Patent US4349579A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4349579A
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Process for solubilizing cocoa
Assignee: Nestec SA
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Filing: 1979-12-26
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Granted: 1982-09-14
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Expires: 1999-12-26
Abstract
Abstract A mixture of steam and a concentrated solution of an alkali carbonate are continuously injected under pressure into a cocoa mass in a tube, whereby the carbonate reacts with the cocoa mass under pressure in the tube at at least 120° C. to form a reacted mass mixture, which mixture is subjected to sudden expansion and then dried with stirring until a dried solubilized liquor is ultimately obtained.
Inventors
- 👤 Pierre-Benoit Raboud
- 👤 Frantisek Kubicek
- 👤 Jean-Pierre Bandi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 16:13
CPC Classifications
A; A23; A23G; A23G1/00; A23G1/04; A23G1/042; A23G1/047; A23G1/02; A23G1/30; A23G1/56; A23G2210/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
93 words
A process for solubilising cocoa which comprises: (a) continuously injecting, under pressure, a mixture consisting of steam and a concentrated solution of an alkali carbonate into a tube containing a cocoa mass; (b) allowing the carbonate to react with the cocoa mass under pressure in the tube at a temperature of at least 120° C. to form a reacted mass mixture within 30 to 80 seconds; (c) subjecting the reacted mass mixture to sudden expansion; and then (d) drying the expanded, reacted mass mixture while stirring until a dried, solubilised liquor is obtained.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
93 words
A process for solubilising cocoa which comprises: (a) continuously injecting, under pressure, a mixture consisting of steam and a concentrated solution of an alkali carbonate into a tube containing a cocoa mass; (b) allowing the carbonate to react with the cocoa mass under pressure in the tube at a temperature of at least 120° C. to form a reacted mass mixture within 30 to 80 seconds; (c) subjecting the reacted mass mixture to sudden expansion; and then (d) drying the expanded, reacted mass mixture while stirring until a dried, solubilised liquor is obtained.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The process of claim 1, wherein the admixture of steam and alkali carbonate is prepared by countercurrently spraying the carbonated solution in the form of fine droplets into a flux of saturated steam.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 2, wherein the alkali carbonate is potassium carbonate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
The process of claim 1, wherein the cocoa mass is pre-dried or roasted and ground green meal, pure paste obtained after fine grinding, a mixture of molasses and meal or pure paste or paste, obtained after removal of cocoa butter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 1, wherein the cocoa mass is roasted and ground meal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
64 words
The process of claim 1, wherein the ratio by weight of the carbonate to the cocoa mass is approximately 20-25.permill. and the ratio by weight of the carbonatesteam mixture to the cocoa is approximately 6-15%, the respective amounts of carbonate and steam added to the cocoa mass being such that the solubilised liquor product obtained is at a pH of from 6.8 to 7.5.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
The process of claim 1, wherein the cocoa mass is circulated in the tube at a temperature of 45 to 70° C. and a mixture of carbonate and steam is injected into the tube under a pressure of from 8 to 12 atmospheres.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The process of claim 1, wherein the tube is kept under an excess pressure of from 1 to 6 atmospheres and at a temperature above 120° C.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The process of claim 8, wherein the tube is kept under an excess pressure of from 2 to 5 atmospheres and at a temperature of about 130° C.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
The process of claim 1, wherein the reaction mixture is subjected to expansion to atmospheric or sub-atmospheric pressure, its temperature falling to approximately 100°-110° C. and its water content falling to approximately 6-7%.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process of claim 1, wherein after expansion, the mixture is dried from 1 to 1.5 hours to a water content of approximately 1-1.5%.
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) | 1985-09-13 | 1986-03-15 | 1986-09-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-09-13 | 1990-03-15 | 1990-09-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-09-13 | 1994-03-15 | 1994-09-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |