Bacterial cellulose-containing formulations

US8053216B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• CP Kelco U.S., Inc. · US

Inventors

• Zhi-Fa Yang · San Diego, US
• Neil A. Morrison · San Diego, US
• Todd A. Talashek · San Diego, US
• David Brinkmann · Broomfield, US
• Don DiMasi · San Diego, US
• You-Lung Chen · Orlando, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 23, 2005
• Grant date: Nov 8, 2011
• Expiry date: Apr 1, 2026

Classification

• Technology area (CPC D): Textiles; Paper
• CPC primary: D21H11/00
• WIPO field: Macromolecular chemistry, polymers
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A new method to produce formulations of bacterial cellulose that exhibit improved viscosity-modifying properties particularly with low energy applied to effectuate viscosity changes therewith is provided. Such a method includes the novel co-precipitation with a water soluble co-agent that permits precipitation in the presence of excess alcohol to form an insoluble fiber that can than be utilized as a thickener or suspension aid without the need to introduce high energy mixing. Such bacterial cellulose properties have been available in the past but only through highly labor and energy intensive processes. Such an inventive method as now proposed thus provides a bacterial cellulose-containing formulation that exhibits not only properties that are as effective as those for previous bacterial celluloses, but, in some ways, improvements to such previous types. Certain end-use compositions and applications including these novel bacterial cellulose-containing formulations are also encompassed within this invention.