# US 10,499,666 B1 · Oxygen free coconut water processing and packaging system and method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,499,666 B1 - Document ID: US10499666B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 16/174,384 - Filed: 2018-10-30 - Granted: 2019-12-10 - Earliest claimed: 2018-06-30 - Applicants: Nilang Patel - Inventors: Nilang Patel - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10499666B1 ## CPC - A23L 2/04: Extraction of juices (machines or apparatus for extracting juice A23N1/00, A47J19/00) - A23B 2/708: in a controlled atmosphere, e.g. partial vacuum, comprising only CO2, N2, O2 or H2O - A23B 2/80: Freezing; Subsequent thawing; Cooling - A23B 7/04: Freezing; Subsequent thawing; Cooling - A23B 7/152: in a controlled atmosphere comprising other gases in addition to CO2, N2, O2 or H2O {; Elimination of such other gases} - A23B 70/50: by irradiation or electric treatment, without heating - A23L 2/74: using membranes, e.g. osmosis, ultrafiltration - A23N 1/00: Machines or apparatus for extracting juice (preparation of non-alcoholic beverages, e.g. by adding ingredients to fruit or vegetable juices, A23L2/00; apparatus for making beverages A47J31/00 {; centrifuges B04B}; extracting presses B30B) - B65B 3/04: Methods of, or means for, filling the material into the containers or receptacles - B65B 25/001: {of foodstuffs, combined with their conservation (B65B25/041, B65B25/062, B65B25/067 take precedence)} - B65B 51/046: {Applying a closure element to the mouths of bags} - B65B 55/027: {Packaging in aseptic chambers} - B65B 55/04: Sterilising wrappers or receptacles prior to, or during, packaging {(sterilising bottles B67C7/00)} - B65B 55/08: by irradiation - B65B 55/10: by liquids or gases - B65B 55/12: Sterilising contents prior to, or during, packaging - B65B 55/14: by heat - B65B 55/16: by irradiation - A23V 2002/00: Food compositions, function of food ingredients or processes for food or foodstuffs - A23L: FOODS, FOODSTUFFS OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; PREPARATION OR TREATMENT THEREOF (preservation thereof A23B) - A23B: PRESERVATION OF FOODS, FOODSTUFFS OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES; CHEMICAL RIPENING OF FRUIT OR VEGETABLES - A23N: MACHINES OR APPARATUS FOR TREATING HARVESTED FRUIT, VEGETABLES OR FLOWER BULBS IN BULK, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; PEELING VEGETABLES OR FRUIT IN BULK; APPARATUS FOR PREPARING ANIMAL FEEDING- STUFFS (machines for cutting straw or fodder A01F29/00; disintegrating, e.g. shredding, B02C; severing, e.g. cutting, splitting, slicing B26B, B26D) - B65B: MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING (bundling and pressing devices for cigars A24C1/44; devices for tensioning and securing binders adapted to be supported by the article or articles to be bound B25B25/00; applying closure members to bottles, jars or similar containers B67B1/00-B67B6/00; concurrent cleaning, filling and closing of bottles B67C7/00; emptying bottles, jars, cans, casks, barrels or similar containers B67C9/00) - A23V: INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO FOODS, FOODSTUFFS OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AND LACTIC OR PROPIONIC ACID BACTERIA USED IN FOODSTUFFS OR FOOD PREPARATION ## Abstract The present invention relates an oxygen free coconut water processing and packaging method. The method comprising the steps of establishing an inert trusted transfer environment and penetrating shell of a coconut with at least one of a self sealing probe. The method then modifies an atmospheric condition within the coconut by providing the inert gas at a desired atmospheric pressure to engender flow of the coconut water through an egress port. The coconut water is then sterilized by way of a cold micro-filter array. The method then circulating the coconut water between a chiller and the oxygen free collection vessel to maintain the coconut water at a predetermined chill temperature until filling. Product packages are filled within an aseptic ultra clean environment that encompasses the filler. The method also includes options for oxygen free cold brewing of coffee, teas, and other using coconut water. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An oxygen free coconut water processing and packaging method, the method comprising the steps of: establishing an inert transfer environment by injecting an inert gas substantially throughout the oxygen free coconut water processing and packaging pathway; penetrating shell of a coconut with at least one of a self sealing probe, the self sealing probe forming a seal between shell of the coconut and the outer surface of the self sealing probe preventing non-inert gases from ingress into the coconut contacting the coconut water therein and preventing the coconut water from egress along the outer surface of the self sealing probe, the self sealing probe further comprising at least one of an egress port and a gas inlet; modifying an atmospheric condition within the coconut by providing the inert gas by way of an inert gas source at predetermined atmospheric pressure through the gas inlet into the coconut, the atmospheric condition being selected to engender flow of the coconut water through the egress port; sterilizing the coconut water received from the egress port by way of transfer through a first cold micro-filter array; receiving the coconut water in an oxygen free collection vessel; transferring the coconut water from the oxygen free collection vessel selectively through a second cold micro-filter array into a filler; sterilizing a packaged product, unfilled, and a closure by way of the package sterilizer; introducing the packaged product and the closure into an aseptic or ultra clean environment, the filler is located within the aseptic or ultra clean environment; and filling the packaged product by way of the filler and affixing the closure to the packaged product within the aseptic or ultra clean environment. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein step of sterilizing the coconut water further comprising: transferring the coconut water from the egress port through a third cold micro-filter array and a first chiller into an oxygen free storage vessel prior to transferring the coconut water to the first cold micro-filter array. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein step of sterilizing the coconut water further comprising: transferring the coconut water from the first micro-filter array through an ultraviolet light sterilizer. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the step of receiving the coconut water in an oxygen free collection vessel further comprising: circulating the coconut water through an ultraviolet light sterilizer prior to returning the coconut water to the oxygen free collection vessel. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the first cold micro-filter array further comprising a first plurality of separate membranes, each of the first plurality of membranes having at least one of a pore of predetermined size through which only the coconut water particles smaller than the pore size pass, the first plurality of membranes being arranged from largest pore size at the coconut water entry point to smallest pore size at the coconut water exit point, wherein the first plurality of separate membranes are configured in progressively smaller pore sizes to reduce the first plurality of membranes from clogging while also removing particulates and pathogens from the coconut water to render the coconut water sterile. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method in accordance with claim 5, wherein the pore size ranges from 20 microns to 0.1 microns. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the second cold micro-filter array further comprising a second plurality of separate membranes, each of the second plurality of membranes having at least one of a pore of predetermined size through which only the coconut water particles smaller than the pore size pass, the second plurality of membranes being arranged from largest pore size at the coconut water entry point to smallest pore size at the coconut water exit point, wherein the second plurality of separate membranes are configured in progressively smaller pore sizes to reduce the second plurality of membranes from clogging while also removing particulates and pathogens from the coconut water to render the coconut water sterile. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method in accordance with claim 7, wherein the pore size ranges from 20 microns to 0.1 microns. ### Claim 9 An oxygen free coconut water processing and packaging method, the method comprising the steps of: establishing an inert transfer environment by injecting an inert gas substantially throughout the oxygen free coconut water processing and packaging pathway; penetrating shell of a coconut with at least one of a self sealing probe, the self sealing probe forming a seal between shell of the coconut and outer surface of the self sealing probe preventing non-inert gases from ingress into the coconut contacting the coconut water therein and preventing the coconut water from egress along outer surface of the self sealing probe, the self sealing probe further comprising an egress port; penetrating shell of the coconut with at least one of a second self sealing probe, the second self sealing probe further comprising a gas inlet; modifying an atmospheric condition within the coconut by providing the inert gas by way of an inert gas source at predetermined atmospheric pressure through the gas inlet, the atmospheric condition being selected to engender flow of the coconut water through the egress port; sterilizing the coconut water received from the egress port by way of transfer through a first cold micro-filter array; receiving the coconut water in an oxygen free collection vessel; transferring the coconut water from the oxygen free collection vessel selectively through a second cold micro-filter array into a filler; sterilizing a packaged product, unfilled, and a closure by way of the package sterilizer; introducing the packaged product and the closure into an aseptic or ultra clean environment, the filler is located within the aseptic or ultra clean environment; and filling the packaged product by way of the filler and affixing the closure to the packaged product within the aseptic or ultra clean environment. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method in accordance with claim 9, wherein step of sterilizing the coconut water further comprising: transferring the coconut water from the egress port through a third cold micro-filter and a first chiller into a oxygen free storage vessel prior to transferring the coconut water to the first cold micro-filter array. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The method in accordance with claim 9, wherein step of sterilizing the coconut water further comprising: transferring the coconut water from the first micro-filter array through an ultraviolet light sterilizer. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The method in accordance with claim 9, wherein the step of receiving the coconut water in an oxygen free collection vessel further comprising: circulating the coconut water through an ultraviolet light sterilizer prior to returning the coconut water to the oxygen free collection vessel. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The method in accordance with claim 9, wherein the first cold micro-filter array further comprising a first plurality of separate membranes, each of the first plurality of membranes having at least one of a pore of predetermined size through which only the coconut water particles smaller than the pore size pass, the first plurality of membranes being arranged from largest pore size at the coconut water entry point to smallest pore size at the coconut water exit point, wherein the first plurality of separate membranes are configured in progressively smaller pore sizes to reduce the first plurality of membranes from clogging while also removing particulates and pathogens from the coconut water to render the coconut water sterile. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method in accordance with claim 13, wherein the pore size ranges from 20 microns to 0.1 microns. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) The method in accordance with claim 9, wherein the second cold micro-filter array further comprising a second plurality of separate membranes, each of the second plurality of membranes having at least one of a pore of predetermined size through which only the coconut water particles smaller than the pore size pass, the second plurality of membranes being arranged from largest pore size at the coconut water entry point to smallest pore size at the coconut water exit point, wherein the second plurality of separate membranes are configured in progressively smaller pore sizes to reduce the second plurality of membranes from clogging while also removing particulates and pathogens from the coconut water to render the coconut water sterile. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method in accordance with claim 15, wherein the pore size ranges from 20 microns to 0.1 microns. ### Claim 17 An oxygen free coconut water processing and packaging method, the method comprising the steps of: establishing an inert transfer environment by injecting an inert gas throughout the oxygen free coconut water processing and packaging pathway; penetrating shell of a coconut with at least one of a self sealing probe, the self sealing probe forming a seal between shell of the coconut and the outer surface of the self sealing probe preventing non-inert gases from ingress into the coconut contacting the coconut water therein and preventing the coconut water from egress along the outer surface of the self sealing probe, the self sealing probe further comprising at least one of an egress port; modifying an atmospheric condition within the coconut by providing the inert gas by way of an inert gas source at predetermined atmospheric pressure through a gas inlet into the coconut, the atmospheric condition being selected to engender flow of the coconut water through the egress port; sterilizing the coconut water by way of transfer through a first cold micro-filter array; receiving the coconut water in an oxygen free collection vessel; transferring the coconut water from the oxygen free collection vessel selectively through either: a second cold micro-filter array into a filler; or an oxygen free cold brew processing platform and then through the second cold micro-filter array into the filler; sterilizing a packaged product, unfilled, and a closure by way of the package sterilizer; introducing the packaged product and the closure into an aseptic or ultra clean environment, the filler is located within the aseptic or ultra clean environment; and filling the packaged product by way of the filler and affixing the closure to the packaged product within the aseptic or ultra clean environment. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method in accordance with claim 17, wherein step of sterilizing the coconut water further comprising: transferring the coconut water from the egress port through a third cold micro-filter and a first chiller into a oxygen free storage vessel prior to transferring the coconut water to the first cold micro-filter array. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The method in accordance with claim 17, wherein step of sterilizing the coconut water further comprising: transferring the coconut water from the first micro-filter array through an ultraviolet light sterilizer. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The method in accordance with claim 17, wherein the step of receiving the coconut water in an oxygen free collection vessel further comprising: circulating the coconut water through an ultraviolet light sterilizer prior to returning the coconut water to the oxygen free collection vessel. ### Claim 21 (depends on 17) The method in accordance with claim 17, wherein the first cold micro-filter array further comprising a first plurality of separate membranes, each of the first plurality of membranes having at least one of a pore of predetermined size through which only the coconut water particles smaller than the pore size pass, the first plurality of membranes being arranged from largest pore size at the coconut water entry point to smallest pore size at the coconut water exit point, wherein the first plurality of separate membranes are configured in progressively smaller pore sizes to reduce the first plurality of membranes from clogging while also removing particulates and pathogens from the coconut water to render the coconut water sterile. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The method in accordance with claim 21, wherein the pore size ranges from 20 microns to 0.1 microns. ### Claim 23 (depends on 17) The method in accordance with claim 17, wherein the second cold micro-filter array further comprising a second plurality of separate membranes, each of the second plurality of membranes having at least one of a pore of predetermined size through which only the coconut water particles smaller than the pore size pass, the second plurality of membranes being arranged from largest pore size at the coconut water entry point to smallest pore size at the coconut water exit point, wherein the second plurality of separate membranes are configured in progressively smaller pore sizes to reduce the second plurality of membranes from clogging while also removing particulates and pathogens from the coconut water to render the coconut water sterile. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The method in accordance with claim 23, wherein the pore size ranges from 20 microns to 0.1 microns. ### Claim 25 (depends on 17) The method in accordance with claim 17, further comprising: penetrating shell of the coconut with at least one of a second self sealing probe, the second self sealing probe further comprising the gas inlet. ### Claim 26 (depends on 17) The method in accordance with claim 17, the oxygen free cold brew processing platform further comprising: placing at least one of a brew ingredient into a plurality of brew ingredient baskets, a plurality of sealable brew tanks are operationally related to a second chiller, a brew density sensor, and each of the plurality of sealable brew tanks further comprising at least one of the plurality of brew ingredient baskets; receiving the coconut water from the oxygen free collection vessel into the plurality of sealable brew tanks; infusing the coconut water with the brew ingredients by circulating the coconut water through the brew ingredients and between the plurality of sealable brew tanks, the second chiller, and the brew density sensor; transferring the coconut water to an oxygen free brew complete storage tank when the brew density sensor indicates a predetermined brew density has been achieved. ### Claim 27 (depends on 17) The method in accordance with claim 17, the step of filling further comprising: maintaining predetermine head space in the filler to mitigate risk of oxygen ingress into the filler during filling of the product package.