Patents Represented by Attorney Karen G. Kaiser
  • Patent number: 6291580
    Abstract: A polyurethane, soluble or dispersible in water, prepared from organic diisocyanate diols or other isocyanate reactive materials and a 2,2-hydroxymethyl-substituted carboxylic acid diol neutralized with a cosmetically acceptable organic or inorganic base and formulated into a hair fixative composition containing low amounts of volatile organic solvent. The present invention is also directed to a process for the preparation of polyurethanes comprising dispersing the polyurethane after at least 70% of the theoretical isocyanate reaction has taken place, but before completion of the reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: National Starch and Chemical Investment Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Pravin K. Kukkala, Sharon P. Lee, Andrew J. Kielbania, Jr., Melissa J. Vitale
  • Patent number: 6248338
    Abstract: A composition for cleaning or caring for the skin, teeth or hair or for cleaning smooth surfaces in described, which has an aqueous phase containing a pregelatinized, crosslinked starch selected from a C2-C5 hydroxyalkyl starch and a C2-C18 acyl starch. Preference is given to hydroxypropyl di-starch phosphate or di-starch C4-C18-alkanoate or alkenoate. The starch acts 1) as a stability improver, 2) as a viscosity regulator, 3) as a (co)emulsifier, 4) as a skin feel improving agent and 5) as an agent for improving hairdressing characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignee: National Starch and Chemical Investment Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Wilfried Müller, Rainer Vathie, Martin Scott Cardinali
  • Patent number: 6228126
    Abstract: Paper comprising aldehyde modified cellulose pulp having selected aldehyde content. Another embodiment involves a method of preparing celullose aldehydes using selective oxidation with a limited amount of oxidant and a nitroxyl radical mediator and defined reaction conditions to provide oxidized cellulose material with effective aldehyde content making it particularly suitable for use in making paper with desirable wet strength, temporary wet strength and dry strength properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: National Starch and Chemical Investment Holding Corporation
    Inventors: A. Levent Cimecioglu, Danielle E. Harkins
  • Patent number: 6207176
    Abstract: This invention involves skin cleaning products and tapes for removing keratotic plugs, dirt and other debris found on the skin and in skin pores and comprising a starch based remoistenable adhesive composition wherein the starch has from about 0 to 70% by weight amylose content and is converted to from about 30 WF to 20 DE.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: National Starch and Chemical Investment Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Doreen L. Howard, Frank A. Nowak, Jr., Daniel B. Solarek, James L. Eden, Gary T. Martino
  • Patent number: 6201099
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to multireactivity polymercaptans, star-shaped copolymers and methods of preparing wherein the polymer comprises a polyvalent mercaptan core and three or more polymeric arms which extend radially from the core. The polyvalent mercaptan core comprises three or more thiol groups, wherein at least two of the thiol groups are of different reactivities, such that the core is of differential reactivity. These multifunctional thiols, which will be referred to as cores of differential reactivity, act as chain transfer agents in a free radical polymerization process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: National Starch & Chemical Investment Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Paul M. Petersen, Robert D. Harlan, Jules E. Schoenberg
  • Patent number: 6191116
    Abstract: The present invention provides novel pyrodextrins which are substantially 100% soluble in water, and substantially hydratable in a solution which has low free water, at ambient temperature, have high viscosities relative to a canary dexrin and are solution stable. These dextrins are prepared by preferably acidifying the starch, and dextrinizing under substantially anhydrous conditions for a time and at a temperature sufficient to result in the desired end product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: National Starch and Chemical Investment Holding Corporation
    Inventors: James J. Kasica, Vincent Choe, Erik Kouba, Elizabeth Styer
  • Patent number: 6174956
    Abstract: A polyurethane polymer and method of preparing it is described. The process requires the combination of a soluble polyol with a di- or polyisocyanate under densified fluid conditions. The process to prepare a waterborne polyurethane involves the utilization of a polyol containing ionic or latent ionic groups which must undergo preneutralization before combining with the di- or polyisocyanate under densified fluid conditions. The resulting polyurethane is substantially free of an organic solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: National Starch and Chemical Investment Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Judith Lynne Kerschner, Sharon Harriott Jureller, John Socrates Thomaides, Robert William Humphreys, Carmine Phillip Iovine
  • Patent number: 6147206
    Abstract: This invention pertains to a high yield process for producing high quality corn fiber gum by hydrogen peroxide treatment of corn fiber during alkaline extraction and/or after obtaining the alkaline extract of milled corn fiber. This process comprises the steps:a) mixing corn fiber with an alkaline solution to form a slurry and extract hemicellulose;b) treating the slurry with hydrogen peroxide at a pH of about 10.0 to 12.5; andc) separating out the insoluble fractions from the corn fiber slurry to yield corn fiber gum.The corn fiber gum produced by this process is highly soluble in water and provides low viscosity solutions which are nearly devoid of color over a wide pH range. The corn fiber gum lacks objectionable flavor and aroma. The corn fiber gum is useful for a variety of applications, including film formation and to thicken, emulsify, stabilize and/or extend aqueous solutions and suspensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: National Starch and Chemical Investment Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Landis W. Doner, Gregory A. Sweeney, Kevin B. Hicks
  • Patent number: 6107371
    Abstract: A biodegradable expanded starch product having low bulk density of less than 0.45 lb/ft.sup.3 and low dustiness of less than 1.0% at 10% relative humidity and 23.degree. C. comprising:a) modified starch having an amylose content of about 10 to 30% by weight and modified with about 2 to 6% by weight of bound alkylene oxide having 2 to 4 carbon atoms, andb) from about 8 to 15% by weight of hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohol based on the weight of starch and having a degree of hydrolysis of from about 88 to 99%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: National Starch and Chemical Investment Holding Corporation
    Inventors: David S. Roesser, John Nevling, David C. Rawlins, Robert L. Billmers
  • Patent number: 6106753
    Abstract: A method for making shaped articles at room ambient temperatures without the addition of extraneous heat comprising the sequential steps:(1) forming a plurality of particles comprising a foamed admixture of starch, biodegradable polymer and water;(2) at room ambient temperature, applying to the surface of the particles finely divided drops of unheated water to effect wetting and softening of the outer surfaces of the particles;(3) without the addition of heat, compressing the surfaces of the surface softened particles to effect cohesion between the wetted outer surfaces of the particles, densification of the particles and formation of a shaped article; and(4) without the addition of heat, maintaining the particles under such compression for a time sufficient to render the outer surface of the particles nontacky by adsorption of water into the particles and by evaporation of water from the surface of the particles and(5) forming a protective skin on the outer surface of the compressed, non-tacky particles by h
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Environmental Packing LP
    Inventors: Randall Vann Redd, Don Boyd Schiewetz, Donald Mark Cyron
  • Patent number: 6103893
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of producing altered starch from transformed potato plants or their progeny, comprising extracting starch from a potato plant, at least the tubers of which comprise at least an effective portion of a starch branching enzyme (SBE) cDNA sequence operably linked in the antisense orientation to a suitable promoter, such that the level of SBE activity is limited to less than 0.8 units per gram tuber. Also disclosed are potato plants comprising altered starch in accordance with the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: National Starch and Chemical Investment Holding Corporation
    Inventors: David Cooke, Michael John Gidley, Stephen Alan Jobling, Richard Safford, Christopher Michael Sidebottom, Roger J. Westcott
  • Patent number: 6096524
    Abstract: High solids maltodextrin syrups, some of which are useful as the base for remoistenable adhesives, are prepared by a high solids alpha amylase enzyme conversion process. They are characterized by their high solids content (at least 55 wt. %) and light color. A granular chemically derivatized, optionally converted, starch having a degree of substitution of greater than about 0.01 and less than about 0.5 is used as the starting material. The maltodextrins have a reducing sugar content of about 5-19 dextrose equivalent and a distinct polymodal molecular weight distribution. When a granular highly esterified starch (D.S. of 0.5-1.8) is used as the starting material in the high solids process, the resulting enzyme-converted, esterified maltodextrins are characterized by their improved water dispersibility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: National Starch and Chemical Investment Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Yong-Cheng Shi, James L. Eden, James J. Kasica
  • Patent number: 6093439
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to the use of a hydrocolloid composition, particularly a starch composition, which is useful as a viscosifier and/or a stabilizer in food products, particularly cultured dairy products, to products containing such hydrocolloid composition, and to the method of preparing such products. The present invention is also directed to the replacement of at least a portion of the gelatin, gum, and/or non-fat milk solids present in food products with such composition without losing the organoleptic and structural properties of the product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignee: National Starch and Chemical Investment Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Judith K. Whaley, James J. Kasica, Jamie L. Senkeleski, Jeffrey W. Foss, John R. Heigis
  • Patent number: 6086917
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a tablet, particularly a pharmaceutical dosage form, which contains an encapsulating agent comprising a modified starch which is prepared by enzymatic hydrolysis of a starch molecule after the preparation of a starch derivative containing a hydrophobic group or both a hydrophobic and a hydrophilic group, particularly octenyl succinic anhydride starch hydrolyzed by .beta.-amylase or glucoamylase. Such starch allows for good compressibility and hardness of a pharmaceutical dosage form. In addition, the starch may consistently allow for high load and retention of a variety of active agents as well as oxidative resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: National Starch and Chemical Investment Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Trubiano, Dennis Boyd
  • Patent number: 6066368
    Abstract: A process for preparing moisture vapor barrier coating composition comprising:a) a starch ester having 2 to 8 carbon atoms in the ester component and a degree of substitution (DS) of from 1.1 to 2.2;b) a hydrophobic plasticizer; andc) water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: National Starch and Chemical Investment Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Robert L. Billmers, Gregory A. Sweeney
  • Patent number: 6054302
    Abstract: A high solids, enzyme conversion process for preparing an enzyme-converted starch is carried out by adding to a modified or unmodified starch, preferably a granular starch, water and an enzyme in an amount sufficient to produce a single phase powdered mixture without a visible free water phase. The enzyme is activated by heating while maintaining a substantially constant moisture content in the mixture. The enzyme converted starch is recovered as a syrup, a granular converted starch, or mixtures thereof, or as a powder obtained by drying the syrup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: National Starch and Chemical Investment Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Yong-Cheng Shi, James L. Eden, James J. Kasica, Roger Jeffcoat
  • Patent number: 6037466
    Abstract: A method for preparing hydrophobic starch derivatives wherein starch and an anhydride are reacted in a slurry with the anhydride reagent being added to the slurry in pre-emulsified form to provide a significantly faster and more efficient reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: National Starch and Chemical Investment Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Walter Maliczyszyn, Jeffrey G. Atkinson, Maria Tolchinsky
  • Patent number: 5977348
    Abstract: This invention relates to a process for chemically modifying polysaccharides in a densified fluid. In particular, the modification includes esterification and/or etherification of a starch in supercritical carbon dioxide. The process is advantageous in that it allows for a high degree of substitution without the use of organic solvents or repeated reactions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: National Starch and Chemical Investment Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Rosemarie Harris, Sharon H. Jureller, Judith L. Kerschner, Peter T. Trzasko, Robert W. R. Humphreys
  • Patent number: 5955487
    Abstract: The invention relates to N-acyl-N-heterocyclylalkylamino acids of the formula ##STR1## R.sub.1 is C.sub.1 -C.sub.7 alkyl that is unsubstituted or substituted by halogen or by hydroxy, or is C.sub.2 -C.sub.7 -alkenyl, C.sub.3 -C.sub.7 cycloalkyl, C.sub.3 -C.sub.7 cycloalkoxy, C.sub.1 -C.sub.7 alkoxy or C.sub.3 -C.sub.7 cycloalkyl-C.sub.1 -C.sub.7 alkoxy;R.sub.2 is 1H-tetrazol-5-yl, carboxy, C.sub.1 -C.sub.7 alkoxycarbonyl, SO.sub.3 H, PO.sub.2 H.sub.2, PO.sub.3 H.sub.2 or halo-C.sub.1 -C.sub.7 alkanesulfonylamino;R.sub.3 is 1H-tetrazol-5-yl, hydroxymethyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.7 alkoxymethyl, formyl, carboxy, C.sub.1 -C.sub.7 alkoxycarbonyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.7 alkoxy-C.sub.1 -C.sub.7 alkoxycarbonyl, phenyl-C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkoxycarbonyl or carbamoyl, the amino group of which is unsubstituted or mono-substituted by C.sub.1 -C.sub.7 alkyl, C.sub.3 -C.sub.7 alkenyl or by phenyl-C.sub.1 -C.sub.7 alkyl or di-substituted by C.sub.1 -C.sub.7 alkyl, C.sub.3 -C.sub.7 alkenyl or by phenyl-C.sub.1 -C.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Ciba-Geigy Corporation
    Inventors: Tibur Schmidlin, Paul Zbinden, Peter Buhlmayer
  • Patent number: 5954883
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a waxy maize starch derived from a single plant which is heterozygous for the recessive sugary-2 allele. Such starch has excellent low temperature and freeze-thaw stability, a relatively high peak viscosity, a relatively high pasting temperature, and intact granules. The starch is useful in a wide variety of food, pharmaceutical, and industrial applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: National Starch and Chemical Investment Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Barry J. Nagle, Joseph L. Emling, William R. Mason, Roger Jeffcoat