Of Alcohol Containing Stock Patents (Class 426/493)
  • Patent number: 11643623
    Abstract: Alcoholic spirits may be artificially aged under highly pressurized carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide may form carbonic acid, which may cause various esters to form in the presence of wood as well as to mellow the flavor when no wood is present. Wood may be pretreated with ozone, which may extract lignin which may further convert to vanillin during pressurized CO2 treatment, giving a vanilla note. After processing with pressurized CO2, a post-treatment of ozone may be given to the spirit, which may cause a mild oxidation and further mellowing of the spirit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: PB Funding Group, LLC
    Inventors: James B. Mitchell, Avi R. Geiger, William H. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 11434455
    Abstract: A system and method for aging an unaged distilled spirit (raw product) to produce rapidly aged spirits over a very fast period of time whereby the rapidly aged spirit has flavor profiles and taste that replicate the flavor and taste of alcoholic beverages that are traditionally aged. A processing vessel dedicated to holding the unaged spirit and mixing the unaged spirit with charred wood staves is provided. Pressurized, filtered air is added to the processing vessel for a period of time and then the filtered pressurized air is released and vented elsewhere. Then, a vacuum pump is used to vacuum remaining air in the processing vessel for a period of time, and then the vacuum is quickly released resulting in violent, quick agitation of the remaining air and spirit in the processing vessel. A computer application is used to schedule the sequence of steps for a recurring period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Inventor: Robert Thompson
  • Patent number: 10786753
    Abstract: A liquid separator and concentrator is disclosed. An example liquid separator and concentrator includes a separator column. A spray chamber has a sprayer nozzle to spray an influent within the spray chamber and create a falling film in the separator column. A heating jacket surrounds the separator column, wherein the heating jacket heats the falling film to evaporate at least one portion of the falling film and leaves a concentrate. A concentrate collection vessel receives the concentrate from the separator column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Inventors: Michael David Allen, Quinton Lane Van Gundy
  • Patent number: 9265278
    Abstract: A method of decarbonating fermented liquids in-line may include directing a carbonated malt-based liquid through a nozzle, and directing the carbonated malt-based liquid from the nozzle into a space maintained at a partial vacuum pressure. The method may further include maintaining the carbonated malt-based beverage in the space until substantially all of the carbon dioxide dissolved within the carbonated malt-based beverage has been removed to provide a non-carbonated liquid, and removing the non-carbonated liquid from the space at substantially the same rate that the carbonated malt-based liquid is directed into the space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Anheuser-Busch, LLC
    Inventors: Jerome Pellaud, Patrick O'Riordan, Neeraj Sharma, Frank Z. Hellwig, Wilfried Lossignol, Aaron Penn
  • Publication number: 20150132459
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for reducing alcohol in a fermented beverage without heat damage and without degrading the original flavor profile of the fermented beverage. The process generally includes the steps of: (i) removing aromatics from the wine; (ii) removing alcohol from the wine; (iii) refluxing a portion of the alcohol removed from the wine to increase the alcohol concentration of the alcohol vapour and return at least a portion of the condensed/recovered water to the wine; and (iv) condensing the aromatics removed from the wine and returning at least a portion thereof to the wine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventor: Schalk Willem Pienaar
  • Patent number: 8906204
    Abstract: Systems and methods for separating an alcohol, and in particular butanol, from a fermented feed and concentrating thin stillage into syrup includes operation of one or more alcohol recovery distillation columns using the heat supplied by steam generated from concentration of the thin stillage in a multi-train, multi-effect evaporation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Butamax Advanced Biofuels LLC
    Inventor: Yihui Tom Xu
  • Publication number: 20140220183
    Abstract: A crystal comestible product and method of making it are provided. The crystal comestible product is suitable for use as a food additive, a flavor additive, a nutritional additive, and decoration. The crystal comestible product includes a matrix of edible crystals surrounding air pockets and free spaces, providing a light crunchy crispy texture. The crystal comestible product may include ingredients that add flavor, color, nutritional value, texture, structure, or stability. Suitable ingredients include fresh herbs, fresh flowers, spices, natural and synthetic flavors, nuts, vitamins and minerals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Inventors: David G. Sasuga, JuWon Park
  • Publication number: 20130273224
    Abstract: This application is for a device and article of manufacture for the purpose of drinking, tasting, sampling, and nosing and evaluating alcohol beverages without alcohol nose burn and numbing; a procedure or method to manipulate said vapors for the same purpose; and a process to separate and dissipate ethanol vapors to accomplish the same purpose. The device is one embodiment of a vessel which collects vapors in a chamber with curved sides and large surface area to promote evaporation, which chamber's top opening orifice concentrates same vapors prior to passing into an expansion chamber releasing and dissipating fast moving ethanol prior to nosing, providing improved aroma detection and enhancing nosing, tasting, and sampling experiences for all spirits, wines and liqueurs, distilled, fermented, and fortified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventors: George Manska, Christine Crnek
  • Patent number: 8172987
    Abstract: An energy-efficient extractive distillation process for producing anhydrous ethanol from aqueous/ethanol feeds containing any range of ethanol employs an extractive distillation column (EDC) that operates under no or greatly reduced liquid reflux conditions. The EDC can be incorporated into an integrated process for producing anhydrous ethanol used for gasoline blending from fermentation broth. By using a high-boiling extractive distillation solvent, no solvent, is entrained by the vapor phase to the EDC overhead stream, even under no liquid reflux conditions. The energy requirement and severity of the EDC can be further improved by limiting ethanol recovery in the EDC. In this partial ethanol recovery design, ethanol which remains in the aqueous stream from the EDC is recovered in a post-distillation column or the aqueous stream is recycled to a front-end pre-distillation column where the ethanol is readily recovered since the VLE curve for ethanol/water is extremely favorable for distillation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignees: AMT International Inc., CPC Corporation, Taiwan
    Inventors: Fu-Ming Lee, Tzong-Bin Lin, Jyh-Haur Hwang, Hung-Chung Shen, Kuang-Yeu Wu, Lindsey Vuong, Fong-Cheng Su, Po-Sung Cheng, Tai-Ping Chang
  • Publication number: 20120088021
    Abstract: A liquid feeding device for roasting or stewing pots is described which permits a supply of liquid, to be continuously added to the interior of the pot to compensate for liquids and flavors lost by evaporation, and to add additional flavors to the cooking container. The liquid feeding device is in the form of a fluid reservoir mounted on the cover of the pot, the reservoir having at least one hole through which the liquid stored in the reservoir may slowly escape into the below pot. The rate of flow of liquid from the reservoir to the cooking container may also be regulated by providing structure which permits adjustment of the rate of flow of air into the interior of the reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: LENOX CORPORATION
    Inventor: Christian Baumgarten
  • Patent number: 8114458
    Abstract: The present embodiments generally relate to beverages with enhanced flavors and aromas and method of making same. Some embodiments of the present application are directed to soluble coffee and methods of making soluble coffee with improvements in such qualities as taste and aroma.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Starbucks Corporation
    Inventors: Urano A. Robinson, J. Marcio Da Cruz
  • Patent number: 8114459
    Abstract: The present embodiments generally relate to beverages with enhanced flavors and aromas and method of making same. Some embodiments of the present application are directed to soluble coffee and methods of making soluble coffee with improvements in such qualities as taste and aroma.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Starbucks Corporation
    Inventors: Urano A. Robinson, J. Marcio Da Cruz
  • Patent number: 8114457
    Abstract: The present embodiments generally relate to beverages with enhanced flavors and aromas and method of making same. Some embodiments of the present application are directed to soluble coffee and methods of making soluble coffee with improvements in such qualities as taste and aroma.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Starbucks Corporation
    Inventors: Urano A. Robinson, J. Marcio Da Cruz
  • Patent number: 8080139
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of anhydrous ethanol production using circulation by multiple towers' alternation, the procedure includes the steps of heating, adsorption, internal circulation, vacuum suction, washing and resolving etc. The method can prolong the life of adsorbent, reduce the heat exchanger's surface, cooling water, the equipment investment and energy consumption, provide high ethanol recovery rate and high dehydration, and protect environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Inventors: Yaling Zhong, Yuming Zhong
  • Patent number: 8002953
    Abstract: An energy-efficient extractive distillation process for producing anhydrous ethanol from aqueous/ethanol feeds containing any range of ethanol employs an extractive distillation column (EDC) that operates under no or greatly reduced liquid reflux conditions. The EDC can be incorporated into an integrated process for producing anhydrous ethanol used for gasoline blending from fermentation broth. By using a high-boiling extractive distillation solvent, no solvent is entrained by the vapor phase to the EDC overhead stream, even under no liquid reflux conditions. The energy requirement and severity of the EDC can be further improved by limiting ethanol recovery in the EDC. In this partial ethanol recovery design, ethanol which remains in the aqueous stream from the EDC is recovered in a post-distillation column or the aqueous stream is recycled to a front-end pre-distillation column where the ethanol is readily recovered since the VLE curve for ethanol/water is extremely favorable for distillation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignees: AMT International Inc., CPC Corporation, Taiwan
    Inventors: Fu-Ming Lee, Kuang-Yeu Wu, Lindsey Vuong, Fong-Cheng Su, Tzong-Bin Lin, Jyh-Haur Hwang, Hung-Chung Shen, Po-Sung Cheng, Tai-Ping Chang
  • Patent number: 7794602
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a purification method characterized by adding a chitosan powder or a chitosan-coated substance, and optionally further adding a silica sol to liquor and filtering the mixture by a filter machine to remove unsaturated fatty acids, compounds of unsaturated fatty acids with metal ions, or fusel oil from the liquor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Otsuka Foods Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshio Kadowaki, Takao Nakahara
  • Patent number: 7527710
    Abstract: A still for distilling an alcoholic liquid such as wine. The still includes a chamber with a copper wall, which is intended to receive an alcoholic liquid, the capacity of the chamber representing a certain volume. The liquid which occupies the volume at the start of the distillation and the chamber wall define, by mutual contact, a first interface with an area to volume ratio that is at most equal to 27 square centimeters per liter. The still also includes one or more copper plates which are disposed inside the chamber and which are submerged in the alcoholic liquid. When the volume is occupied by a liquid, the liquid together with the copper plates define a second interface with an area and the ratio of the total area of the interfaces to the volume is at least equal to 30 square centimeters per liter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Societe Jas Hennessy & Co.
    Inventor: Jean Pineau
  • Publication number: 20080272041
    Abstract: A method of reducing the ethanol content of a beverage which includes ethanol and volatile components: separating the beverage into first and second streams, the first stream including ethanol and the volatile components and the second stream including ethanol but none or little of the volatile components; contacting the second stream with a strip solution to produce a treated second stream to reduce the ethanol concentration thereof; and mixing the treated second stream with the first stream whereby the ethanol content of the beverage is reduced but the volatile components remain substantially unchanged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2005
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Applicant: Wine Network Technology Pty Ltd.
    Inventor: David Wollan
  • Publication number: 20080202333
    Abstract: In the present invention, a solution containing a target substance is atomized into a mist in an atomizer 1 to produce a mixed fluid of mist and gas. In the collection of the mist from this mixed fluid, a gas transmission membrane 51 of a pore size is used that transmits gas but does not transmit the target substance contained in the mist. In the present invention, the mixed fluid is brought into contact with the primary surface of the gas transmission membrane 51, and the pressure on the primary surface is made higher than the pressure on the secondary surface of the opposite side, whereby the gas in the mixed fluid is let to pass through the gas transmission membrane 51 to separate part or all of the gas contained in the mixed fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventors: Kazuo Matsuura, Tetsuo Fukazu, Taisuke Sekimoto
  • Patent number: 7297236
    Abstract: A process arrangement for distilling fuel grade ethanol includes a fermentation portion, a distillation portion, a condensation and dehydration portion, a separation and drying portion and an evaporation portion. The fermentation portion produces beer. The distillation portion, the condensation and dehydration portion and the separation and drying portion receives beer from the fermentation portion and produces hot ethanol vapor and thin stillage. In the evaporation portion, a set of first effect evaporators which are heated either by plant steam or hot ethanol vapor, concentrate thin stillage into mid stillage while producing first effect steam. The first effect steam from the first effect evaporators provides heat to a set of second effect evaporators which concentrate the mid stillage into a syrup for further drying. The second effect evaporators produce second effect steam which is used to heat the distillation portion of the process arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: ICM, Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis Lee Vander Griend
  • Patent number: 5985344
    Abstract: A simple and cost effective enrichment process for enhancing antioxidant content of rice bran oil from crude rice bran oil (CrRBO) is described. The process comprises extracting the CrRBO using alcohol at 25-77.degree. C., obtaining the enriched rice bran oil (ERBO) from alcohol extracts which contain 74 to 300 percent more antioxidants than the starting CrRBO. The anti-oxidant enriched rice bran oil is useful in pharmaceutical, therapeutic, and dietary preparations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: The RiceX Company
    Inventors: Reddy Sastry V. Cherukuri, Rukmini Cheruvanky, Ike Lynch, Daniel L. McPeak
  • Patent number: 5955135
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for stripping volatiles from a feed stream and concentrating the volatiles in the overhead vapors forming a condensate product and simultaneously producing a low percent volatiles outlet stream as a concentrate product. The volatiles separator and concentrator, ("VSC"), unit has many applications in the reduction and the concentration of volatiles in the beverage, fuel, and industrial alcohol industries, as well as in chemical applications for removing or stripping volatiles from heat sensitive feed substrates which require low temperatures and a short residence time to prevent degradation of the product. The preferred embodiment of the VSC unit utilizes a short feed stream preheat contact time in combination with turbulent high velocity flow at temperatures below 100.degree. F. to provide flash vaporization for volatiles separation with reboil capability to adjust volatiles concentration in the residue and product. The application of high vacuum in the range of 27" to 28.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Vendome Copper & Brass Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Armand R. Boucher, Philip N. Hambrick
  • Patent number: 5762991
    Abstract: A continuous process of producing beer is described. Starch-containing raw materials are disintegrated and are optionally processed to form malt, a wort is produced from the disintegrated and optionally malted raw materials, and the wort is subjected to alcoholic fermentation. In that process all process steps are performed continuously. The mash is initially heated in a reactor system to a temperature of 75.degree. to 85.degree. C. The grain residue is removed from the mash. The wort is subsequently hopped and is heated to a temperature from 105.degree. to 140.degree. C. This is succeeded by a flash evaporation, a removal of the dregs and a cooling of the wort, which is subsequently fermented at 6.degree. to 25.degree. in the presence of a biocatalyst. The fermenting process may be succeeded by a partial or full continuous de-alcoholization of the beer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Metalgesellschaft Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Klaus Dziondziak, Rudolf Bonsch, Roland Herbert Bodmer, Michael Karl Hans Eichelsbacher, Peter Mitschke, Ulrich Heinrich Friedrich Sander, Eberhard Julius Friedrich Schlichting
  • Patent number: 5681432
    Abstract: Methods for inhibiting organic fouling of heat transfer surfaces in contact with an alcohol distillation stream are discussed. The methods include adding to the alcohol distillation stream an effective inhibiting amount of a treatment including a high molecular weight anionic polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Assignee: BetzDearborn Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Palardy, Nancy A. DiAngelo
  • Patent number: 5624534
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for stripping volatiles from a feed stream and concentrating the volatiles in the overhead vapors forming a condensate product and simultaneously producing a low percent volatiles outlet stream as a concentrate product. The volatiles separator and concentrator, ("VSC"), unit has many applications in the reduction and the concentration of voiatiles in the beverage, fuel, and industrial alcohol industries, as well as in chemical applications for removing or stripping volatiles from heat sensitive feed substrates which require low temperatures and a short residence time to prevent degradation of the product. For heat sensitive applications, the VSC unit utilizes a short feed stream preheat contact time in combination with turbulent high velocity flow to separate and concentrate volatile and nonvolatile components at temperatures below 100.degree. F. utilizing flash vaporization for volatiles separation with reboil capability to adjust volatiles concentration in the residue and product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1997
