Patent EP0159260A1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4548736A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Preparation of protein films
Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
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Filing: 1983-08-29
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Granted: 1985-10-22
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Expires: 2003-08-29
Abstract
Abstract A method to prepare protein films from protein gels is disclosed which utilizes the process of osmosis to remove excess fluid from protein gels without destroying the structural integrity of the protein. The method is conducted by first preparing a protein gel in a solvent, then contacting the gel with one side of a semipermeable membrane permeable to the solvent in which the gel was prepared, next adding a concentrated polymer solution to the other side of the membrane which membrane is impermeable to the polymer so as to cause movement of solvent from the gel, through the membrane, and into the polymer solution, and thus removing solvent from the gel for a period of time sufficient to contract the gel to a desired thickness.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael F. Muller
- 👤 John D. Ferry
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 14:23
CPC Classifications
C; C08; C08J; C08J5/00; C08J5/18; C08J2389/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
116 words
A method of making protein films comprising the steps of: (a) preparing a protein gel in a solvent; (b) placing the protein gel in contact with one side of a semipermeable membrane which is permeable to the solvent in which the gel was prepared; (c) adding a concentrated polymer solution to the other side of the semipermeable membrane, which membrane is impermeable to the polymer, said polymer solution comprising a polymeric solute dissolved in a solvent to a concentration sufficient to cause osmosis of the solvent from the gel into the polymer solution; and (d) removing solvent by osmosis from the gel for a period of time sufficient to contract the gel to a desired thickness.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
116 words
A method of making protein films comprising the steps of: (a) preparing a protein gel in a solvent; (b) placing the protein gel in contact with one side of a semipermeable membrane which is permeable to the solvent in which the gel was prepared; (c) adding a concentrated polymer solution to the other side of the semipermeable membrane, which membrane is impermeable to the polymer, said polymer solution comprising a polymeric solute dissolved in a solvent to a concentration sufficient to cause osmosis of the solvent from the gel into the polymer solution; and (d) removing solvent by osmosis from the gel for a period of time sufficient to contract the gel to a desired thickness.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the semipermeable membrane is cellophane.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the polymeric solute is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene glycol, crosslinked dextran, and sucrose polymer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of adding a plasticizing agent to the film so that the film will not dry out.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the plasticizing agent is glycerol.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
10 words
A protein film made by the method of claim 1.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The protein film claimed in claim 6 wherein the protein gel includes a coarse fibrin clot.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The protein film claimed in claim 6 wherein the protein gel includes a fine fibrin clot.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The protein film claimed in claim 6 wherein the protein gel includes an intermediate fibrin clot.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
149 words
A method for making protein films comprising the steps of: (a) preparing a protein gel in a solvent; (b) placing the protein gel in contact with one side of a semipermeable membrane which has a molecular weight exclusion limit sufficient to exclude the polymer; (c) adding a concentrated polymer solution to the other side of the semipermeable membrane, which polymer solution is comprised of the same solvent in which the gel was prepared and a polymeric solute selected from the group of polyethylene glycol, crosslinked dextran, and sucrose polymer, to which solute the semipermeable membrane is impermeable, and which solute is dissolved in the solvent to a concentration sufficient to cause osmosis of solvent from the gel, through the semipermeable membrane, and into the polymer solution; and (d) removing solvent by osmosis from the gel for a period of time sufficient to contract the gel to a desired thickness.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
149 words
A method for making protein films comprising the steps of: (a) preparing a protein gel in a solvent; (b) placing the protein gel in contact with one side of a semipermeable membrane which has a molecular weight exclusion limit sufficient to exclude the polymer; (c) adding a concentrated polymer solution to the other side of the semipermeable membrane, which polymer solution is comprised of the same solvent in which the gel was prepared and a polymeric solute selected from the group of polyethylene glycol, crosslinked dextran, and sucrose polymer, to which solute the semipermeable membrane is impermeable, and which solute is dissolved in the solvent to a concentration sufficient to cause osmosis of solvent from the gel, through the semipermeable membrane, and into the polymer solution; and (d) removing solvent by osmosis from the gel for a period of time sufficient to contract the gel to a desired thickness.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
10 words
The protein film made by the method of claim 10.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The protein film claimed in claim 11 wherein the protein gel includes a coarse fibrin clot.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The protein film claimed in claim 11 wherein the protein gel includes a fine fibrin clot.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
The protein film claimed in claim 11 wherein the protein gel includes an intermediate fibrin clot.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of adding a plasticizing agent to the film so the film will not dry out.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 15 wherein the plasticizing agent is glycerol.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
10 words
A protein film made by the method of claim 16.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
The protein film claimed in claim 17 wherein the protein gel includes a coarse fibrin clot.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
The protein film claimed in claim 17 wherein the protein gel includes a fine fibrin clot.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
The protein film in claim 17 wherein the protein gel includes an intermediate fibrin clot.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2576006A
Cited
US4347841A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-10-21 | 1989-04-22 | 1989-10-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-10-21 | 1993-04-22 | 1993-10-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-10-21 | 1997-04-22 | 1997-10-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |