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Process for decaffeinating raw coffee

Assignee: COFFEX AG
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Filing: 1980-02-20
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Granted: 1982-05-18
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Expires: 2000-02-20
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Abstract

Abstract ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Caffeine is extracted from the raw coffee by means of an aqueous liquid and adsorbed from the latter on an adsorption agent such as activated charcoal. In order for the adsorption agent to absorb as little as possible of other substances that are extractable from the coffee, the agent is previously loaded with such other extractable substances or with substitute substances having a molec-ular structure and size similar to the latter, more partic-ularly with carbohydrates as exemplified by cane sugar. The aqueous extractant is preferably a caffeine-free coffee extract solution which substantially extracts only caffeine from the coffee. Other aqueous liquids may be employed, but generally require recombination with the coffee after the adsorption step.

Inventors

  • 👤 Arthur G. Fischer
  • 👤 Peter M. Kummer

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction CA
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-08 19:39
CPC Classifications
—

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim 94 words
In a process for decaffeinating coffee whereby the caffeine is extracted from raw coffee by means of an aqueous liquid and is adsorbed from the resulting liquid extract by contact with an adsorption agent, the improvement which comprises loading the adsorption agent prior to its use of adsorbing caffeine with at least one other substance present in and extractable from the raw coffee or with a substitute for said extractable substance having a molecular structure and size corresponding to said extractable sub-stance whereby the adsorption of coffee extract substances other than caffeine is decreased.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 94 words
In a process for decaffeinating coffee whereby the caffeine is extracted from raw coffee by means of an aqueous liquid and is adsorbed from the resulting liquid extract by contact with an adsorption agent, the improvement which comprises loading the adsorption agent prior to its use of adsorbing caffeine with at least one other substance present in and extractable from the raw coffee or with a substitute for said extractable substance having a molecular structure and size corresponding to said extractable sub-stance whereby the adsorption of coffee extract substances other than caffeine is decreased.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 16 words
Process according to Claim 1, wherein the adsorption agent is loaded with at least one carbohydrate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 15 words
Process according to Claim 1, wherein the adsorption agent is loaded with sucrose and/or glucose.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 46 words
Process according to one of Claims 1 to 3 wherein the quantity of said other extractable substances loaded onto the adsorption agent is selected such that upon the subsequent absorption of caffeine the concentration of said other extractable substances remain substantially unchanged in the aqueous liquid.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 18 words
Process according to Claim 4, wherein the adsorption agent is additionally loaded with an acid before adsorbing caffeine.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 20 words
Process according to Claim 1 wherein the adsorption agent is pre-loaded with at least one acid natur-ally contained in coffee.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 27 words
Process according to Claim 1 wherein the adsorption agent is pre-loaded with at least one acid selected from the group consisting of acetic, formic and hydrochloric acids.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 32 words
Process according to Claim 1 wherein the adsorption agent is brought into contact with an aqueous solution of the loading substance or substances prior to contact with the caffeine containing liquid extract.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 97 words
A process for extracting caffeine from raw coffee with an aqueous liquid and adsorbing the caffeine from said aqueous liquid by control with a solid adsorption agent which process comprises pre-loading an adsorption agent with an extractable substance that is co-extracted from raw coffee with caffeine or a substitute for said extractable substance having a molecular structure and size corresponding to said extractable substance and thereby forming a pre-loaded adsorption agent, passing an aqueous liquid through an extraction zone containing a batch of raw coffee and then through at least one column containing said pre-loaded adsorption agent.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 97 words
A process for extracting caffeine from raw coffee with an aqueous liquid and adsorbing the caffeine from said aqueous liquid by control with a solid adsorption agent which process comprises pre-loading an adsorption agent with an extractable substance that is co-extracted from raw coffee with caffeine or a substitute for said extractable substance having a molecular structure and size corresponding to said extractable substance and thereby forming a pre-loaded adsorption agent, passing an aqueous liquid through an extraction zone containing a batch of raw coffee and then through at least one column containing said pre-loaded adsorption agent.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 54 words
Process according to Claim 9, characterized in that at least two adsorption columns are repeatedly used in a way such that the liquid coming from the extraction zone flows through at least one column with adsorption agent which has been previously used for adsorbing caffeine and afterward through a column with fresh adsorption agent.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 47 words
Process according to Claim 9 or 10, charac-terized in that after utilization, the adsorption column in longest use is rinsed with water, and the rinse water containing the extract residue is used afterward as part of the aqueous liquid for extracting a next batch of raw coffee.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 38 words
Process according to Claim 11, characterized in that, after the extracting and adsorbing of the caffeine, the aqueous liquid is concentrated at reduced pressure in a distiller and afterward combined with the raw coffee which has been dried.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 45 words
Process according to Claim 9, characterized in that a caffeine-free coffee extract solution is used as the aqueous liquid for extracting the caffeine and whose concentration of coffee extract substances is such that substantially no other extractable substances are dissolved out of the raw coffee.

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