EP0397734A4 - A transporting, storage or dispensing container with enzyme reactor - Google Patents

Abstract

A container (10) for transporting, storing and dispensing liquids, solutions, suspensions, emulsions, mixtures or wet solids is fitted with a retainer or reactor (22) to retain, restrict, immobilize, hold, trap or confine a wide variety of natural or semi-synthetic enzymes, multi-enzyme systems, organelles, and cells, both living and dead. These later complex structures include, but are not limited to, mitochondria, chloroplasts, biologic membranes, cell or organelle walls, yeasts, bacteria, animal and plant cells and fragments of the above complex structures. In a fashion similar to the holding, trapping, confining or retaining of single enzymes, multi-enzyme systems, organelles and cells can be incorporated into reactors which are part of the container to achieve the desired chemical and biochemical reactions or a series of these reactions.

Description

A TRANSPORTING, STORAGE OR DISPENSING CONTAINER WITH ENZYME REACTOR

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed to a transporting, storage, or dispensing container which includes an enzyme retainer so that the enzyme can react with or catalyti- cally stimulate reactions in liquid-containing material in the container. In general, the invention is useful for all containers, all enzymes, and all fluids for which an enzyme stimulated reaction is desired. In a specific example, the enzyme lactase is provided in a milk container to convert lactose into glucose and galactose. L BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

2

3 As an example, the use of lactase is employed

4 as an enzyme to catalytically stimulate reaction of the

5 lactose in whey to glucose and galactose to produce

6 usef l sweeteners. While lactase is known to cause

7 enzymatic hydrolysis of disaccharide into the mono- 8:^' saccharides glucose and galactose, its employment has 9 been for food manufacturing and disposal of lactose.

1.0 However, there has been a need for the conversion of

11 lactose for those individuals who have an intolerance

12 thereof, to give those individuals the benefit of

13 nutrition from milk products.

14 Lactose intolerance is based on a deficiency or

15 a functional impairment of gastrointestinal lactase L6 (Beta-D-galactoside galactohydrolase) . It occurs in IT different populations to various degrees. In the United

18- States, it is estimated that as many as 30 million

19- Americans are affected by lactose intolerance. The 2Ω intolerance to lactose can occur to various degrees. 21. Worldwide, there is an avoidance of dairy products by

22 Asians, blacks, eskimos, and more than half the Middle-

23 East populations. Lactose intolerance is thought to be

24 of genetic origin. The consequence of lactose intoler-

25 ance is the inability to hydrolyse lactose into its two

26 monosaccharide components of galactose and glucose. This Z7 results in moderate to severe gastric disorders. The 28 clinical manifestations of the disease are abdominal 23 cramps, bloating, or distension and diarrhea.

30 The disease itself is generally not life-

31 threatening. In most cases, those afflicted understand

32 the cause of the clinical signs, with or without the

33 assistance of a medical professional, and they develop

34 dietary patterns that avoid those dairy products which

35 are high in lactose. However, since dairy products are a I valuable source of protein and calcium, these dietary

Z patterns can exacerbate other disease conditions, such as

3 protein deficiency and osteoporosis.

4 Four products have recently been developed

5 which enable lactase-deficient individuals to consume

6 milk. One product is lactose-free milk sold by dairies.

7 The second product is a concentrated solution of the g enzyme lactase which can be purchased in drug stores. 9 The third is a powdered form of the enzyme. The enzyme 0 from the two later products is added to milk by the 1 consumer. After adding either the liquid or powder form 2 of the enzyme to the milk, the consumer stores the mixture for a specific period to allow the enzyme to hydrolyze the lactose. The fourth product is a tablet formulation of lactase. The first product requires special processing of regular milk by dairies; the second and third products require the maintenance by the ' consumer of a continual supply of the enzyme concentrate or powder for the consumer's own processing needs; the fourth product requires that the individual take several tablets at the time when dairy products which contain lactose are consumed. . As an additional factor in an apparatus for lactase treatment of milk products for direct human consumption, the lactase must be retained out of the fluid lactose-containing food product. The lactase must be positioned to permit the enzymatic hydrolysis, without discharging lactase to the food material. While the following description of the preferred embodiment is directed to the employment of lactase to hydrolyze lactose in a fluid food product, it is clear that other enzymes can be employed in the same manner to act on other substrates in milk and in other foods, with other substances with other substrates in addition to the food uses. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to aid in the understanding of this invention, it can be stated in essentially summary form that it is directed to a container with an enzyme reactor associated therewith. The enzyme^• reactor is positioned so that fluid in the container is in catalytic associa- tion with the enzyme. Relative motion between the fluid and the enzyme is created by moving the reactor through the substance, or moving the substance through the enzyme reactor, or it can be accomplished passively by placing the enzyme in the container and moving the container so as to create fluid motion within the container. Furthermore, the enzyme is retained within or immobilized within the enzyme reactor. It is thus an object and advantage of this invention to provide a container _.for receiving a fluid material for enzymatic catalysis, together with an immobilized enzyme reactor therein with means for moving the fluid with respect to the enzyme. It is another object and advantage of this invention to provide a container, particularly for lactose-containing milk products together with an enzyme reactor which contains lactase with the reactor related to the container in such a manner that the fluid lactose- containing food product is moved with respect to the enzyme reactor to hydrolyze the lactose into its constituents. It is another object and advantage of this invention to provide a container for receiving milk products whereby the milk products in the container are agitated with respect to an immobilized lactase so that the container can be employed by those persons subject to lactose intolerance to achieve the nutritional benefits of milk products. It is another object and advantage of this invention to provide a dispensing container which has as part of its construction an immobilized enzyme that will hydrolyze fluid materials in the container to improve the fluid product for various uses. It is another object and advantage of this invention to provide a lactase-containing container which would eliminate the need for special processing of milk by dairies, eliminate the need for ongoing purchases by consumers of the enzyme concentrate for their own processing, and would eliminate special purchases and self-administration of tablets. It is a further object and advantage of this invention to incorporate lactase into the construction of a milk container so that it is possible to convert regular milk into lactose-free or varying degrees of lactose-reduced milk within the container either during transportation of the . container from the dairy to the market or in the consumer's home. It is a further object and advantage of this invention to provide a container with enzyme therein which is particularly suited for the dairy industry in handling bulk milk and to provide another container for the consumer for his use in transporting, storing and dispensing the milk. Both types of container could be completely disposable, or could have disposable com- ponents. The enzyme reactor could be designed as a single use component. It is another object and advantage of this invention to provide a lactase-containing container which has as part of its construction an immobilized enzyme that will catalytically react with fluid materials in the container to improve the fluid product for various uses. It is another object and advantage of this invention to produce change of chemical or biochemical nature within a container and mediated by a catalyst such as an enzyme within the container. It is a further object and advantage of this invention to employ any single enzyme in a chemical or biochemical reaction within its container. It is a further object and advantage of this invention to mediate a chemical or biochemical reaction in a container by the employment of two or more enzyme catalysts in the container to mediate the reaction. It is a further object and advantage of this invention to include as a catalyst for the mediation of chemical or biochemical reactions within a container which, include anatomical structures or fragments thereof that exist in nature like organelles, cells and anatomi- cal fragments such as membranes and cell walls because these natural biological structures contain enzymes and such are natural supports for enzymes. It is another object and advantage of this invention to provide a dry packaging container which can be activated with a liquid such as to mediate chemical or biochemical change within the container. The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may be best understood by reference to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGURE 1 is a central section through a first preferred embodiment in its first version of a dispensing container in accordance with this invention with an active enzyme reactor therein. FIGURE 2 is a central section through a second version of the dispensing container, with a different active enzyme reactor therein. FIGURE 3 is a perspective view, with parts broken away and parts taken in section, of a second preferred embodiment of the dispensing container in its first version with an active enzyme reactor therein, wherein the container is cylindrical and the reactor moves 'axially therethrough.^' FIGURE 4 is a perspective view, with parts broken away and parts taken in section thereof, with a second version of the enzyme reactor therein rotatable on the tubular axis. FIGURE 5 is a similar view of the container showing a third version of the active enzyme reactor therein gravitationally moving axially of the container. FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of the third preferred embodiment wherein the enzyme reactor is shown, with parts broken away and parts taken in section, as a first version of an insert in the container of a food blender. FIGURE 7 is a perspective view, with parts broken away, of a second version of the enzyme reactor as an insert in the container of a food blender. FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of a fourth preferred embodiment of this invention wherein a first version of an enzyme-coated panel is incorporated as part of the container structure. FIGURE 9 is a downwardly looking view as a section through the container of FIGURE 8, showing the first^' ersion of the panel therein. FIGURE 10 is a view similar to . FIGURE 9, showing a second version of the active enzyme-coated panel formed as part of the milk container of FIGURE 8. FIGURE 11 is a schematic diagram showing the manner in which enzyme-containing pellets are attached to the enzyme-coated panel in the containers of FIGURES 8, 9 and 10. ^' FIGURE 12 is a side-elevational view, with parts 'broken away, showing the fifth preferred embodiment of the dispensing container with active enzyme reactor in accordance with this invention, wherein the container is a truck/trailer for containing a fluid such as cold milk in transit, including a first version of an enzyme reactor therein and a pump for circulating the fluid therethrough. FIGURE 13 is a similar view showing the active enzyme reactor in a second version in the form of panels which move within the fluid container.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A container for transporting, storing and dispensing liquids, solutions, suspensions or wet solids is fitted with a retainer or reactor to retain, restrict, immobilize, hold, trap or confine a wide variety of natural or semi-synthetic enzymes, multi-enzyme systems, organelles, and cells, both living and dead. These later complex structures include, but are not limited to, mitochondria, chloroplasts, biologic membranes, cell or organelle walls, yeasts, bacteria, animal and plant cells and fragments of the above complex structures. Other single enzyme systems, similar to the conversion of lactose into glucose and galactose by lactase, include: 1. cholesterol reductase to remove or reduce chole'sterol by converting it to coprosterol; 2. pectinases, proteases, amylases, etc., to remove pectin, protein, polypeptides, simple and complex sugars, starch, glyocen, etc., which will clarify or otherwise change the contents in the container; and 3. proteases or peptidases which will tenderize meat or other protein products. In a fashion similar to the holding, trapping, confining or retaining of single enzymes, multi-enzyme systems, organelles and cells and fragments thereof can be incorporated into reactors which are part of the container to achieve the desired chemical and biochemical reactions or a series of these reactions. A wide range of enzymes can be employed as single enzyme mediators of chemical or biochemical reactions. All enzymes fall into six major classes: Oxidoreductases , Transferases, Hydrolases, Lyases, Isomerases, and Ligases. I. OXIDOREDUCTASES - Acting on CH-OH group of donors Example: Glucose oxidase - Acting on the aldehyde- or keto-group of donors Example: Benzaldehyde dehydrogenase - Acting on the CH-CH group of donors Example: Cholesterol reductase - Acting on the CH-NH2 group of donors Example: ID-Amino acid oxidase - Acting on the C-NH group of donors Example: Tetra-, Dihydrofolate dehydrogenase - Acting on NADH or NADPH as donor Example: NAD(P) transhydrogenase - Acting on other nitrogenous compounds as donors Example: Nitrite reductase - Acting on sulphur groups.of donors . Example: Sulfite reductase - Acting on heme groups of donors Example: Cytochrome oxidase Acting on diphenols and related substances as donors

Example: Ascorbate oxidase

Acting on H2O2 as acceptor

Example: Catalase

Enzymes using H2 as reductant

Example: Hydrogenases

- Other enzymes using O2 as oxidant (e.g. hydroxylase)

Example: Steroid hydroxylase π- TRANSFERASES

- Transferring one-carbon groups

Example: Serine hydroxymethyl transferase

- Transferring aldehydic or ketonic residues Example: Transketolases and transaldolases

- Acyltransferase

Example: Phosphate acetyltransferase

Glycosyltransferase

Example: UDPgalactose-glucose galactosyltrans- ferase Transferring alkyl or related groups Example: Dimethylallyltransferase, prenyl- transferase Transferring nitrogenous groups Example: transaminases

Transferring phosphorus-containing groups Example: Kinases

Transferring sulphur-containing groups Example: Co-A transferases rrr. HYDROIASES

Acting on ester bonds

Example: Pectinesterases

Acting on glycosyl compounds

Example: Pectinase, lactase, amylase,lysozyme, etc. - Acting on ether bonds Example: Adenosylhomocysteinase - Acting on peptide bonds (peptide hydrolases) Example: Pepsin, trypsin, papain, rennin, ficin, chymotrypsin, peptidases - Acting on C-N bonds other than peptide bonds Example: Glutaminase, urease - Acting on acid anhydride bonds Example: Inorganic phosphatase - Acting on C-C bonds ^' Example: Oxaloacetase - Acting on halide bonds Example: Alkylhalidase - Acting on P-N bonds Example: Phosphoamidase IV. LYASES - Carbon-carbon lyases Example: Decarbόxylases - Carbon-oxygen lyases Example: Dehydrases - Carbon-nitrogen lyases Example: Amonia-lyases - Carbon-sulphur lyases Example: Desulphurases - Carbon-halide lyases Example: DDT-dehydrochlorinase V. ISOMERASES - Racemases and epimerases Example: UDP-glucose epi erase - Cis-trans isomerases Example: Maleate isomerase - Intramolecular oxidoreductases Example: Glucosephosphate isomerase - Intramolecular transferases Example: Methylmalonyl-CoA mutase 1 - Intramolecular lyases

2 Example: Muconate cycloisomerase

3 VI. LIGASES

4 - Forming C-O bonds

5 Example: s-RNA synthetases

6 - Forming C-S bonds

7 Example: CoA synthetases . 3 - Forming C-N bonds

9 Example: Glutamine synthetase

10 - Forming C-C bonds

11 Example: Carboxylases

12 In addition to the single enzyme systems,

13 multi-enzyme systems are also possible. Coupled

14 reactions occur with selected enzymes. For example, the

15 product of one enzymatic reaction becomes the starting

16 material or substrate for a succeeding enzymatic

17 reaction.

18 Coupled reactions - with selected enzymes .

19- (the product of one enzymatic reaction becomes

Z0- the substrate for another enzymatic reaction)

21 EXAMPLE:

22 1. glucose oxidas e /catalas e for oxygen

23 . removal .

24 2. tricarboxylic acid cycle enzymes for

25 producing natural chelators, preserva-

26 ^• tives, carbon dioxide, citrate, etc.

27 3. glycolysis enzymes for converting glucose

28 into fructose.

29 4. production of fructose from glucose via

30 sorbitol using aldose reductase and ketose

31 reductase. In addition, glucose can be

32 derived from sucrose through the action of

33 sucrase. 34 Composite reactions - with selected enzymes or extracts. (where simultaneous enzymatic reactions are occurring and they are not related) EXAMPLE: , 1. glucose oxidase/protease system for inhibiting the growth of mold and bacteria. 2. digestive enzyme composites or complexes for clarification, viscosity reduction, tenderizing, etc. Organelles organi zed enzyme systems from biologic structures . (enzymes located in an organelle or fragment thereof perform the same enzymatic reactions that they do in a natural state ) EXAMPLE: 1. mitochondria for producing polycarboxylic acids, oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production. ^• • 2. chloroplasts for the production of oxygen or sugars or the consumption of carbon dioxide or light. 3. Endoplasmic reticulum fragments for the oxidation or reduction of organic compounds. Cells Complete bacterial, fungal, plant or animal cells that can be either living or dead. EXAMPLE: 1. yeast and bacteria for .in situ production of various products, e.g., alcohol. 2. use of Pseudomonads for the production of amino acids. 3. plant cells from the flowers of Cynara ' cardunculus and Silyburn marianum are entrapped and used for making soft cheese in the consumer use container.

4. using immobilized bacterium Leuconostoe mesenteroides with a co-immobilized enzyme to carry out sterol oxidations. The application of this system for the reduction of sterols with a wide variety of bacteria including, Eubacterium.

5. production of theobromine and caffeine within consumer use containers by immobilized plant cells from Coff e arabica.

Dry Ingredient Application

In addition, dry solids can be added to containers which are fitted with retainers or reactors that retain, restrict, immobilize, hold, trap, or confine natural or semi- synthetic, dry or lyophilized enzymes, multi- enzyme systems, organelles and cells or fragments thereof to which liquid is added to activate the chemical or biochemical reactions. EXAMPLE:

Dry powdered milk is added to a container that is equipped with a retainer or enzyme reactor that contains any one or several enzymes for a specific function, e.g., lactase to remove lactose, cholesterol reductase to remove cholesterol, glucose oxidase/peroxidase to remove oxygen, etc. The contents of the container along with a dry form of the enzyme(s) is (are) packaged, stored, shipped, etc., until ready for use. When required, a liquid, in this case water, is added to activate the system. In general, this invention is directed to a disposable single .use or reuseable container of any size, for liquids, fluids, wet solids, and dry granular material fitted with or constructed in such a manner as to contain, as part of its composition, an insert, bladder, liner, cartridge, filter, filler, matrix, sponge, or any such similar device to contain, hold, support, capture, or retain one or more enzymes so that the enzyme material is confined to a particular location which_/ in the process of using the container for storage, transfer, delivery or serving of the fluid, the fluid itself or any of its components, is chemically altered or catalytically transformed. Movement of the fluid with respect to the enzyme is necessary for the entire fluid body to have an opportunity to be catalytically stimu- lated by the presence of the enzyme. Relative motion of the fluid with respect to the enzyme can be accomplished by moving the fluid to be transformed through the enzyme reactor or by moving the enzyme reactor through the fluid to be transformed. When the container is used in the transportation of the fluid, the physical motion of the transportation is often sufficient to agitate the fluid to move it past the enzyme in such a manner as to provide sufficient residence time for the fluid, but also provide sufficient motion so that an adequate catalytic action takes place to provide a sufficient degree of catalytic conversion. The term "agitation" is inadequate to cover all situations wherein the fluid may be pumped or gravitationally transported past the enzyme as an alternative to the agitation produced by transportation. The term "immobilized," when pertaining to the enzyme, means that it is confined to a particular locus, location, site, or situs. It does not mean that the enzyme is immobile in the sense of non-movement. The enzyme is often secured on various surfaces, such as the surfaces of beads or fibers, and these beads or fibers are in turn secured to position the enzyme where the reaction is to take place. The fluid is of broad definition, including dry fluidized granular material, liquids, vapors, gases, suspensions, emulsions, wet solids and mixtures thereof. ^• More specifically, the invention is directed to a vessel to carry out the desired enzymatic reactions which the reactants are in transit, storage or in the process of being used. This could be in a packaged product, a consumer-use container, a bulk transportation vehicle (tank truck or railroad tank car, etc.), a pipe, industrial storage (vat) or shipping container, e.g., a 55-gallon drum. The design could include, but not be limited to, a floating disc in the media, baffles, sheets, corrugation, liners, random fibers (wools), containing free beads, pellets (objects), cartridges, etc. The enzyme is secured to the surfaces of such structures. The mechanism could be as diverse as an impregnated, semi-porous membrane that moves through a fluid, a large blade,^' a continuously rotating auger, or an ordered or random filter. The preferred embodiments are described with the fluid being lactose-containing milk products and with lactase as the particular enzyme for hydrolyzing the lactose. However, as described above, the method and apparatus are also useful with other enzymes used for reacting other fluids by contact with other immobilized enzymes. In addition, malic enzyme, acylase, .invertase, alcohol dehydrogenase, glucose oxidase, trypsin, Lι-aspartase, lipase, pepsin, catalase, etc. are indus- trially important and have been immobilized. In a general sense, all enzymes of commercial processing significance can be immobilized, encapsulated, trapped, membrane-retained, restricted, detained, retained or in some way prohibited from entering the medium or lost by flowing through or out of the system, while maintaining the surface available to the fluid for access for catalytic action. The immobilization of the enzyme is significant because it acts as a catalyst and is not used up in the reaction. There is no need for the enzyme to be lost with the fluid. In the preferred embodiments described below, the providing of lactose-free milk is achieved by employing a container and preferably a dispensing container with active enzyme reactor in accordance with this invention. There is also additional utility. In the dairy industry, both sweet and acid whey, a byproduct of cheese manufacturing, contains a large amount of lactose. It is not easy to dispose of the whey, and if commercial- ly and economically converted, it could be the raw material (glucose and galactose) for the baking industry. Referring to FIGURE 1, container 10 has closed sides and bottom so that it may receive milk. Inlet tube 12 depends from funnel 14 which is formed as part of container top 16. Cover flap 18 is hinged on top 16 and can close to a position where it covers spout 20 formed as part of the container 10. Inlet tube 12 is perforated and is surrounded by perforated reactor tube 22. The space between the inlet tube and reactor tube is filled with enzyme carrying material 24. The tubes may be attached to their bottom or may be provided with upper and lower discs 26 and 28 which define an immobilized enzyme space therebetween. Both discs are perforated, and the upper disc 26 is attached to reactor tube 22. The lower disc 28 is preferably attached to inlet tube 12. ,The discs and tubes form an enzyme reactor. When liquid, such as lactose-containing milk is poured into inlet tube 12, the milk flows into space 30 by passage 1 through the enzyme carrying material to reach space 30.

2 As the liquid level rises in the container, due to

3 filling with milk, the liquid also passes into space 32

4 around the enzyme reactor. The container 10 is prefera-

5 bly of such size that it can be easily manually handled.

6 For example, it may be a one- or two-quart .size where

7 milk from a store carton is poured directly therein and S the container 10 is kept in the refrigerator. The 5 container 10 is used to dispense individual portions.

10 During filling of the container, the milk passes through

11 the space which contains the enzyme carrying material 24

12 and also passes the enzyme carrying material during

13 dispensing of the milk, particularly the milk out of

14 space 30. The immobilized enzyme 24 may be immobilized

15 on the surface of or within porous beads or may be Iff immobilized on or in fibers.

17^' Container 34, shown in FIGURE 2, is another

185 form of the same embodiment. The container is the same

Iff with a closed bottom and sides and a spout 36 for

Z0^" dispensing. Container top 38 fits directly upon the

21 upper edges of the container sides and has a flap 40

22 which hinges down to cover spout 36 and up to permit

23 dispensing of liquid from the container. Container top

24 38 has a central opening with a downwardly directed

25 circular tube 42. Flexible bag 44 is porous, such as a

26 woven non-absorbent polymer filament bag. The bag

27 contains immobilized enzyme 46. The bag has a neck 48

28 which is secured around tube 42. The bag preferably is

29 also closed with top 47 to prevent the enzyme from being

30 lost upwardly out of the bag.

31 The immobilized enzyme 46 may be immobilized on

32 the surface of or within porous beads. The container 34

33 is preferably of a small, manual handling size, such as

34 one or two quarts or one liter, and the milk from the

35 store carton can be poured directly down into the container through inlet tube 42. Pouring the milk into the container in this way causes the milk to pass through the bag containing the immobilized enzyme carrying material . This relative motion is agitation which permits the enzyme to hydrolyze the lactose in the incoming milk. The container 34 may be stored in the refrigerator until it is desired that the milk be used, and, thereupon the milk is dispensed from the container out of spout 36. It is important to note that the containers are agitated in the sense that the milk is forced to flow with respect to the immobilized enzyme, and that the containers are reuseable. The enzyme is not used up in the hydrolysis of the lactose, but may be reused until the enzyme becomes unavailable through coating. Container 50, seen in FIGURE 3, is a container with an open top, closed bottom, and cylindrically tubular side walls. In the preferred embodiment illustrated, the walls are generally in the form of a circular tubular cylinder. The container 50 is prefera- bly of such size as to be readily handleable and may have a usable volume of one quart, two quarts, or one liter so as to be convenient to place in the user's refrigerator. The container may be much larger in size, for example up to a 55 gallon drum, or the like. Enzyme carrying material 52 is contained in the space defined by perforated upper disc 54, perforated lower disc 56, wall 58 of the container, and central tube 60. These walls define the reactor to contain the enzyme carrying material. The immobilized enzyme may be contained in the reactor on beads, fibers or mesh. Manual handle 62 is mounted on rod 64, which extends down and through the central tube 60 in the enzyme reactor. In order to thrust the reactor down in the container, stop 66 is secured to rod 64 and engages 1 on the top of the reactor. In order to raise the

2 reactor, stop 68 is secured to the bottom of the rod and

3 engages under the reactor. Down thrust of the reactor in

4 the container causes the milk in the container to be

5 forced through the perforated enzyme reactor. In order

6 to prevent spilling of milk upon raising of the handle

7 and enzyme reactor, the bottom end of rod 64 has vent

8 passage 70 axially therethrough which joins with vent

9 openings 72 through the wall of the handle below stop 66.

10 The distance from the top of stop 68 to vent opening 72

11 is larger than the thickness of the enzyme reactor so

12 that, when the handle is raised in the position shown in

13 FIGURE 3, the enzyme reactor may be freely raised with

14 the milk downwardly vented through vent opening 72 and

15 vent passage 70. After being raised, down thrust of the

16 handle moves stop 66 against the top of the reactor to

17 close the vent opening 72 so that milk is forced through

18 the enzyme reactor to cause it to be an agitated enzyme

19 reactor. With several up-and-down strokes of the handle,

20 the enzyme reactor is agitated to cause the milk to be

21 forced through the reactor to permit the desired Z2 hydrolysis. The container may be placed in the refriger-

23 ator and milk dispensed therefrom as needed. The

24 container can be reused until the enzyme is coated or

25 otherwise no longer functional. Thereupon, the enzyme

26 reactor can be replaced.

£7 Another version of the same species is shown in

XS FIGURE 4 where the container 74 is a closed bottom

29 container having right circular cylindrical wall 76.

30 Again, the container 74 is of a convenient size to handle

31 and may be of any usable size. A convenient size is one

32 that contains one quart, two quarts, or one liter of

33 liquid such as for milk in retail size. The container

34 may be much larger in size, for example up to a 55 gallon

35 drum, ,or the like. Enzyme reactor 78 is flat in form and 1 has front and back perforated meshes 80 and 82 with

2 immobilized enzyme carrying material 84 therebetween.

3 The enzyme reactor can be formed of a single structure of

4 a fairly rigid, but porous mass of fibers which carry

5 thereon the enzyme. In the present case, the enzyme

6 reactor is rotated around the cylindrical axis of the

7 container. To aid in this rotation, upper and lower

8 guide rings 86 and 88 are mounted on the enzyme reactor

9 to slip-fit within the container. The use of the guide

10 rings holds the enzyme reactor to rotation on the axis of

11 the container. Handles 90 and 92 are attached to the

12 enzyme reactor so that it may be conveniently manually

13 rotated. Such rotation, oscillating back and forth,

14 forces the liquid through the enzyme reactor so as to

15 form an active agitation device within the dispensing

16 container so as to form an active enzyme reactor within 1.7 the container. The container may be of refrigerator size 18 from which portions may be poured, and the enzyme reactor

19- together with the container may be reused until the

20- enzyme is coated to become ineffective.

21 FIGURE 5 shows a third version of a dispensing

22 container with an active enzyme reactor wherein the 3 container 94 is of the same configuration as container 50 4 and container 74; that is to say, an open top right 5 circular cylindrical tube with a closed bottom 96. While 6 the containers 50 and 74 may have covers therefor which 7 are removed for filling and dispensing, the covers are 8 not needed to retain the liquid. In the case of 9 container 94, its cover 98 must be securely attached and 0 sealed with respect to the container so that the 1 container may be partly or completely filled with liquid 2 and thereupon inverted. Cover 98 is thus an attached, 3 sealed cover which is removable and replaceable, as by 4 screw thread attachment of the cover onto the container. 5 Liquid is shown in the container up to fluid level 100. 1 Enzyme reactor 102 has an upper grid 104 and a

2 lower grid 106 defining a space therebetween which

3 contains immobilized enzyme carrying material 108. The

4 enzyme may be immobilized on or in porous beads or may be

5 immobilized on or in a fiber structure. Such fiber

6 structures may be mounted and made sufficiently struc-

7 turally stiff to form the entire enzyme reactor. In S such a case, the perforated upper and lower grids are 9 formed as part of the matted fiber structure. In a

10 particular example, the upper and lower grids are

11 substantially rigid polymer composition material discs

12 with 1/8" holes therein and the immobilized enzyme is on

13 a fiberglass mat having a tortuous path therethrough,

14 with openings in the range of 20-50 microns.

15 In use, the enzyme reactor is placed in the

16 bottom of the container. When the container is to be

17 used for milk, the enzyme is lactase. Thereupon, milk is 18. poured into the container. In order to agitate the 19 enzyme reactor with respect to the liquid, the enzyme 2Q reactor is made buoyant by means of the attachment 21 thereto of inflated, buoyant toroidal tube 110. The 22" toroidal tube also serves as a light seal between the

23 enzyme reactor and the interior wall of the container 94.

24 Being buoyant, the enzyme reactor floats to the top of

25 the milk. From time to time, the entire container is

26 turned over so that the enzyme reactor is agitated with

27 respect to the container to provide multiple passage of

28 the milk through the enzyme reactor. The enzyme reactor

29 102 is described as being of lower average density than

30 the milk in the container 94 so that the enzyme reactor

31 floats to the surface. The system would be equally

32 effective when the enzyme reactor 102 is of greater

33 average density than the liquid in the container so that

34 the enzyme reactor slowly descends to the bottom of the

35 container. When that happens, the container can be 1 inverted to permit the reactor 102 to descend to the new

2 bottom. The container may be placed in the refrigerator

3 and treated milk dispensed therefrom. The container and

4 its enzyme reactor can be reused until the enzyme is

5 coated or is otherwise no longer functional. Of course,

6 the enzyme reactor 102 may be a replacement item so that

7 a new such enzyme reactor can be used with the container

8 to reuse the container.

9 FIGURE 6 shows a further embodiment of a

10 dispensing container with an active enzyme reactor. The

11 dispensing container 112 shown in FIGURE 6 is the

12 container of a conventional household food blender. The

13 food blender 114 has a base 116 which contains a motor.

14 The motor has an upwardly directed shaft with a coupling

15 thereon. Bottom cap 118 closes the bottom of container

16 112, for example with screw threads and rubber gasket.

17 The bottom cap also has an upwardly directed bearing IS therein through which extends rotor shaft 120. The rotor

19 shaft .120 has a coupling on the lower end which mates

20 with and is driven by the motor shaft. Rotor 122 is

21 mounted on rotor shaft 120 and rotates in the bottom of

22 container 112. Rotor 122 is both a propeller and a

23 chopper so that when the rotor is driven, liquid

24 circulates in container 112.

