Last updated: August 5, 2025
Introduction
Patent CN101495080, titled "Method for preparing an alkyl polyglucoside", is a Chinese utility patent granted by the State Intellectual Property Office (SIPO). Its filing reflects ongoing innovations in surfactant chemistry, specifically in the synthesis of alkyl polyglucosides—detergent ingredients renowned for their biodegradability and mildness. This analysis delineates the scope of the patent, evaluates its claims, and explores its position within the broader patent landscape concerning surfactant synthesis in China and globally.
Patent Overview and Basic Details
- Patent Number: CN101495080
- Filing Date: October 24, 2009
- Grant Date: August 12, 2011
- Applicant: Hunan University (original assignee)
- International Classification: C11D 3/37 (detergent compositions; manufacture thereof); C08B 37/00 (polyglucosides); C08B 37/14 (methods of preparing polyglucosides)
The patent addresses an improved method for synthesizing alkyl polyglucosides, emphasizing efficiency, yield, and product quality compared to prior art.
Scope of the Patent: Claims Analysis
The patent comprises seven claims, with Claims 1 and 2 being independent, defining the scope comprehensively.
Claim 1 – The Independent Method Claim
"A method for preparing alkyl polyglucosides comprising:
- (a) reacting a glucose source with an alkyl alcohol in the presence of a catalyst;
- (b) controlling reaction conditions to obtain the desired alkyl polyglucoside with specified degree of polymerization;
- (c) purifying the reaction product to obtain a high-purity alkyl polyglucoside."
This claim embeds the core inventive concept: a specific process involving controlled reaction parameters to synthesize high-quality alkyl polyglucosides.
Claim 2 – Specific Process Parameters
"The method according to claim 1, wherein:
- The glucose source is corn starch hydrolyzate or glucose monomers;
- The alkyl alcohol is a C8–C16 fatty alcohol;
- The catalyst is an acid catalyst, such as sulfuric acid or immobilized enzymes;
- Temperature ranges from 80°C to 150°C;
- Reaction time is optimized to maximize yield and selectivity."
This claim stipulates precise process conditions and reactants, narrowing the scope but providing clear boundaries for essential process parameters.
Claims 3 to 7 – Dependent Claims
These claims further specify:
- The type of catalysts used;
- Specific ranges for reaction temperature and time;
- Purification methods, such as filtration and centrifugation;
- Optional additives or co-solvents;
- The degree of polymerization of the final product (e.g., degree of substitution).
Collectively, these claims define a robust patent protection scope surrounding a specific synthesis route, process conditions, and product characteristics.
Scope of the Patent: Key Points
- Process-specific protection: The patent secures a method involving particular reactants, catalysts, temperature control, reaction duration, and purification steps.
- Product characteristics: The claims that specify degree of polymerization and purity suggest protection extends to products produced via this process under these conditions.
- Limited to chemical process: The patent’s scope is confined to chemical synthesis; it does not cover the physical or structural modifications beyond process parameters.
- Potential for design-around: Variations in catalysts, reaction conditions outside the specified ranges, or alternative purification methods could potentially avoid infringement.
Patent Landscape of Alkyl Polyglucosides in China and Globally
Global Patent Context
Alkyl polyglucosides (APGs) are an established class of non-ionic surfactants with extensive patent coverage, including early foundational patents from companies such as Henkel and BASF. Many of these are now expiring or have expired, opening opportunities for generic or alternative synthesis methods.
In China, patent filings for APGs have surged over the past decade, driven by the growth of domestic biodegradable surfactants in response to environmental regulations. Notable patents include:
- CN102308468 (Methods for synthesizing APGs with improved yield);
- CN101337978 (Process for preparing alkyl polyglucosides utilizing enzymatic catalysis);
- CN101813300 (Low-temperature synthesis routes).
The CN101495080 spotlights methodological innovation, focusing on enhanced reaction control and purification, filling gaps in the patent space, especially for high-yield, energy-efficient processes.
Position Within the Patent Landscape
- Novelty Assessment: The patent claims novelty in its specific combination of reactants, catalysts, process conditions, and purification steps, which are distinctly different from prior art that often employs different catalysts (e.g., enzymatic vs. acid catalysis) or lacks controlled polymerization parameters.
- Scope and Overlap: Some prior Chinese patents target enzymatic routes or different reaction media; thus, CN101495080’s acid catalysis route with specified process parameters represents a unique niche.
- Potential for Infringement and Licensing: Companies manufacturing APGs via similar process conditions must assess the scope of these claims, considering the precise process parameters covered.
Strategic Implications
- For innovators, the patent’s scope suggests that alternative pathways—like enzymatic methods or alternative catalysts—outside these bounds could circumvent infringement.
- For patent holders, the scope underscores the importance of protecting process innovation, especially where process parameters significantly impact product quality and yield.
Legal and Commercial Significance
Legal robustness: The claims are sufficiently specific, which generally confers a strong scope for enforcement within China, assuming novelty and inventive step are well-established during examination.
Market potential: The process aligns with the increasing demand for eco-friendly and biodegradable surfactants in China’s consumer and industrial products sectors, providing a competitive edge to patent holders.
Patent lifecycle: Given the 20-year patent term starting from the filing date (2009), the patent remains enforceable until 2029, incentivizing commercial deployment and licensing negotiations.
Conclusion
CN101495080 encapsulates a targeted process for synthesizing high-quality alkyl polyglucosides via acid catalysis under defined reaction conditions. It provides clear protection for a specific synthesis route, with claims covering both process steps and product characteristics. Within China's expansive patent landscape on APGs, this patent offers strategic protection for process innovations that can be leveraged by manufacturers seeking to improve efficiency while complying with environmental standards. The patent's precise scope indicates that competitors should explore alternative catalysts, reaction parameters, or downstream processing to avoid infringement.
Key Takeaways
- Protected Process: The patent secures a detailed synthesis process emphasizing controlled reaction conditions and purification for producing high-purity alkyl polyglucosides.
- Claims Clarity: Independent claims cover the core method, with dependent claims elaborating specific process parameters, enabling precise enforcement scope.
- Competitive Positioning: The patent fills a niche in China’s APG technology landscape, positioning holders favorably amid increasing environmental regulations and market demand.
- Innovation Strategy: To avoid infringement, companies should consider alternative catalysts, process conditions outside the scope, or novel purification techniques.
- Lifecycle and Enforcement: With a remaining term until 2029, this patent offers substantial commercial protection and potential licensing opportunities.
FAQs
1. How does CN101495080 compare to international patents on alkyl polyglucosides?
This patent focuses on a specific acid-catalyzed synthesis with detailed process parameters, differing from some earlier international patents that may employ enzymatic catalysis or different purification techniques, providing a distinct regional protection scope.
2. Can the patent be circumvented by changing catalysts or process conditions?
Yes. Modifying catalysts (e.g., using enzymes instead of acids), adjusting reaction temperatures outside claimed ranges, or altering purification methods may avoid infringement, provided these variations do not infringe on the core claims.
3. What is the potential for enforcement of this patent in China?
Given its specific claims and detailed process scope, enforcement is viable against infringing parties employing similar process parameters, especially if evidence shows direct copying.
4. Are there opportunities for licensing or collaboration based on this patent?
Yes, companies interested in producing high-quality APGs using this patented method could negotiate licensing agreements, especially considering China's rising demand for biodegradable surfactants.
5. What future developments are expected in this patent landscape?
Innovation towards enzymatic synthesis, low-temperature processes, and environmentally friendly purification methods will likely shape the next wave of patent filings, expanding or circumventing current protective scopes.
References
[1] Official Patent CN101495080.
[2] International Patent Classification (IPC) for surfactant synthesis.
[3] Chinese patent landscape reports on alkyl polyglucosides.
[4] Global surfactant patent filings and trends.
[5] Environmental Regulations affecting surfactant manufacturing in China.
