The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 11, 2008
Filed:
Feb. 18, 2004
Boris Y. Shekunov, Aurora, OH (US);
Pratibhash Chattopadhyay, North Royalton, OH (US);
Jeffrey S. Seitzinger, Broadview Heights, OH (US);
Boris Y. Shekunov, Aurora, OH (US);
Pratibhash Chattopadhyay, North Royalton, OH (US);
Jeffrey S. Seitzinger, Broadview Heights, OH (US);
Ferro Pfanstiehl Laboratories, Inc., Waukegan, IL (US);
Abstract
The present invention provides methods for producing composite particles using supercritical fluid as a plasticizing and extracting agent, composite particles formed in accordance with the methods and an apparatus for carrying out the methods. In accordance with the methods of the invention, a polymer, a wax and/or a lipid that is a solid at standard temperature and pressure is contacted with a supercritical fluid to form a melt, either before or after the polymer, wax and/or lipid has been contacted with a solution comprising a solute dissolved in a solvent. The supercritical fluid plasticizes the polymer, wax and/or lip and extracts the solvent from the solution, resulting in the formation of a two-fraction system including a first melt-rich fraction that includes the plasticized melt and fine particles of precipitated solute that are dispersed in the melt, and a second fraction that includes the supercritical fluid and the solvent. Expansion of the first fraction across a pressure drop results in the formation of composite particles that include the polymer, wax and/or lipid and the solute.