Patents Assigned to Unilever
  • Sprayable browning composition
    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
  • Process for the preparation of sotolon
    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
  • Liquid cleansing composition comprising soluble, lamellar phase inducing structurant
    Patent number: 6077816
    Abstract: The present invention relates to lamellar phase compositions comprising dned surfactant systems and a structurant selected from the group consisting of liquid fatty acids liquid alcohols and derivatives thereof which structurant is responsible for inducing the lamellar phrase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA, Division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Sudhakar Puvvada, Virgilio Barba Villa, Richard Kolodziej
  • Bleaching with polyoxometalates and air or molecular oxygen
    Patent number: 6074437
    Abstract: A method for bleaching laundry and household surfaces is provided which iudes preparing a wash medium with a bleaching composition incorporating polyoxometalates and being free of any effective amount of a bleaching agent such as hydrogen peroxide, organic peracids, inorganic peracids, organic persalts, inorganic persalts, Caro's acid, Caroates and mixtures thereof. A second step involves contacting a stained substrate such as a fabric, kitchenware or a household hard surface for a time and in an amount sufficient to remove the stains. Air is employed as a primary source of oxygen atoms for bleaching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA, Division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Uday Shanker Racherla, Qin Chen
  • Apparatus for use in electrical, e.g. electrochemical, measurement procedures, and its production and use, and composite assemblies incorporating the apparatus
    Patent number: 6066244
    Abstract: A composite electrode, comprising:a solid non-metallic substrate, (such as ceramic, glass, or epoxy resin,)and, bonded directly or indirectly to said substrate,a non-conducting matrix, incorporating particles which are accessible to the electrode surface and contain an insoluble metal salt (e.g. halide) in direct electrical contact with the metal corresponding to said salt, said metal being present either (i) in the form of metallic particles incorporated in a non-conducting matrix zone disposed so that said metal salt-containing particles are located between said metallic particles and said electrode surface, and/or (ii) a solid metallic surface in the form of an intermediate layer between said matrix and said substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: Unilever Patent Holdings B.V.
    Inventors: Claes Ivan Nylander, Brian Jeffrey Birch, Clive Edward Marshman, Peter Richard Stephenson
  • Detergent compositions
    Patent number: 6066615
    Abstract: A tablet of compacted particulate detergent composition has an indentation (39) around a periphery of the face (37) of the tablet. The surface circumscribed by the indentation preferably has higher permeability and is rougher than the surface of the indentation (39) itself. Such a tablet can be made by a process in which a detergent composition is compacted in a mould by at least one die with an elastomeric surface layer (36) on an area which contacts the composition, which layer (36) is surrounded by a rigid rim (30) which forms the indentation (39).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA division of conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Henk Bijl, James William Gordon, Gert van Koppen, Marcel Van der Kraan, Jan Poorvliet
  • Bars comprising benefit agent and cationic polymer
    Patent number: 6057275
    Abstract: A bar composition in which use of specific ratio of cationic to surfactant as been found to remarkably enhance deposition of oil/emollient benefit agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA, Division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Joseph Fair, Michael Massaro, Harry Crookham, Gail Beth Rattinger, James Joseph Dalton, Terence James Farrell, Georgia Shafer
  • Process for preparing pourable, transparent/translucent liquid detergent with continuous suspending system
    Patent number: 6051541
    Abstract: A translucent/transparent composition capable of suspending relatively large size particles while remaining readily pourable. The composition is stable, even in presence of readily large amount of electrolyte/surfactant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care, Division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Kristina Marie Neuser, Myongsuk Bae-Lee, Feng-Lung Gordon Hsu, Daniel Joseph Kuzmenka, Dennis Stephen Murphy
  • Applicator pad with handle
    Patent number: 6044515
    Abstract: An applicator for applying or removing material to or from a surface. The applicator has a pad and a backing layer, the backing layer having a folded over section forming a handle. The handle is pivotable along the remainder of the backing layer between an upright position in which the handle may be grasped to facilitate use of the applicator, and a collapsed position in which said handle is folded over against the remainder of the backing layer for storage of the applicator. The handle is provided with a prompt or cue that distinguishes the handle from the remainder of the backing layer to facilitate the gripping and uplifting of the handle into the upright use position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: Unilever Home and Personal Care USA
    Inventor: Joseph F. Zygmont
  • Cosmetic method of treating skin
    Patent number: 6042841
    Abstract: A cosmetic method for treating aged, wrinkled and/or photodamaged skin is provided through topical application of a composition which comprises petroselinic acid and/or derivatives thereof. The method also reduces skin irritation and also lightens the color of skin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA Division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Simon Alaluf, Karen Elizabeth Barrett, Martin Richard Green, Karen Angela Ottey, Anthony Vincent Rawlings
  • Electrochemical reactions
    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
  • Method for preservation under pressure
    Patent number: 6033717
    Abstract: Method for substantially decreasing the viability of microorganism and deactivating enzymes in a contaminated substance by exerting a high pressure the substance. The substance is conducted in a steady flow through and open narrow tube while the pressure difference between the entrance and the exit of the tube is maintained at 100 Mpa or more. The temperature rise of the product while passing through the tube can be confined to less than 5.degree. C. The method provides a continuous ultra high pressure preservation process suitable for processing foods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Unilever Patent Holdings
    Inventors: Wim Agterof, Hubertus L Lelieveld, Thomas Reichelt, Johannes P Smelt
  • Process for immobilizing enzymes to the cell wall of a microbial cell by producing a fusion protein
    Patent number: 6027910
    Abstract: A method is provided for immobilizing an enzyme, comprising immobilizing the enzyme or a functional part thereof to the cell wall of a microbial cell using recombinant DNA techniques. The enzyme is immobilized by linking it to the C-terminal part of a protein that ensures anchoring in the cell wall. Also provided is a recombinant polynucleotide comprising a structural gene encoding an enzyme protein, a part of a gene encoding the C-terminal part of a protein capable of anchoring in a eukaryotic or prokaryotic cell wall, as well as a signal sequence, in addition to a chimeric protein encoded by the recombinant polynucleotide and a vector and a microorganism containing the polynucleotide. The microorganism is suitable for carrying out enzymatic processes on an industrial scale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Unilever Patent Holdings B.V.
    Inventors: Franciscus M Klis, Maarten P Schreuder, Holger Y Toschka, Cornelis T Verrips
  • Method and apparatus for preparing a bread snack
    Patent number: 6015581
    Abstract: The top of bread-product can be removed by a process, wherein the bread-product is subjected to forces, so that a bread product with a bent profile is obtained and subjecting this bent product to a cutting under removal of the top of the product, resulting in a bread product with a cavity within upstanding rims of bread crust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Unilever, N.V.
    Inventors: Bruno Reimers, Joseph Mensing, Wilhelm Holtkamp
  • Lubricant
    Patent number: 6008167
    Abstract: An ester based lubricant, particularly suitable for 4-stroke engines comprises at least one ester of a saturated, branched chain monohydric alcohol having at least 8 carbon atoms and a saturated branched chain aliphatic monocarboxylic acid having at least 10 carbon atoms. The esters have a kinematic viscosity of at most 35 cSt (40.degree. C.), a non-polarity index of at least 100, a Noack evaporation loss of at most 10% and a pour point below -30.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Unilever Patent Holdings B.V.
    Inventors: Eric Appelman, Dirk Kenbeek, Hendrik Leendert Rieffe
  • Process for preparing a protein by a fungus transformed by multicopy integration of an expression vector
    Patent number: 6004776
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for preparing a protein by a eukaryote transformed by multicopy integration of an expression vector into the genome of a yeast, such as Saccharomyces, Hansenula, and Kluyveromyces, or of a mould such as Aspergillus, Rhizopus and Trichoderma, the expression vector containing both an "expressible gene" encoding the protein and a so-called "deficient selection marker needed for the growth of the yeast or mould in a specific medium", such as the LEU2d, TRP1d or URA3d gene, in combination with a ribosomal DNA sequence, resulting in stable high copy integration of 100-300 copies per cell. This multicopy integration results in an increased production of the desired protein, which can be guar .alpha.-galactosidase, an oxidase or a hydrolytic enzyme such as a lipase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Unilever Patent Holdings, B.V.
    Inventors: Marco F. Giuseppin, Maria T. S. Lopes, Roelf J. Planta, Johannes M. A. Verbakel, Cornelis T. Verrips
  • Electronic device for reading analytical tests
    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
  • Dispenser
    Patent number: D418754
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA
    Inventors: Wendi Hutchinson, Janet Ray Stoddard, Martin Christopher Bunce, Alexander James Peacop
  • Data card reader
    Patent number: D422578
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: Unilever Patent Holdings B.V.
    Inventors: Herve Bertrand, Michael T Pearson
  • Combined bottle and cap
    Patent number: D427913
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Unilever Home and Personal Care, USA, division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventor: Jonathan Neil Davies