# US 9,040,597 B2 · Conversion of corn gluten meal into a solid article through the use of a non-toxic additive > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,040,597 B2 - Document ID: US9040597B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/810,855 - Filed: 2011-07-19 - Published: 2013-08-08 - Granted: 2015-05-26 - Earliest claimed: 2010-07-19 - Assignees: Green Materials, LLC - Applicants: Dara L. Woerdeman; Odelia Maron - Inventors: Dara L. Woerdeman; Odelia Maron - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9040597B2 ## CPC - C08L 89/00: Compositions of proteins; Compositions of derivatives thereof - C08H 1/00: Macromolecular products derived from proteins (food proteins A23; glue, gelatine C09H) - C08K 3/013: Fillers, pigments or reinforcing additives - C08K 3/346: {Clay} - C08K 5/09: Carboxylic acids; Metal salts thereof; Anhydrides thereof - C08K 5/092: Polycarboxylic acids - C08L 97/02: Lignocellulosic material, e.g. wood, straw or bagasse {(manufacture of articles made from lignocellulosic material by dry processes B27N)} - C08L 99/00: Compositions of natural macromolecular compounds or of derivatives thereof not provided for in groups C08L89/00 - C08L97/00 - C08L: COMPOSITIONS OF MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS (compositions based on polymerisable monomers C08F, C08G; artificial filaments or fibres D01F; textile treating compositions D06) - C08H: DERIVATIVES OF NATURAL MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS (polysaccharides C08B; natural rubber C08C; natural resins or their derivatives C09F; bituminous materials C10) - C08K: Use of inorganic or non-macromolecular organic substances as compounding ingredients (paints, inks, varnishes, dyes, polishes, adhesives C09) ## Abstract Disclosed are fast-curing, inexpensive corn-gluten resin compositions, methods for making them, methods for forming them into solid articles. In some embodiments, the resin composition includes corn meal gluten and a non-toxic organic acid. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A resin composition for molding formed articles with crosslinked corn meal gluten, the composition comprising: a resin component itself consisting of: about 87.5% to about 99% w/w corn meal gluten, about 1% to about 12.5% non-toxic, crosslinking organic acid, and an optional solvent. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The resin composition of claim 1 further comprising a reinforcement filler component, the reinforcement filler component comprising up to about 40% by weight of the resin composition. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The composition of claim 1, wherein the organic acid is selected from lactic acid, citric acid, sorbic acid, malic acid, succinic acid, and maleic acid. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The resin composition of claim 1, wherein the corn meal gluten comprises at least about 98% corn meal gluten by weight of the resin component. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The resin composition of claim 1, wherein the corn meal gluten comprises at least about 97% corn meal gluten by weight of the resin component. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The resin composition of claim 1, wherein the corn meal gluten comprises at least about 92.5% corn meal gluten by weight of the resin component. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The resin composition of claim 1, wherein the corn meal gluten comprises at least about 90% corn meal gluten by weight of the resin component. ### Claim 8 (depends on 2) The composition of claim 2, wherein said reinforcement filler component is selected from natural fibers, sawdust, inorganic fibers, inorganic particles, foaming agents, clays, zeolites, and combinations thereof. ### Claim 9 A fast-cured, crosslinked corn meal gluten article formed at low pressures from a resin composition comprising: a resin component itself consisting of: about 87.5% to about 99% w/w chemically crosslinked corn meal gluten, and about 1% to about 12.5% non-toxic chemical crosslinker wherein the chemical crosslinker is an organic acid wherein the article is formed within about 20 minutes at temperatures between about 180 F to about 350 F and under pressures between about 3 to about 5 MPa. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The formed article of claim 9, further comprising a reinforcement filler component, the reinforcement filler component comprising up to about 40% by weight of the resin composition. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The formed article of claim 9, wherein the organic acid is selected from lactic acid, citric acid, sorbic acid, malic acid, succinic acid, and maleic acid. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The formed article of claim 9, wherein the corn meal gluten comprises at least about 98% corn meal gluten by weight of the resin component. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The formed article of claim 9, comprising at least about 97% corn meal gluten by weight of the resin component. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The formed article of claim 9, comprising at least about 92.5% corn meal gluten by weight of the resin component. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) The formed article of claim 9, comprising at least about 90% corn meal gluten by weight of the resin component. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The formed article of claim 10, wherein said reinforcement filler component is selected from natural fibers, sawdust, inorganic fibers, inorganic particles, foaming agents, clays, zeolites, and combinations thereof. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) A method for forming a fast-cured article with chemically crosslinked corn meal gluten comprising the steps of: filling a mold heated to between about 180 F to about 350 F with a resin composition according to claim 1; applying pressure to the mold between about 3 to about 5 MPa; and curing the resin composition within the mold for about 10 to about 20 minutes to form the article with chemically crosslinked corn meal gluten within the mold.