Method for decaffeinating an aqueous solution using molecularly imprinted polymers
First Claim
1. A process for decaffeinating an aqueous solution, such as a beverage that contains caffeine, which comprises:
- contacting said aqueous solution with at least one molecularly imprinted polymer, said molecularly imprinted polymer having at least one site imprinted on a surface thereof that is adapted to cooperate with said caffeine by extracting at least one caffeine molecule from said aqueous solution.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and product for decaffeinating an aqueous solution, such as a cup of coffee or tea, includes exposing the aqueous solution (that is to be decaffeinated) to a plurality of molecularly imprinted polymer beads (MIPS) that have receptor sites on the surfaces thereof that include imprints that match the physical shape of at least a portion of a caffeine molecule. A quantity of the caffeine molecules align with and adhere to some of the receptor sites and, accordingly, they are removed from the aqueous solution producing a decaffeinated aqueous solution. The MIPS are contained in an enclosure having a plurality of openings large enough to permit the aqueous solution to pass through and small enough so as to prevent the MIPS from passing through. Accordingly, the MIPS are absent from the decaffeinated aqueous solution. A variety of ways of affecting the efficacy of the process are described, such as varying the time the aqueous solution is exposed to the MIPS or varying the quantity of MIPS (beads) that the aqueous solution is exposed to. Processes useful for creating the MIPS and of removing the caffeine molecules therefrom (i.e., cleaning the MIPS so that they are suitable to use in decaffeinating the aqueous solution) are described. The cleaning and subsequent reuse of the MIPS is also described.
9 Citations
31 Claims
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1. A process for decaffeinating an aqueous solution, such as a beverage that contains caffeine, which comprises:
contacting said aqueous solution with at least one molecularly imprinted polymer, said molecularly imprinted polymer having at least one site imprinted on a surface thereof that is adapted to cooperate with said caffeine by extracting at least one caffeine molecule from said aqueous solution.
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2. A process for decaffeinating an aqueous solution, such as an extract of a vegetable material, which comprises:
- contacting said aqueous solution with at least one molecularly imprinted polymer, said molecularly imprinted polymer having at least one site imprinted on a surface thereof that is adapted to cooperate with at least a portion of a caffeine molecule.
- View Dependent Claims (3)
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4. A process for decaffeinating an aqueous solution, such as an extract of a vegetable material, which comprises:
exposing said aqueous solution to at least one molecularly imprinted polymer, said molecularly imprinted polymer having at least one site on a surface thereof that is adapted to receive at least a portion of a caffeine molecule. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A process for simultaneously brewing and decaffeinating a beverage, such as coffee or tea, which comprises:
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(a) forming a caffeinated aqueous extract; and
(b) exposing said caffeinated aqueous extract to a plurality of molecularly imprinted polymer beads, at least some of said molecularly imprinted polymer beads including at least one site on a surface thereof that is adapted to receive a caffeine molecule. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification