# US 10,499,678 B1 · Extracting and packaging coconut water based products in an inert atmospheric environment > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,499,678 B1 - Document ID: US10499678B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 16/024,805 - Filed: 2018-06-30 - Granted: 2019-12-10 - Earliest claimed: 2018-06-30 - Applicants: Nilang Patel - Inventors: Nilang Patel - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10499678B1 ## CPC - 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) - A23B 2/708: in a controlled atmosphere, e.g. partial vacuum, comprising only CO2, N2, O2 or H2O - A23B 7/152: in a controlled atmosphere comprising other gases in addition to CO2, N2, O2 or H2O {; Elimination of such other gases} - A23B 70/00: Preservation of non-alcoholic beverages (preservation of beverages from legumes A23B75/10; preservation of beverages containing tea, tea substitutes or herbal tea A23B85/10; preservation of beverages containing coffee or coffee substitutes A23B90/10) - A23L 2/04: Extraction of juices (machines or apparatus for extracting juice A23N1/00, A47J19/00) - A23V 2002/00: Food compositions, function of food ingredients or processes for food or foodstuffs - 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) - A23B: PRESERVATION OF FOODS, FOODSTUFFS OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES; CHEMICAL RIPENING OF FRUIT OR VEGETABLES - A23L: FOODS, FOODSTUFFS OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; PREPARATION OR TREATMENT THEREOF (preservation thereof A23B) - 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 to a method of preventing oxygen from contacting coconut water during extraction from a coconut. The method comprises the step of penetrating the shell of a coconut with at least one of a self sealing probe. The self sealing probe forms a seal between the 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. The method then prevents the coconut water from egress along the outer surface of the self sealing probe and modifies an atmospheric condition within the coconut by providing an inert gas. The atmospheric condition is selected to engender flow of the coconut water through the inside of the egress port. The coconut water is transferred into an oxygen free collection vessel. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of preventing oxygen from contacting coconut water during extraction from a coconut, the method comprising the steps of: 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 a 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 an 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; and transferring the coconut water from the coconut by way of the egress port traversing the interior of the self sealing probe into an oxygen free collection vessel. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising the step of: penetrating shell of the coconut with a second self sealing probe, the second self sealing probe further comprising the gas inlet. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method in accordance with claim 1, the self sealing probe further comprising the gas inlet. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the inert gas is provided by way of the gas inlet into the interior of the coconut through the egress port. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the step of transferring further comprising: transferring the coconut water from the egress port through an inert transfer environment which entraps certain of the coconut water transfer and processing equipment in an inert atmospheric encasement, preventing non-inert gas contact with the coconut water during transport to the oxygen free collection vessel. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising the step of: establishing an inert transfer environment which entraps certain of the coconut water transfer and processing equipment in an inert atmospheric encasement, preventing non-inert gas contact with the coconut water during transfer and processing from a coconut water storage source to a packaged product, the packaged product containing at least portion of the coconut water. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising: dosing the packaged product with the inert gas to establish an inert transfer environment within the packaged product prior to filling the packaged product with at least portion of the coconut water. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method in accordance with claim 1, the self sealing probe further comprising: a tapered shaft having a pointed end for penetrating the coconut, the pointed end blends into a gradually widening portion which forms a pressure fit on entry into the coconut between outer surface of the gradually widening portion and shell of the coconut; and the egress port further comprising at least one of a first opening near the pointed end to receive the coconut water and at least one of a second opening exterior to the coconut which is in fluid communication with the oxygen free collection vessel. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method in accordance with claim 1, the gas inlet probe further comprising: at least one of a first gas opening is exposed to the interior of the coconut when the self sealing probe is inserted into the coconut and at least one of a second gas opening exterior to the coconut which is operationally coupled to an inert gas supply. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method in accordance with claim 1, the self sealing probe further comprising: a tapered shaft having a pointed end and a ribbed end for penetrating the coconut; a gradually widening portion having a narrow top and a wider bottom, the narrow top blends with the ribbed end, at least portion of the narrow top being of smaller diameter than the ribbed end so that at least portion of the ribbed end forms an overhang, the wider bottom is larger in diameter than the ribbed end, the gradually widening portion forms a pressure fit on entry into the coconut between outer surface of the gradually widening portion and shell of the coconut; and the egress port further comprising at least one of a first opening near the overhang to receive the coconut water and at least one of a second opening exterior to the coconut which is in fluid communication with the oxygen free collection vessel, the overhang minimizing material from shell of the coconut from clogging the first opening during insertion of the self sealing probe into the coconut. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method in accordance with claim 1, the self sealing probe further comprising: a tapered shaft having a pointed end for penetrating the coconut, the pointed end blends into a gradually widening portion which forms a pressure fit on entry into the coconut between outer surface of the gradually widening portion and shell of the coconut; and at least one of a coconut stabilizer is formed on outer surface of the self sealing probe, the coconut stabilizer making contact with shell of the coconut outer surface when the self sealing probe is inserted into the coconut, wherein the coconut stabilizer minimizes the coconut movement and improves the integrity of the seal between shell of the coconut and outer surface of the self sealing probe during extraction of the coconut water. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The method in accordance with claim 1, the self sealing probe further comprising: a shaft having a pointed end for penetrating the coconut, the pointed end blends into a plurality of concentric ribs of increasing diameter which forms a pressure fit on entry into the coconut between outer surface of the plurality of concentric ribs and shell of the coconut; and the egress port further comprising at least one of a first opening near the pointed end which receives the coconut water and at least one of a second opening exterior to the coconut which is in fluid communication with the oxygen free collection vessel. ### Claim 13 A method of preventing oxygen from contacting coconut water during extraction from a coconut, the method comprising the steps of: 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 a 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 a second self sealing probe, the second self sealing probe further comprising a gas inlet; modifying an atmospheric condition within the coconut by providing an 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; and transferring the coconut water from the coconut by way of the egress port traversing the interior of the self sealing probe into an oxygen free collection vessel. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method in accordance with claim 13, wherein the step of transferring further comprising: transferring the coconut water from the egress port through an inert transfer environment which entraps certain of the coconut water transfer and processing equipment in an inert atmospheric encasement, preventing non-inert gas contact with the coconut water during transport to the oxygen free collection vessel. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The method in accordance with claim 13, further comprising the step of: establishing an inert transfer environment which entraps certain of the coconut water transfer and processing equipment in an inert atmospheric encasement, preventing non-inert gas contact with the coconut water during transfer and processing from a coconut water storage source to a packaged product containing at least portion of the coconut water. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The method in accordance with claim 13, further comprising: dosing the packaged product with the inert gas to establish an inert transfer environment within the packaged product prior to filling the packaged product with at least portion of the coconut water. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The method in accordance with claim 13, the self sealing probe further comprising: a tapered shaft having a pointed end for penetrating the coconut, the pointed end blends into a gradually widening portion which forms a pressure fit on entry into the coconut between outer surface of the gradually widening portion and shell of the coconut; and the egress port further comprising at least one of a first opening near the pointed end to receive the coconut water and at least one of a second opening exterior to the coconut which is in fluid communication with the oxygen free collection vessel. ### Claim 18 (depends on 13) The method in accordance with claim 13, the gas inlet further comprising: at least one of a first gas opening is exposed to the interior of the coconut when the self sealing probe is inserted into the coconut and at least one of a second gas opening exterior to the coconut which is operationally coupled to an inert gas supply. ### Claim 19 (depends on 13) The method in accordance with claim 13, the self sealing probe further comprising: a tapered shaft having a pointed end and a ribbed end for penetrating the coconut; a gradually widening portion having a narrow top and a wider bottom, the narrow top blends with the ribbed end, at least portion of the narrow top being of smaller diameter than the ribbed end so that at least portion of the ribbed end forms an overhang, the wider bottom is larger in diameter than the ribbed end, the gradually widening portion forms a pressure fit on entry into the coconut between outer surface of the gradually widening portion and shell of the coconut; and the egress port further comprising at least one of a first opening near the overhang to receive the coconut water and at least one of a second opening exterior to the coconut which is in fluid communication with the oxygen free collection vessel, the overhang minimizing material from shell of the coconut from clogging the first opening during insertion of the self sealing probe into the coconut. ### Claim 20 (depends on 13) The method in accordance with claim 13, the self sealing probe further comprising: a tapered shaft having a pointed end for penetrating the coconut, the pointed end blends into a gradually widening portion which forms a pressure fit on entry into the coconut between outer surface of the gradually widening portion and shell of the coconut; and at least one of a coconut stabilizer is formed on outer surface of the self sealing probe, the coconut stabilizer making contact with shell of the coconut outer surface when the self sealing probe is inserted into the coconut, wherein the coconut stabilizer minimizes the coconut movement and improves the integrity of the seal between shell of the coconut and outer surface of the self sealing probe during extraction of the coconut water. ### Claim 21 (depends on 13) The method in accordance with claim 13, the self sealing probe further comprising: a shaft having a pointed end for penetrating the coconut, the pointed end blends into a plurality of concentric ribs of increasing diameter which forms a pressure fit on entry into the coconut between outer surface of the plurality of concentric ribs and shell of the coconut; and the egress port having a first opening near the pointed end to receive the coconut water and a second opening exterior to the coconut which is in fluid communication with the oxygen free collection vessel. ### Claim 22 A system of preventing oxygen from contacting coconut water during extraction from a coconut, the system comprising: an oxygen free collection vessel; and at least one of a self sealing probe penetrates shell of a coconut, the self sealing probe further comprising: a tapered shaft having a pointed end for penetrating the coconut, the pointed end blends into a gradually widening portion which forms a pressure fit on entry into the coconut between outer surface of the gradually widening portion and shell of the coconut, the self sealing probe forms 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 a coconut water therein and preventing the coconut water from egress along the outer surface of the self sealing probe; and an egress port having a first opening near the pointed end receives the coconut water and a second opening exterior to the coconut which is in fluid communication with the oxygen free collection vessel, the coconut water traversing the interior of the self sealing probe. