Patents by Inventor John Edward Gavagan

John Edward Gavagan 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).

  • Patent number: 7951567
    Abstract: A method is provided for producing peroxycarboxylic acids from carboxylic acid esters. More specifically, carboxylic acid esters are reacted with an inorganic peroxide, such as hydrogen peroxide, in the presence of an enzyme catalyst having perhydrolysis activity derived from Bacillus sp. to produce peroxycarboxylic acids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Robert DiCosimo, John Edward Gavagan, Mark Scott Payne, Frederick B. Cooling, III
  • Patent number: 7932072
    Abstract: An acetyl xylan esterase variant having perhydrolytic activity is provided for producing peroxycarboxylic acids from carboxylic acid esters and a source of peroxygen. More specifically, a Thermotoga maritima acetyl xylan esterase gene was modified using error-prone PCR and site-directed mutagenesis to create an enzyme catalyst characterized by an increase in the ratio of peracetic acid formation to peracetic acid hydrolysis specific activities (PAAF/PAAH ratio). The variant acetyl xylan esterase may be used to produce peroxycarboxylic acids suitable for use in a variety of applications such as cleaning, disinfecting, sanitizing, bleaching, wood pulp processing, and paper pulp processing applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Robert DiCosimo, John Edward Gavagan, Mark S. Payne
  • Patent number: 7927854
    Abstract: An acetyl xylan esterase variant having perhydrolytic activity is provided for producing peroxycarboxylic acids from carboxylic acid esters and a source of peroxygen. More specifically, a Thermotoga maritima acetyl xylan esterase gene was modified using error-prone PCR and site-directed mutagenesis to create an enzyme catalyst characterized by an increase in the ratio of peracetic acid formation to peracetic acid hydrolysis specific activities (PAAF/PAAH ratio). The variant acetyl xylan esterase may be used to produce peroxycarboxylic acids suitable for use in a variety of applications such as cleaning, disinfecting, sanitizing, bleaching, wood pulp processing, and paper pulp processing applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Robert DiCosimo, John Edward Gavagan, Mark S. Payne
  • Patent number: 7923233
    Abstract: An acetyl xylan esterase variant having perhydrolytic activity is provided for producing peroxycarboxylic acids from carboxylic acid esters and a source of peroxygen. More specifically, a Thermotoga maritima acetyl xylan esterase gene was modified using error-prone PCR and site-directed mutagenesis to create an enzyme catalyst characterized by an increase in the ratio of peracetic acid formation to peracetic acid hydrolysis specific activities (PAAF/PAAH ratio). The variant acetyl xylan esterase may be used to produce peroxycarboxylic acids suitable for use in a variety of applications such as cleaning, disinfecting, sanitizing, bleaching, wood pulp processing, and paper pulp processing applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Robert Dicosimo, John Edward Gavagan, Mark S. Payne
  • Publication number: 20110081693
    Abstract: A process is provided for rapidly producing target concentrations of peroxycarboxylic acids from carboxylic acid esters. More specifically, carboxylic acid esters are reacted with a source of peroxygen, such as hydrogen peroxide, in the presence of an enzyme catalyst comprising an enzyme having identity to an acetyl xylan esterase from Lactococcus lactis having perhydrolysis activity. The polypeptide is an enzyme structurally classified as a member of the carbohydrate esterase family 7 (CE-7). The peroxycarboxylic acids produced by the present process can be used in disinfecting, bleaching, and other laundry care applications. Compositions comprising the reaction components and the peroxycarboxylic acids produced by the process are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Inventors: Robert DiCosimo, John Edward Gavagan, Mark Scott Payne
  • Patent number: 7910347
    Abstract: An acetyl xylan esterase variant having perhydrolytic activity is provided for producing peroxycarboxylic acids from carboxylic acid esters and a source of peroxygen. More specifically, a Thermotoga maritima acetyl xylan esterase gene was modified using error-prone PCR and site-directed mutagenesis to create an enzyme catalyst characterized by an increase in the ratio of peracetic acid formation to peracetic acid hydrolysis specific activities (PAAF/PAAH ratio). The variant acetyl xylan esterase may be used to produce peroxycarboxylic acids suitable for use in a variety of applications such as cleaning, disinfecting, sanitizing, bleaching, wood pulp processing, and paper pulp processing applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Robert DiCosimo, John Edward Gavagan, Mark S. Payne
  • Patent number: 7829315
    Abstract: A process is provided for producing peroxycarboxylic acids from carboxylic acid esters. More specifically, carboxylic acid esters are reacted with an inorganic peroxide, such as hydrogen peroxide, in the presence of an enzyme catalyst having perhydrolysis activity. The present perhydrolase catalysts are classified as members of the carbohydrate esterase family 7 (CE-7) based on the conserved structural features. Further, disinfectant formulations comprising the peracids produced by the processes described herein are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Robert DiCosimo, John Edward Gavagan, Mark Payne
  • Patent number: 7807425
    Abstract: A process is provided for producing peroxycarboxylic acids from carboxylic acid esters. More specifically, carboxylic acid esters are reacted with an inorganic peroxide, such as hydrogen peroxide, in the presence of an enzyme catalyst having perhydrolysis activity. The present perhydrolase catalysts are classified as members of the carbohydrate esterase family 7 (CE-7) based on the conserved structural features. Further, disinfectant formulations comprising the peracids produced by the processes described herein are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Robert DiCosimo, John Edward Gavagan, Mark Payne
  • Patent number: 7780911
    Abstract: A biocidal composition is provided, said biocidal composition comprising components suitable for producing peracid in situ, wherein said components comprise one or more prion-degrading enzymes, a suitable substrate, at least one enzyme having perhydrolase activity, and a source of peroxygen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Robert DiCosimo, Mark Scott Payne, Eugenia Costa Hann, Vincent Brian Croud, John Edward Gavagan, Lorraine Winona Wagner
  • Patent number: 7550420
    Abstract: A process is provided to produce a concentrated aqueous peracid solution in situ using at least one enzyme having perhydrolase activity in the presence of hydrogen peroxide (at a concentration of at least 500 mM) under neutral to acidic reaction conditions from suitable carboxylic acid esters (including glycerides) and/or amides substrates. The concentrated peracid solution produced is sufficient for use in a variety of disinfection and/or bleaching applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: E. I. DuPont De Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Robert DiCosimo, Mark Scott Payne, Eugenia Costa Hann, Vincent Brian Croud, John Edward Gavagan, Lorraine Winona Wagner
  • Patent number: 6077955
    Abstract: A process for the preparation of five-membered or six-membered ring lactams from aliphatic .alpha.,.omega.-dinitriles has been developed. In the process an aliphatic .alpha.,.omega.-dinitrile is first converted to an ammonium salt of an .omega.-nitrilecarboxylic acid in aqueous solution using a catalyst having an aliphatic nitrilase (EC 3.5.5.7) activity, or a combination of nitrile hydratase (EC 4.2.1.84) and amidase (EC 3.5.1.4) activities. The ammonium salt of the .omega.-nitrilecarboxylic acid is then converted directly to the corresponding lactam by hydrogenation in aqueous solution, without isolation of the intermediate .omega.-nitrilecarboxylic acid or .omega.-aminocarboxylic acid. When the aliphatic .alpha.,.omega.-dinitrile is also unsymmetrically substituted at the .alpha.-carbon atom, the nitrilase produces the .omega.-nitrilecarboxylic acid ammonium salt resulting from hydrolysis of the .omega.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Robert Di Cosimo, Robert Donald Fallon, John Edward Gavagan, Frank Edward Herkes
  • Patent number: 6066490
    Abstract: A process for the preparation of five-membered or six-membered ring lactams from aliphatic .alpha.,.omega.-dinitriles has been developed. In the process an aliphatic .alpha.,.omega.-dinitrile is first converted to an ammonium salt of an .omega.-nitrilecarboxylic acid in aqueous solution using a catalyst having an aliphatic nitrilase (EC 3.5.5.7) activity, or a combination of nitrile hydratase (EC 4.2.1.84) and amidase (EC 3.5.1.4) activities. The ammonium salt of the .omega.-nitrilecarboxylic acid is then converted directly to the corresponding lactam by hydrogenation in aqueous solution, without isolation of the intermediate .omega.-nitrilecarboxylic acid or .omega.-aminocarboxylic acid. When the aliphatic .alpha.,.omega.-dinitrile is also unsymmetrically substituted at the .alpha.-carbon atom, the nitrilase produces the .omega.-nitrilecarboxylic acid ammonium salt resulting from hydrolysis of the .omega.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Company
    Inventors: Robert Di Cosimo, Robert Donald Fallon, John Edward Gavagan, Frank Edward Herkes
  • Patent number: 5936114
    Abstract: A process for the preparation of five-membered or six-membered ring lactams from aliphatic .alpha.,.omega.-dinitriles has been developed. In the process an aliphatic .alpha.,.omega.-dinitrile is first converted to an ammonium salt of an .omega.-nitrilecarboxylic acid in aqueous solution using a catalyst having an aliphatic nitrilase (EC 3.5.5.7) activity, or a combination of nitrile hydratase (EC 4.2.1.84) and amidase (EC 3.5.1.4) activities. The ammonium salt of the .omega.-nitrilecarboxylic acid is then converted directly to the corresponding lactam by hydrogenation in aqueous solution, without isolation of the intermediate .omega.-nitrilecarboxylic acid or .omega.-aminocarboxylic acid. When the aliphatic .alpha.,.omega.-dinitrile is also unsymmetrically substituted at the .alpha.-carbon atom, the nitrilase produces the .omega.-nitrilecarboxylic acid ammonium salt resulting from hydrolysis of the .omega.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Robert Di Cosimo, Robert Donald Fallon, John Edward Gavagan, Frank Edward Herkes