    Inventors: Armand R. Boucher, Philip N. Hambrick
  • Patent number: 5618572
    Abstract: A method is disclosed of preparing a colorless, clear beer by a method including ultrafiltration and the addition of dextrins, bittering agents and a foam enhancer. Methods of preparing improved nonalcoholic malt beverages and making natural beer foaming components also are disclosed. Further methods are disclosed for making flavored malt beverages, including a stable citrus flavored malt beverage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1997
    Assignee: Miller Brewing Company
    Inventors: Matthew L. Tripp, Sydney R. Rader, Subba C. Rao, David S. Ryder
  • Patent number: 5510125
    Abstract: To remove selectively particularly sugar from nonalcoholic or alcoholic beverages, first the sugar is either carried away in the permeate in a membrane separation unit (2) by suitable choice of membrane (4) or is retained in the retentate. Afterward, the sugar is removed from the permeate or from the retentate with the help of a device (5) for substance removal or substance conversion. Next the substances remaining in the permeate or in the retentate after the removal of the sugar are fed back into the process or the final product. With the process according to the invention, a high selectivity and an improvement in quality of the final product with high economic efficiency of the unit is achieved (FIG. 1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1996
    Assignee: Bucher-Guyer AG Maschinenfabrik
    Inventor: Walter Gresch
  • Patent number: 5458739
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for stripping volatiles from a feed stream and concentrating the volatiles in the overhead vapors forming a condensate product and simultaneously producing a low percent volatiles outlet stream as a concentrate product. The volatiles separator and concentrator, ("VSC"), unit has many applications in the reduction and the concentration of volatiles in the beverage, fuel, and industrial alcohol industries, as well as in chemical applications for removing or stripping volatiles from heat sensitive feed substrates which require low temperatures and a short residence time to prevent degradation of the product.The preferred embodiment of the VSC unit utilizes a short feed stream preheat contact time in combination with turbulent high velocity flow at temperatures below 100.degree. F. to provide flash aporization for volatiles separation with reboil capability to adjust volatiles concentration in the residue and product. The application of high vacuum in the range of 27" to 28.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1995
    Assignee: Vendome Copper & Brass Works
    Inventors: Armand R. Boucher, Philip N. Hambrick
  • Patent number: 5439699
    Abstract: A method is disclosed of preparing a colorless, clear beer by a method including ultrafiltration and the addition of dextrins, bittering agents and a foam enhancer. Methods of preparing improved nonalcoholic malt beverages and making natural beer foaming components also are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1995
    Assignee: Miller Brewing Company
    Inventors: Matthew L. Tripp, Sydney Rader, David S. Ryder
  • Patent number: 5385647
    Abstract: A process for reducing the alcohol content of alcohol-containing beverages, in particular of beer or wine, wherein the alcohol is partially or completely removed by way of pervaporation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1995
    Assignee: Deutsche Carbone AG
    Inventors: Hartmut E. A. Brueschke, Walter H. Schneider, Guenter F. Tusel
  • Patent number: 5384135
    Abstract: A process for the manufacture of an alcohol-free pale beer (AFB) whose organoleptic properties are those of a lager beer, comprising the manufacture of a lager type alcoholic pale beer from pale malts containing 20 to 30% of brown malts, mashed to obtain a wort whose attenuation is of the order of 50% and the dealcoholization of the alcoholic pale beer, by evaporation, under high vacuum, of at least about 50% of the volume of this beer. The concentrate obtained by evaporation may be rediluted with water, flavored and sweetened until a concentration of 4.degree. Brix is obtained in order to produce the AFB. The concentrate may also be subjected to a second vacuum evaporation at a temperature of less than 60.degree. C. until a concentrate assaying between 45.degree. and 65.degree. Brix is obtained which is storable for several months before the redilution into an AFB.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1995
    Assignee: Brasserie Du Cardinal Fribourg S.A.