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The system in accordance with claim 22, further comprising: a gas inlet provides an inert gas by way of an inert gas source which modifies an atmospheric condition within the coconut to at predetermined atmospheric pressure, the atmospheric condition being selected to engender flow of the coconut water from the coconut through interior of the egress port into the oxygen free collection vessel protecting the coconut water from exposure to non-inert gases. ### Claim 24 (depends on 22) The system in accordance with claim 22, further comprising: at least one of a coconut stabilizer is formed on outer surface of the self sealing probe, the coconut stabilizer making contact with shell of the coconut outer surface when the self sealing probe is inserted into the coconut, wherein the coconut stabilizer minimizes the coconut movement and improves the integrity of the seal between shell of the coconut and outer surface of the self sealing probe during extraction of the coconut water, wherein the coconut water extracted exits from the coconut and is transferred to the oxygen free collection vessel preventing exposure to non-inert gases. ### Claim 25 (depends on 22) The system in accordance with claim 22, further comprising: at least one of a second self sealing probe penetrates shell of the coconut, the second self sealing probe further comprising: at least one of a gas inlet modifies an atmospheric condition within the coconut by providing an inert gas source at predetermined atmospheric pressure, the atmospheric condition being selected to engender flow of the coconut water from the coconut through interior of the egress port into the oxygen free collection vessel protecting the coconut water from exposure to non-inert gases. ### Claim 26 A system of preventing oxygen from contacting coconut water during extraction from a coconut, the system comprising: an oxygen free collection vessel; and at least one of a self sealing probe penetrates shell of a coconut, the self sealing probe further comprising: a tapered shaft having a pointed end and a ribbed end for penetrating the coconut; a gradually widening portion having a narrow top and a wider bottom, the narrow top blends with the ribbed end, at least portion of the narrow top being of smaller diameter than the ribbed end so that at least portion of the ribbed end forms an overhang, the wider bottom is larger in diameter than the ribbed end, the gradually widening portion forms a pressure fit on entry into the coconut between outer surface of the gradually widening portion and shell of the coconut; and an egress port further comprising at least one of a first opening near the overhang which receives the coconut water and at least one of a second opening exterior to the coconut which is in fluid communication with the oxygen free collection vessel, the overhang minimizing material from shell of the coconut from clogging the first opening during insertion of the self sealing probe into the coconut, wherein the coconut water extracted exits from the coconut through the egress port traversing the interior of the self sealing probe and is transferred to the oxygen free collection vessel preventing exposure to non-inert gases. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) The system in accordance with claim 26, further comprising: at least one of a second self sealing probe penetrates shell of the coconut, the second self sealing probe further comprising: at least one of a gas inlet modifies an atmospheric condition within the coconut by providing an inert gas source at predetermined atmospheric pressure, the atmospheric condition being selected to engender flow of the coconut water from the coconut through interior of the egress port into the oxygen free collection vessel protecting the coconut water from exposure to non-inert gases. ### Claim 28 (depends on 27) The system in accordance with claim 27, further comprising: at least one of a coconut stabilizer is formed on outer surface of the self sealing probe, the coconut stabilizer making contact with shell of the coconut outer surface when the self sealing probe is inserted into the coconut, wherein the coconut stabilizer minimizes the coconut movement and improves the integrity of the seal between shell of the coconut and outer surface of the self sealing probe during extraction of the coconut water, wherein the coconut water extracted exits from the coconut and is transferred to the oxygen free collection vessel preventing exposure to non-inert gases. ### Claim 29 A system of preventing oxygen from contacting coconut water during extraction from a coconut, the system comprising: an oxygen free collection vessel; and at least one of a self sealing probe penetrates shell of a coconut, the self sealing probe further comprising: a shaft having a pointed end for penetrating the coconut, the pointed end blends into a plurality of concentric ribs of increasing diameter which forms a pressure fit on entry into the coconut between outer surface of the plurality of concentric ribs and shell of the coconut; and an egress port further comprising at least one of a first opening near the pointed end which receives the coconut water and at least one of a second opening exterior to the coconut which is in fluid communication with the oxygen free collection vessel, the coconut water traversing the interior of the self sealing probe. ### Claim 30 (depends on 29) The system in accordance with claim 29, further comprising: at least one of a second self sealing probe penetrates shell of the coconut, the second self sealing probe further comprising: at least one of a gas inlet modifies an atmospheric condition within the coconut by providing an inert gas source at predetermined atmospheric pressure, the atmospheric condition being selected to engender flow of the coconut water from the coconut through interior of the egress port into the oxygen free collection vessel protecting the coconut water from exposure to non-inert gases.