  • Patent number: 5922589
    Abstract: A process for the preparation of five-membered or six-membered ring lactams from aliphatic .alpha., .omega.-dinitriles has been developed. In the process an aliphatic .alpha.,.omega.-dinitrile is first converted to an ammonium salt of an .omega.-nitrilecarboxylic acid in aqueous solution using a catalyst having an aliphatic nitrilase (EC 3.5.5.7) activity, or a combination of nitrile hydratase (EC 4.2.1.84) and amidase (EC 3.5.1.4) activities. The ammonium salt of the .omega.-nitrilecarboxylic acid is then converted directly to the corresponding lactam by hydrogenation in aqueous solution, without isolation of the intermediate .omega.-nitrilecarboxylic acid or .omega.-aminocarboxylic acid. When the aliphatic .alpha.,.omega.-dinitrile is also unsymmetrically substituted at the .alpha.-carbon atom, the nitrilase produces the .omega.-nitrilecarboxylic acid ammonium salt resulting from hydrolysis of the .omega.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Robert Di Cosimo, Robert Donald Fallon, John Edward Gavagan, Frank Edward Herkes
  • Patent number: 5908954
    Abstract: A process for the preparation of five-membered or six-membered ring lactams from aliphatic .alpha.,.omega.-dinitriles has been developed. In the process an aliphatic .alpha.,.omega.-dinitrile is first converted to an ammonium salt of an .omega.-nitrile-carboxylic acid in aqueous solution using a catalyst having an aliphatic nitrilase (EC 3.5.5.7) activity, or a combination of nitrile hydratase (EC 4.2.1.84) and arnidase (EC 3.5.1.4) activities. The ammonium salt of the .omega.-nitrilecarboxylic acid is then converted directly to the corresponding lactam by hydrogenation in aqueous solution, without isolation of the intermediate .omega.-nitrilecarboxylic acid or .omega.-aminocarboxylic acid. When the aliphatic .alpha.,.omega.-dinitrile is also unsymmetrically substituted at the .alpha.-carbon atom, the nitrilase produces the .omega.-nitrilecarboxylic acid ammonium salt resulting from hydrolysis of the .omega.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Robert Di Cosimo, Robert Donald Fallon, John Edward Gavagan, Frank Edward Herkes
  • Patent number: 5858736
    Abstract: A process for the preparation of five-membered or six-membered ring lactams from aliphatic .alpha.,.omega.-dinitriles has been developed. In the process an aliphatic .alpha.,.omega.-dinitrile is first converted to an ammonium salt of an .omega.-nitrilecarboxylic acid in aqueous solution using a catalyst having an aliphatic nitrilase (EC 3.5.5.7) activity, or a combination of nitrile hydratase (EC 4.2.1.84) and amidase (EC 3.5.1.4) activities. The aimnonium salt of the .omega.-nitrilecarboxylic acid is then converted directly to the corresponding lactam by hydrogenation in aqueous solution, without isolation of the intermediate .omega.-nitrilecarboxylic acid or .omega.-monocarboxylic acid. When the aliphatic .alpha.,.omega.-dinitrile is also unsymmetrically substituted at the .alpha.-carbon atom, the nitrilase produces the .omega.-nitrilecarboxylic acid ammonium salt resulting from hydrolysis of the .omega.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Robert Di Cosimo, Robert Donald Fallon, John Edward Gavagan, Frank Edward Herkes
  • Patent number: 5814508
    Abstract: A process for the preparation of five-membered or six-membered ring lactams from aliphatic .alpha.,.omega.-dinitriles has been developed. In the process an aliphatic .alpha.,.omega.-dinitrile is first converted to an ammonium salt of an .omega.-nitrile-carboxylic acid in aqueous solution using a catalyst having an aliphatic nitrilase (EC 3.5.5.7) activity, or a combination of nitrile hydratase (EC 4.2.1.84) and amidase (EC 3.5.1.4) activities. The ammonium salt of the .omega.-nitrilecarboxylic acid is then converted directly to the corresponding lactam by hydrogenation in aqueous solution, without isolation of the intermediate .omega.-nitrilecarboxylic acid or .omega.-aminocarboxylic acid. When the aliphatic .alpha.,.omega.-dinitrile is also unsymmetrically substituted at the .alpha.-carbon atom, the nitrilase produces the .omega.-nitrilecarboxylic acid ammonium salt resulting from hydrolysis of the .omega.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Robert Di Cosimo, Robert Donald Fallon, John Edward Gavagan, Frank Edward Herkes
  • Patent number: 5693490
    Abstract: Methylotrophic yeast have been transformed with a heterologous gene encoding glycolate oxidase. The transformed methylotrophic yeast are useful as a catalyst for transforming glycolate to glyoxylate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: David Leroy Anton, Robert Dicosimo, John Edward Gavagan, Mark Scott Payne