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US5264228A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Preparation of compositions for making cocoa beverages
Assignee: NESCTEC SA
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Filing: 1992-06-01
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Granted: 1993-11-23
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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 14:23
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.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 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 |