US5264228A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Preparation of compositions for making cocoa beverages
Assignee: NESCTEC SA
•
Filing: 1992-06-01
•
Granted: 1993-11-23
•
Expires: 2012-06-01
Abstract
Abstract Compositions for preparing cocoa beverages are prepared by mixing cocoa powder, non-fat milk solids, malto-dextrin, an emulsifier and an artificial sweetener to make a mixture which then is ground to disperse the emulsifier and to reduce lumps. The ground mixture then is agglomerated and after a resting period of up to 120 seconds, the agglomerates are dried.
Inventors
- 👤 Lee W. Pray
- 👤 Robert L. Scott
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 13:27
CPC Classifications
A; A23; A23G; A23G1/00; A23G1/30; A23G1/56; A23G1/04; A23G1/042; A23G1/047; A23G2200/00; A23G2200/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
89 words
A process for preparing a composition for preparing a cocoa beverage comprising: mixing cocoa powder, non-fat milk composition, malto-dextrin, an emulsifier and an artificial sweetener ingredients to obtain an ingredient mixture; grinding the mixture to disperse the emulsifier and to reduce lumps to obtain a ground mixture; wetting and agglomerating the ground mixture so that the ground mixture is wetted to a moisture content of from 10% to 25% by weight and formed into agglomerates; resting the agglomerates for up to 120 seconds; and then drying the rested agglomerates.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
89 words
A process for preparing a composition for preparing a cocoa beverage comprising: mixing cocoa powder, non-fat milk composition, malto-dextrin, an emulsifier and an artificial sweetener ingredients to obtain an ingredient mixture; grinding the mixture to disperse the emulsifier and to reduce lumps to obtain a ground mixture; wetting and agglomerating the ground mixture so that the ground mixture is wetted to a moisture content of from 10% to 25% by weight and formed into agglomerates; resting the agglomerates for up to 120 seconds; and then drying the rested agglomerates.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the ingredients are mixed in the absence of water.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
A process according to claim 1 further comprising, prior to the mixing step, dry blending the emulsifier and artificial sweetener with the non-fat milk composition and malto-dextrin to obtain an ingredient blend and then adding the cocoa powder to the ingredient blend and then mixing to obtain the ingredient mixture.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein a first dry blend of the artificial sweetener, non-fat milk composition and a second dry blend of the malto-dextrin, emulsifier and non-fat milk solids are mixed to obtain the ingredient mixture.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
72 words
A process according to claim 1 further comprising, prior to the mixing step, dry blending the artificial sweetener with half of the non-fat milk composition to be employed to obtain the ingredient mixture, to obtain a first blend, and dry blending the malto-dextrin and emulsifier and the other half of the non-fat milk composition, to obtain a second blend, and then mixing the first and second blends to obtain the ingredient mixture.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the ground mixture is wetted to a moisture content of from 12% to 20% by weight.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the ground mixture is wetted and agglomerated in an agglomeration chamber having an atomizing nozzle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the agglomerates are allowed to rest for from 5 secs to 110 secs.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the rested agglomerates are dried to a moisture content of from 1% to 5% by weight.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the non-fat milk is selected from the group consisting of skim milk solids and whey.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the malto-dextrin has a dextrose equivalent of less than 20.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein a flavor is mixed with the ingredients to obtain the ingredient mixture.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
66 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein, by weight based upon a total weight of the ingredient mixture, the cocoa powder is in an amount of from 10% to 40%, the malto-dextrin is in an amount of from 5% to 35%, the non-fat milk composition is in an amount of from 10% to 35% and the emulsifier is in an amount of from 0,.5% to 3.5%.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
5 words
The product of claim 13.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
5 words
The product of claim 1.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
A composition for preparing a cocoa beverage comprising agglomerated particles of cocoa powder, malto-dextrin, a non-fat milk composition, an emulsifier, and an artificial sweetener.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
A composition for preparing a cocoa beverage comprising agglomerated particles of cocoa powder, malto-dextrin, a non-fat milk composition, an emulsifier, and an artificial sweetener.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
65 words
A composition according to claim 16 wherein, by weight based upon a total weight of the particles, the cocoa powder is in an amount of from 10% to 40%, the malto-dextrin is in an amount of from 5% to 35%, the non-fat milk composition is in an amount of from 10% to 35% and the emulsifier is in an amount of from 0.5% to 3.5%.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
10 words
A composition according to claim 16 further comprising a flavor.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
A composition according to claim 16 wherein the malto-dextrin has a dextrose equivalent of less than 20.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3974034A
Cited
US4308288A
Cited
US4338349A
Cited
US4554167A
Cited
US4585657A
Cited
US4741910A
Cited
US5051269A
Cited
US4948600A
Cited
US5017392A
Cited
US5017392B1
Cited
US4980181A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-11-22 | 1997-05-24 | 1997-11-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-11-22 | 2001-05-24 | 2001-11-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-11-22 | 2005-05-24 | 2005-11-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |