US4490402A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process for preparing cold soluble tea product
Assignee: Nestec SA
•
Filing: 1983-03-04
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Granted: 1984-12-25
•
Expires: 2003-03-04
Abstract
Abstract A process for preparing a powdered tea extract wherein black tea leaves are macerated with water, the macerated leaves are extracted first with cold water and then with hot water after which the cold and hot extracts are mixed before being concentrated and dried.
Inventors
- 👤 Tito L. Lunder
- 👤 Corine M. Nielsen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 22:18
CPC Classifications
A; A23; A23F; A23F3/00; A23F3/16; A23F3/18; A23F3/20; A23F3/205
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
A process for preparing a powdered tea extract characterized in that black tea leaves are macerated with a sufficient amount of water to wet, soften and swell the tea leaves at a temperature of from 15° C. to 40° C. for a period of at least 20 minutes, the macerated leaves are extracted first with at least 2 parts cold water per part by weight of tea leaves for a period of from 2.5 minutes to 2 hours at a temperature of from 10° C. to 40° C., and then with hot water for at least 2.5 minutes at a temperature of at least 60° C. after which the cold and hot extracts are mixed before being concentrated and dried.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
120 words
A process for preparing a powdered tea extract characterized in that black tea leaves are macerated with a sufficient amount of water to wet, soften and swell the tea leaves at a temperature of from 15° C. to 40° C. for a period of at least 20 minutes, the macerated leaves are extracted first with at least 2 parts cold water per part by weight of tea leaves for a period of from 2.5 minutes to 2 hours at a temperature of from 10° C. to 40° C., and then with hot water for at least 2.5 minutes at a temperature of at least 60° C. after which the cold and hot extracts are mixed before being concentrated and dried.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A process according to claim 1 characterized in that the duration of the maceration is from 40 to 150 minutes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
A process according to claim 1 characterized in that the amount of water used for the maceration is from 1.5 to 3.5 parts by weight per part by weight of tea leaves.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A process according to claim 1 characterized in that the duration of the cold water extraction is from 7.5 to 35 minutes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
A process according to claim 1 characterized in that the amount of water used for the cold extraction is from 7.5 to 25 parts by weight per part by weight of tea leaves.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
A process according to claim 1 characterized in that the temperature of the water for the hot extraction is from 60° C. to 100° C.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
A process according to claim 1 characterized in that the duration of the hot extraction is from 5 to 11 minutes.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
A process according to claim 1 characterized in that the amount of water used for the hot extraction is from 7.5 to 25 parts by weight per part by weight of tea leaves.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
A process according to claim 1 characterized in that the hot extract, after being separated from the tea leaves, is treated with activated charcoal before being mixed with the cold extract.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
A process according to claim 1 characterized in that the cold and hot extracts are mixed immediately before they are concentrated.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
A process according to claim 1 characterized in that the water used for maceration and both extractions is deionized water.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
DE553800C
Cited
US2235700A
Cited
GB559758A
Cited
US2785979A
Cited
GB1284721A
Cited
US4130669A
Cited
US4410556A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-12-25 | 1988-06-25 | 1988-12-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-12-25 | 1992-06-25 | 1992-12-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-12-25 | 1996-06-25 | 1996-12-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |