US3886046A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Recycle fermentation process
Assignee: ER Squibb and Sons LLC
•
Filing: 1973-06-28
•
Granted: 1975-05-27
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Expires: 1993-06-28
Abstract
Abstract A fermentation process is disclosed which comprises destroying or partially destroying the fermenting cells and utilizing said cells as nutrients by recycling in the presence of the desired fermentation product.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas Benton Young
- 👤 H Michael Koplove
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 19:53
CPC Classifications
C; C12; C12P; C12P1/00; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S435/00; Y10S435/812
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
A FERMENTATION PROCESS WHICH COMPRISES GROWING MICROORGANISMS THAT PRODUCE A USEFUL PRODUCT IN AN AERATED NUTRIENT MEDIUM IN AN AGITATED FERMENTOR, CONTINUOUSLY AND ASEPTICALLY REMOVING AT A PREDETERMINED RATE BROTH CONTAINING MICROORGANISMS AND PRODUCT FROM SAID FERMENTOR AFTER THE MICROORGANISM MASS CONCENTRATION IN SAID FERMENTOR HAS REACHED A DESIRED LEVEL, DESTROYING THE VIABILITY OF PART OR ALL OF THE MICROORGANISMS IN SAID BROTH IN THE PRESENCE OF SAID USEFUL PRODUCT UNDER CONDITIONS WHICH ARE NOT DESTRUCTIVE TO SAID PRODUCT, AND CONTINUOUSLY RECYCLING SAID BROTH CONTAINING PRODUCT AND PARTIALLY OR TOTALLY NON-VIABLE MICROORGANISMS TO SAID FERMENTOR SUCH THAT THE SPECIFIC RATE OF DESTRUCTION OF MICROORGANISMS IN SAID BROTH IS EQUAL TO THE SPECIFIC GROWTH RATE LESS THE DILUTION RATE OF MICROORGANISMS IN THE FERMENTOR.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
123 words
A FERMENTATION PROCESS WHICH COMPRISES GROWING MICROORGANISMS THAT PRODUCE A USEFUL PRODUCT IN AN AERATED NUTRIENT MEDIUM IN AN AGITATED FERMENTOR, CONTINUOUSLY AND ASEPTICALLY REMOVING AT A PREDETERMINED RATE BROTH CONTAINING MICROORGANISMS AND PRODUCT FROM SAID FERMENTOR AFTER THE MICROORGANISM MASS CONCENTRATION IN SAID FERMENTOR HAS REACHED A DESIRED LEVEL, DESTROYING THE VIABILITY OF PART OR ALL OF THE MICROORGANISMS IN SAID BROTH IN THE PRESENCE OF SAID USEFUL PRODUCT UNDER CONDITIONS WHICH ARE NOT DESTRUCTIVE TO SAID PRODUCT, AND CONTINUOUSLY RECYCLING SAID BROTH CONTAINING PRODUCT AND PARTIALLY OR TOTALLY NON-VIABLE MICROORGANISMS TO SAID FERMENTOR SUCH THAT THE SPECIFIC RATE OF DESTRUCTION OF MICROORGANISMS IN SAID BROTH IS EQUAL TO THE SPECIFIC GROWTH RATE LESS THE DILUTION RATE OF MICROORGANISMS IN THE FERMENTOR.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
11 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the product is an antibiotic.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the product is selected from the group consisting of penicillin, nystatin, and tetracycline.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said product is removed from the recycling broth prior to destruction of the viability of all or part of the microorganisms.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the fermentation process is a batch, fed-batch, semi-continuous, or continuous process.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the means of destruction is selected from the group consisting of heat, homogenization, shearing, pH change, ultrasonic waves, or ultraviolet light.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
11 words
The process of claim 4 wherein the product is an antibiotic.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 4 wherein the fermentation process is a batch, fed-batch, semi-continuous, or continuous process.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process of claim 4 wherein the product is selected from the group consisting of penicillin, nystatin and tetracycline.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The process of claim 4 wherein the means of destruction are selected from the group consisting of heat, homogenization, shearing, pH change, ultrasonic waves, or ultraviolet light.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-05-26 | 1978-11-25 | 1979-05-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-26 | 1982-11-25 | 1983-05-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-26 | 1986-11-25 | 1987-05-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |