Fiber production from continuous cultivation of micro-organisms

Patent 4320198 Issued on March 16, 1982. Estimated Expiration Date:

October 15, 1999. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

Fermentation processes using scraped tubular fermentor
Patent #: 4025394
Issued on: 05/24/1977
Inventor: Young

High surface low volume biomass composite Patent #: 4153510
Issued on: 05/08/1979
Inventor: Messing , et al.

Inventor

Mynatt, Roy L.

Application

No. 06/084786 filed on 10/15/1979

US Classes:

435/101, Polysaccharide of more than five saccharide radicals attached to each other by glycosidic bonds162/99, Non-wood435/299.1, Including solid extended fluid contact reaction surface435/305.1, Dish, plate, or tray435/309.2, Means for inoculation or sampling of a closed vessel435/823Acetobacter

Examiners

Primary: Smith, William F.

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Deimen; James M.

International Classes

C12P 19/00 (20060101)
C12P 19/04 (20060101)
C12M 1/14 (20060101)
D21H 13/00 (20060101)
D01D 5/00 (20060101)
D21H 13/02 (20060101)

Abstract

An apparatus and process for the production of polysaccharide (cellulose) fibers for use in paper manufacturing. The fibers are produced by the harvesting of the liberated products of continuous micro-organism cultivation. In the preferred embodiment a suitable micro-organism such as Sphaerotilus natans is grown on a pitted metallic plate supplied with a flowing nutrient substrate. With abundant pellicle growth the nutrient flow is halted temporarily while a blade passes over the plate harvesting the pellicle growth and depositing the harvest products onto a sluice conveyor. Conventional paper stock washers inundate the blade and wash the products onto the sluice conveyor. The blade is retracted and the nutrient flow restored until the pellicle growth again becomes abundant. The harvest products are then further processed to remove undesirable non-cellulosic materials depending upon the particular micro-organisms used.