US4612196A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Preparation of low alcohol beverages by reverse osmosis
Assignee: Miller Brewing Co
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Filing: 1984-08-23
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Granted: 1986-09-16
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Expires: 2004-08-23
Abstract
Abstract A traditional flavored fermented alcoholic beverage of low alcohol content is prepared by reverse osmosis with a thin layer composite membrane which has a support layer of polysulfone, a barrier layer of polymer prepared from a polyamine and a polyacyl, and a fiber backing. The membrane has a molecular weight cut-off of less than about 100 for organics and rejects the volatile components which contribute to flavor and aroma and permits about 25 to about 30% alcohol in the beverage to pass.
Inventors
- 👤 Henry Goldstein
- 👤 Charles L. Cronan
- 👤 Etzer Chicoye
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 07:34
CPC Classifications
C; C12; C12H; C12H3/00; C12H3/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
124 words
A method of reducing the alcohol content of a fermented alcoholic beverage to produce an alcoholic beverage concentrate having less alcohol content but the flavor and aroma of a fermented alcoholic beverage prior to reducing the alcohol content, said method comprising subjecting a fermented alcoholic beverage to reverse osmosis employing a thin film composite membrane having a support layer of polysulfone, a barrier layer of a polymer prepared from a polyamine and a polyacyl and a fiber backing, which membrane has a molecular weight cut-off of less than about 100 for organics and rejects the volatile components which contribute to flavor and aroma and permits about 25 to about 30% of the alcohol in the beverage to pass through and then collecting the concentrate.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
124 words
A method of reducing the alcohol content of a fermented alcoholic beverage to produce an alcoholic beverage concentrate having less alcohol content but the flavor and aroma of a fermented alcoholic beverage prior to reducing the alcohol content, said method comprising subjecting a fermented alcoholic beverage to reverse osmosis employing a thin film composite membrane having a support layer of polysulfone, a barrier layer of a polymer prepared from a polyamine and a polyacyl and a fiber backing, which membrane has a molecular weight cut-off of less than about 100 for organics and rejects the volatile components which contribute to flavor and aroma and permits about 25 to about 30% of the alcohol in the beverage to pass through and then collecting the concentrate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 in which the beverage subjected to reverse osmosis is a malt beverage.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 in which the beverage subjected to reverse osmosis is sake.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 in which the beverage subjected to reverse osmosis is wine.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method of claim 1 in which the beverage subjected to reverse osmosis is beer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
A low alcohol fermented beverage concentrate prepared by the method of claim 1.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
A low alcohol beer concentrate prepared by the method of claim 5.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
GB1447505A
Cited
US4039440A
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US3926798A
Cited
US4277344A
Cited
US4499117A
Cited
US4532140A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-09-15 | 1990-03-17 | 1990-09-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-09-15 | 1994-03-17 | 1994-09-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-09-15 | 1998-03-17 | 1998-09-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |