L.L. Knickerbocker Announces Pure Energy Corp. Is
Granted Patent on Non-Petroleum Gasoline Substitute
Pure Energy Corp. Holds Exclusive Fuel License
LAKE FOREST, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 16, 1997--The L.L. Knickerbocker Co. Inc.
(Nasdaq:KNIC - news) Tuesday announced that Pure Energy Corp., in which LLK holds a 38.3
percent equity interest, was notified that the United States Patent and Trademark Office has issued a
patent to Princeton University on a new, non-petroleum substitute for gasoline called P-series.
The patent issued Tuesday is U.S. Patent No. 5697987 and is titled Alternative Fuel. Pure Energy
Corp. holds the exclusive worldwide license to manufacture and distribute the alternative fuel, which
was developed by Dr. Stephen Paul of Princeton.
The fuel, which is non-petroleum and as much as 70 percent renewable, is designed to operate in
existing flexible fuel vehicles. P-series is a unique blend of ethanol, natural gas liquids and a co-solvent.
Both ethanol and the co-solvent can be derived from renewable resources such as cellulosic biomass.
Use of the fuel as an alternative to gasoline will contribute to significant reductions in greenhouse gases
and lower tail-pipe emissions.
Merrick Andlinger, CEO of Pure Energy Corp. said, ''The granting of a patent for the P-series is a
critical step in our process to bring this valuable product to the marketplace. Dr. Paul and Princeton
University should take great pride in the issuance of this patent''.
''The Alternative Fuel patent issued is confirmation to the shareholders of L.L. Knickerbocker of our
commitment to increase shareholder value with our equity investments,'' said Louis L. Knickerbocker,
chairman and CEO.
Pure Energy Corp., with offices in New York and California, is a privately funded company that
engineers breakthrough products from biomass that are designed to be cost competitive, use existing
systems and are environmentally sound.
In addition to its equity interest in Pure Energy Corp., The L.L. Knickerbocker Co. markets a wide
variety of branded collectibles, jewelry and accessories and consumer products. The company's
primary focus is to create and build brands which can be marketed through a variety of channels,
including national and international retail and direct response mail.
The company has a substantial equity interest (approximately 31 percent) in Ontro Inc. and Insta-Heat
Inc., involved in the development of containers which self-heat food and beverages. The company
recently entered into a joint venture with Arkenol Holdings LLC to construct power plants and
biorefineries in a number of southeast Asian countries.
For more information, visit the L.L. Knickerbocker Web site at www.knickerbocker.com .
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which involve risks and
uncertainties, including, but not limited to, economic, competitive, governmental and technological
factors affecting the company's operations, markets, products, services and prices, and other factors.
The company's actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking
statements as a result of the factors described herein.
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................ Bob |
