US4125634A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Coagulation and flavoring of spun protein fibers
Assignee: Biotechnical Processes Ltd
•
Filing: 1977-04-20
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Granted: 1978-11-14
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Expires: 1997-04-20
Abstract
Abstract A process is disclosed for the treatment of spun protein fibers which comprises carrying out one or more of the fiber coagulation, fiber stretching, fiber neutralizing or washing steps in a treatment bath fluid which contains as treating agents for the fibers, one or more of the following: a nitrogen-containing organic acid or salt or nitrogen-containing organic buffering agent, which may or may not be permitted to remain in the finished fibers, in a concentration effective to provide the principal buffering capacity in the treatment bath fluid.
Inventors
- 👤 Lawrence G. Plaskett
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 02:32
CPC Classifications
A; A23; A23J; A23J3/00; A23J3/22; A23J3/28; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S426/00; Y10S426/802
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 35
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
In a process for the preparation of spun protein fibers comprising, in addition to spinning, the steps of coagulation, neutralizing and washing the protein fibers free from excess acid and alkali, the improvement which comprises carrying out one or more of the said processing steps of fiber coagulation and fiber neutralizing in a treatment bath fluid which contains, as treating agents for the fibers, one or more of the following: a nitrogen-containing organic acid, a nitrogen-containing organic acid salt or a nitrogen-containing organic buffering agent, in a concentraion sufficient to provide the principal buffering capacity in the treatment bath fluid wherein the one or more treating agents are not completely washed out of the fibers and remain in the finished fibers.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
121 words
In a process for the preparation of spun protein fibers comprising, in addition to spinning, the steps of coagulation, neutralizing and washing the protein fibers free from excess acid and alkali, the improvement which comprises carrying out one or more of the said processing steps of fiber coagulation and fiber neutralizing in a treatment bath fluid which contains, as treating agents for the fibers, one or more of the following: a nitrogen-containing organic acid, a nitrogen-containing organic acid salt or a nitrogen-containing organic buffering agent, in a concentraion sufficient to provide the principal buffering capacity in the treatment bath fluid wherein the one or more treating agents are not completely washed out of the fibers and remain in the finished fibers.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A process according to claim 1 in which at least the coagulation bath fluid contains at least one of the said treating agents.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
A process according to claim 1 in which one or more of the fluids in the said treatment baths contain one or more nitrogen-containing organic compounds having both acidic and basic ionisable chemical groupings together on the same molecule.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A process according to claim 3, in which at least the coagulation bath fluid contains one or more of the said treating agents.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
A process according to claim 1, in which one or more of the fluids in the said treatment baths contains one or more of the following treatment agents: amino acid, amino acid derivative, peptide, polypeptide, or other nitrogenous compound capable of existing in zwitterion form.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
A process according to claim 5 in which the said amino acid derivative is a salt or an amide.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
A process according to claim 5, in which at least the coagulation bath fluid contains one or more of the said treating agents.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
A process according to claim 1, in which one or more of the fluids in the said treatment baths, contains an organic buffering agent with a buffering capacity from pH 2.0 to pH 4.5.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
A process according to claim 8, in which at least the coagulation bath fluid contains one or more of the said organic buffering agents.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
43 words
A process according to claim 1, in which one or more of the fluids in the said treatment baths contains one or more treating agents selected from a hydrolysed protein, an autolysed protein and a compounded meat flavour derived from a protein hydrolysate.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
A process according to claim 10, in which at least the coagulation bath fluid contains one or more of the said treating agents.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
A process according to claim 9, in which the said treating agents remain in the finished fibers and impart flavor to the fibers.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
A process according to claim 1, in which one or more of the fluids in the said treatment baths contains a crude amino acid-containing aqueous extract of animal or vegetable or microbial material.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
A process according to claim 13, in which the said extract is derived from the same animal or vegetable material as some or all of the protein of the spinning "dope".
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
A process according to claim 13, in which the said extract is derived from yeast or from green leaves or from root vegetables or tubers.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
A process according to claim 13, in which at least the coagulation bath contains the said extract.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
34 words
A process according to claim 1, in which additionally flavoring agents, flavor enhancers, coloring agents, nutrients or other additives are included in the said treatment bath fluids and are incorporated in the finished fibers.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
A process according to claim 1, in which flavoring agents, coloring agents, nutrients or other additives are included in the spinning dope.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
54 words
A process according to claim 1, in which, once the fibers have been first contacted in one of the treatment baths with a particular treating agent or additive, suitable concentrations of the same agent or additive are maintained in the subsequent treatment baths to avoid loss of the agent or additive from the fibers.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
53 words
A process according to claim 2, in which the desired concentration in the finished fibers of a particular treating agent or additive is achieved, at least in part, by maintaining a suitable concentration, above or below that in the coagulation bath, of the same treating agent or additive in subsequent treatment bath solutions.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
A process according to claim 1, in which acetic acid, lactic acid or phosphoric acid is present in the coagulation bath fluid.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
51 words
A process according to claim 1, in which the pH of each of the treatment bath fluids is controlled by the addition of mineral acid or inorganic alkaline compounds either directly into the treatment bath fluid or by mixing beforehand with other ingredients which are added to the treatment bath fluid.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
29 words
A process according to claim 22, in which an un-neutralised hydrolysate prepared by heating protein with mineral acid is added to one or more of the treatment bath fluids.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
28 words
A process according to claim 22, in which material added to the treatment bath is an acidic solution of nitrogen-containing organic compounds derived from an ion exchange process.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
25 words
A process according to claim 1, in which the pH of one or more of the treatment bath fluids is controlled by an autotitrator device.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
55 words
A process according to claim 1, in which the rate at which coagulation bath fluid is drained or pumped out of the coagulation bath during processing is limited to the minimum volume necessary to prevent the level of fluid in the bath from rising as acid, essential reagent and spinning dope are added to it.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
24 words
A process acccoridng to claim 1, in which excess coagulation bath fluid is passed to a concentrator and recycled back into the coagulation bath.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
27 words
A process according to claim 1, in which, in the post-coagulation stages of processing, treatment bath fluids are transferred between baths countercurrently with the movement of fiber.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
25 words
A process according to claim 1, in which the bath fluid of the stretch bath is concentrated or demineralised and is re-used in the process.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
51 words
A process according to claim 1, in which the protein fibers formed in the coagulation bath contain a higher concentration of a nitrogen-containing organic buffering agent than the finished fiber and in which a partial elution or leaching of the nitrogen-containing organic buffering agent is effected in the post-coagulation treatment baths.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
25 words
A process according to claim 1, in which flavoring agents are present in the stretch bath and a draw ratio greater than 1.0 is employed.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
41 words
A process according to claim 1, in which the neutralising of fibers and the rinsing from the fibers of excess alkaline neutralisation fluid is effected with the fiber in a tensionless condition and immersed beneath the surface of a treatment fluid.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
15 words
A process according to claim 1, in which the processing steps include a stretching step.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
33 words
A process according to claim 1, in which the processing steps include a stretching step which is carried out in a treatment bath fluid containing one or more of the said treating agents.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-11-13 | 1982-05-15 | 1982-11-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-11-13 | 1986-05-15 | 1986-11-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-11-13 | 1990-05-15 | 1990-11-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |