Patents by Inventor HELEN N. Lew
HELEN N. Lew 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).
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Publication number: 20240018095Abstract: Composition and methods for killing microorganisms using antimicrobial epoxy polymers and epoxy polymer curing agents are described. Compositions containing at least one compound of formula I where R1 is a phenolic group (e.g., simple phenol, creosote, thymol, or carvacrol), and where R2 is a polyamine (e.g., ethylenediamine (EDA), diethylenetriamine (DETA), triethylenetetramine (TETA), tetraethylenepentamine (TEPA), hexamethylenediamine (HDA)); and optionally a carrier; the compositions may additionally contain at least one epoxy resin. Methods for killing microorganisms involving contacting the microorganisms with an effective microorganism killing amount of the above composition.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2023Publication date: January 18, 2024Inventors: HELEN N. LEW, KUN HUANG, RICHARD D. ASHBY, XUETONG FAN
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Patent number: 11840499Abstract: A biobased fatty acid arginate may be synthesized according to the disclosed process by combining arginine and a fatty acid. The fatty acid arginate may have certain beneficial properties, such as surfactant properties or acting as an antimicrobial agent.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2021Date of Patent: December 12, 2023Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by The Secretary of AgricultureInventors: Helen N Lew, Xuetong Fan, Kun Huang, Jianwei Zhang
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Publication number: 20220274918Abstract: A biobased fatty acid arginate may be synthesized according to the disclosed process by combining arginine and a fatty acid. The fatty acid arginate may have certain beneficial properties, such as surfactant properties or acting as an antimicrobial agent.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2021Publication date: September 1, 2022Inventors: HELEN N. LEW, XUETONG FAN, KUN HUANG, JIANWEI ZHANG
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Patent number: 11370745Abstract: A branched estolide compound of the formula: wherein x and y are equal to 1 or greater; wherein x+y=14; wherein n is 0, 1, or greater than 1; wherein R is H or wherein R=C1 to C18 straight alcohols or C4 to C12 branched alcohols; wherein R1 is a residual fragment of octanoic, decanoic, lauric, coconut, myristic, palmitic, stearic, oleic, iso-stearic or iso-oleic acids.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2021Date of Patent: June 28, 2022Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of AgricultureInventors: Girma Biresaw, Steven C. Cermak, Helen N. Lew
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Publication number: 20210230097Abstract: A branched estolide compound of the formula: wherein x and y are equal to 1 or greater; wherein x+y=14; wherein n is 0, 1, or greater than 1; wherein R is H or wherein R=C1 to C18 straight alcohols or C4 to C12 branched alcohols; wherein R1 is a residual fragment of octanoic, decanoic, lauric, coconut, myristic, palmitic, stearic, oleic, iso-stearic or iso-oleic acids.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2021Publication date: July 29, 2021Inventors: GIRMA BIRESAW, STEVEN C. CERMAK, HELEN N. LEW
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Publication number: 20210094905Abstract: Compositions containing at least one compound of formula I where R1 is a phenolic compound (e.g., simple phenol, creosote, thymol, or carvacrol), and where R2 is a polyamine (e.g., ethylenediamine (EDA), diethylenetriamine (DETA), triethylenetetramine (TETA), tetraethylenepentamine (TEPA), hexamethylenediamine (HDA)); and optionally a carrier; the compositions may additionally contain at least one epoxy resin. Methods for killing microorganisms involving contacting the microorganisms with an effective microorganism killing amount of the above composition. Compositions containing at least one compound produced by a method involving reacting phenolic-branched chain fatty acid methyl ester with at least one polyamine.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2020Publication date: April 1, 2021Inventors: Kun Huang, Richard D. Ashby, Xuetong Fan, Helen N. Lew, Robert A. Moreau
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Patent number: 10364209Abstract: A method for preparing triglyceride oils containing at least 2% branching on the hydrocarbon chain, said method involving subjecting in a pressurized container (a) a feedstock containing unsaturated fatty acids attached to a glycerol backbone having 6 to 25 carbon atoms or mixtures thereof, (b) modified zeolite, and (c) water or alcohol in the presence of an inert atmosphere (e.g., at a temperature of about 150° C. to about 350° C. and a pressure of about 10 to about 300 psi for about 24 to about 72 hours) to produce triglycerides containing at least 2% branching (and optionally isolating said triglycerides containing at least 2% branching and optionally purifying the isolated triglycerides containing at least 2% branching); wherein said modified zeolite has been calcined at about 760° C. to about 840° C. for about 20 to about 28 hours, then placed in about 1N HCl at about 50° C. to about 60° C. for about 20 to about 28 hours and washed with water until the pH is neutral.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2018Date of Patent: July 30, 2019Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of AgricultureInventors: Helen N. Lew, Renee J. Latona, Majher I. Sarker, Robert A. Moreau
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Publication number: 20190062672Abstract: A method for preparing triglyceride oils containing at least 2% branching on the hydrocarbon chain, said method involving subjecting in a pressurized container (a) a feedstock containing unsaturated fatty acids attached to a glycerol backbone having 6 to 25 carbon atoms or mixtures thereof, (b) modified zeolite, and (c) water or alcohol in the presence of an inert atmosphere (e.g., at a temperature of about 150° C. to about 350° C. and a pressure of about 10 to about 300 psi for about 24 to about 72 hours) to produce triglycerides containing at least 2% branching (and optionally isolating said triglycerides containing at least 2% branching and optionally purifying the isolated triglycerides containing at least 2% branching); wherein said modified zeolite has been calcined at about 760° C. to about 840° C. for about 20 to about 28 hours, then placed in about 1N HCl at about 50° C. to about 60° C. for about 20 to about 28 hours and washed with water until the pH is neutral.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2018Publication date: February 28, 2019Inventors: Helen N. Lew, Renee J. Latona, Majher I Sarker, Robert A. Moreau
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Patent number: 10144694Abstract: Disclosed are methods for preparing phenolic branched chain fatty acids or alkyl esters thereof, involving subjecting in a pressurized container (a) at least one phenolic compound, (b) unsaturated fatty acids having 6 to 25 carbon atoms, alkyl esters thereof, or mixtures thereof, and (c) H-ferrierite zeolite catalyst in the presence of distilled water or alcohol and a nitrogen atmosphere at a temperature of about 100° C. to about 400° C. and a pressure of about 10 to about 1000 psi, and isolating saturated phenolic branched chain fatty acids or alkyl esters thereof or mixtures thereof. Also disclosed are methods for killing microorganisms on or in an object, involving contacting said object with an effective microorganisms killing amount of a composition comprising phenolic branched chain fatty acids or alkyl esters thereof, and optionally a carrier; the phenolic branched chain fatty acids or alkyl esters thereof may be produced by the methods described herein.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2018Date of Patent: December 4, 2018Assignee: The United States of America, as Represented by the Secretary of AgricultureInventors: Helen N. Lew, Karen Wagner, Xuetong Fan, Alberto Nunez, Robert A. Moreau, Michael J. Haas, Zongcheng Yan
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Publication number: 20180282254Abstract: Disclosed are methods for preparing phenolic branched chain fatty acids or alkyl esters thereof, involving subjecting in a pressurized container (a) at least one phenolic compound, (b) unsaturated fatty acids having 6 to 25 carbon atoms, alkyl esters thereof, or mixtures thereof, and (c) H-ferrierite zeolite catalyst in the presence of distilled water or alcohol and a nitrogen atmosphere at a temperature of about 100° C. to about 400° C. and a pressure of about 10 to about 1000 psi, and isolating saturated phenolic branched chain fatty acids or alkyl esters thereof or mixtures thereof. Also disclosed are methods for killing microorganisms on or in an object, involving contacting said object with an effective microorganisms killing amount of a composition comprising phenolic branched chain fatty acids or alkyl esters thereof, and optionally a carrier; the phenolic branched chain fatty acids or alkyl esters thereof may be produced by the methods described herein.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2018Publication date: October 4, 2018Inventors: Helen N. Lew, Karen Wagner, Xuetong Fan, Alberto Nunez, Robert A. Moreau, Michael J. Haas, Zongcheng Yan
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Patent number: 10087132Abstract: Disclosed herein are processes for converting an unsaturated fatty acid into a saturated branched-chain fatty acid through a zeolite-catalyzed process and methods of economically regenerating and reusing the zeolite catalyst. The processes include subjecting the unsaturated fatty acid to an isomerization reaction to result in a selective conversion of the unsaturated fatty acid into the saturated branched-chain fatty acid. The reaction occurs in the presence of (i) an activated zeolite catalyst, (ii) an effective amount of water, and (iii) optionally an oligomerization reducing agent. The spent zeolite catalyst may be regenerated by heating to create a regenerated zeolite catalyst that is functional for use as the activated zeolite catalyst.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2016Date of Patent: October 2, 2018Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by The Secretary of AgricultureInventors: Majher I Sarker, Helen N. Lew, Robert A. Moreau
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Patent number: 10071946Abstract: Disclosed are methods for preparing phenolic branched chain fatty acids or alkyl esters thereof, involving subjecting in a pressurized container (a) at least one phenolic compound, (b) unsaturated fatty acids having 6 to 25 carbon atoms, alkyl esters thereof, or mixtures thereof, and (c) H-ferrierite zeolite catalyst in the presence of distilled water or alcohol and a nitrogen atmosphere at a temperature of about 100° C. to about 400° C. and a pressure of about 10 to about 1000 psi, and isolating saturated phenolic branched chain fatty acids or alkyl esters thereof or mixtures thereof. Also disclosed are methods for killing microorganisms on or in an object, involving contacting said object with an effective microorganisms killing amount of a composition comprising phenolic branched chain fatty acids or alkyl esters thereof, and optionally a carrier; the phenolic branched chain fatty acids or alkyl esters thereof may be produced by the methods described herein.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2016Date of Patent: September 11, 2018Assignee: The United States of America, as Represented by the Secretary of AgricultureInventors: Helen N. Lew, Karen Wagner, Xuetong Fan, Alberto Nunez, Robert A. Moreau, Michael J. Haas, Zongcheng Yan
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Publication number: 20180186716Abstract: Disclosed herein are processes for converting an unsaturated fatty acid into a saturated branched-chain fatty acid through a zeolite-catalyzed process and methods of economically regenerating and reusing the zeolite catalyst. The processes include subjecting the unsaturated fatty acid to an isomerization reaction to result in a selective conversion of the unsaturated fatty acid into the saturated branched-chain fatty acid. The reaction occurs in the presence of (i) an activated zeolite catalyst, (ii) an effective amount of water, and (iii) optionally an oligomerization reducing agent. The spent zeolite catalyst may be regenerated by heating to create a regenerated zeolite catalyst that is functional for use as the activated zeolite catalyst.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2016Publication date: July 5, 2018Inventors: Majher I Sarker, Helen N. Lew, Robert A. Moreau
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Publication number: 20170253552Abstract: Disclosed are methods for preparing phenolic branched chain fatty acids or alkyl esters thereof, involving subjecting in a pressurized container (a) at least one phenolic compound, (b) unsaturated fatty acids having 6 to 25 carbon atoms, alkyl esters thereof, or mixtures thereof, and (c) H-ferrierite zeolite catalyst in the presence of distilled water or alcohol and a nitrogen atmosphere at a temperature of about 100° C. to about 400° C. and a pressure of about 10 to about 1000 psi, and isolating saturated phenolic branched chain fatty acids or alkyl esters thereof or mixtures thereof. Also disclosed are methods for killing microorganisms on or in an object, involving contacting said object with an effective microorganisms killing amount of a composition comprising phenolic branched chain fatty acids or alkyl esters thereof, and optionally a carrier; the phenolic branched chain fatty acids or alkyl esters thereof may be produced by the methods described herein.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2016Publication date: September 7, 2017Inventors: HELEN N. Lew, KAREN WAGNER, XUETONG FAN, ALBERTO NUNEZ, ROBERT A. MOREAU, MICHAEL J. HAAS, ZONGCHENG YAN