US3716373A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process for agglomerating instant coffee
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-11-20
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Granted: 1973-02-13
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Expires: 1990-11-20
Abstract
Abstract An improved process for agglomerating soluble coffee powder has been discovered which produces agglomerates having a pleasing light color, good mechanical strength and a granular appearance. The coffee particles are compacted and form desired clusters on release from a feed box to the steam jets.
Inventors
- 👤 D Rhodes
- 👤 D Watridge
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 01:09
CPC Classifications
A; A23; A23F; A23F5/00; A23F5/24; A23F5/36; A23F5/38
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
A process of agglomerating instant coffee comprising feeding milled instant coffee particles into a vibrating feed box, controlling the depth of particles in the feed box to at least 1 inch and the degree of vibration sufficient to compact and form clusters of particles at the discharge of the feed box, feeding the clusters by free-fall into a turbulent steam vapor zone where they are moistened and heated forming agglomerates of coffee powder and drying the resulting agglomerates; thereby obtaining agglomerated particles having a density of from 0.2 to 0.4 gm/cc and a particle size distribution such that at least 50 percent by weight of the particles are greater than 18 mesh, the agglomerated particles being granular chips with substantially regular faces.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
122 words
A process of agglomerating instant coffee comprising feeding milled instant coffee particles into a vibrating feed box, controlling the depth of particles in the feed box to at least 1 inch and the degree of vibration sufficient to compact and form clusters of particles at the discharge of the feed box, feeding the clusters by free-fall into a turbulent steam vapor zone where they are moistened and heated forming agglomerates of coffee powder and drying the resulting agglomerates; thereby obtaining agglomerated particles having a density of from 0.2 to 0.4 gm/cc and a particle size distribution such that at least 50 percent by weight of the particles are greater than 18 mesh, the agglomerated particles being granular chips with substantially regular faces.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 1 wherein steam containing a high proportion of water is used to moisten and heat the clusters.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 2 wherein at least 50 percent of the milled particles are less than 25 microns in diametEr.
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) | 1976-02-13 | 1976-08-14 | 1977-02-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-02-13 | 1980-08-14 | 1981-02-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-02-13 | 1984-08-14 | 1985-02-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |