166 MARKETPLACE PRODUCT NEWS inform • March 2004 • Volume 15 (3)

for situations requiring a U-shaped path. T h ecurve angles can be adjusted, as up to threestraight sections can be inserted between thecurves. Speed range is listed as 5 to 75 feetper minute. It is available in epoxy-powder-coated paint and in stainless steel. Information:S p a n Tech LLC, 1115 Cleveland Ave., Glasgow,Kentucky 42141 USA (phone: +1-270-651-9166; fax: +1-270-651-3929; e-mail:Sheila.steenbergen@spantechllc.com).

New pump warrantyFlowserve Corporation has announced it iso ffering a lifetime warranty to original pur-chasers of its Durco Mark 3 ANSI pump mod-els fitted with the ANSI 3 power end. T h ewarranty is described as covering repair orreplacement of any pump component thatfails as a direct result of defective materi-als or workmanship. Normal wear, abuse,and misapplication are now covered.Information: Flowserve Corporation PumpDivision, 1200 Industrial Park Dr., Va n d a l i a ,Ohio 45377 USA (fax: +1-937-890-5314; e-mail: fpdinfo@flowserve.com).

Anti-slip floor treatmentTrusty-Step International says its new for-mula for its No. 1001 Trusty-Step A n t i - S l i pFloor Treatment is milder and safer, worksq u i c k e r, and is more effective compared withthe previous formula. The firm says the treat-

ment will last for at least five years on ceramic, mosaic and quarry tile, marble, granite, terrazzo, and cement. Information:Trusty-Step International, 271 Western Av e . ,Lynn, Massachusetts 01904 USA (phone: +1-781-593-9800; fax: +1-781-598-4937; e-mail: safety@trusty-step.com; netlink:www.trusty-step.com).

Macroconstituent analyzerLECO Corporation’s TGA701 T h e r m o -gravimetric Analyzer is intended for rapidmacro-constituent analysis, specifically,moisture/ash in various foods, feeds, meats,oilseeds, pet foods, milling products, cata-lysts, and coals. The firm uses a proprietaryexpanded furnace control algorithm to main-tain accuracy over its entire range, which

extends to 1,000°C. Aredesigned pneumaticcarousel assembly allows improved sample-position reproducibility. Information: LECOCorp., 3000 Lakeview Ave., St. Joseph,Michigan 49085-2936 USA (fax: +1-260-982-8977; e-mail: info@leco.com; netlink:www.leco.com).

Contact angleKrüss GmbH has introduced new contactmeasuring technology with its DSA100 andDAS100L, designed to provide more than3,000 different combinations. The adjust-ment of the observation angle allows the userto always see the drop; fine adjustment ofthe dosing system facilitates simple adapta-

tion of the needle position, the firm says.Information: Krüss GmbH, Borsteler Chaussee85–99a, D-22453 Hamburg, Germany (phone:+1-49-40-514401-0; fax: +1-49-40-514401-98; e-mail: info@kruss.de; netlink: www.kruss.de).

inform • March 2004 • Volume 15 (3) MARKETPLACE PATENTS, PRODUCT NEWS 165

US20030232019 A 1 , published December18, 2003Inhalable formulations for sustained release

S. Basu et al., c/o Elmore Craig, PC,North Chelmsford, Massachusetts

Aerosol particle formulations for pul-monary delivery are disclosed. The inclu-sion of an asymmetric phospholipid andglycerol fatty acid esters imparts unex-pected sustained-release properties fortherapeutic, prophylactic, or diagnostica g e n t s .

US20030229238 A 1 , published December11, 2003Continuous transesterification process

C. Fleisher, c/o Michael W. Farrell,Clifton, Virginia

A process for converting triglyceridesto fatty acid methyl esters is disclosed.Residence times as low as about 10 secondsin a single-pass, continuous plug flow areemployed, and conversions of at least 70%,and up to 99%, are achieved. The processoperates between 80 and 180°C with an alkali

hydroxide catalyst under pressure of up to30 atmospheres. Under these conditions ahomogenous system is formed. Purificationis effected by cooling the reaction mixtureand reducing the pressure to yield a lighto rganic phase, a heavy organic phase, and aheavy aqueous phase. Unreacted methanolis recovered by evaporation, and the heavyorganic phase is recovered in a phase split-ter to obtain an enriched fatty acid methylester stream.

US20030232444 A 1 , published December18, 2003Assay and method for quantifying the lev-els of steryl esters and free sterols in starch-containing food products

D. Lewandowski and D. Plank, c/oGeneral Mills, Inc., Minneapolis, Minnesota

Quantifying sterol compounds infinished food products has traditionallyposed difficulties, and test results 25–50%below actual levels have often resulted.Sterol compounds are bound by starchduring cooking, and differences in bind-

ing sterols and internal standards havebeen the cause of erroneous sterol deter-minations in the past. This PGP t e a c h e sthe use of cholesterol oleate and aceticacid to provide a better internal standardand extraction method, respectively, andaccurate sterol quantification in finishedf o o d s .

US20030232118 A 1 , published December25, 2003Beverages containing plant sterols

E. Lerchenfeld and D. Striegel, c/o The Coca-Cola Company, A t l a n t a ,G e o rg i a

This PGP discloses a process for man-ufacturing a stable aqueous dispersion ofsterols or stanols lacking powdery tasteor mouthfeel without recourse to surfac-tants or other processing aids. A hot dis-persion of sterols or stanols in beverageconcentrate is homogenized to provide adispersion having a majority of particlesof 0.2–10 microns, which is below mouthdetection threshold levels. n

Chemical pumpF r i a t e c - R h e i n h ü t t e ’s new RNP c e n t r i f u-gal plastic-lined chemical pump is designedto handle up to 1,600 cubic meters per hour.Maximum delivery head is given as 70 meterswith a permissible working pressure of 16b a r. The sheathing is the fluoropolymerETFE (ethylene tetrafluoroethylene), whichhas a chemical resistance comparable to thatof PFA (perfluoroalkoxy), according to them a n u f a c t u r e r. Information: Friatec-RheinhütteGmbH & Co., Postfach 12 05 45, 65083Wiesbaden, Germany (phone: +49-0611 -604-0; fax: +49-0611-604-328; e-mail: info@friatec.de; netlink: www. f r i a t e c . d e ) .

Self-cleaning dry vacuum pumpWe l c h ’s self-cleaning dry vacuum systemis intended for use with rotary evapora-tors to strip low-boiling-point solvents,including pentane, alcohol, and methylenechloride, or for concentrators. The systemfeatures a two-stage, flexible diaphragmpump with fluorinated plastics used on allwetted surfaces. The firm says the pumpcan deliver a vacuum up to 9 torr (12 mbar).Its self-cleaning purge runs automaticallyfor two minutes upon shutdown to removeresidue. Information: Welch RietschleThomas, 7301 N. Central Ave., Skokie,Illinois 60077 USA (phone: +1-847-676-8800; fax: +1-847-677-8606; e-mail: welch

vacuum@thomasind.com; netlink: www.w e l c h v a c u u m . c o m ) .

Vibration sensor

IMI Division of PCB Piezotronic has intro-duced its Model 641 sensor. The unit has atwo-wire, loop-powered current output exitsensor using 360-degree mount technology.It is designed to work with existing alarm,control, and monitoring systems and at atemperature range of –40 to 85°C (–40 to185°F). Information: IMI Sensors, 3425Walden Ave., Depew, New York 14043-2495U S A (fax: +1-716-684-3823; e-mail:imi@pcb.com; netlink: www. i m i - s e n s o r s .c o m ) .

Filling, capping systemFlexicon America Inc. has introduced theFMB210 vial-filling and -capping system, aDanish-designed system with a capacity of85 units per minute. The system is for ster-ile filling of liquid volumes between 0.1 and100 mL with an accuracy of ±1%, accordingto the company. Tubing must be removedand changed after the production of eachbatch, thus avoiding product cross-contam-ination. Information: P. Lambert, FlexiconAmerica Inc., 156 College St., Burlington,Vermont 05401 USA (phone: +1-802-657-3232; netlink: www. f l e x i c o n a m e r i c a . c o m ) .

Solvent brochureAlfa Laval has published a brochure on sol-vent recovery entitled “Laying Down theRight Combination—Solvent Recovery from Fats and Oils Processes.” The 12-pagepublication describes the firm’s heat-e x -changer systems, which the firm says canfacilitate greater capacity. Information: K.Dickerson, Alfa Laval Inc., 5400 Inter-national Trade Dr., Richmond, Vi rginia 23221U S A (phone: +1-804-236-1355; e-mail: Kimberly.Dickerson@alfalaval.com).

Double-curve conveyorsS p a n Tech LLC’s C-U series double-curveconveyors have two curves in the same direc-tion, allowing users to adapt the conveyor

Product News

of trimethylolpropane triisostearate andtrimethylolpropane tripelargonate.

6,664,405 B1 December 16, 2003Method for isolating high-purified unsatu-rated fatty acids using crystallization

S.K. Lee. Assignee: Lipozen Inc.(Gyeonggi-Do), South Korea

This patent teaches a method for iso-lating and purifying only a certain unsatu-rated fatty acid in a high purity from fattyacids present in oils, including vegetable oilsand fish oils, by mean of a urea-addition crys-tallization step, and a cooling crystallizationor a high liquid chromatography step.S p e c i f i c a l l y, the present invention providesa method for isolating and purifying linoleicacid, oleic acid, or eicosapentaenoic acid inhigh purity (at least 99%). The two-step urea-addition crystallization uses methanol andurea to obtain a concentrated unsaturatedfatty acid having a high purity; further purifi-cation by means of HPLC using a columnfilled with Ag-silica or Ag-alumina yields ahighly purified unsaturated fatty acid.

6,664,413 B1 December 16, 2003Process for the production of esters

M. Cockrem. Assignee: A.E. StaleyManufacturing Co., Decatur, Illinois

This ester synthesis process is justtoo clever to ignore. A feedstock of org a n i cacid, a C1– C3 alcohol, and water are fed intoa first reactor and reacted to form a mixtureof substrates and ester product at thermo-dynamic equilibrium. This product passesto a second reactor where the acid, alcohol,and water are removed as an azeotropicv a p o r, and the product remains as a liquid.The vapor can be condensed and recycledto the first reactor.

6,670,396 B1 December 30, 2003Aspirin-triggered lipid mediators

C. Serhan and C. Clish. A s s i g n e e :Brigham and Wo m e n ’s Hospital, Boston,Massachusetts

This patent teaches that inflammatoryexudates from mice treated with omega-3(w-3) polyunsaturated fatty acid and aspiringenerate a novel array of bioactive lipid sig-nals. New transcellular routes for producingarrays of bioactive lipid mediators via COX-2-nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug-dependent oxygenations and cell–cellinteractions that affect microinflammationare disclosed. The generation of these andrelated compounds provides a novel mech-anism(s) for the therapeutic benefits of w- 3dietary supplementation, which are impor-tant in inflammation, neoplasia, and vas-cular diseases.

Pre-grant publications(PGP)US20030229237 A 1 , published December11, 2003In situ production of fatty acid alkyl esters

M. Haas and T.A. Foglia, c/o USDA,ARS, OTT, Beltsville, Maryland

The inventor line of this PGP c a r r i e stwo luminaries of the AOCS: our incumbents e c r e t a r y, and the immediate past president.The PGP presents a method for makingbiodiesel directly from oilseeds, bypassingthe entire extraction and refining process.The resulting decrease in refining costscan be expected to enhance the process eco-nomics by effecting a 45% decrease in feed-stock cost.

US20030225011 A 1 , published December4, 2003Phospholipase A2 expression and activityand use thereof for diagnosis, prognostica-tion, prevention, and treatment of neuralinflammatory and demyelinating disease

S. David and A. Kalyvas, c/o Smart &Biggar, Montréal, Quebec, Canada

This application teaches that elevatedlevels of phospholipase A2 in neural lesionscorrelate positively with neural inflamma-tory or demyelinating disease, such as mus-cular sclerosis. Thus, the diagnosis or predictionof these diseases by monitoring phospholi-pase A2 activity is disclosed, and methods ofpreventing or treating these diseases by inhi-bition of the activity or expression of phos-pholipase A2 are taught.

US20030225046 A 1 , published December4, 2003Compounds and methods for modulatingnontranscriptional effects of steroid hor-mones

J. Liao and W. Chin, c/o Wolf, Greenfield& Sacks, Boston, Massachusetts

This PGP provides new methods andcompounds for controlling the intracellu-lar and physiological effects of steroid hor-mones, including but not limited to estrogen,through modulation of the interaction of suchhormone receptors with phosphatidylinosi-tol-3-kinase. Compounds and methods forcontrolling the activation of endothelial nitricoxide synthase are also disclosed.

US20030225295 A 1 , published December4, 2003Process for the production of CLAt r i g l y c e r i d e s

Y. Yan et al., c/o Morgan, Lewis &Bockius LLP, Washington, D.C.

This application discloses a novel processfor the production of glycerol esters of polyun-

saturated fatty acids, in particular of C18:2conjugated fatty acids, by converting thepolyunsaturated fatty acids with glycerol inthe presence of a mixed catalyst. The mixedcatalyst comprises a combination of a food-grade salt of a strong base and a weak acidand a soap of an organic with 2–26 carbonatoms, preferably 10–20 carbon atoms.

U S 2 0 0 3 0 0 2 2 5 3 0 4 A 1 , published December4, 2003Process for producing an ester

T. Mumura et al., c/o Kao Corp., To k y o ,Japan

The patent application teaches a processwherein a lower alkyl ester of a fatty acidis produced from natural fats and oils and aC1– C4 alcohol. Sulfur is removed from theester intermediate by adsorbing sulfur; thecatalyst costs of subsequent hydrogenationof the esters to alcohols are reduced as a resultof decreased sulfur poisoning.

US20030228395 A 1 , published December11, 2003Isotropic transparent structured fluids

N. Garti et al., c/o Archer Daniels MidlandCompany, Decatur, Illinois

This PGP teaches solubilization anddelivery systems for fat-soluble vitamins,minerals, and nutrients suitable for bever-ages and solid foods. For example, when afive-component mixture composed of onephase (Tween 60) and two pseudophases (D-limonene/ethanol, 1:1; water/propylene gly-col, 1:1) is constructed, a large (64% of thephase diagram) isotropic single-phase regionis obtained. This composition is infinitelydilutable with water or with oil at diff e r e n tratios of the five components, allowing arobust system for delivery of tocopherols.Medium-chain triglycerides can be used inplace of D-limonene for solubilization of vita-min E acetates.

US20030229168 A 1 , published December11, 2003Novel wax for hot-melt adhesive applications

G. Borsinger and A. Hassan, c/o T h o m a sL. Adams, East Hanover, New Jersey

Waxes prepared for hydrogenated veg-etable oils, such as palm and soybean, areused as substitutes for petroleum-derivedwaxes in hot-melt adhesive compositions.Adhesion is comparable to that obtained withpetroleum-derived or synthetic waxes. Lowiodine values (2–5) and high Mettler droppoints (120–165°F; 49–74°C) are preferred;this is satisfied by triglycerides high in stearicacid. The resulting adhesives are suitable forbonding paper, wood, glass, plastic, and metalin a variety of manufacturing operations.

164 MARKETPLACE PATENTS inform • March 2004 • Volume 15 (3)

inform • March 2004 • Volume 15 (3) MARKETPLACE PATENTS 163

Issued U.S. patents6,656,499 B1 December 2, 2003Composition for transdermal and dermaladministration of interferon-alpha

M. Foldvari and S. Attah-Poku. A s s i g n e e :PharmaDerm Laboratories, Ltd., Saskatoon,Saskatchewan, Canada

This patent teaches a composition fortransdermal and dermal administration ofinterferon-alpha. Biphasic lipid vesicles areconstructed, comprised of (i) a lipid bilayercomprising a phospholipid and a fatty acy-lated amino acid; (ii) a surfactant-stabilizedoil-in-water emulsion entrapped in the bipha-sic lipid vesicles; and (iii) interferon-alphaentrapped in the vesicles. When the compo-sition is applied to the skin of a subject, itis effective to administer a therapeuticallyeffective amount of interferon-alpha.

6,660,322 B2 December 9, 2003Method for enhancing postprocessing con-tent of beneficial compounds in foodstuff smade with cocoa beans

L. Zapp et al. Assignee: Inventors (Austin, Texas; Denver, Colorado; A p e x ,North Carolina)

This patent teaches a method for pre-serving the content of antioxidant flavanoidsin cocoa beans. The beans are first soaked inw a t e r, then fermented and roasted in the usualm a n n e r. Immediately after coming out of ther o a s t e r, the beans are quenched with theextraction water from the first step. The resultis a dramatic increase in the content of polyphe-nols in the finished cocoa product.

6,660,491 B1 December 9, 2003Process for producing dietary sterol fattyacid esters

S. Norinobu et al. Assignee: Ikeda FoodResearch Co., Ltd., Hiroshima, Japan

This patent is directed to a process forenzymatically producing a dietary sterol fattyacid ester from vegetable oil deodorizer dis-tillate. The product is described as beingsuperior in flavor qualities (e.g., color, odor,and taste) and safety and as containing no orlittle trans fatty acids. In the process, fattyacid esters, e.g., triacylglycerol, in the veg-etable oil deodorizer distillate are first degradedby hydrolysis with a chemical catalyst. Fattyacids produced in the hydrolysis are removedby molecular distillation to give a sterol-con-taining fraction. The latter fraction is treated

with a lipolytic enzyme, and the resultingproduct undergoes several purification stepsto provide qualities suitable for a food mate-rial.

6,660,849 B1 December 9, 2003Plant fatty acid synthases and use in improvedmethods for production of medium-chainfatty acids

K. Dehesh. Assignee: Calgene, LLC,Davis, California

This invention is directed to genes encod-ing plant fatty acid synthase enzymes rele-vant to fatty acid synthesis in plants and tomethods of using such genes in combinationwith genes encoding plant medium-chain-preferring thioesterase proteins. Such usesprovide a method to increase the levels ofmedium-chain fatty acids that may be pro-duced in seed oils of transgenic plants.

6,664,216 B1 December 16, 2003Biodegradable two-cycle engine oil com-positions and ester base stocks

S. Lakes et al. Assignee: Cognis Corp.,Ambler, Pennsylvania

Biodegradable oils for two-cycle enginesare made from an ester base stock consist i n g

Several events may take in the course of research and developmentthat can disqualify (bar) an idea from being patented. Some eventsare caused by the inventors or their organization; others may occurfrom any quarter. Patents, publications, public uses, and sales areall events that can bar a patent grant.

The first concept necessary to understanding bar dates isthe filing date. The filing date of a provisional patent applicationis the day that the complete application, together with a cover sheetmandated by the Patent Office, is received at the Patent Off i c e .The filing date of a Utility or Design patent application is the daythat the complete application is received at the Patent Off i c e .Certain applications can be filed by fax, and Express Mail isalso suitable for filing patent applications. The advantage of ExpressMail is that, when the application is properly filled out, the fil-ing date becomes the day the patent application is deposited at thePost Off i c e .

With a filing date in hand, events that could bar patenting maybe scrutinized. Patents, publications, public uses, and sales thatoccur more than one year prior to the date of application (filingdate) are barred. The Patent Office considers these events to havetransferred the invention from a private realm to the public (“thepublic came into possession of the invention”). Patents or publi-

cations may take place anywhere in the world, which is why world-wide patent and literature searches are vital parts of filing InventionDisclosures and drafting patent applications. These activities maybe by the inventor, or by anyone else. For example, a single copyof a thesis filed in a University library bookshelf available to thepublic could constitute a bar if the thesis describes the invention oran obvious variant thereof. The inventor could also create a barto obtaining a patent by publishing a poster or paper at a scien-tific convention: “Once an inventor has decided to lift the veil ofsecrecy from his or her work, he or she must choose between theprotection of a federal patent, or the dedication of his or her ideato the public at large” [Bonito Boats, Inc. v. Thunder Craft Boats,Inc., 489 U.S. 141, 148, 8 USPQ2d 1847, 1852 (1989)]. The UnitedStates differs from most of the rest of the world by granting the one-year grace period.

Public uses and sales are events that are most likely carriedout by the inventor or someone related to the invention; this willbe discussed in the next Intellectual Property Primer.

Scott Bloomer, a senior re s e a rch scientist with Land O’LakesInc. in St. Paul, Minnesota, is a re g i s t e red U.S. patent agent. Contacthim by e-mail at sdblooomer@landolakes.com.

Intellectual property primerBars to patentingScott Bloomer