US3860733A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Microencapsulated product
Assignee: Merck and Co Inc
•
Filing: 1972-07-31
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Granted: 1975-01-14
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Expires: 1992-07-31
Abstract
Abstract Mixtures of discrete vitamins, minerals and other nutrients are maintained in a uniform distribution by microencapsulation.
Inventors
- 👤 Lewis D Morse
- 👤 Paul A Hammes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 13:08
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01J; B01J13/00; B01J13/02; B01J13/06; B01J13/08; A; A23; A23L; A23L33/00; A23L33/10; A23L33/15; A23P; A23P10/00; A23P10/30; A61; A61K; A61K9/00; A61K9/20; A61K9/2072; A61K9/2077; A61K9/2081; A61K9/48; A61K9/50; A61K9/5005; A61K9/5021; A61K9/5036; A61K9/5042; A61K9/5047; A23V; A23V2002/00; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/29; Y10T428/2982; Y10T428/2989
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
21 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein the solvent is selected from the group of cyclohexane and hexane and mixtures thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
11 words
A method as in claim 2 wherein the solvent is cyclohexane.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the ethylcellulose has a 47.5% ethoxyl content and a 100 cps viscosity.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein the system further comprises 1 to 5 grams of polyethylane granules having a molecular weight of 5,000 to 10,000.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 5 wherein the ethylcellulose has a 47.5% ethoxyl content and a 100 cps. viscosity and the polyethylene has a molecular weight of about 7,000.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the mixed nutrients amount to 10 to 40 grams.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the nutrients are added after the ethylcellulose has been brought into solution in the cyclohexane.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the nutrients are substantially all less than 50 microns in size.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
114 words
The method of maintaining uniformity of a mixture of discrete nutrients while microencapsulating these nutrients which comprises mixing together cyclohexane and the following per 100 grams of cyclohexane: 1 to 5 grams of ethylcellulose having a 45-50 percent ethoxyl content and a 95-110 cps. viscosity; and 10 to 40 grams of discrete particles of unattached mixed nutrients which are less than 100 microns in size; heating the mixture to about 80*C. to dissolve the ethylcellulose in the cyclohexane, allowing the system to cool during the continued stirring whereby the ethylcellulose develops encapsulating walls around a plurality of discrete nutrient particles, and separating and recovering the nutrient containing microcapsules in which the nutrients remain discrete.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-01-13 | 1978-07-15 | 1979-01-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-01-13 | 1982-07-15 | 1983-01-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-01-13 | 1986-07-15 | 1987-01-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |