Process for decaffeinating raw coffee
First Claim
1. A process for extracting caffeine from raw coffee beans with an aqueous liquid and adsorbing the caffeine from said aqueous liquid by contact with a solid adsorption agent which process comprises:
- (a) passing a first caffeine-free aqueous coffee extract solution through an extraction zone containing raw coffee beans to form a second aqueous coffee extract solution, said first caffeine-free coffee extract solution containing a concentration of coffee extract substances including sucrose such that an equilibrium is present so that substantially only caffeine is dissolved from the raw coffee beans;
(b) contacting said second aqueous coffee extract solution with an adsorption agent to adsorb caffeine from said second solution onto said adsorption agent, said adsorption agent being pre-loaded with a quantity of at least one substance found in raw coffee beans and consisting essentially of sucrose such that during the contacting of said second coffee extract solution with said adsorption agent, caffeine is adsorbed and an equilibrium is present between the sucrose in said second aqueous extract solution and that contained on said adsorption agent such that the concentration of sucrose in said second coffee extract solution remains substantially unchanged; and
(c) recovering said extracted raw coffee beans whereby extractable substances other than caffeine are substantially not lost.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Caffeine is extracted from the raw coffee by means of an aqueous liquid and adsorbed from the latter on an adsorption agent such as activated charcoal. In order for the adsorption agent to absorb as little as possible of other substances that are extractable from the coffee, the agent is previously loaded with such other extractable substances or with substitute substances having a molecular structure and size similar to the latter, more particularly with carbohydrates as exemplified by cane sugar. The aqueous extractant is preferably a caffeine-free coffee extract solution which substantially extracts only caffeine from the coffee. Other aqueous liquids may be employed, but generally require recombination with the coffee after the adsorption step.
18 Citations
8 Claims
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1. A process for extracting caffeine from raw coffee beans with an aqueous liquid and adsorbing the caffeine from said aqueous liquid by contact with a solid adsorption agent which process comprises:
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(a) passing a first caffeine-free aqueous coffee extract solution through an extraction zone containing raw coffee beans to form a second aqueous coffee extract solution, said first caffeine-free coffee extract solution containing a concentration of coffee extract substances including sucrose such that an equilibrium is present so that substantially only caffeine is dissolved from the raw coffee beans; (b) contacting said second aqueous coffee extract solution with an adsorption agent to adsorb caffeine from said second solution onto said adsorption agent, said adsorption agent being pre-loaded with a quantity of at least one substance found in raw coffee beans and consisting essentially of sucrose such that during the contacting of said second coffee extract solution with said adsorption agent, caffeine is adsorbed and an equilibrium is present between the sucrose in said second aqueous extract solution and that contained on said adsorption agent such that the concentration of sucrose in said second coffee extract solution remains substantially unchanged; and (c) recovering said extracted raw coffee beans whereby extractable substances other than caffeine are substantially not lost. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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Specification
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- Resources
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Current AssigneeSwiss Water Decaffeinated Coffee Co., Inc. (Swiss Water Decaffeinated Coffee, Inc.)
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Original AssigneeChocolat Suchard Societe Anonyme
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InventorsKummer, Peter M., Fischer, Arthur G.
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Primary Examiner(s)Golian, Joseph
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Application NumberUS07/459,522Time in Patent Office1,218 DaysField of Search426/422, 426/423, 426/427US Class Current426/422CPC Class CodesA23F 5/208 by extraction of the beans ...A23F 5/223 using flocculating, precipi...
