Patents Represented by Attorney Ellen T. Dec
  • Patent number: 7070822
    Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a free flowing powdered blend of a polysaccharide and a crystalline polyol for use as an edible adhesive for particulate materials such as seasonings and flavorings. The powdered adhesive blend can easily be mixed with seasonings or flavorings and will melt during a heating process to a sticky viscose liquid capable of adhering seasoning particles to the food substrate. The blends of the present invention have the benefits of being easy to prepare, use and store as they will stay a free flowing powder under most ambient conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: National Starch and Chemical Investment Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Yong-Cheng Shi, Yayun Liu, Robert L. Billmers, Russell Stoop, David Huang
  • Patent number: 6521088
    Abstract: This invention is directed to degraded, hydrated particulate starches that are hydrophobically modified and a method of providing paper with reduced porosity, resistance to liquid penetration and increased surface strength comprising applying to the surface of a paper substrate an effective amount of a surface sizing composition which comprises such starch. In particular, the starches are those in which the starch base is degraded to a water fluidity (WF) of from about 10 to 80 or the modified and/or particulate starch is degraded using a substantially equivalent amount of degradation agent and substantially the same reaction conditions, the starch is modified with a hydrophobic hydrocarbon group of 5 to 23 carbon atoms at about 1 to 20% substitution level by weight of bound hydrophobe based on the weight of starch, and the hydrated starch has a volume average hydrated particle size of at least about 20 microns and a volume fraction of hydrated particles at 1% solids of at least about 5%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: National Starch and Chemical Investment Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Paul H. Richardson, Ralph M. Trksak, John J. Tsai, Eric M. Weisser
  • Patent number: 6461656
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to the use of starch phosphate esters as an expansion and/or texture aid in food or industrial products. The invention further provides the formulations and improved expanded products containing starch phosphate esters, particularly extruded breakfast cereals and snacks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Natinal Starch and Chemical Investment Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Wolfgang Bindzus, Paul A. Altieri
  • Patent number: 6261376
    Abstract: Thermally-inhibited, pregelatinized non-granular starches and flours are prepared by pregelatinizing the starch or flour and thermally inhibiting the starch or flour by dehydrating the starch or flour to anhydrous or substantially anhydrous and then heat treating the dehydrated starch. The pregelatinization may be carried out prior to or after the thermal inhibition using known methods which disrupt the granular structure such by drum drying or jet cooking and spray-drying. Preferably the starch or flour is adjusted to a pH above 7.0 prior to the thermal inhibition. The starch may be dehydrated by heating the starch in a suitable heating apparatus, by extracting the water from the starch using a solvent such as ethanol, or by freeze drying the starch. Preferably the starch or flour is treated with a solvent to remove proteins and/or lipids and thus prevent off flavors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: National Starch and Chemical Investment Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Roger Jeffcoat, Chung-Wai Chiu, Manish B. Shah, David J. Thomas, Douglas J. Hanchett
  • Patent number: 6231675
    Abstract: Thermally-inhibited starches and flours which are functionally equivalent to chemically-crosslinked starches are prepared by a process which comprises the steps of dehydrating a granular starch or flour to anhydrous or substantially anhydrous (<1% moisture) and heat treating the dehydrated starch or flour for a time and at a temperature sufficient to inhibit the starch, (e.g., 120-180° C. for up to 20 hours). Preferably the pH of the starch is adjusted to neutral or greater (e.g., pH 8-9.5) prior to the dehydration. The dehydration may be a thermal dehydration carried out simultaneously with the heat treatment or a non-thermal dehydration carried out by extraction with a solvent (e.g., ethanol) or by freeze drying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: National Starch and Chemical Investment Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Chung-Wai Chiu, Eleanor Schiermeyer, David J. Thomas, Manish B. Shah, Douglas J. Hanchett, Roger Jeffcoat
  • Patent number: 6232391
    Abstract: A multipurpose hot melt adhesive comprising endblock resin in combination with a radial or linear SBS copolymer having a solution viscosity greater than 1000 cPs at 25% in toluene suitable for use as both a construction and elastic attachment adhesive in disposable products is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: National Starch and Chemical Investment Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Mahesh Sambasivam, Charles W. Paul
  • Patent number: 6221420
    Abstract: A thermally-inhibited granular starch or flour is used as an ingredient in various foods. The thermally-inhibited starches are functionally equivalent to chemically cross-linked starches. The stashes or flours are prepared by dehydrating the starch or flour to anhydrous or substantially anhydrous (<1% moisture), preferably at a neutral or basic pH, and heat treating the dehydrated starch or flour for a time sufficient to inhibit the starch to the desired degree. The dehydration may be carried out by heating the starch, extracting the starch with a solvent, or freeze drying the starch. The starch may be pregelatinized prior to or after thermal inhibition using known methods which do not substantially rupture the starch granules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: National Starch and Chemical Investment Holding Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Thomas, Chung-Wai Chiu, Eleanor Schiermeyer, Manish B. Shah, Douglas H. Hanchett, Roger Jeffcoat
  • Patent number: 6103388
    Abstract: The use of up to about 20 parts by weight of an organic solvent selected from the group consisting of the water soluble polyalkylene glycol ethers in conventional waterborne packaging and converting adhesives provides comparable or better adhesive products with reduced environmental and health related problems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: National Starch and Chemical Investment Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Kristina Babcock, Joseph Wieczorek, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6096824
    Abstract: A paper saturant composition comprising an aqueous emulsion polymer prepared by reacting at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer and from about 0.1 to about 5 weight percent, based on the total weight of ethylenically unsaturated monomer, of a water-soluble or water-dispersible polymerizable surfactant having a terminal allyl amine moiety. Paper saturated with the emulsion is especially useful in the production of core sheets used to prepare decorative laminates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: National Starch and Chemical Investment Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Lien Phan, Rajeev Farwaha, Steven P. Pauls, Sr., Alan J. Blackie
  • Patent number: 6001910
    Abstract: A remoistenable hot melt adhesive composition comprising (i) 25 to 80% by weight of a sulfonated polyester;(ii) 3 to 40% by weight of an anionic or cationic plasticizer;(iii) 0 to 40% by weight of a polar tackifier;(iv) 0 to 3% by weight of an antioxidant; and(v) 10 to 35% by weight of a polar wax; and(vi) optionally 0 to 30% nonionic plasticizer, wherein the total of (i)-(vi) to equal 100% by weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: National Starch and Chemical Investment Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Mitchell J. Blumenthal, Charles W. Paul, Matthew L. Sharak
  • Patent number: 6001916
    Abstract: A process for the production of ethylene vinyl acetate based polymer emulsions having solids levels greater than about 65% by weight comprising the steps of:i) providing a polymer seed selected from the group consisting of vinyl acetate, ethylene vinyl acetate, acrylic, vinyl-acrylic and styrene (meth) acrylic having a particle size of 0.15 to 2.5 microns;ii) polymerizing vinyl acetate and ethylene monomers in the presence of 5 to 15% by weight of the final emulsion of said polymer seed;said polymerization of step (ii) being carried out in the presence of a surfactant system comprising polyvinyl alcohol and a nonionic emulsifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: National Starch and Chemical Investment Holding Corporation
    Inventors: James L. Walker, Pravin Kukkala
  • Patent number: 5959029
    Abstract: The invention relates to a chemical composition containing a) a copolymer based on styrene and/or at least one alkyl (meth)acrylate, the quantity of styrene and/or alkyl (meth)acrylate being .gtoreq.50% by weight, based on the total monomers, and at least one further comonomer, and b) a water-soluble polymeric protective colloid, wherein about 2 to 30 parts per weight of the water-soluble polymeric protective colloid are allotted to 100 parts by weight of the copolymer, and c) optional further additives as required. The copolymer contains appoximately 0.1 to 50% by weight units of an epoxide-group-containing ethylenically unsaturated comonomer. Such units show reactive epoxide groups. The invention relates further to an aqueous polymer dispersion of said chemical composition, the production of same and a special method for obtaining the chemical composition from the polymer dispersion and special applications of the aqueous polymer dispersion and the chemical composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: National Starch and Chemical Investment Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Koelliker, Harald Bachler
  • Patent number: 5939505
    Abstract: In a process for the polymerization of aqueous ethylene vinyl acetate emulsions wherein the polymerization is carried out in the presence of a stabilizing system comprising polyvinyl alcohol and a surfactant, the improvement which comprises using a stabilizing system consisting essentially of 2 to 8% polyvinyl alcohol and 0.25 to 4% of at least one surface-active compound comprising the addition products of 50 to 70 moles of ethylene oxide adducted to straight-chained or branch-chained alkanols or alkylphenols containing 6 to 22 carbon atoms in the alkyl group and having an HLB value equal to or greater than 18.0, the amounts being based on total vinyl acetate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: National Starch and Chemical Investment Holding Corporation
    Inventor: Pravin Kukkala
  • Patent number: 5932017
    Abstract: Thermally-inhibited starches and flours which are functionally equivalent to chemically-crosslinked starches are prepared by a process which comprises the steps of dehydrating a granular starch or flour to anhydrous or substantially anhydrous (<1% moisture) and heat treating the dehydrated starch or flour for a time and at a temperature sufficient to inhibit the starch, (e.g., 120-180.degree. C. for up to 20 hours). Preferably the pH of the starch is adjusted to neutral or greater (e.g., pH 8-9.5) prior to the dehydration. The dehydration may be a thermal dehydration carried out simultaneously with the heat treatment or a non-thermal dehydration carried out by extraction with a solvent (e.g., ethanol) or by freeze drying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: National Starch and Chemical Investment Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Chung-Wai Chiu, Eleanor Schiermeyer, David J. Thomas, Manish B. Shah, Douglas J. Hanchett, Roger Jeffcoat
  • Patent number: 5880184
    Abstract: A biodegradable composition suitable for the manufacture of low density loose-fill packing by extrusion, which is an aqueous dispersion comprising (1) finely divided particles of a gelatinizable starch product and (2) a water-soluble polymer dispersed in (3) water having dissolved therein (4) a copolymer of vinyl, methyl, ether and maleic anhydride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Environmental Packing
    Inventor: Charles Raphael Lazarus
  • Patent number: 5871323
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to an apparatus and method of bookbinding in which the clamp for the book block is braced at least while it is stationed at a cover applicator, whereby to permit the applicator to apply high forces to the book when positioning the cover. This in turn permits the use of pressure-unstable adhesives, such as adhesive emulsions, and leads to semi-finished books that are handleable and can be subjected to further processing immediately after formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Assignee: National Starch and Chemical Investment Holding Corporation
    Inventor: Anthony J. Clark
  • Patent number: 5869568
    Abstract: A one-part cold crosslinking emulsion composition containing, in an aqueous medium, a double-structure fine grain comprising the following Component (A) 1 and the following Component (B) 2 covering the same, wherein the following Component (C) is contained in Component (B) 2:(A) a copolymer comprising an epoxy group-containing monomer and an ethylenic unsaturated monomer;(B) a copolymer comprising an unsaturated carboxylic acid and an ethylenic unsaturated monomer; and(C) a low molecular weight monofunctional epoxy compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: National Starch and Chemical Investment Holding Corporation
    Inventor: Norihisa Maeda
  • Patent number: 5866656
    Abstract: A solvent-free one-part hot melt polyurethane adhesive or sealant composition which is solid at room temperature comprising 10 to 70% by weight of a urethane prepolymer having an isocyanate content of 0.25 to 15% and an isocyanate index greater than 1 and 30 to 90% by weight of an ethylenically unsaturated polymer having a number average molecular weight of 4,000 to 15,000 as determined by Gel Permeation Chromatography using a PL Gel,Mixed 10 micron column, a Shimadzu Model RID 6A Detector with a tetrahydrofuran carrier solvent at a flow rate of 1 milliliter per minute, the polymer containing sufficient hydroxyl functionality to provide an OH number of 5 to 15.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: National Starch and Chemical Investment Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Ju-Ming Hung, James W. Nowicki, George A. Hespe, Paul P. Puletti
  • Patent number: 5865927
    Abstract: Hot melt adhesive masses are provided with a tackless surface by a process which comprises the steps of: a) extruding the hot melt adhesive through an appropriate die orifice; b) spraying the surface of the extruded adhesive with a molten film forming low molecular weight polymer or formulated polymeric material, the material being selected so that it will not appreciably detract from the properties of the adhesive composition when remelted therewith; c) heating the surface of the coated adhesive at a temperature and for a period of time sufficient to re-melt the film forming polymer so as to form a continuous coating thereof yet insufficient to appreciably melt the adhesive; and d) cooling the thus coated adhesive mass to a temperature suitable for handling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: National Starch and Chemical Investment Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Puletti, Stephen Hatfield
  • Patent number: 5804519
    Abstract: A method for improving the strike through properties of hot melt adhesive compositions comprising the step of incorporating therein a nonionic fluorchemical surfactant in an amount of 0.1 to 10 parts by weight per 100 parts adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: National Starch and Chemical Investment Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Martin Riswick, Gary F. Raykovitz