T 1291/18 23-07-2021

1. The appeal is admissible.

2. Background

The patent deals with seed coatings. Such coatings are applied to avoid dusting, to smoothen the seed surface and/or provide the seed with plant protection agents or nutrients. The formulation of the seed coating is critical, since it tends to render the coated seeds sticky (see paragraph [0003] of the patent specification).

n order to obtain better flow characteristics of coated seeds, the invention as defined in claim 1 proposes a seed coating composition comprising at least 35 wt% of inorganic particles having a "mean particle size (D50) ... measured by laser obscuration time technology" of 250 mym or less, meaning that the particles of half of particle mass must not be larger than 250 mym. This is in fact a definition of the median particle size rather than a mean or average particle size in the conventional sense, and the claim is thus understood as referring to such a median value. "Laser obscuration time" or LOT is a term employed by Ankersmid Ltd, which produces the EyeTech Particle Size Analyzer mentioned in paragraph [0053] of the patent and shown in D19, for a technology otherwise known as "single particle optical sizing" or SPOS. LOT (or SPOS) is based on detecting light blocking, light obscuration or light extinction caused by particles when they pass a light source, e.g. a laser, and allows for rather accurate size, volume and shape determination for individual particles, see paragraph [0053] of the patent specification and page 3 of D19.

3. Sufficiency of disclosure

3.1 A conventional method for obtaining a mass based particle size distribution, e.g. of naturally occurring sediments, is sieving and weighing. Particle size distribution of (coating) compositions analysed by optical methods such as LOT or SPOS are usually expressed in number or volume percentage, as on page 3 of D19. Indeed in the Board's understanding this technique is based on measuring the size of each individual particle, which is directly related to the time during which it obscures a laser beam. From this measurement a distribution of the (relative) number or frequency of particles as a function of particle size is obtained. Under certain assumptions of 3D shape this can be converted into a volumetric distribution, giving the (relative) volumes of particles as a function of particle size.

The Board sees confirmation of this view in D19, page 3. Although D19 is a marketing brochure and not a full technical specification for the EyeTech analyzer, as pointed out by the Respondent, it describes in detail the wide range of capabilities of the analyzer. However, it does not mention the possibility of determining mass based values. It appears to be unlikely that such a special and uncommon capability as that of mass based analysis would be left unmentioned, if present.

3.2 The example seed coating compositions presented in the patent specification (at least those in which the inorganic particles are identified) and in the annexes with experimental evidence D9 and D10 contain only one type of inorganic particles.

Claim 1 of the main request and of auxiliary request 1 encompasses, however, mixtures of different inorganic particles, such as silicate, carbonate and sulphate particles (claim 2), each having a different mass density ranging from over 4 g/cm3 for barium sulphate to less than 1 g/cm3 for pumice (paragraph [0015] of the patent specification).

3.3 For compositions comprising only one type of inorganic particles having basically the same mass density, a mass based particle size distribution can easily be derived from the volume based particle size distribution on the basis of the single mass density value.

In this case, a person skilled in the art could thus obtain a mass based D50 value by means of LOT technology, even if the latter would strictly speaking only establish a volume based particle size distribution.

3.4 However, the patent specification is silent about the way in which a mass based particle size distribution can be established by LOT technology for a mixture of different types of inorganic particles having different mass densities. According to the Respondent, the analysis is carried out with the prepared seed coating composition in liquid form comprising all inorganic particles (see corresponding statements of the Respondent on page 5, fourth paragraph and page 6, first paragraph of the impugned decision and on page 3, first paragraph of their reply to the appeal).

Still, it is not clear to the Board how an optical LOT analyzer could differentiate between an inorganic particle of a first type having a first density and another inorganic particle of a second type having a second density, if both are contained in a liquid seed coating composition to be analyzed. Such differentiation appears to be necessary not only for determining the volume of every single particle of the composition, but also its individual mass, which in turn appears to be a prerequisite for the LOT analyzer to determine a mass based D50 value of the composition.

Nor is mass determination mentioned in D19, nor did the Respondent provide a plausible explanation how this could be obtained based on the principles of the optical LOT technology. The Respondent invoked further technical specifications of the EyeTech analyzer, which would demonstrate the analyzer's capability to establish a mass based particle size distribution or D50 value, but did not submit those in support of their allegations.

In the absence of any example or further explanations or supporting evidence, the Board is unable to agree with the Respondent's statement that this would fall under the normal skills of the person skilled in the art.

3.5 In the light of the above, the Board can but conclude that the skilled person cannot derive from the patent supplemented by their common general knowledge in the field of particle size measurement how a mass based particle size distribution and corresponding D50 value can be determined for a seed coating composition comprised of a mixture of inorganic particles of different types and different densities using LOT technology. This means that for such mixtures, which are clearly considered in the patent and covered by its claims, the claimed invention is insufficiently disclosed.

For the above reasons, the Board finds the patent does not disclose the invention as defined in the main request and in auxiliary request 1 in a manner sufficiently clear and complete for it to be carried out by a person skilled in the art, Article 83 EPC.

4. Conclusion

With their appeal, the Opponent has successfully challenged the findings of the Opposition Division according to which the invention as defined in the main request was sufficiently disclosed in the sense of Article 83 EPC. Consequently, the Opposition Division's interlocutory decision to maintain the patent in the amended form of the main request cannot be upheld.

The amendments made in auxiliary request 1 lead to no different conclusion and the patent does not meet the requirements of Article 83 EPC, either, thus leading to the revocation of the patent under Articles 101(3)b), 111(1) EPC.