methods claimed herein that include more
than one step or act, the order of the steps or acts of the method
is not necessarily limited to the order in which the steps or acts
of the method are recited.
[0031] In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all
transitional phrases such as "comprising," "including," "having,"
"containing," "involving," "composed of," and the like are to be
understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not
limited to. Only the transitional phrases "consisting of" and
"consisting essentially of" shall be closed or semi-closed
transitional phrases, respectively, as set forth in the United
States Patent Office Manual of Patent Examining Procedure, Section
2111.03.
[0032] Any result according to a process such as is described
herein is an unexpected result. Any variable that may be inferred
as being a result-effective variable according to a process such as
is described herein is not recognized in the art to be a
result-effective variable.
[0033] The foregoing description of methods and embodiments have
been presented for purposes of illustration. It is not intended to
be exhaustive or to limit the precise steps and/or forms disclosed,
and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in
light of the above teaching. It is intended that the scope and all
equivalents be defined by the claims appended hereto.
* * * * *