US4251559A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Decaffeination process
Assignee: Nestec SA
•
Filing: 1978-11-06
•
Granted: 1981-02-17
•
Expires: 1998-11-06
Abstract
Abstract Caffeine is extracted from solutions thereof with supercritical carbon dioxide having a density of at least 0.85 g/ml.
Inventors
- 👤 Geoffrey Margolis
- 👤 Jacky Chiovini
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 05:24
CPC Classifications
A; A23; A23F; A23F3/00; A23F3/36; A23F3/38; A23F5/00; A23F5/20; A23F5/22; A23F5/226; B; B01; B01D; B01D11/00; B01D11/02; B01D11/0203
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
39 words
A process for the extraction of caffeine from a caffeine solution which comprises contacting the solution with supercritical carbon dioxide having a density of at least 0.85 g/ml and separating caffeine-laden carbon dioxide from solution of reduced caffeine content.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
39 words
A process for the extraction of caffeine from a caffeine solution which comprises contacting the solution with supercritical carbon dioxide having a density of at least 0.85 g/ml and separating caffeine-laden carbon dioxide from solution of reduced caffeine content.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A process according to claim 1 in which the caffeine solution is an extract of tea or of green or roasted coffee.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
A process according to claim 1 in which the caffeine solution is an extract of roasted coffee containing up to 30% by weight solids and the contacting is effected at a temperature of at least 32° C.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
A process according to claim 1 in which the caffeine solution is an extract of roasted coffee containing at least 40% by weight solids and the contacting is effected at a temperature of at least 50° C.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
A process according to claim 3 or 4 in which a stripped extract is used.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
A process according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4 in which the weight ratio of carbon dioxide to caffeine solution is at least 8:1.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
A process according to claim 6 in which the carbon dioxide has a density of at least 0.90 g/ml.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
A process according to claim 7 in which the carbon dioxide has a density of at least 0.95 g/ml.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
DE2005293A1
Cited
DE2638383A1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-02-17 | 1984-08-18 | 1985-02-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-02-17 | 1988-08-18 | 1989-02-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-02-17 | 1992-08-18 | 1993-02-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |