US3961424A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process for freezing coffee extract prior to lyophilization
Assignee: General Foods Corp
•
Filing: 1975-08-28
•
Granted: 1976-06-08
•
Expires: 1995-08-28
Abstract
Abstract This invention involves dispersing coffee extract in relatively warm immiscible liquid refrigerant wherein the temperature of the extract/refrigerant mix is maintained at about 15°F. to the ice point of the extract. This permits the formation of large ice crystals whereby the finished product is darker and more coffee-like in color. Next the temperature of the mix is reduced to below -20°F. and the frozen extract is separated from the refrigerant and is then freeze-dried.
Inventors
- 👤 Byron E. Elerath
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 02:19
CPC Classifications
A; A23; A23F; A23F5/00; A23F5/24; A23F5/28; A23F5/32; F; F26; F26B; F26B5/00; F26B5/04; F26B5/06; F26B5/065; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T436/00; Y10T436/10; Y10T436/107497
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
A process for producing a dark colored freeze-dried coffee which comprises: a. producing a liquid coffee extract, b. mixing the coffee extract in a liquid refrigerant wherein the liquid refrigerant is maintained at a temperature between about 15°F. to the ice point, c. allowing the coffee extract to reach temperature equilibration with the refrigerant of step (b) and remain so for at least 4 minutes in order to permit the growth of large ice crystal structures, and thereafter, d. cooling the coffee extract/liquid refrigerant mix to a temperature below the eutectic point of the coffee extract, e. separating the frozen coffee extract from the liquid refrigerant, and f. freeze drying the frozen coffee extract.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
114 words
A process for producing a dark colored freeze-dried coffee which comprises: a. producing a liquid coffee extract, b. mixing the coffee extract in a liquid refrigerant wherein the liquid refrigerant is maintained at a temperature between about 15°F. to the ice point, c. allowing the coffee extract to reach temperature equilibration with the refrigerant of step (b) and remain so for at least 4 minutes in order to permit the growth of large ice crystal structures, and thereafter, d. cooling the coffee extract/liquid refrigerant mix to a temperature below the eutectic point of the coffee extract, e. separating the frozen coffee extract from the liquid refrigerant, and f. freeze drying the frozen coffee extract.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the coffee extract is immiscible in the liquid refrigerant.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the ratio of extract to refrigerant is between about 1:5 and about 1:50.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 3 where the extract is pumped into the liquid refrigerant by means of a small bore tube.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 3 wherein a venturi device with the refrigerant in the high velocity zone and the extract in the low pressure zone is used as the mixing means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the liquid refrigerant of step (b) is maintained at a temperature between about 24°F. to about 28°F.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the liquid refrigerant of step (b) is maintained at a temperature between about 24°F. to about 28°F.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the liquid refrigerant of step (b) is maintained at a temperature between about 24°F. to about 28°F.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the coffee extract is allowed to reach temperature equilibration with the refrigerant and remain so for at least 8 minutes before cooling the coffee extract/liquid refrigerant mix to a temperature below the eutectic point of the coffee extract.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the coffee extract is allowed to reach temperature equilibration with the refrigerant and remain so for at least 8 minutes before cooling the coffee extract/liquid refrigerant mix to a temperature below the eutectic point of the coffee extract.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the coffee extract is allowed to reach temperature equilibration with the refrigerant and remain so for at least 8 minutes before cooling the coffee extract/liquid refrigerant mix to a temperature below the eutectic point of the coffee extract.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3373042A
Cited
US3443962A
Cited
US3399061A
Cited
US3438784A
Cited
US3925903A
Cited
US3888859A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-06-08 | 1979-12-08 | 1980-06-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-06-08 | 1983-12-08 | 1984-06-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-06-08 | 1987-12-08 | 1988-06-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |