US4009076A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Enzyme granules
Assignee: Lever Brothers Co
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Filing: 1973-11-02
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Granted: 1977-02-22
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Expires: 1993-11-02
Abstract
Abstract Enzyme granules, particularly for detergent compositions, are prepared having a granule core of solid material carrying an enzyme and a solid coating of plasticized resin free of the enzyme. The plasticized resin can be dextrin or sodium lignosulphonate containing a plasticizer such as glucose, sucrose urea, glycerol or ethylene glycol. The granules are made by spraying the enzyme-containing core with a concentrated aqueous solution of the plasticized resin.
Inventors
- 👤 Robin John Green
- 👤 Michael David Key
- 👤 Keith William Murray
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:38
CPC Classifications
C; C11; C11D; C11D3/00; C11D3/16; C11D3/38; C11D3/386; C11D3/38672; C12; C12N; C12N9/00; C12N9/98; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/29; Y10T428/2982; Y10T428/2991
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
85 words
An enzyme granule comprising a granule core of solid material carrying an enzyme, said granule having around it a continuous, non-tacky solid coating of plasticised resin substantially free of the enzyme, the resin being selected from the group consisting of dextrin and alkali metal liguosulphonate and having at 20° C and at a neutral pH, a solubility in water of at least 50% by weight, and a 50% aqueous solution of the resin at 20° C having a viscosity of from 0.1 to 25 poises.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
85 words
An enzyme granule comprising a granule core of solid material carrying an enzyme, said granule having around it a continuous, non-tacky solid coating of plasticised resin substantially free of the enzyme, the resin being selected from the group consisting of dextrin and alkali metal liguosulphonate and having at 20° C and at a neutral pH, a solubility in water of at least 50% by weight, and a 50% aqueous solution of the resin at 20° C having a viscosity of from 0.1 to 25 poises.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
A granule according to claim 1, in which the plasticised resin comprises dextrin and an effective amount of glucose, sucrose, urea, glycerol or ethylene glycol to plasticise the dextrin.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
A granule according to claim 1, in which the plasticised resin comprises sodium lignosulphonate and an effective amount of glucose, sucrose, urea, glycerol, ethylene glycol or diethylene glycol monoethyl ether to plasticise the sodium lignosulphonate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
A granule according to claim 1, in which the plasticised resin is a mixture of from 10 to 90% dextrin and from 90 to 10% sodium lignosulphonate by weight.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
A granule according to claim 1, in which the carrier material comprises a detergency builder.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
A granule according to claim 5, in which the detergency builder is sodium tripolyphosphate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
A granule according to claim 5, in which the granule core contains as binder a nonionic detergent-active ethylene oxide condensate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
A granule according to claim 5, in which the enzyme is a hydrolase.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
51 words
A process for preparing a granule as claimed in claim 1, comprising contacting a granule core of solid material carrying an enzyme with an aqueous solution of the plasticised resin and removing any excess water by drying until a continuous film of solid plasticised resin is formed around the granule core.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
42 words
A process according to claim 9, in which the granule core is contacted by spraying with an aqueous solution containing an amount of the plasticised resin corresponding to a viscosity at the temperature of spray formation of from 0.5 to 20 poises.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
A process according to claim 10, in which during the formation of the coating the core is contacted with a finely-divided inert anhydrous inorganic material.
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) | 1980-02-22 | 1980-08-23 | 1981-02-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-02-22 | 1984-08-23 | 1985-02-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-02-22 | 1988-08-23 | 1989-02-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |