Patent US4324840A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4324840A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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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 19:06
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)
GB1516208A
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 |