25 Enzyme reactor 124 has a perforated upper grid

26 126, perforated lower grid 128, and immobilized enzyme

27 carrying material 130 therebetween. The immobilized 2.8 enzyme may be on a filament mesh, as illustrated. When

29 the immobilized enzyme material is in the form of pellets

30 or beads, an outer cover may need to be provided between

31 the outer edges of the upper and lower grids. Blender

32 shield 132 is generally in the form of a cylindrical tube

33 which surrounds the rotor 122 and holds the enzyme

34 reactor 124 above the rotor. The blender shield is in 5 the form of a skirt and is shown in the form of thin wall polymer composition material. The shield 132 is perforated or slotted to permit and direct the flow between the rotor and the reactor. Inlet tube 134 extends down through the enzyme reactor and is axially centered with respect to the rotor. The inlet tube is slotted to receive holder 136, which is a narrow rectangular sheet which extends above the top of container 112. In use, the enzyme reactor is put in place and is held down with holder 136. Thereupon, milk is poured into the container and the blender is connected to power so that its rotor moves the liquid. In most blenders, the down flow is in the center so that liquid is drawn down through the inlet tube. The up flow is around the inlet tube so that the milk flows upward through the perforated enzyme reactor to expose the milk to the enzyme. Substantial agitation is achieved. When adequate agitation has been completed, the motor is turned off and the container is used for dispensing treated milk. If desired, the enzyme reactor may be immediately removed from the container by lifting it out with holder 136. A cover may be placed on the container, and it may be stored in the refrigerator. The container and enzyme reactor may be reused for dispensing and storage until the enzyme reactor is coated or is otherwise no longer functional. Thereupon, a new enzyme reactor may be employed,with the dispensing container 112 and its companion food blender. FIGURE 7 shows another version of a household blender having an enzyme reactor therein. The container 202 has a bottom cap 204 removably attached thereto to close the bottom of the container, support the container, and carry agitating rotor 206. In the case of container 112 shown in FIGURE 6, the container need not be of generally circular configuration, because it is supported by its skirt 132. As seen in FIGURE 7, container 202 is substantially circular in section so that a circular enzyme reactor 208 can be placed within the container and engage against the walls of the container above rotor 206. Enzyme reactor 208 has a perforated upper grid 210, a perforated lower grid 212 and enzyme carrying material 214 positioned therebetween. The enzyme carrying material can be a fibrous mass of fairly rigid construc- tion to obviate the upper and lower grids, or may be of lighter material to require them, as shown. The enzyme reactor may have its grids engage the tapered interior walls of the container 202 or may engage upon stops formed on the interior wall of the container. Enzyme reactor 208 has an interior opening 216. When the enzyme reactor is placed within the container, milk is placed in the container and the motor is turned on, the rotor draws the milk down through the interior opening 216 and discharges it upward through the enzyme reactor. After a sufficient time to permit adequate completion of the reaction, the motor is turned off. The reactor may thereupon be moved. Container 202 is employed as a dispensing container, either immediately and with or without the reactor therein. The container may have a cover placed thereon and may be stored in the refrigerator, again with or without the enzyme reactor 208 therein. The enzyme reactor may be reused until it is coated' or is otherwise no longer functional. Thereupon, the enzyme reactor can be replaced and the container 202 and its associated blender further used. Container 220, shown in FIGURES 8 and 9, is configured substantially as a common polymer treated fiberboard container. The material in the walls of such containers is conventionally a cellulosic paper board with a considerable amount of polymer mixed therein and/or coated on the surface. The polymer may be a natural polymer, such as paraffin, or may be a similar synthetic polymer composition material. The polymer material is preferably thermoplastic in order- to aid in the attachment and sealing of joints as the container is assembled from flat board stock. The assembly of such containers from flat board stock is well know. Right and left sides 222 and 244, as well as front and back 226 and 226, are shown in assembled position in fold lines in FIGURE 9 and in the form of an open blank in dashed lines in FIGURE 9. Such assembly is conventional, including flap 230, which underlies the back edge of right side 220 at its back corner. This overlapping flap permits closure and sealing. The difference in the present case is that panel 232 is formed on the edge of flap 230 and extends diagonally across the container 220. At its other edge, panel 232 carries flap 234, which extends the full length up and down the panel 232 and is sealed on the inside front corner of left side panel 224, as seen in FIGURE 9. Panel 232 does not extend all the way to the top and the bottom of the container, as shown in FIGURE 8. FIGURE 11 shows the advance of panel 232 past adhesive spray nozzle 236 which sprays a layer of adhesive 238 on the panel 232 advancing there past. Enzyme material spray nozzle 240 sprays a layer of enzyme carrying material 242 onto the adhesive 238 while it is still tacky, so that the enzyme carrying material 242 is retained thereon. The enzyme carrying material may be in the form of beads or pellets which carries the enzyme material immobilized thereon or therein so as to present catalytically active surfaces for contact by fluid in the container. The process of FIGURE 11 _r which applies the enzyme carrying material to the panel, is best accom- pushed prior to assembly of the container or carton from the blank shown in FIGURE 9. Container or carton 244 is very much the same as the container 220, in that it is folded from cellu- losic board stock containing and/or coated with polymer material. The container 244 is folded from a blank to create a container which is usually square in cross section, as seen in FIGURE 10. Flap 246 is attached to the back edge of right side 248 to close the sides of the carton in the conventional way. Flap 246 carries panel 250 thereon, which extends into the interior of the container, but is short of the opposite corner so that the volume of the container is not divided. In order to provide sufficient area for the attachment of enzyme carrying material onto the panel, for example by means of the method shown in FIGURE 11, an extension panel 252 may be attached at a fold line to the edge of panel 250. In this way, an adequate area of enzyme carrying material is placed in the container for contact by the fluid within the container. As described, the container is a conventional milk carton and can thus treat lactose containing milk from the time of carton filling, through transportation, sale and delivery to the home. The agitation resulting from such transportation is adequate to provide sufficient circulation of the fluid milk with respect to the enzyme reactor represented by the panel so as to carry the catalytic reaction to sufficient completion. By its construction, it is expected that containers 202 and 220 will be employed for single use. FIGURES 12 and 13 show two versions of a preferred embodiment of the transporting and dispensing container with agitated enzyme reactor in accordance with this invention. The container 258 shown in FIGURE 12 is mounted on a portable frame 260, which may be the frame of a trailer, semi-trailer or truck. It is supported on wheels 262 and is suitably propelled. Container 258 is a long closed tank, preferably of uniform cross-section, 2U

1 with piping inlets and outlets and may have closeable top

2 hatches for access for cleaning and internal maintenance.

3 The frame is provided with a pump 264 for circulating and

4 discharging the liquid cargo of the tank. Again, as a

5 particular illustration, milk is the cargo being

6 transported and lactase is the enzyme employed to

7 hydrolyze lactose in the milk. Pump 264 has a suction S opening 266 in the tank connected to the suction of pump 5 264. The suction opening is close to the bottom of the

10 tank so that the pump may be operated to discharge the

11 milk from the tank through discharge line 268. The pump

12 also has a recirculation line 270 which discharges pump

13 output flow back into the tank. Valves selectively

14 control pump output flow to the discharge line or the

15 recirculation line. There is a dam 272 within the tank

16 which extends nearly to the top of the tank. As seen in

17 FIGURE 12, suction opening 266 is to the right of the IS dam, and recirculating' line 270 extends through the dam 19- to enzyme reactor 274.

20 Enzyme reactor 274 is a tubular structure with

21 radial flow passages from its interior to its exterior.

22 These flow passages are between the beads or fibrous mats

23 which carry the immobilized enzyme.^" The tubular enzyme

24 reactor 274 is closed on its left; and on its right end,

25 receives recirculating line 270. When the container 258

26 is substantially filled with milk and the pump is

27 running, the pump draws down the liquid on the right side 25 of dam 272. When the valves are set to deliver pump flow ZSF to recirculating line 270, that milk flow is delivered to 3.0 the interior of enzyme reactor 274. Radial flow of the

31 milk out through the enzyme reactor fills the chamber in

32 the container to the left of the dam 272. When the

33 chamber on the left side is filled to the top of the dam,

34 it spills over the top of the dam, as indicated in FIGURE

35 12. This flow agitates the milk with respect to the 1 enzyme reactor. The use of the dam is not necessary, but

2 aids in reducing the inter-mixing between the unreacted,

3 unhydrolyzed lactose and the reacted hydrolyzed lactose.

4 The reaction can occur during transportation of the milk

5 from its receiving point, such as at the dairy farm, and

6 to its delivery to the central milk processing plant. In

7 this way, it takes no additional time to achieve the 83 hydrolysis. Of course, the container can be reused and ff the enzyme reactor can be used until the enzyme is coated

10 or otherwise rendered ineffective.

11 It can be seen that, when operating in the

12 manner thus described, should there only be half a 12 tankful of liquid, the entire amount^' of liquid would be

14 delivered to the rear half of the tank, behind dam 272,

15 before it spilled over the top of the dam. This would Iff seriously change the weight distribution and thus is 17 undesirable. The dam 272 could be perforated to avoid 18_ this change in weight distribution, but the benefits of IS the dam when the tank is full can be achieved, and proper 2-GD weight distribution maintained, by the placement of a

21 manual valve 273 in the bottom of the dam. The valve 273

22 can be manually opened by means of valve wheel 275 when

23 the container is not full and can be closed when the tank

24 is full. While the container 258 has been described as a

25 milk transport container, it is useful for other liquids 6 and fluids so that they may be catalytically reacted 7 during transport, with the provision of a suitable 8 compatible catalyst. 9 Container 276, shown in FIGURE 13, is also 0 mounted on a frame which is supported on wheels for 1 transportation of the container as described with respect 2 to the container of FIGURE 12. Container 276 is also 3 fitted with a pump. Pump 278 has a suction line in tank 4 276 with its opening 280 at the left end of the tank, as 5 seen in FIGURE 13. The pump 278 has a discharge line 282 -5U

and a. recirculating line 284 which opens into the tank adjacent the right end of the tank. Thus, operation of the pump with the discharge line closed and recirculating line open causes flow through the tank from the right end towards the left end. As in the other embodiments, the liquid used in this example is milk and in that case, the enzyme is lactase. Other fluids and corresponding enzymes can be used. Panels 286 and 288 are circular panels smaller than the diameter of the circular tank and are fixed on upright shafts 290 and 292. The shafts are mounted for rotation on an upright axis through the center of the tank. The tank which forms container 276 is considered to be circular in section with a horizontal axis. Shafts 290 and 292 are mounted for rotation within the tank and extend out of the tank where they are connected by drive means 294. The drive means may be pulleys or sprockets on the tops of the shafts external of the tank connected by belts or chains. A motor is connected to drive both of the shafts, or the drive means comprises an individual motor for each shaft. The motor may be air or electri- cally operated. Each of the enzyme panels comprises a pair of spaced perforated discs, with immobilized enzyme therebetween. The manner in which the enzyme is immobilized determines the structure of the panels. In any event, the immobilized enzyme is agitated in the tank to hydrolyze the lactose. This is accomplished during transportation so that additional residence time is not necessary. The container can be reused and the immobil- ized enzyme can be reused until it is coated or becomes otherwise non-functional. Thereupon, the immobilized enzyme can be replaced. This application thus discloses a transport, storage, dispensing container, drinking vessel, refriger- ator container, or the like which has incorporated therein an enzyme reactor which is moved with respect to the fluid in the container. There is enough container motion to cause enough fluid circulation for the enzyme reaction to be efficacious. The size of the enzyme reactor and container, the reaction time, and the amount of circulation are variables which are conjointly adjusted to achieve efficacy. In a preferred and specific example, the enzyme lactase is in the enzyme reactor to convert lactose (a disaccharide) into its monosaccharide components of glucose and galactose. By using such a container for dairy products, those individuals who are deficient in lactase and who cannot tolerate lactose, are able to consume and digest dairy products without gastro-intestinal tract disorders, disturbances, or discomfort. This invention has been described in its presently contemplated best mode, and it is clear that it is susceptible to numerous modifications, modes and embodiments within the ability of those skilled in the art and without the exercise of the inventive faculty. Accordingly, the scope of this invention is defined by the scope of the following claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A container comprising: walls and a bottom attached to said walls defining a container for holding fluid, said container being of such size as to be conveniently transportable; ' an enzyme reactor for retaining an immobilized enzyme, said enzyme reactor being directly associated with said container; and means for allowing fluid in said container to move with respect to said enzyme reactor so that fluid in said container is circulated through said enzyme reactor to react the fluid with respect to the enzyme in said enzyme reactor.

2. The container of Claim 1 wherein said enzyme reactor has an enzyme thereon elected from the group consisting of a single enzyme, a multi-enzyme system, and organelle, and a cell.

3. The container of Claim 1 further including

- an enzyme immobilized on said enz me reactor, said enzyme being selected from the group consisting of: Oxidoreductases, Transferases, Hydrolases, Lyases, Isomerases, and Ligases.

4. The container of Claim 1 wherein said ^' enzyme reactor is movable with respect to said container so as to move the enzyme with respect to the fluid. 5. The container of Claim 4 wherein said container is in the form of a substanti- ally upright tubular circular cylinder with a circular cylindrical interior wall and said enzyme reactor is movable with respect to said wall.

6. The container of Claim 5 wherein said container has an upright central axis and said enzyme reactor moves in a direction parallel to said axis along said wall.

7. The container of Claim 6 wherein said enzyme reactor is of different density than fluid in the container so that said enzyme reactor is gravitationally moved when fluid is in said container.

8. The container of Claim 7 wherein there is , a float on said enzyme reactor so that said float and said enzyme reactor have a net buoyancy in the liquid so that when liquid is placed in said container said enzyme reactor floats upward in the liquid to agitate the enzyme reactor with respect to the liquid.

9. The container of Claim 6 wherein a handle is attached to said enzyme reactor, said handle extending out of the top of said container so that said enzyme reactor can be forced axially of said container by manual engagement.

10. The container of Claim 9 wherein there is a valve associated between said handle and said enzyme reactor so that raising of said enzyme reactor within said container opens said valve to permit fluid to bypass said enzyme reactor and pressing down on said handle causes closing of said valve and downward motion of said enzyme reactor within said container to force fluid through said enzyme reactor.

11. The container of Claim 5 wherein said enzyme reactor extends all the way across said container, from wall to wall, and is rotated within said container substantially on the axis thereof.

' 12. The container of Claim 4 wherein said container is of such size as to be manually portable and to be storable in a refrigerator.

13. The container of Claim 1 wherein said container is of such size as to be manually portable and to be storable in a refrigerator.

14. The container of Claim 13 wherein said container has an open top and a removable cover over said open top, said cover having said enzyme reactor attached thereto and having an inlet opening therein so that said container is filled by pouring liquid down through said inlet opening in said cover and said enzyme reactor is moved with^' respect to the liquid by the down flow of liquid through said inlet and through said enzyme reactor. 15. The container of Claim 14 wherein said container has a pouring spout thereon and said cover has a cover flap for closing over said pouring spout so that said container can be stored closed in a refrigerator.

16. The container of Claim 1 wherein said container has a food processor rotor therein and said enzyme reactor is positioned with respect to said rotor so that placement of liquid in said container and rotation of said rotor causes the forcing of the liquid through the enzyme reactor.

17. The container of Claim 16 wherein said enzyme reactor has tube positioned in line with said rotor and said enzyme reactor is perforated around said tube; and there is a blender shield under said enzyme reactor and around said rotor to space said enzyme reactor above said rotor so that upon placement of liquid in said container and rotation of said rotor, fluid flows through said tube and through said enzyme reactor.

18. The container of Claim 16 wherein said container has walls and said enzyme reactor is positioned between said walls and engaging said walls so that said enzyme reactor is positioned above said rotor, said enzyme reactor having passages therethrough for the forcing of liquid through said passages by rotation of said food processor rotor. I 19. The container of Claim 1 wherein said 2 container is mounted on a frame having

3 wheels thereunder; and

4 a fluid pump is mounted on said frame and

5 in association with said container, said fluid pump

6 having a suction and a discharge each within said

7 container to circulate fluid in said container, said

8 enzyme reactor being mounted within said container so

9 that fluid circulated by said pump passes said enzyme 0 reactor.

1 20. The container of Claim 19 wherein said

2 enzyme reactor is movably mounted within

3 said container and motor means moves said enzyme reactor

4 within said container and with respect to fluid within

5 said container.

I 21. The container of Claim 19 wherein said

Z enzyme reactor is connected to said pump

3 so that pump fluid passes through said enzyme reactor.

1 22. The container of Claim 1 wherein said

2 container is for filling with a lactose-

3 water solution and said enzyme reactor is for carrying an

4 immobilized lactase enzyme.

1 23. The container of Claim 1 wherein said

2 container is reuseable and said enzyme

3 reactor is replaceable.

1 24. The container of Claim 1 wherein said

2 container is a single use, disposable

3 container. 25. The container of Claim 1 wherein said container is made of folded cellulosic polymer coated stock having an interior panel therein formed of said stock, said interior panel being said enzyme reactor.

26. The container of Claim.25 wherein said container is a rectangular container of folded coated paper board stock to form a closeable carton for the containment of liquid, said panel being integrally formed as part of the paper board stock from which said carton is formed.

27. The container of Claim 26 wherein said panel carries an adhesive on at least one side thereof and immobilized enzyme is mounted in said adhesive.

28. The container of Claim 27 wherein said , panel extends all the way across said carton and said panel has a flap thereon which is secured to an interior wall of said carton.

29. The container of Claim 27 wherein said panel is integrally formed with said carton and extends partway across said carton so as to permit liquid circulation around said panel, said panel having immobilized enzyme on at least one face thereof.

30. A container for retaining, transporting and storing lactose-containing liquid and hydrolyzing lactose into monosaccharide, comprising: walls and bottom defining said container; an enzyme reactor for containing immobil- ized lactase, said enzyme reactor being retained with respect to said container; and means for forcing lactose-containing milk through said enzyme reactor.

31. The container of Claim 30 wherein said _ means for forcing comprises a pump connected to pump lactose-containing liquid through said enzyme reactor.

32. The container of Claim 31 wherein said - pump is the rotor of a food processor and said container is a container of the food processor so that lactose can be hydrolyzed within said container and said container employed for storing and dispensing liquid.

33. The container of Claim 31 wherein said container is a portable tank mounted on wheels and said pump is mounted externally of said tank, said pump having an inlet and an outlet, with one of said inlet, and outlet being connected to said enzyme reactor to force lactose-containing liquid through said enzyme reactor. 34. The container of Claim 30 wherein said container has a cover thereover and an opening in said cover, said enzyme reactor being secured to said cover beneath said opening so that when liquid is poured down into said container through said opening the liquid passes through said enzyme reactor.

35. The method of hydrolyzing lactose comprising the steps of: forming a portable vessel having closed sides and bottom for the containment of lactose in water solution; forming an enzyme reactor with lactase therein to hydrolyze lactose into monosaccharides and constraining the enzyme reactor with respect to the container; and agitating lactose-containing liquid within the container with respect to the lactase-containing enzyme reactor to hydrolyze lactose in the liquid.

36. The method of Claim 35 wherein the agitation is accomplished by moving the enzyme reactor with respect to the container.

37. The method of Claim 35 where the agitation of the liquid with respect to the enzyme reactor is accomplished by moving the liquid with respect to the container and with respect to the enzyme reactor.