US4324840A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Adsorption decaffeination
Assignee: General Foods Corp
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Filing: 1980-06-16
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Granted: 1982-04-13
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Expires: 2000-06-16
Abstract
Abstract The process disclosed herein decaffeinates an aqueous caffeine solution by contacting it with a solid caffeine adsorbent which is made more selective to caffeine by a thin layer of a water-immiscible, caffeine-specific solvent. The caffeine is selectively extracted from the aqueous solution, leaving the solubles necessary for a good tasting beverage, by the solid adsorbent. Because the solvent is selective, the coated adsorbent likewise shows selectivity.
Inventors
- 👤 Saul N. Katz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 18:52
CPC Classifications
A; A23; A23F; A23F5/00; A23F5/20; A23F5/22; A23F5/226; A23F3/00; A23F3/36; A23F3/38; A23F3/385; A23F5/223
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
86 words
An improved method for decaffeinating an aqueous caffeine-containing solution comprising the steps of: (a) contacting an aqueous caffeine-containing solution with a solid caffeine adsorbent coated with a thin layer of a liquid, water-immiscible, caffeine-specific solvent; (b) maintaining the aqueous caffeine-containing solution in contact with the solid caffeine adsorbent for a time sufficient for at least a portion of the caffeine to be extracted from the aqueous solution and adsorbed by the solid caffeine adsorbent; and (c) separating the aqueous caffeine-containing solution from the solid caffeine adsorbent.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
86 words
An improved method for decaffeinating an aqueous caffeine-containing solution comprising the steps of: (a) contacting an aqueous caffeine-containing solution with a solid caffeine adsorbent coated with a thin layer of a liquid, water-immiscible, caffeine-specific solvent; (b) maintaining the aqueous caffeine-containing solution in contact with the solid caffeine adsorbent for a time sufficient for at least a portion of the caffeine to be extracted from the aqueous solution and adsorbed by the solid caffeine adsorbent; and (c) separating the aqueous caffeine-containing solution from the solid caffeine adsorbent.
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
15 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the aqueous caffeine-containing solution is a green coffee extract.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the aqueous caffeine-containing solution is a roasted coffee extract.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the roasted coffee extract has been stripped of volatiles.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the solid adsorbent is held in a fixed bed and the aqueous caffeine-containing solution is passed through the bed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the temperature during contact is maintained within the range of from 25° to 100° C.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the solid caffeine adsorbent comprises a member selected from the group consisting of activated carbon, clay, hydrated silicates, zeolites, ion exchange resins, non-ionogenic adsorption resins, and any combination of these.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the solid caffeine adsorbent comprises activated carbon.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the liquid, water-immiscible, caffeine-specific solvent comprises a member selected from the group consisting of petroleum oils, fatty acids, fatty alcohols, and triglycerides.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
US4113887A
Cited
US4113888A
Cited
US4160042A
Cited
US4113886A
Cited
US4237288A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-04-12 | 1985-10-12 | 1986-04-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-04-12 | 1989-10-12 | 1990-04-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-04-12 | 1993-10-12 | 1994-04-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |