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US4767634A
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Coffee decaffeination with caffeic acid
Assignee: General Foods Corp
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Filing: 1986-06-03
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Granted: 1988-08-30
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Expires: 2006-06-03
Abstract
Abstract A method of decaffeination wherein a caffeine-containing coffee extract solution is contacted with caffeic acid in the presence of water. The caffeine and the caffeic acid form an insoluble caffeine/caffeic acid complex wherein the complex is separated from the coffee extract solution.
Inventors
- 👤 William W. Kaleda
- 👤 Fouad Z. Saleeb
- 👤 Bary L. Zeller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 22:27
CPC Classifications
A; A23; A23F; A23F5/00; A23F5/20; A23F5/22; A23F5/226; A23F5/223
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
61 words
A method of decaffeination which comprises: (a) contacting a caffeine-containing coffee extract solution with caffeic acid in the presence of water wherein the caffeine and caffeic acid form an insoluble caffeine/caffeic acid complex; (b) growing crystals of the insoluble caffeic acid/caffeine complex which can be separated from the liquid; and (c) separating the caffeine/caffeic acid complex from the coffee extract solution.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
61 words
A method of decaffeination which comprises: (a) contacting a caffeine-containing coffee extract solution with caffeic acid in the presence of water wherein the caffeine and caffeic acid form an insoluble caffeine/caffeic acid complex; (b) growing crystals of the insoluble caffeic acid/caffeine complex which can be separated from the liquid; and (c) separating the caffeine/caffeic acid complex from the coffee extract solution.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the caffeine-containing extract solution is moist supercritical carbon dioxide.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein the caffeic acid contacts the moist supercritical carbon dioxide at a temperature between about 50° C. to about 125° C.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein the caffeine-containing extract is an extract of green coffee.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein the caffeine-containing extract is an extract of roasted coffee.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein the caffeic acid is combined with the caffeine-containing coffee extract solution at a mole ratio of at least 1:1 caffeic acid to caffeine.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the caffeine/caffeic acid complex is separated from the coffee extract solution by centrifugation.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the caffeine-containing extract solution is a water solution said water solution having caffeine from previous contact with a moist supercritical carbon dioxide coffee extract solution.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 8 wherein the caffeic acid is combined with the caffeine-containing water solution at a mole ratio of at least 1:1 caffeic acid to caffeine.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 8 wherein the caffeic acid contacts the water solution at a temperature between about 50° C. to about 125° C.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the caffeine-containing extract solution is a non-halogenated caffeine solvent having caffeine from previous contact with a caffeine-containing extract solution.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 11 wherein the previous caffeine-containing extract solution is an extract of green coffee.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 11 wherein the previous caffeine-containing extract solution is an extract of roasted coffee.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 11 wherein the non-halogenated caffeine solvent is a fatty material.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 14 wherein the fatty material is a vegetable oil.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 15 wherein the vegetable oil is coffee oil.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 11 wherein the non-halogenated caffeine solvent is selected from the group consisting of aromatic and non-aromatic alcohols, esters, ethers and hydrocarbons.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 17 wherein the non-halogenated caffeine solvent is an ester.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method according to claim 18 wherein the ester is ethyl acetate.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 11 wherein the caffeic acid is combined with the non-halogenated caffeine-containing extract solution at a mole ratio of at least 1:1 caffeic acid to caffeine.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 11 wherein the caffeic acid is combined with the non-halogenated caffeine-containing extract at a temperature at or below the boiling point of the caffeine solvent.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4521438A
Cited
US4547378A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-08-30 | 1992-02-29 | 1992-08-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-08-30 | 1996-02-29 | 1996-08-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-08-30 | 2000-02-29 | 2000-08-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |