Patents by Inventor Zu-Feng Xu

Zu-Feng Xu 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: 7589051
    Abstract: A cationic, oxidized polysaccharide or derivative thereof that has a mean average molecular weight (Mw) having a lower limit of 50,000 and an upper limit of 1,000,000 and an aldehyde functionality content of at least 0.001 meq/gram is used in personal care and household care compositions. This cationic, oxidized polysaccharide is prepared in continuous or batch processes using hydrolytic reagents, oxidizing reagents, or combination of hydrolytic reagents and oxidizing reagents. Personal care or household care compositions are prepared by adding the cationic, oxidized polysaccharide to a personal care or household composition containing at least one active ingredient other than the cationic, oxidized polysaccharide of this invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Hercules Incorporated
    Inventors: Paquita Erazo-Majewicz, Jashawant J. Modi, Zu-Feng Xu
  • Publication number: 20080169073
    Abstract: Methods for inhibiting the depositions of organic contaminants from pulp in pulp and papermaking systems are disclosed. A combination of an enzyme and a nonionic polymeric detackifier are added to the pulp or applied to deposition-prone process equipment surfaces of a pulp and papermaking system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2007
    Publication date: July 17, 2008
    Applicant: Hercules Inc.
    Inventors: Zu-Feng Xu, William S. Carey
  • Patent number: 7067499
    Abstract: A composition of a cationic polygalactomannan or a derivative of cationic polygalactomannans is provided that has a mean average molecular weight (Mw) having a lower limit of 5,000 and an upper limit of 200,000 and has a light transmittance in a 10% aqueous solution of greater than 80% at a light wavelength of 600 nm and a protein content of less than 1.0% by weight of polysaccharide, and aldehyde functionality content of at least of 0.01 meq/gram. This composition is prepared in continuous or batch processes using either oxidizing reagents or combination of hydrolytic reagents and oxidizing reagents. This composition is used in personal care and household care products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Hercules Incorporated
    Inventors: Paquita Erazo-Majewicz, Jashawant J. Modi, Charles R. Wheeler, Jr., Zu-Feng Xu
  • Publication number: 20060045861
    Abstract: A reduced odor composition is composed of at least one cationic polygalactomannan or a derivative of cationic polygalactomannan having a weight average molecular weight (Mw) having a lower limit of 5,000 and an upper limit of 200,000, a light transmittance in a 10% aqueous solution of greater than 80% at a light wavelength of 600 nm, a protein content of less than 1.0% by weight of polysaccharide, and a trimethylamine content of less than 25 ppm in a 10% aqueous solution of the polymer. This composition is prepared by treating the polymer with reagents that reduce the molecular weight of the polymer, removing the water-insoluble solid material, and removing odorous components, including trimethylamine (TMA) and other amines and low molecular weight components from the aqueous phase to produce a polymer that when used in a functional system such as household care, personal care or pet care products has reduced or no odor at acidic, neutral, or alkaline pH values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2005
    Publication date: March 2, 2006
    Inventors: Thomas Bejger, Paquita Erazo-Majewicz, Daniel Hopkins, John Kostas, Pong-Kuen Kuo, Jashawant Modi, Zu-Feng Xu
  • Publication number: 20050227902
    Abstract: A cationic, oxidized polysaccharide or derivative thereof that has a mean average molecular weight (Mw) having a lower limit of 50,000 and an upper limit of 1,000,000 and an aldehyde functionality content of at least 0.001 meq/gram is used in personal care and household care compositions. This cationic, oxidized polysaccharide is prepared in continuous or batch processes using hydrolytic reagents, oxidizing reagents, or combination of hydrolytic reagents and oxidizing reagents. Personal care or household care compositions are prepared by adding the cationic, oxidized polysaccharide to a personal care or household composition containing at least one active ingredient other than the cationic, oxidized polysaccharide of this invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2004
    Publication date: October 13, 2005
    Inventors: Paquita Erazo-Majewicz, Jashawant Modi, Zu-Feng Xu
  • Publication number: 20030211952
    Abstract: A composition of a cationic polygalactomannan or a derivative of cationic polygalactomannans is provided that has a mean average molecular weight (Mw) having a lower limit of 5,000 and an upper limit of 200,000 and has a light transmittance in a 10% aqueous solution of greater than 80% at a light wavelength of 600 nm and a protein content of less than 1.0% by weight of polysaccharide, and aldehyde functionality content of at least of 0.01 meq/gram. This composition is prepared in continuous or batch processes using either oxidizing reagents or combination of hydrolytic reagents and oxidizing reagents. This composition is used in personal care and household care products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2003
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Inventors: Paquita Erazo-Majewicz, Jashawant J. Modi, Charles R. Wheeler, Zu-Feng Xu
  • Publication number: 20020076769
    Abstract: Presented are compositions of reduced molecular weight galactomannans, particularly guar gum, which have been oxidized by the enzyme galactose oxidase. Further, the invention relates to a process for enzymatically reducing the molecular weight of a galactomannan wherein the galactomannan is simultaneously or subsequently oxidized using galactose oxidase, optionally in combination with other enzymes including peroxidases and or catalases. This process enables production of high concentrations of oxidized galactomannans, which have particular use in the paper making industry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2001
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Inventors: Richard Brady, H. N. Cheng, Alfred Jacques Haandrikman, Allison B. Moore, Pong-Kuen Kuo, William T. McNabola, Charles R. Wheeler, Zu-Feng Xu, Richard James Riehle, Tuyen Thanh Nguyen, Hielke T. Jeerd de Vries, John Arthur Lapre
  • Patent number: 5904941
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a viscosifier prepared by enzymatically hydrolyzing a ungelatinized, granular starch or flour. Such starch or flour is useful as an ingredient in food products, particularly fruit- or vegetable-based products, as a viscosifier and may be used to replace pectin or tomato solids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Assignee: National Starch and Chemical Investment Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Zu-Feng Xu, Jamie L. Senkeleski, James P. Zallie, Peter J. Hendrikx
  • Patent number: 5846786
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a thermally inhibited, subsequently enzymatically hydrolyzed, ungelatinized, granular starch or flour and the process of making such starch or flour. Such starch or flour is useful as an ingredient in food products, particularly fruit- or vegetable-based products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: National Starch and Chemical Investment Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Jamie L. Senkeleski, Zu-Feng Xu
  • Patent number: 5599569
    Abstract: A method for adhering seasoning to a food product comprising the steps of:a) coating the food product with a solution containing an effective amount of an amylase treated starch;b) adhering thereon at least one seasoning, flavorant, or colorant; andc) drying the resultant food product;the amylase treated starch having been prepared by steam cooking starch, and enzymatically hydrolyzing said cooked starch with amylase in an amount and for a sufficient time to achieve a funnel viscosity (measured at 19% solids using a standard funnel) of 7 to 80 seconds, and a dextrose equivalent (DE) of 2 to 40.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignee: National Starch and Chemical Investment Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Chung-Wai Chiu, David P. Huang, James J. Kasica, Zu-Feng Xu
  • Patent number: 5562937
    Abstract: A formulated starch-containing food product characterized by improved mouth-feel and texture is prepared from a mixture of non-starch ingredients together with a beta-amylase or glucoamylase treated waxy starch which has been prepared by a process which comprises steam cooking a starch slurry at a temperature of 120.degree. to 170.degree. C. to completely gelatinize the waxy starch; enzymatically hydrolyzing the gelatinized starch with beta-amylase or glucoamylase until up to about 60% by weight of the starch has been degraded to maltose or glucose; terminating the enzyme degradation by deactivating the enzyme and recovering the starch by spray drying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1996
    Assignee: National Starch and Chemical Investment Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Jamie Senkeleski, Chung-Wai Chiu, Zu-Feng Xu, William R. Mason, Karen L. Chicalo-Kaighn