US3637397A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Puffed instant coffee spheres
Assignee: Procter and Gamble Co
•
Filing: 1969-07-17
•
Granted: 1972-01-25
•
Expires: 1989-07-17
Abstract
Abstract A process for producing instant coffee in the form of distinctively appearing multidimensionally puffed spheres having very fast dissolving properties comprises forming a coffee dough, cooling the dough to form hardened slabs, grinding the slabs into discrete particles and multidimensionally puffing said particles by exposing them to heat and vacuum to form puffed instant coffee spheres and subsequently granulating the spheres to produce a product resembling roast and ground coffee in appearance.
Inventors
- 👤 James H Menzies
- 👤 Joseph R Mcswiggin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 08:37
CPC Classifications
A; A23; A23F; A23F5/00; A23F5/24; A23F5/36; A23F5/38; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S426/00; Y10S426/803
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
27 words
The process of claim 1 wherein step (a) the total moisture content of said coffee is increased to within the range of from 7.0 to 10.0 percent.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
26 words
The process of claim 1 wherein in step (b) said instant coffee is heated to a temperature within the range oF from 160* to 180* F.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process of claim 1 wherein in step (c) said slab of solidified instant coffee ranges in thickness from one thirty-second inch to one-quarter inch.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process of claim 1 wherein in step (c) said slab of solidified instant coffee ranges in thickness from one-sixteenth inch to one-eighth inch.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The process of claim 1 wherein in step (c) said dough is cooled for from 1 hour to 4 hours at temperatures ranging from 20* to 80* F.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process of claim 1 wherein in step (d) said discrete particles range in size between 12-mesh and 18-mesh U.S. Standard Screen size.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The process of claim 1 wherein in step (e) said discrete particles are heated to temperatures of from 180* to 205* F.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 1 wherein in step (e) the vacuum pressure is from 25-30 inches of mercury.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The process of claim 1 wherein in step (e), prior to heating, said discrete particles are uniformly spread into a layer of from one-sixteenth inch to one-quarter inch thick.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The process of claim 1 wherein steps (a) and (b) are accomplished simultaneously by feeding the dry instant coffee particles of step (a) through a steaming zone.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
The process of claim 11 wherein the instant coffee particles of claim 14 are mixed with moisture by passing said particles through a roll mill after said particles have passed through the steaming zone.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-01-24 | 1975-07-26 | 1976-01-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-01-24 | 1979-07-26 | 1980-01-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-01-24 | 1983-07-26 | 1984-01-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |