Patents Assigned to Unilever Patent Holdings BV
  • Patent number: 6133048
    Abstract: A reagent useful in immunoassays, comprising a direct particulate level co-sensitized with a specific binding agent having specificity for an analyte or analyte analog and with a non-specific protein which can participate in a control reaction with another specific binding agent which does not bind to the first specific binding agent nor participate in the formation of a complex by means of which detection of the analyte or analyte analog is accomplished. Preferably the first specific binding agent is an antibody raised in a first species and the non-specific protein is an immunoglobulin from another species. Optionally, the reagent additionally comprises a second population of the direct particulate label sensitized solely with the non-specific protein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: Unilever Patent Holdings BV
    Inventors: Yvonne E. Penfold, David A. Percival
  • Patent number: 6123979
    Abstract: Blends of wax-esters with beneficial health properties comprise: .gtoreq. two different wax-esters in amounts of 5-95% and each having m.pt -10.degree. C. to 80.degree. C. blend displaying m.pt: 15 to 45% while >80 wt % of wax-esters in blend have m.pt 20 to 60.degree. C.; wax-esters derived from linear alcohols and linear carboxyl acids either of them having .gtoreq.8 C-atoms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignee: Unilever Patent Holdings BV
    Inventors: Paul Hepburn, Paul Thomas Quinlan, Kevin Warren Smith, James Vincent Watts, Reginaldus Petrus J van der Wielen
  • Patent number: 6113969
    Abstract: A water continuous, acidified dairy base product is provided having a dry matter content of 19-40% that contains 7-18% fat and 7-18% protein, the protein contains casein and whey protein and contains at least 50% casein, the protein that is undissolved being 80-100%, that has a pH of 5.9-6.5, a firmness as indicated by the Stevens value at 10.degree. C. of at least 40 g and a particle size D3.2 as measured by laser diffraction of at most 15 micron. The product can be used for similar purposes as creme fraiche but it contains more protein and less fat and calories. A process for preparing the product is provided as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Unilever Patent Holdings BV
    Inventors: Janos Bodor, Axel de With
  • Patent number: 6112405
    Abstract: A component assembly, or fan, comprises a hub having secured thereto a plurality of radially extending components. The hub, which is generally of semi-circular configuration, includes planar raised portions constructed and arranged to be vacuum gripped by a rotary indexing support, or turret, and holes which accommodate guide rods of a hopper for storing a supply of the fans. The components are connected to the hub at angularly spaced intervals by severable linkage portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Unilever Patent Holdings BV
    Inventor: John C Inkster
  • Patent number: 6090421
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a browning composition which, when applied to a foodstuff, in particular meat or a meat product, imparts a browning effect to the surface of the substrate to which it is applied. More in particular, the present invention relates to a browning composition which can be applied by spraying on the foodstuff. This is achieved by dissolving or dispersing a browning agent in a water phase, and mix such water phase with an oil or fat phase to form an emulsion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Unilever Patent Holdings BV
    Inventors: Martin Christophersen, Johannes Mattheus Cornelissen, Susanne Wenger
  • Patent number: 6087138
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of a composition rich in sotolon from a source rich in 4-hydroxy-L-iso-leucine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Unilever Patent Holdings BV
    Inventors: Amir Maximiliaan Batenburg, Johannes Jan Wesdorp
  • Patent number: 6039861
    Abstract: The invention provides an electrochemical reaction wherein a controlled amount of a first reagent is generated electrochemically at an electrode in electrical contact with a solution of an electrochemically inert salt, comprising applying a suitable electrical potential to the electrode for a suitable time to generate a controlled amount of the first reagent by electrochemical reaction between the electrode and a species in solution producing a localized thin layer environment comprising the first reagent in the vicinity of the electrode; and monitoring the amount or presence of the first reagent or a further species produced in solution in response to production of the first reagent. The method invention thus involves generating the first reagent in situ at an electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Unilever Patent Holdings BV
    Inventors: Brian Jeffrey Birch, Nicholas Andrew Morris
  • Patent number: 5989830
    Abstract: A bispecific or bivalent double head antibody fragment, which is composed of a binding complex containing two polypeptide chains, whereby one polypeptide chain has two times a variable domain of a heavy chain (V.sub.H) in series and the other polypeptide chain has two times a variable domain of a light chain (V.sub.L) in series, and the binding complex contains two pairs of variable domains (V.sub.H -A//V.sub.L -A and V.sub.H -B//V.sub.L -B), wherein said double head antibody fragments have binfunctional antigen binding activity. A process for producing such an antibody fragment is disclosed. An immunoassay is also provided for, wherein the improvement is the inclusion of a bispecific or bivalent double head antibody fragment, which is composed of a binding complex containing two polypeptide chains, whereby one polypeptide chain has two times a variable domain of a heavy chain (V.sub.H) in series and the other polypeptide chain has two times a variable domain of a light chain (V.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Unilever Patent Holdings BV
    Inventors: Paul James Davis, Cornelis Paul Erik van der Logt, Martine Elisa Verhoeyen, Steve Wilson
  • Patent number: 5859315
    Abstract: A soft-milling wheat which produces dough having exceptionally low visco-elasticity is provided by breeding from a variety having Glu-D1 double null trait, such as the landrace "Nap Hal". The wheat can be used in the manufacture of biscuits and wafers without the need to treat the flour with agents such as sodium metabisulphite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: Unilever Patent Holdings BV
    Inventor: Peter Ivor Payne
  • Patent number: 5840171
    Abstract: The invention provides an electrochemical reaction wherein a controlled amount of a first reagent is generated electrochemically at an electrode in electrical contact with a solution of an electrochemically inert salt, comprising applying a suitable electrical potential to the electrode for a suitable time to generate a controlled amount of the first reagent by electrochemical reaction between the electrode and a species in solution producing a localized thin layer environment comprising the first reagent in the vicinity of the electrode; and monitoring the amount or presence of the first reagent or a further species produced in solution in response to production of the first reagent. The method invention thus involves generating the first reagent in situ at an electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: Unilever Patent Holdings BV
    Inventors: Brian Jeffrey Birch, Nicholas Andrew Morris
  • Patent number: 5763741
    Abstract: A soft-milling wheat which produces dough having exceptionally low visco-elasticity is provided by breeding from a variety having Glu-Dl double null trait, such as the landrace "Nap Hal". The wheat can be used in the manufacture of biscuits and wafers without the need to treat the flour with agents such as sodium metabisulphite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Unilever Patent Holdings BV
    Inventor: Peter Ivor Payne
  • Patent number: 5643624
    Abstract: An amorphous silica has a pore volume in the range of from about 1.6 to about 2.5 cc g.sup.-1, a mean pore diameter in the range of from about 8.0 to about 20 nm, a surface area in the range from about 450 to about 1100 m.sup.2 g.sup.-1 and an oil absorption in the range of from about 250 to about 350 cc/100g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1997
    Assignee: Unilever Patent Holdings BV
    Inventors: Derek Aldcroft, John Robert Newton, Peter William Stanier
  • Patent number: 5637338
    Abstract: A useful method for shifting the flavour balance of edible oils comprises sparging nitrogen through the oil at a temperature of 20.degree.-65.degree. C. Olive oil is preferably treated at 30.degree.-40.degree. C. The treatment may be combined with usual purification steps as are washing and filtration over a filter aid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Assignee: Unilever Patent Holdings BV
    Inventors: Gerardus M. Van Aalst, Cornelis Hofman, Marcho S. Kouumdjiev, Adrianus J. Kuin, Karel P. Van Putte
  • Patent number: 5534341
    Abstract: Lofted non-woven materials are formed by bonding fibres and used for, e.g. furniture filing and heat insulation. The flammability of these materials is an important characteristic. The use of copolymer emulsions having defined Tg, molecular weight and solution viscosity as binders allows the material to melt away from an open flame. Thus the flammability of the non-woven material is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1996
    Assignee: Unilever Patent Holdings BV
    Inventors: Stephen J. Baines, Barry Hayward
  • Patent number: 5529926
    Abstract: The invention relates to recombinant DNA technology for the production of an enzyme having sulfhydryl oxidase ("SOX") activity. This SOX-enzyme can be used where the oxidation of free sulfhydryl groups (thio compounds) to the corresponding disulfides is desirable. SOX enzyme may be used for treatment of bakery products or for removal of off-flavour from milk or beer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Assignee: Unilever Patent Holdings BV
    Inventors: Jan Maat, Wouter Musters, Hein Stam, Peter J. Schaap, Peter J. van de Vonderwoort, Jacob Visser, Johannes M. Verbakel
  • Patent number: 5512271
    Abstract: Amorphous silicas suitable for use as abrasives in transparent toothpastes can be prepared by a precipitation route. These silicas are distinguished by having a BET surface area of 100 to 450 m.sup.2 /g, a weight mean particle size of 5 to 15 microns, a plastics abrasion value of 16 to 26, a mean pore diameter from 2 to 12 nm, a transmission of at least 70% in the refractive index range from 1.430 to 1.443 and an oil absorption in the range from about 70 to about 130 cm.sup.3 /g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1996
    Assignee: Unilever Patent Holdings BV
    Inventors: Ian P. McKeown, Peter W. Stanier
  • Patent number: 5512266
    Abstract: Aluminosilicates in the form of P type zeolites are used as detergency builders and have a silicon to aluminium ratio not greater than 1.33, preferably above 0.9. These zeolites will usually have a calcium binding capacity of at least 150 mg CaO per gram of anhydrous aluminosilicate. A preferred form of the zeolite P has a silicon to aluminium ratio up to 1.15, and preferably above 0.9, with a tetragonally distorted cubic crystal structure. A process of the preparation of these zeolite P builders is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1996
    Assignee: Unilever Patent Holdings BV
    Inventors: Graham T. Brown, Theo J. Osinga, Michael J. Parkingston, Andrew T. Steel
  • Patent number: 5431951
    Abstract: A method of treating maltodextrin by adding a seed material to an aqueous solution of a maltodextrin having a DE not exceeding about 6 and that is heated to a temperature of at least 70.degree. C. Addition of a seed material promotes aggregate formation and so promotes gelling, resulting in production of a firmer gel than conventionally obtainable.The invention also provides a method of treating maltodextrins by maintaining an aqueous solution or dispersion of maltodextrin having a DE not exceeding about 6 (e.g. Paselli SA2) at a temperature of less than 50.degree. C. for at least 1 hour; then heating the solution or dispersion to a temperature of at least 70.degree. C.; followed by cooling. Maltodextrin treated in this way forms a gel that is firmer in consistency than maltodextrin gels produced by conventional processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1995
    Assignee: Unilever Patent Holdings BV
    Inventors: Philip C. Bamford, Thomas R. Kelly, Anthony Morrison, Penelope E. Smith
  • Patent number: 5430015
    Abstract: A method of acetylating 1,2,3,4,-tetrahydro-1,1,2,4,4,7-hexamethylnapthalene (HMT) to produce 6-acetyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1,1,2,4,4,7-hexamethlnaphthalene (acetyl-HMT), comprises subjecting a mixture of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1,1,2,4,4,7-hexamethlnaphthalene and or one or more substituted indanes or substituted acetylindanes to a Friedel-Crafts acetylation reaction in the presence of a saturated hydrocarbon solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1995
    Assignee: Unilever Patent Holdings, BV
    Inventors: Christopher P. Newman, Karen J. Rossiter, Terence L. Miller
  • Patent number: D418118
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Unilever Patent Holdings BV
    Inventors: Rosie L. Habeshaw, Andreas Mehne