US3821440A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process for the preparation of an instant tea powder
Assignee: Conopco Inc
•
Filing: 1972-04-24
•
Granted: 1974-06-28
•
Expires: 1992-04-24
Abstract
Abstract An instant tea powder of low bulk density rehydratable in hot or cold water to form a clear black tea beverage is prepared by combining an extract of green or partly fermented tea with a tea extract obtained by oxidising in alkaline solution the water soluble constituents of green or partly fermented tea and drying the combined extract.
Inventors
- 👤 B Reeve
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 08:51
CPC Classifications
A; A23; A23F; A23F3/00; A23F3/16; A23F3/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
38 words
A process according to claim 1 further comprising the steps of removing volatile ingredients from the tea extract before it is divided and adding the volatile ingredients back after the two portions of the extract have been recombined.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
90 words
A process for the preparation of an instant tea powder comprising: i. providing a first extract of green tea or partly fermented tea wherein the tea enzymes have been inactivated; ii. providing a second tea extract obtained by oxidizing in alkaline solution water soluble tea constituents of green tea or partly fermented tea, the tea enzymes therein bring inactivated; iii. combining the first extract with the second extract in a weight ratio, based on soluble tea solids, of from about 70:30 to about 10:90; and iv. drying the combined extract.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A process according to claim 3 in which the combined extract is dried by spray drying.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
A process according to claim 3 in which the said first tea extract is combined with the said second tea extract in a proportion of 50:50 to 20:80 based on the weight of soluble tea solids in each extract.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
A process according to claim 3 in which the oxidation is carried out using hydrogen peroxide as the oxidising agent.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
A process according to claim 6 in which the oxidation takes place at 50* - 100*C.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
a process according to claim 3 comprising the further step of adjusting the pH of the combined extract to 5.2 to 5.9 before drying.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
A process according to claim 8 in which the pH is adjusted with citric acid.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
A process according to claim 3 in which the oxidation is carried out using molecular oxygen as the oxidising agent.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
A process according to claim 10 in which the oxygen is used in the form of air or oxygen enriched air.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
A process according to claim 10 in which the oxidation takes place at 70* - 100C.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-06-27 | 1977-12-27 | 1978-06-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-06-27 | 1981-12-27 | 1982-06-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-06-27 | 1985-12-27 | 1986-06-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |