Abstract: A process for surface modifying skinless hydrophilic microporous membrane having an internal microstructure throughout said membrane and a surface modifying amount of surface modifying agent bound thereto without substantial pore reduction of pore blockage involves the steps of providing a dope solution of a membrane forming polymer in a solvent system comprising a mixture of at least one solvent and one non-solvent for the polymer, and a membrane surface modifying agent, and combining said dope solution with sufficient additional non-solvent for the polymer to precipitate said membrane from said dope solution.

Abstract: A process is provided for for cationically charge modifying a microporous filter membrane, wherein the membrane is a substantially symmetrical isotropic, hydrophilic, organic polymeric microporous filter membrane, preferably nylon, having a microstructure throughout the membrane. The process comprises bonding a primary charge modifying amount of a water soluble cationic charge modifying agent to substantially all of the membrane microstructure, without substantial pore size reduction or pore blockage. The charge modifying agent is a reaction product of a polyamine with epichlorohydrin, the reactive product having (i) tertiary amine or quaternary ammonium groups, and (ii) epoxide groups along a polyamine chain, the epoxide groups capable of bonding to the microstructure of the membrane.

Abstract: A cationic charge modified microporous membrane comprising a hydrophilic organic polymeric microporous membrane and a cationic charge modifying agent bonded to substantially all of the wetted surfaces of the membrane, the charge modifying agent being an epichlorohydrin modified polyamide having tertiary amine or quaternary ammonium groups. A secondary charge modifying agent may be employed selected from: (i) aliphatic polyamines having at least one primary amine or at least two secondary amines; and (ii) aliphatic amines having at least one secondary amine and a carboxyl or hydroxyl substituent. Processes for producing and using the membrane are also described.

Abstract: A cationic charge modified microporous membrane comprising a hydrophilic organic polymeric microporous membrane and a cationic charge modifying agent bonded to substantially all of the wetted surfaces of the membrane, the charge modifying agent being an epichlorohydrin modified polyamide having tertiary amine or quaternary ammonium groups. A secondary charge modifying agent may be employed selected from: (i) aliphatic polyamines having at least one primary amine or at least two secondary amines; and (ii) aliphatic amines having at least one secondary amine and a carboxyl or hydroxyl substituent. Processes for producing and using the membrane are also described.

Abstract: A novel hydrophilic anionic charge modified microporous filter membrane is provided comprising an organic polymeric microporous filter membrane having a micro-structure throughout the membrane and a modifying amount of an anionic charge modifying agent bound to substantially all of the membrane micro-structure without substantial pore size reduction or pore blockage.The invention is further directed to a process for anionically charge modifying an organic polymeric microporous filter membrane by applying to the membrane the charge modifying agent, preferably, by contacting the membrane with a solution of the charge modifying agent.The anionic modified microporous membrane of this invention may be used for the filtration of fluids, particularly parenteral or biological liquids contaminated with charged particulates, and for plasmapheresis, particularly in the form of hollow fiber tubes. The membrane has low extractables and is sanitizable or sterilizable.

Abstract: A molecular separation column for effecting the differential distribution, between two phases, of the components of a sample flowing therethrough. The column contains a substantially homogenous solid stationary phase which comprises a porous matrix of fiber having particulate immobilized therein, wherein at least one of said fiber or particulate is effective for molecular separation. The column is characterized by a reduced pressure drop, increased axial dispersion, more uniform peak shapes and better separations at high sample loading.

Abstract: A cationic charge modified microporous membrane, process for producing said membrane and use thereof are provided. The membrane comprises a hydrophilic organic polymeric microporous membrane and a charge modifying amount of a primary cationic charge modifying agent bonded to substantially all of the wetted surfaces of the membrane. The primary charge modifying agent if a water soluble organic polymer having a molecular weight greater than about 1000 wherein each monomer thereof has at least one epoxide group capable of bonding to the surface of the membrane and at least one tertiary amine or quaternary ammonium group. Preferably, a portion of the epoxy groups on the organic polymer are bonded to a secondary charge modifying agent selected from the group consisting of:(i) aliphatic amines having at least one primary amine or at least two secondary amines; and(ii) aliphatic amines having at least one secondary amine and a carboxyl or hydroxyl substituent.

Abstract: A molecular separation chromotography column for effecting the differential distribution, between two phases, of the components of a sample flowing therethrough. The column contains a substantially homogeneous solid stationary phase which comprises a porous matrix of fiber having particulate immobilized therein, wherein at least one of said fiber or particulate is effective for molecular separation. The column is characterized by a reduced pressure drop, increased axial dispersion, more uniform peak shapes and better separations at high sample loading.

Abstract: Reconstituted tobacco sheet coated with a hydrophobic coating containing a spectrophotometrically-determinable metal cation, including the process of making such products and the process of monitoring the coating process to assure even distribution of coating on tobacco sheet.

Abstract: Processes for the selective removal of lipid constituents from elements of the tobacco plant comprising treating said elements in a solvolysis system consisting essentially of a mixture constituted by a major proportion of a hydrocarbon fat solvent and a minor proportion of a lower alkanol, whereby residual lipid level as determined by Soxhlet extraction is substantially reduced; and smoking compositions incorporating the processed tobacco material.

Abstract: Operations for the reduction of lipid content in tobacco compositions with retention of favorable organoleptic properties comprising particularly treatments or the selective removal of `neutral` lipid fraction. Tobacco leaves, preferably freshly harvested, are subjected to physical treatment adapted to remove lipid material from glandular trichome and cuticle while retaining the structural integrity of the leaf. Tobacco compositions based upon treated leaf structures exhibit significantly reduced lipid levels, reported to interrelate with production of aromatic hydrocarbons upon pyrolysis.

Abstract: Cigar tobacco sheet of low density, smoking articles prepared therewith, and foamed intermediates therefor. Fine-bubble stable foams, wherein at least 80% of the bubbles are less than about 100 microns in normalized dimension are formed in a high shear system utilizing tobacco particles of generally smaller than 100-120 mesh. The foam is cast and dried to form reconstituted cigar tobacco sheet, utilized preferably for wrapper and/or binder in cigars, characterized especially by excellent taste.