    Inventor: Henri J. J. Caluwaerts
  • Patent number: 5358732
    Abstract: A method for improving the quality of an aliment, such as an alcoholic liquor, by removing impurities such as carbamates, sulfites and bioamines, includes contacting an aliment containing the impurity with a container formed of a membrane permeable to the impurity. The container encloses a non-diffusible reactant such as binding agents, neutralizing agents, oxidizing agents, transesterifying agents and hydrolyzing agents. The container and the contents are separated from the aliment after a period of time sufficient for the reactants to react with the impurity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1994
    Assignee: Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University
    Inventors: Eli Seifter, Jacques Padawer, Iraj Lalezari
  • Patent number: 5356641
    Abstract: A process for obtaining a blending and ageing additive from oak wood which comprises (a) mixing oak wood in subdivided or particulate form with water, alcohol or mixture thereof; (b) enzymatically digesting the mixture at elevated temperature; (c) adding wine or other alcohol to the digestion mixture after the digestion is completed; (d) refluxing the resulting mixture at elevated temperature until the wood changes color and the liquid phase no longer changes color; (e) separating the resulting liquid phase from the wood; and (f) distilling the liquid phase to obtain a clear or water-white distillate and solid extract. The distillate and/or extract may be added to wine or other beverage, or other composition such as vinegar, to improve properties thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1994
    Assignee: Indopco, Inc., d/b/a Quest International Flavors & Food Ingredients Company
    Inventors: David Bowen, Jan Benning, Chris Bronzert, Alan Ellison
  • Patent number: 5316782
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing flavors from the spent mash of a fermentation mixture is provided wherein the spent mash of the fermentation mixture after distillation is separated into two constituent portions, the thin stillage and the wet distillers' grains. The thin stillage portion is then combined with a base to adjust pH thereof to between about 7 and about 11. The pH-adjusted thin stillage portion is then cooked at a temperature between about 130.degree. F. and about 210.degree. F. for a period of about 4 to about 14 hours. The cooked solution is concentrated in an evaporator until about 30% wt. solids level is obtained. The product is then dried to about 5-about 10% wt. moisture content. The product obtained has different flavors, depending on the base added and the pH of the cooking step. If the base is sodium hydroxide, the product has a bland, sweet or yeasty flavor if the pH is 8.5, maple or caramel flavor if the pH is 9.5, and a cracker or nutty flavor if the pH is 10.5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1994
    Assignee: Brown-Forman Beverage Company
    Inventor: Joseph A. Zimlich, III
  • Patent number: 5132136
    Abstract: A condensed wire composition containing an extract content of no less than 18% (w/v) is obtained by vacuum condensing a wine at a temperature of 5.degree. to 60.degree. C., preferably 20.degree. to 35.degree. C. to a concentration by at least 8 times as high as the original, retaining the resulting condensate at a low temperature, e.g., 0.degree. to 10.degree. C. to crystallize tartar, and removing the tartar. An initial distillate obtained upon the vacuum condensing of the wine and/or brandy may be added to the condensed wine in such an amount that final product has an alcohol content less than 1% (v/v).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1992
    Assignee: Mercian Corporation
    Inventors: Michikatsu Sato, Machiko Watanabe, Yoshiaki Yagi
  • Patent number: 5093141
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of alcohol-free wine, i.e. wine containing less than 1% by volume of alcohol, and of wines containing reduced concentrations i.e. 1 to 7% by volume of alcohol with the simultaneous production of brandy by using continuous vacuum film distillation with continuous introduction of carbon dioxide and/or an inert gas, producing thereby a dynamic atmosphere of carbon dioxide and/or an inert gas, at the temperature of at most 100.degree. C., preferably 40.degree.-100.degree. C. and in a vacuum of 6.45-25.80 kPa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1992
    Assignees: Magyar Szenhidrogenipari Kutato-Fejleszto Intezet, Jonathan MgTsZ
    Inventors: Laszlo Nemeth, Bela Jover, Sandor Doleschall, Pap Geza, Gyula Gati, Istvan Juhasz, Imre Sapi, Sandor Kovtacs, Gizella C. Horvath
  • Patent number: 5075123
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for removing alcohol from beverages includes removing alcohol from the beverage to a dialysate by dialysis in a dialysis chamber, and then removing the alcohol from the dialysate by vacuum in a vacuum stripping column, wherein the dialysate is cooled in a heat exchanger and thereafter in a cooling device prior to entry of the dialysate into the dialysis chamber and the dialysate is heated in the heat exchanger and thereafter in a heater prior to removal of the alcohol from the dialysate by vacuum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1991
    Assignee: H & K Processtechnik, GmbH
    Inventor: Gunter Schwinghammer
  • Patent number: 5034238
    Abstract: In a process for the reduction of the alcohol content of alcoholic beverages, in which aromatic substances are extracted with liquid or supercritical CO.sub.2, alcohol is separated by distillation and the extracted aromatic substances are at least partially recycled to the beverage with reduced alcohol content, the feedstock, especially wine or beer, is first subjected to a distillation under subatmospheric pressure. The distillate is subjected to an extraction with liquid or supercritical CO.sub.2, after which the extract is partially expanded to separate the aroma, and then under the residual pressure is recycled to the bottom product of the distillation in a collecting tank for the end product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1991
    Assignee: Schoeller-Bleckmann Gesellschaft m.b.H.
    Inventors: Helmut Seidlitz, Eduard Lack, Heinz Lackner
  • Patent number: 4988525
    Abstract: For selective removal of volatile substances from liquids, the initial liquid is fed to a crosscurrent diaphragm separation device (2), in which the permeate consisting of water and volatile substances is separated by increased transdiaphragm pressure and concentration difference. Then, the permeate is fed into a further liquid-volatile separation device (8), in which the alcohol is distilled out. The permeate now only consisting of water, salts, acids and extracts is then fed back into the crosscurrent diaphragm separation device (2), where it flows through the permeate side in countercurrent to the flow of the retenate. Excess permeate can be introduced into the dealcoholized initial liquid. By the process according to the invention the economic efficiency of the unit and the quality of the end product are significantly improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1991
    Assignee: Bucher-Guyer AG Maschinenfabrik
    Inventor: Walter Gresch
  • Patent number: 4978547
    Abstract: A process for producing low alcoholic wine includes the following steps: evaporating alcohol-containing wine in a vacuum evaporator so that a first mixture comprising water, alcohol and flavoring substance is separated from a second mixture having a low-alcoholic content, separating water from said first mixture in a multistage flavor substance apparatus and drawing off a third mixture comprising alcohol and flavoring substance, distilling alcohol from the third mixture, adding the water from the multistage flavor substance apparatus to a mixing vessel in an amount, which together with the low-alcohol second mixture and the flavoring substances produces a quantity of low-alcoholic wine having an alcoholic content below legally determined values for low-alcoholic wine, the process allowing only outputs of low-alcoholic wine, distilled alcohol and flavoring substances and inputs of essentially only the alcohol-containing wine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 18, 1990
    Inventor: Horst Petershans
  • Patent number: 4933198
    Abstract: Low-ethanol wines, beer, distilled spirits, and other alcoholic beverages are produced by treating ordinary alcoholic beverages with novel membrane extraction methods. Semipermeable membranes and gas-phase extraction fluids are employed to selectively extract ethanol into the gas-phase, while leaving substantially intact the complement of other organic constituents that contribute to the color, aroma, and taste of the beverage. Methods are provided for balancing the water activity of the gas-phase extraction fluid about equal to that in the beverage, so as to inhibit water transport across the membrane independent of the ethanol/water selectivity of the membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 12, 1990
    Inventors: Eric K. L. Lee, Vinay J. Kalyani, Stephen L. Matson
  • Patent number: 4902518
    Abstract: A method for the production of low alcohol wine comprising separating a fruit juice into a high sugar fraction and a low sugar fraction, stripping volatile components, such as high-boiling point esters, from the fruit juice or from the high sugar fraction and adding them to the low sugar fraction, and fermenting the low sugar fraction. A preferred method of separating the fruit juice into high and low sugar fractions is by fractional crystallization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1990
    Assignees: Bioquip Australia Pty. Limited, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization
    Inventors: Timothy R. Lang, Donald J. Casimir
  • Patent number: 4867997
    Abstract: A process is described for preparing in particular alcohol-free wine in which by extraction with supercritical CO.sub.2 firstly a specific aroma fraction with limited ethanol content is separated from the starting wine. The residual wine is then subjected to a vacuum distillation in which apart from the complete separation of the ethanol from the residual wine a fraction of more difficulty extractable aromatic substances not affected by the extraction is recovered which in the end together with the extract is added to the dealcoholized residual wine again to obtain an alcohol-free wine. The method permits an almost complete removal of the alcohol content without detrimentally affecting the basic wine and with retention of all the aromatic and flavoring substances characteristic of the wine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1989
    Assignee: Peter Eckes KG MBH
    Inventors: Alfred Wiesenberger, Rolf Marr, Erich Kolb, Jens A. Schildmann, Reinhard Weisrock
  • Patent number: 4867991
    Abstract: Lager-cellar or fermentation-cellar yeast is mixed with an extraction liquid prior to centrifugal processing, increasing the percentage of recovered beer. To keep the contact time brief the extraction liuquid is not mixed with the yeast until just upstream of the intake into the centrifuge. The total requisite volume of extraction liquid is made available in a recirculation tank and circulated through the centrifuge until all the yeast has been processed. The extraction liquid is maintained at a temperature no higher than +2.degree. C. The low temperature and brief contact time prevent the transition of yeast-metabolism products into the extraction liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1989
    Assignee: Westfalia Separator AG
    Inventors: Wilhelmus J. P. M. Swinkels, Karl Wackerbauer, Udo Stein
  • Patent number: 4804554
    Abstract: In a process for the production of a fermented drink with a reduced alcohol content, alcohol is removed from the drink by dialysis and then removed from the dialysis liquid by vacuum distillation. The fermented drink in the original condition is used as the dialysis liquid and flavor and aroma-giving substances which are desired in the finished drink and which occur in the vacuum distillation operation are returned to the dialysis liquid prior to re-use thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1989
    Inventor: Norbert Barth
  • Patent number: 4790993
    Abstract: Disclosed is an alcohol-free yeast white beer and a process for its production wherein the yeast is physically separated from an alcohol containing yeast white beer free of fermentable substances. The beer is then subjected to a vacuum distillation until the alcohol content has been reduced to less than 0.5% by volume to produce a beer concentrate. A corresponding amount of oxygen-free, carbonic acid-containing make-up water is added to the concentrate. Subsequently, top-fermented brewers' yeast is added in an amount above the content normally present in yeast white beer, and thereafter the product is stored at a temperature of from 0.degree. to 10.degree. C. Subsequently, yeast is again separated off and thereafter the desired amount of yeast and carbon dioxide is added.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1988
    Assignee: Paulaner-Savator-Thomasebraeu AG
    Inventors: Siegfried Schedl, Hermann Eppinger, Volker Schuler
  • Patent number: 4784868
    Abstract: A method of producing a potable spirit comprises removing water from a fermented wash containing ethanol, water and congeners to produce a substantially water-free mixture of ethanol and congeners, and then fractionally distilling this water-free mixture of ethanol and congeners in the absence of water to produce a fraction containing substantially pure water-free potable ethanol. Preferably the fractional distillation is carried out in separate topping and tailing columns. This method provides an energy efficient separation of the ethanol and congeners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1988
    Assignee: United Distillers P.L.C.
    Inventor: Albert T. Young
  • Patent number: 4775538
    Abstract: An alcohol free wine beverage is produced by diluting a table wine with demineralized water and feeding the diluted wine to a centrifugal film evaporator where alcohol is stripped from the wine to produce an alcohol free wine base. The wine base is then mixed with grape juice concentrate to produce a finished alcohol free wine. Other ingredients may be added to the wine base such as carbon dioxide, citrus juice and preservatives, and additional demineralized water may be added to further lower the alcohol content prior to bottling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1988
    Assignee: Joseph E. Seagram & Sons, Inc.
    Inventor: Armand R. Boucher
  • Patent number: 4681767
    Abstract: In a method for decreasing the alcohol content of alcohol-containing beverages, particularly wine or sparkling wine, according to the reverse osmosis process, extract substances are added to the dealcoholized beverage. In order to avoid addition of foreign water to the beverage, the alcohol-containing permeate obtained by reverse osmosis from the beverage subjected to dealcoholization is distilled in a vacuum. The permeate water produced therefrom is re-fed to the beverage subjected to the dealcoholization. The amount of permeate distillate removed from the beverage subjected to dealcoholization by the reverse osmosis and subsequent vacuum distillation, which essentially consists of alcohol, is fed to the beverage subjected to the dealcoholization in the form of water, which has also been obtained by vacuum distillation from an additional beverage. In this manner, particularly high quality sparkling wine may be produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1987
    Assignee: Henkell & Co.
    Inventor: Manfred Weiss
  • Patent number: 4626437
    Abstract: There is disclosed a method for preparing an alcohol-free wine product. A completely fermented wine is evaporated to produce a dealcholized wine concentrate and a vapor condensate containing alcohol and aromatic substances. The condensate is separated into a fraction comprising alcohol and aromatic substances. The aromatic substances are mixed with dealcoholized wine concentrate, fruit juice concentrate, fruit juice or water to produce an alcohol-free wine product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1986
    Assignee: Schweizerische Eidgenossenschaft
    Inventors: Ulrich Schobinger, Robert Waldvogel, Peter Durr