US4104409A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Production of hop extracts
Assignee: Studiengesellschaft Kohle gGmbH
•
Filing: 1976-01-06
•
Granted: 1978-08-01
•
Expires: 1996-01-06
Abstract
Abstract Process for extraction of hops utilizing supercritical gases such as carbon dioxide.
Inventors
- 👤 Otto Vitzthum
- 👤 Peter Hubert
- 👤 Wolfgang Sirtl
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 17:50
CPC Classifications
C; C12; C12C; C12C3/00; C12C3/04; C12C3/08; C12C3/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 41
Claim 1
Independent Claim
44 words
A process for the production of hop extract which comprises extracting air dried hops with an extraction solvent gas while maintaining the gas in the supercritical state with respect to temperature and pressure, and separating the hop extract from the solvent gas laden therewith.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
44 words
A process for the production of hop extract which comprises extracting air dried hops with an extraction solvent gas while maintaining the gas in the supercritical state with respect to temperature and pressure, and separating the hop extract from the solvent gas laden therewith.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
A process according to claim 1 in which substantially all of the soft resin portion and essential oils of the hops are extracted at an extraction pressure of from 100 to 220 excess atmospheres, and the resulting extraction contains less than 1% by weight of the hard resin portion of the hops.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
A process according to claim 2 wherein the recovered extract is again extracted at an extraction pressure of from 100 to 150 excess atmospheres to produce an extract containing substantially all of the original alpha-acid and essential oil content of the hops.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
A process as in claim 1 wherein the extraction gas is carbon dioxide.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
56 words
A process according to claim 1 in which the extraction solvent gas is dry carbon dioxide and resin and essential oils are thereby extracted from the hops in a first extraction step, and the extracted hops are further extracted with wet supercritical carbon dioxide, in a second extraction step whereby tannin is extracted from the hops.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
A process according to claim 5 wherein the separated extract from the second extraction is mixed with the extract obtained from the first extraction.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the hops contain tannins, and including the further step of extracting the hops with water and separating the tannin content of the aqueous extract.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
A process according to claim 7 wherein the separated tannin content is mixed with the extract obtained from the first extraction.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
A process according to claim 8, wherein the gas is CO 2 .
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
A process according to claim 7, wherein the gas is CO 2 .
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the temperature during separation is maintained above the critical temperature of the extraction gas and the separated extract is substantially free of water extracted from the hops.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the temperature during separation is maintained below the critical temperature of the extraction gas and the separated extract contains water extracted from the hops.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
48 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the extraction gas is selected from the group consisting of carbon dioxide; saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons containing up to about three carbon atoms; nitrous oxide; saturated and unsaturated halogenated hydrocarbons containing up to about three carbon atoms; and mixtures of these.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
A process according to claim 1, said separation being effected by reducing the pressure to below the critical pressure.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
A process according to claim 1, said separation being effected by reducing the temperature to below the critical temperature.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
A process according to claim 1, said separation being effected by reducing the pressure to below the critical pressure and the temperature to below the critical temperature.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
A process according to claim 1, the critical pressure of the gas being at least 70 atmospheres and the critical temperature being at least 30° C.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
A process according to claim 1, the temperature being not more than about 100° C.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
13 words
A process according to claim 18, the pressure being above 100 excess atmospheres.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
13 words
A process according to claim 19, wherein the gas is CO 2 .
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
13 words
A process according to claim 18, wherein the gas is CO 2 .
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
12 words
A process according to claim 18, the pressure being 150-400 excess atmospheres.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
11 words
A process according to claim 1, the temperature being 32°-100° C.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
13 words
A process according to claim 23, the pressure being above 100 excess atmospheres.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
12 words
A process according to claim 23, the pressure being 150-400 excess atmospheres.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
11 words
A process according to claim 1, the temperature being 40°-50° C.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
13 words
A process according to claim 26, the pressure being above 100 excess atmospheres.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
12 words
A process according to claim 26, the pressure being 150-400 excess atmospheres.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
13 words
A process according to claim 1, the pressure being above 100 excess atmospheres.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
13 words
A process according to claim 29, wherein the gas is CO 2 .
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
12 words
A process according to claim 1, the pressure being 150-400 excess atmospheres.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
54 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the gas is at least one of CO 2 , SF 6 , CHF 3 , CF 3 Cl, CF 2 ═ CH 2 , CHF 2 Cl, C 3 F 8 , CH 2 ═ CH 2 , CH 3 --CH 3 and N 2 O.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
14 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the gas is dry CO 2 .
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
15 words
Process according to claim 33, wherein alpha acids are removed substantially quantitatively from the hops.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
14 words
Process according to claim 34 wherein the extract is practically free of tannin substances.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
14 words
Process according to claim 33, wherein the extract is practically free of tannin substances.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
13 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the gas is N 2 O.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
15 words
Process according to claim 1, wherein alpha acids are removed substantially quantitatively from the hops.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
14 words
Process according to claim 38, wherein the extract is practically free of tannin substances.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
14 words
Process according to claim 1, wherein the extract is practically free of tannin substances.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
GB1057911A
Cited
US3477856A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-07-31 | 1982-01-30 | 1982-08-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-07-31 | 1986-01-30 | 1986-08-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-07-31 | 1990-01-30 | 1990-08-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |