Patents by Inventor Thomas P. Graycar

Thomas P. Graycar 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: 6653093
    Abstract: Enzyme granulates contain besides the enzyme water-soluble and water-insoluble fillers, binders and if required other additives for granulates. In order to stabilize the enzyme, an alkaline or earth alkaline metal formiate is added, as well as reducing sugar, if required. These enzyme granulates may contain all usual enzymes for washing and cleaning purposes, in particular alkaline proteases. A process for preparing these enzyme granulates, as well as their use in powdery washing product compositions are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Genencor International, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter F. Plank, Thomas P Graycar, Matthew J. Flynn
  • Patent number: 6586221
    Abstract: Novel carbonyl hydrolase variants derived from the DNA sequences of naturally-occurring or recombinant non-human carbonyl hydrolases are disclosed. The variant carbonyl hydrolases, in general, are obtained by in vitro modification of a precursor DNA sequence encoding the naturally-occurring or recombinant carbonyl hydrolase to generate the substitution of a plurality of amino acid residues in the amino acid sequence of a precursor carbonyl hydrolase. Such variant carbonyl hydrolases have properties which are different from those of the precursor hydrolase, such as altered proteolytic activity, altered stability, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Genencor International, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas P. Graycar, Richard R. Bott, Lori J. Wilson
  • Publication number: 20030119172
    Abstract: Textile fibers are treated with enzymes in the absence of surfactants, with the effect of increasing the wettability and absorbency of the fibers. The enzymes are pectinases, cellulases, proteases, lipases or combinations thereof. The wetting properties of cotton fibers are found to be most substantially improved by treatment with a mixture of cellulase and pectinase. The effects of five hydrolyzing enzymes on improving the hydrophilicity of several polyester fabrics have been studied. Four out of the five lipases studied improve the water wetting and absorbent properties of the regular polyester fabrics more than alkaline hydrolysis under optimal conditions (3N NaOH at 55° C. for 2 hours). Compared to aqueous hydrolysis, the enzyme reactions have shown to be effective under more moderate conditions, including a relatively low concentration (0.01 g/L), a shorter reaction time (10 minutes), at an ambient temperature (25° C.).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2002
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Applicant: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: You-Lo Hsieh, Mary Michelle Hartzell, Matthew G. Boston, Kathleen A. Clarkson, Katherine D. Collier, Thomas P. Graycar, Edmund A. Larenas
  • Publication number: 20030077807
    Abstract: Novel carbonyl hydrolase variants derived from the DNA sequences of naturally-occurring or recombinant non-human carbonyl hydrolases are disclosed. The variant carbonyl hydrolases, in general, are obtained by in vitro modification of a precursor DNA sequence encoding the naturally-occurring or recombinant carbonyl hydrolase to generate the substitution of a plurality of amino acid residues in the amino acid sequence of a precursor carbonyl hydrolase. Such variant carbonyl hydrolases have properties which are different from those of the precursor hydrolase, such as altered proteolytic activity, altered stability, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 1994
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Inventors: THOMAS P. GRAYCAR, RICHARD R. BOTT, LORI J. WILSON
  • Publication number: 20020115193
    Abstract: Textile fibers are treated with enzymes in the absence of surfactants, with the effect of increasing the wettability and absorbency of the fibers. The enzymes are pectinases, cellulases, proteases, lipases or combinations thereof. The wetting properties of cotton fibers are found to be most substantially improved by treatment with a mixture of cellulase and pectinase. The effects of five hydrolyzing enzymes on improving the hydrophilicity of several polyester fabrics have been studied. Four out of the five lipases studied improve the water wetting and absorbent properties of the regular polyester fabrics more than alkaline hydrolysis under optimal conditions (3N NaOH at 55° C. for 2 hours). Compared to aqueous hydrolysis, the enzyme reactions have shown to be effective under more moderate conditions, including a relatively low concentration (0.01 g/L), a shorter reaction time (10 minutes), at an ambient temperature (25° C.).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 1999
    Publication date: August 22, 2002
    Inventors: YOU-LO HSIEH, MARY MICHELLE HARTZELL, MATTHEW G. BOSTON, KATHLEEN A. CLARKSON, KATHERINE D. COLLIER, THOMAS P. GRAYCAR, EDMUND A. LARENAS
  • Patent number: 6436696
    Abstract: Textile fibers are treated with enzymes in the absence of surfactants, with the effect of increasing the wettability and absorbency of the fibers. The enzymes are pectinases, cellulases, proteases, lipases or combinations thereof. The wetting properties of cotton fibers are found to be most substantially improved by treatment with a mixture of cellulase and pectinase. The effects of five hydrolyzing enzymes on improving the hydrophilicity of several polyester fabrics have been studied. Four out of the five lipases studied improve the water wetting and absorbent properties of the regular polyester fabrics more than alkaline hydrolysis under optimal conditions (3N NaOH at 55° C. for 2 hours). Compared to aqueous hydrolysis, the enzyme reactions have shown to be effective under more moderate conditions, including a relatively low concentration (0.01 g/L), a shorter reaction time (10 minutes), at an ambient temperature (25° C.).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignees: The Regents of the University of California, Genencor International, Inc.
    Inventors: You-lo Hsieh, Mary Michelle Hartzell, Matthew G. Boston, Kathleen A. Clarkson, Katherine D. Collier, Thomas P. Graycar, Edmund A. Larenas
  • Patent number: 6431370
    Abstract: Detergent formulations are prepared by directly agglomerating a fermentation broth extract, containing a detergent-type enzyme and a nonionic detergent-type surfactant, with a suitable detergent base mixture, without need for prior isolation of the enzyme.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Genencor International, Inc.
    Inventors: Edit L. Braunstein, Nathaniel T. Becker, Thomas P. Graycar
  • Patent number: 6329332
    Abstract: The present invention provides novel phenol oxidizing enzymes naturally-produced by strains of the species Pleurotus ostreatus which possess a pH optima in the alkaline range and which are useful in modifying the color associated with dyes and colored compounds at alkaline pH.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Genencor International, Inc.
    Inventors: William S. Borneman, Elizabeth A. Bodie, Thomas P. Graycar, Deborah S. Winetzky
  • Patent number: 6277617
    Abstract: Modified enzymes are provided in which at least one amino acid, such as asparagine, leucine, methionine or serine, of an enzyme is replaced with a cysteine and the thiol hydrogen is replaced with a substituent group providing a thiol side chain selected from the group consisting of: a) —SR1R2, wherein R1 is an alkyl and R2 is a charged or polar moiety; b) —SR3, wherein R3 is a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl; c) —SR4, wherein R4 is substituted or unsubstituted cyclohexyl; d) —SR5, wherein R5 is C10-C15 alkyl; and e) —SR6 wherein R6 is a C1-6 alkyl. Also, methods of producing the modified enzymes are provided, as well as detergent and feed additives and a composition for the treatment of a textile. A method for using the modified enzymes in organic synthesis is additionally provided. Further, modified enzymes having improved activity, altered pH profile and/or wash performance are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignees: Genencor International, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard R. Bott, Thomas P. Graycar, J. Bryan Jones, Colin Mitchinson
  • Patent number: 6105786
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for preparing a detergent powder containing enzymes where the enzymes are extracted from a fermentation broth with a salt and surfactant mixture and directly agglomerated with detergent paste and dried to form the detergent powder. The process results in a two phase system where the enzyme is extracted into the surfactant rich phase and the second phase is salt rich. The process is especially useful for whole or clarified fermentation broths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Genencor International, Inc.
    Inventors: Edit L. Braunstein, Nathaniel T. Becker, Grant C. Ganshaw, Thomas P. Graycar
  • Patent number: 6066494
    Abstract: Textile fibers are treated with enzymes in the absence of surfactants, with the effect of increasing the wettability and absorbency of the fibers. The enzymes are pectinases, cellulases, proteases, lipases or combinations thereof. The wetting properties of cotton fibers are found to be most substantially improved by treatment with a mixture of cellulase and pectinase. The effects of five hydrolyzing enzymes on improving the hydrophilicity of several polyester fabrics have been studied. Four out of the five lipases studied improve the water wetting and absorbent properties of the regular polyester fabrics more than alkaline hydrolysis under optimal conditions (3N NaOH at 55.degree. C. for 2 hours). Compared to aqueous hydrolysis, the enzyme reactions have shown to be effective under more moderate conditions, including a relatively low concentration (0.01 g/L), a shorter reaction time (10 minutes), at an ambient temperature (25.degree. C.).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: You-lo Hsieh, Mary Michelle Hartzell, Matthew G. Boston, Kathleen A. Clarkson, Katherine D. Collier, Thomas P. Graycar, Edmund A. Larenas
  • Patent number: 5316941
    Abstract: There are described certain DNA sequences which encode subtilisins wherein the amino acid sequence of such substilisins has been modified at a position equivalent to +225 in Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, such that an amino acid selected from the group consisting of alanine, leucine, methionine, glutamine, valine and serine, has been substituted for the amino acid residues naturally occuring at such position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1994
    Assignee: Genencor, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Estell, Robert M. Caldwell, Richard R. Bott, Thomas P. Graycar
  • Patent number: 5204015
    Abstract: Novel carbonyl hydrolase mutants derived from the DNA sequences of naturally-occurring or recombinant non-human carbonyl hydrolases are disclosed. The mutant carbonyl hydrolases, in general, are obtained by in vitro modification of a precursor DNA sequence encoding the naturally-occurring or recombinant carbonyl hydrolase to generate the substitution of one or more amino acid residues in the amino acid sequence of a precursor carbonyl hydrolase. Such mutant carbonyl hydrolases have properties which are different from those of the precursor hydrolase and are especially useful in detergent formulations. The substituted amino acid residues correspond to position +123 and/or +274 in Bacillus amyloliquefaciens subtilisin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1993
    Assignee: Genencor International, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert M. Caldwell, David A. Estell, Thomas P. Graycar
  • Patent number: 5185258
    Abstract: Novel carbonyl hydrolase mutants derived from the DNA sequences of naturally-occurring or recombinant non-human carbonyl hydrolases are disclosed. The mutant carbonyl hydrolases, in general, are obtained by in vitro modification of a precursor DNA sequence encoding the naturally-occurring or recombinant carbonyl hydrolase to generate the substitution of one or more amino acid residues in the amino acid sequence of a precursor carbonyl hydrolase. Such mutant carbonyl hydrolases have properties which are different from those of the precursor hydrolase and are especially useful in detergent formulations. The substituted amino acid residues correspond to position +123 and/or +274 in Bacillus amyloliquefaciens subtilisin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1993
    Assignee: Genencor International, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert M. Caldwell, David A. Estell, Thomas P. Graycar
  • Patent number: 5155033
    Abstract: There are described certain subtilisins wherein the amino acid sequence of such subtilisins has been modified at a position equivalent to +225 in Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, such that an amino acid selected from the group consisting of alanine, leucine, methionine, glutamine, valine, and serine, has been substituted for the amino acid residue naturally occurring at such position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1992
    Assignee: Genencor, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Estell, Robert M. Caldwell, Richard R. Bott, Thomas P. Graycar