Patents by Inventor Nathaniel T. Becker

Nathaniel T. Becker has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6190898
    Abstract: A method for preparing a crystalline cellulase enzyme is provided which comprises preparing an aqueous solution containing cellulase enzyme and adding to the aqueous solution a salt comprising an anion selected from the group consisting of sulfate, phosphate, formate, acetate, sorbate, chloride, bromide, fluoride or iodide, and a cation selected from the group consisting of sodium, ammonium, magnesium, potassium or calcium, wherein the aqueous solution is at a temperature between 10° C. and 60° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Genencor International, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathaniel T. Becker, Edit L. Braunstein, Robert Fewkes, Ernst H. Gros, Meng H. Heng
  • Patent number: 6105786
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for preparing a detergent powder containing enzymes where the enzymes are extracted from a fermentation broth with a salt and surfactant mixture and directly agglomerated with detergent paste and dried to form the detergent powder. The process results in a two phase system where the enzyme is extracted into the surfactant rich phase and the second phase is salt rich. The process is especially useful for whole or clarified fermentation broths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Genencor International, Inc.
    Inventors: Edit L. Braunstein, Nathaniel T. Becker, Grant C. Ganshaw, Thomas P. Graycar
  • Patent number: 5879920
    Abstract: A granular enzyme composition is produced having reduced tendency to form dust and leave a residue, and improved stability and delayed release characteristics. The composition has a core, optionally coated with a vinyl polymer, a layer containing an enzyme and a vinyl polymer and optionally a plasticizer or anti-agglomeration agent, and an outer coating containing a polymer and optionally a low residue pigment and/or lubricant. Preferably, the core is a salt or sugar nonpareil, the vinyl polymer coating the core is polyvinyl alcohol and most preferably partially hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohol, the vinyl polymer in the enzyme layer is polyvinyl pyrrolidone, and the polymer of the outer coating is polyvinyl pyrrolidone, polyvinyl alcohol which may be partially hydrolyzed, polyethylene glycol or mixtures thereof such as a mixture of polyvinyl pyrrolidone and polyvinyl alcohol or a mixture of polyvinyl pyrrolidone and polyethylene glycol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Genencor International, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas A. Dale, Alfred L. Gaertner, Gene Park, Nathaniel T. Becker
  • Patent number: 5814501
    Abstract: Substantially dust-free enzyme-containing particles are prepared by spray-coating solid particulate cores with a fermentation broth containing enzymes. Fermentation broths containing from 5% to 100% total enzyme solids and 4%-55% total solids content in the broth may be used. For broths containing 4%-31% total solids, enzyme and coating agents may be spray-coated so as to achieve a weight gain of 1%-24% w/w over the initial weight of the cores. For broths with 31%-55% total solids, a corresponding weight gain of 1%-100% may be achieved. The enzyme coated cores may be further coated with coating agents. The total dry weight added to the cores ranges from 1% to 19% in the absence of coating agents and 1% to 24% in the presence of coating agents when the lower range of total solids content is used. The total dry weight added to the cores ranges from 1% to 100% when the higher range of total solids content is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Assignee: Genencor International, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathaniel T. Becker, Richard P. Crowley
  • Patent number: 5324649
    Abstract: A granular enzyme composition is produced, having reduced tendencies to form dust and leave residue, and exhibiting improved stability and delayed release characteristics. The granular composition comprises a core, an enzyme layer and an outer coating layer. The enzyme layer, and optionally the core and outer coating layer, contain a vinyl polymer. The vinyl polymer is preferably a hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohol or copolymer thereof. The hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohol has varying degrees of hydrolysis in the core, enzyme layer and outer coating layer. Also disclosed are methods for making such enzyme-containing granules, the methods having greatly reduced processing time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1994
    Assignee: Genencor International, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond E. Arnold, Nathaniel T. Becker, Matthew G. Boston, Aino Mansikkamaki, Curran M. Simpson, Daniel J. Wendt
  • Patent number: 5254283
    Abstract: The invention relates to use of a water dispersible isophthalic acid polymer as a dust free coating on particulates. The particles provide a timed release of the contents of the particle which allows for reduced amounts of active agents on the coatings and less interference between active agents in the coating or environment and the particulates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1993
    Assignees: Genencor International, Inc., Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Raymond E. Arnold, Nathaniel T. Becker