US4113886A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Membrane decaffeination
Assignee: General Foods Corp
•
Filing: 1977-09-28
•
Granted: 1978-09-12
•
Expires: 1997-09-28
Abstract
Abstract Aqueous vegetable extracts such as extracts of tea or green or roasted coffee are decaffeinated by permitting caffeine to diffuse through at least one porous, hydrophilic membrane and a water-immiscible solvent phase and into a water phase. The solvent may be either internal to a single membrane or positioned between two spaced-apart membranes.
Inventors
- 👤 Saul Norman Katz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 11:14
CPC Classifications
A; A23; A23F; A23F5/00; A23F5/20; A23F5/22; A23F3/00; A23F3/36; A23F3/38
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
88 words
A method for decaffeinating an aqueous caffeine-containing solution comprising the steps of: (a) contacting one side of a porous, solvent-filled membrane with an aqueous, caffeine-containing solution, said solvent being a water-immiscible, caffeine-specific solvent comprising at least 70% by weight of the filled membrane, (b) contacting the opposite side of the membrane with a water phase, (c) maintaining the respective contacts for a sufficient period of time to reduce the caffeine concentration of the solution by permitting caffeine to pass through the filled membrane and into the water phase.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
88 words
A method for decaffeinating an aqueous caffeine-containing solution comprising the steps of: (a) contacting one side of a porous, solvent-filled membrane with an aqueous, caffeine-containing solution, said solvent being a water-immiscible, caffeine-specific solvent comprising at least 70% by weight of the filled membrane, (b) contacting the opposite side of the membrane with a water phase, (c) maintaining the respective contacts for a sufficient period of time to reduce the caffeine concentration of the solution by permitting caffeine to pass through the filled membrane and into the water phase.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the aqueous caffeine-containing solution is a coffee or tea extract.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the extract is a green coffee extract.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the extract is a roasted coffee extract which has been stripped of volatiles.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the solvent is selected from the group consisting of fatty acids, fatty alcohols and triglycerides.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein from 5 to 20% by volume of a water-miscible alcohol is added to the caffeine-containing solution.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the filled membrane is in the form of a hollow fiber.
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) | 1981-09-11 | 1982-03-13 | 1982-09-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-09-11 | 1986-03-13 | 1986-09-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-09-11 | 1990-03-13 | 1990-09-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |