Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
25 words
A method of rapidly crosslinking a protein, characterized by combining a protein with a water-miscible alcohol and acetaldehyde so that a moist intimate mixture results.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
25 words
A method of rapidly crosslinking a protein, characterized by combining a protein with a water-miscible alcohol and acetaldehyde so that a moist intimate mixture results.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method as described in claim 1 wherein the intimate mixture comprises protein, alcohol and acetaldehyde within particles which make up a powder.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method as described in claim 2 wherein the powder is made by spray drying or spray congealing.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
21 words
The method as described in anyone of claims 1 to 3 wherein the intimate mixture is made by creating an emulsion.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
16 words
The method as described in anyone of claims 1 to 4 wherein the protein is gelatin.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
59 words
The method as described in anyone of claims 3 to 5 wherein the method comprises the steps of: a) spray congealing an intimate mixture of gelatin and water-miscible alcohol; and b) exposing the spray-congealed gelatin and alcohol to acetaldehyde, and wherein the acetaldehyde is in the vapor state when the spray-congealed gelatin and alcohol are exposed to the acetaldehyde.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
32 words
The method as described in anyone of claims 1 to 6 wherein the water-miscible alcohol is a member selected from the group consisting of sorbitol, propylene glycol, glycerol, mannitol, ethanol, and methanol.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
41 words
The method as described in anyone of claims 1 to 7 wherein the temperature of the intimate mixture is at least 50°C during the addition of aldehyde to the mixture, and the mixture comprises between 3 percent and 25 percent moisture.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
47 words
The method as described in anyone of claims 6 to 8 wherein the acetaldehyde is exposed to the intimate mixture of protein and alcohol while both the acetaldehyde vapor and the intimate mixture of protein and alcohol are under a positive pressure between 34.45 - 206.4 kPa.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
22 words
The method as described in anyone of claims 1 to 9 wherein the mixture additionally comprises a fat-soluble vitamin, particularly vitamin A.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method as described in claim 1 wherein: a) the alcohol and acetaldehyde are mixed together and allowed to form a reaction product; and b) the reaction product is added to a solution of the protein so that the protein is rapidly crosslinked.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process as described in claim 11 wherein the protein is gelatin.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process as described in claim 12 wherein an aqueous gelatin solution contains droplets of vitamin A.