Katherine F Collier

US Patent:

6436696, Aug 20, 2002

Filed:

Dec 27, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/472660

Inventors:

You-lo Hsieh - Davis CA
Mary Michelle Hartzell - Logan UT
Matthew G. Boston - San Carlos CA
Kathleen A. Clarkson - San Francisco CA
Katherine D. Collier - Redwood City CA
Thomas P. Graycar - Pacifica CA
Edmund A. Larenas - Moss Beach CA

Assignee:

The Regents of the University of California - Oakland CA
Genencor International, Inc. - Rochester NY

International Classification:

C12S 1100

US Classification:

435263, 8401, 811554, 8DIG 4

Abstract:

Textile fibers are treated with enzymes in the absence of surfactants, with the effect of increasing the wettability and absorbency of the fibers. The enzymes are pectinases, cellulases, proteases, lipases or combinations thereof. The wetting properties of cotton fibers are found to be most substantially improved by treatment with a mixture of cellulase and pectinase. The effects of five hydrolyzing enzymes on improving the hydrophilicity of several polyester fabrics have been studied. Four out of the five lipases studied improve the water wetting and absorbent properties of the regular polyester fabrics more than alkaline hydrolysis under optimal conditions (3N NaOH at 55Â C. for 2 hours). Compared to aqueous hydrolysis, the enzyme reactions have shown to be effective under more moderate conditions, including a relatively low concentration (0. 01 g/L), a shorter reaction time (10 minutes), at an ambient temperature (25Â C. ).

US Patent:

20030119172, Jun 26, 2003

Filed:

Aug 8, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/216040

Inventors:

You-Lo Hsieh - Davis CA, US
Mary Hartzell - Logan UT, US
Matthew Boston - San Carlos CA, US
Kathleen Clarkson - San Francisco CA, US
Katherine Collier - Redwood City CA, US
Thomas Graycar - Pacifica CA, US
Edmund Larenas - Moss Beach CA, US

Assignee:

The Regents of the University of California - Oakland CA

International Classification:

C12S011/00

US Classification:

435/263000, 008/401000

Abstract:

Textile fibers are treated with enzymes in the absence of surfactants, with the effect of increasing the wettability and absorbency of the fibers. The enzymes are pectinases, cellulases, proteases, lipases or combinations thereof. The wetting properties of cotton fibers are found to be most substantially improved by treatment with a mixture of cellulase and pectinase. The effects of five hydrolyzing enzymes on improving the hydrophilicity of several polyester fabrics have been studied. Four out of the five lipases studied improve the water wetting and absorbent properties of the regular polyester fabrics more than alkaline hydrolysis under optimal conditions (3N NaOH at 55 C. for 2 hours). Compared to aqueous hydrolysis, the enzyme reactions have shown to be effective under more moderate conditions, including a relatively low concentration (0.01 g/L), a shorter reaction time (10 minutes), at an ambient temperature (25 C.). Contrary to the results with alkaline hydrolysis, the improved water wettability is accompanied by full strength retention. Lipase has also shown to be effective in improving the wetting and absorbent properties of sulfonated polyester and microdenier polyester fabrics.

US Patent:

60664940, May 23, 2000

Filed:

Mar 16, 1998

Appl. No.:

8/952617

Inventors:

You-lo Hsieh - Davis CA
Mary Michelle Hartzell - Logan UT
Matthew G. Boston - San Carlos CA
Kathleen A. Clarkson - San Francisco CA
Katherine D. Collier - Redwood City CA
Thomas P. Graycar - Pacifica CA
Edmund A. Larenas - Moss Beach CA

Assignee:

The Regents of the University of California - Oakland CA

International Classification:

C12S 1100

US Classification:

435263

Abstract:

Textile fibers are treated with enzymes in the absence of surfactants, with the effect of increasing the wettability and absorbency of the fibers. The enzymes are pectinases, cellulases, proteases, lipases or combinations thereof. The wetting properties of cotton fibers are found to be most substantially improved by treatment with a mixture of cellulase and pectinase. The effects of five hydrolyzing enzymes on improving the hydrophilicity of several polyester fabrics have been studied. Four out of the five lipases studied improve the water wetting and absorbent properties of the regular polyester fabrics more than alkaline hydrolysis under optimal conditions (3N NaOH at 55. degree. C. for 2 hours). Compared to aqueous hydrolysis, the enzyme reactions have shown to be effective under more moderate conditions, including a relatively low concentration (0.

US Patent:

20190233767, Aug 1, 2019

Filed:

Apr 10, 2019

Appl. No.:

16/380170

Inventors:

- Palo Alto CA, US
Katherine D. Collier - Loomis CA, US
Michael J. Pepsin - Palo Alto CA, US
Brian F. Schmidt - Palo Alto CA, US

International Classification:

C11D 3/386
C11D 1/88
C11D 1/72
C11D 1/62
C12N 9/20
C11D 1/75
C11D 1/92
C11D 3/22
C11D 1/66

Abstract:

Described are compositions and methods relating to the removal of oily stains from fabrics and other surfaces using a lipase in combination with a selected surfactant to mediate the release of fatty acids generated by the lipase. The compositions and methods have application in, e.g., laundry cleaning and dishwashing.