US4367178A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process for the production of pure lecithin directly usable for physiological purposes
Assignee: AbbVie Pharmaceuticals GmbH
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Filing: 1981-02-27
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Granted: 1983-01-04
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Expires: 2001-02-27
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is a process for the production from raw lecithin of pure lecithin directly usable for physiological purposes, comprising the steps of contacting raw lecithin with gas as the extraction medium under supercritical conditions with respect to pressure and temperature in an extraction stage to produce a gas containing an extract; passing the gas containing the extract from the extraction stage into a separation stage; varying at least one of the pressure and the temperature of the gas in the separation stage to separate the extract-containing gas into the gas and the extract; recycling the gas after the step of varying the pressure and/or temperature; and removing pure lecithin from the extraction stage.
Inventors
- 👤 Walter Heigel
- 👤 Rolf Hueschens
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 00:54
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D11/00; B01D11/04; B01D11/0403; B01D11/0407; C; C07; C07F; C07F9/00; C07F9/02; C07F9/06; C07F9/08; C07F9/09; C07F9/10; C07F9/103; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P20/00; Y02P20/50; Y02P20/54
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
A process for the production of pure lecithin directly usable for physiological purposes by selective extraction from raw lecithin mixtures with oily substances, said process comprising the steps of: contacting said raw lecithin mixture with gas as the extraction medium under supercritical conditions with respect to pressure and temperature in extraction stage to produce a gas containing an extract; passing the gas containing the extract from the extraction stage into a separation stage; varying at least one of the pressure and the temperature of the gas in the separation stage to separate the extract-containing gas into the gas and the extract; recycling the gas after the step of varying the pressure and/or temperature; and removing pure lecithin from the extraction stage.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
121 words
A process for the production of pure lecithin directly usable for physiological purposes by selective extraction from raw lecithin mixtures with oily substances, said process comprising the steps of: contacting said raw lecithin mixture with gas as the extraction medium under supercritical conditions with respect to pressure and temperature in extraction stage to produce a gas containing an extract; passing the gas containing the extract from the extraction stage into a separation stage; varying at least one of the pressure and the temperature of the gas in the separation stage to separate the extract-containing gas into the gas and the extract; recycling the gas after the step of varying the pressure and/or temperature; and removing pure lecithin from the extraction stage.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein a physiologically compatible gas is used as the extraction medium.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
85 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the extraction medium is selected from CO 2 , CHF 3 , CF 3 --CF 3 , CHCl═CF 2 , CF 2 ═CH 2 , CF 3 --CH 3 , CHF 2 --CH 3 , CHF 2 Cl, CF 3 Cl, CF 2 ═CF 2 , CF 2 Cl 2 , CCl 3 --CHCl 2 , C 3 F 8 , SF 6 , N 2 O, SO 2 , ethane, ethene, propane, propene or a mixture thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the extraction medium comprises CO 2 .
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
A process according to claim 4, wherein the extraction stage is operated at a pressure between about 72 and 800 bar.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A process according to claim 4, wherein the extraction stage is operated at a pressure between about 200 and 500 bar.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
A process according to claim 4, wherein the extraction stage is operated at a pressure between about 300 and 400 bar.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
A process according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the extraction stage is operated at a temperature between about 31.3° and 100° C.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
A process according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the extraction stage is operated at a temperature between about 35° and 80° C.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
A process according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the extraction stage is operated at a temperature between about 40° and 60° C.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein said varying step comprises a reduction in pressure and a reduction of temperature to less than critical conditions for the extraction medium.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
A process according to claim 4, wherein the separation stage is operated at a pressure of between about 10 and 72 bar.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
A process according to claim 4, wherein the separation stage is operated at a pressure of between about 30 and 60 bar.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
A process according to claim 4, wherein the separation stage is operated at a temperature of from about 10° to 32° C.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
A process according to claim 4, wherein the separation stage is operated at a temperature of from about 15° to 25° C.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the raw lecithin is extracted for a period of from about 1 to 12 hours.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the raw lecithin is extracted for a period of from about 3 to 7 hours.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
11 words
A process according to claim 1, which is carried out continuously.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
NL7207441A
Cited
US3923847A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-01-03 | 1986-07-05 | 1987-01-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-01-03 | 1990-07-05 | 1991-01-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-01-03 | 1994-07-05 | 1995-01-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |