Abstract: This invention relates to processes for the production of purified, partially esterified polyol fatty acid polyesters and the compositions derived from those processes. The purified, partially esterified polyol fatty acid polyesters of the present invention are particularly well suited for use in a variety of food, beverage, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic applications and comprise less than about 5% polyol; less than about 5 ppm of residual solvent; less than about 700 ppm of lower alky esters; less than about 5% of a soap and free fatty acid mixture; less than about 3% of ash; and have an acid value of less than about 6.

Abstract: An improved process for providing an individually customized fresh brewed coffee beverage on demand by a consumer, in a wide range of variety and strength. Said brewing process is useful for making relatively large quantities of fresh brewed coffee beverages (in particular customized as to desired variety, body, character and/or strengths) as chosen by multiple individual consumers just prior to their consumption. Said process is easy to use by the consumer or other individual (i.e.,restaurant wait staff) obtaining the customized beverage. Further, maintenance of the equipment requires only a small amount of personal attention by the owner/operator of the equipment. “Delayed dilution” of a concentrated extract is utilized to provide a beverage brewing system which immediately (upon customer selection) provides selective dilution (based on individual consumer's selections) of a fresh brewed coffee extract after the extract has been allowed to brew and held as an extract before dilution.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to beverage brewing devices which are useful for facilitating fluidization and flavor extraction in beverage brewing devices. In particular, the present invention includes a number of embodiments, including beverage brewing devices comprising one or more extraction chambers. The beverage brewing devices are useful for facilitating fluidizing brewing process such that all ingredients contained within the brewing device are accessed in the brewing process. Additionally, desirable properties of brewed beverages are attained without using separate and/or mechanical means. As an additional advantage, the cleaning processes typically required subsequent to preparation of beverages, and in particular the foamed beverages of the present invention, is diminished or avoided.

Abstract: System for making and delivering a customized beverage product to a consumer having a user interface, a customization director in communication with a customization data store and the user interface, wherein the customization director includes executable instructions for determining a user's customized formulation; and a beverage delivery system in communication with the customization director, wherein the beverage delivery system includes executable instructions for delivering a customized beverage product. Method for delivering a customized beverage product to an individual including the steps of obtaining consumer preference data; determining a consumer beverage formulation corresponding to the consumer preference data; and providing the consumer a customized beverage corresponding to the customized beverage formulation, utilizing one or more of delayed dilution, delayed mixing, and delayed filtering, in any order.

Abstract: A flavored instant or ready-to-drink beverage product that can deliver a rich, preferably frothy, foamy beverage with a clean, improved mouthfeel and thickness without sliminess, as well as a higher flavor impact at a lower dosage of solids is disclosed. These products comprise a water-insoluble component that includes microparticulate component, a fat/oil component, an emulsifier, a vitamin and mineral mix, and optionally, microcrystalline cellulose; a water-soluble component that includes a soluble beverage component, a thickener, and optionally, a buffer; a foam stabilizer; and optionally, acid carbonate/bicarbonate; a sweetener; milk solids; processing aids; and flavorants; and, optionally, and preferably in ready-to-drink formulations, up to 95% water. The ratio of water-soluble to water-insoluble components is about 3.3 or less (i.e., the ratio of water-insoluble to water-soluble (I/S) components is 0.

Abstract: Processes for the synthesis of polyol fatty acid polyester by transesterification of a polyol comprise reacting polyol with a first portion of fatty acid lower alkyl ester to provide a first step reaction product in which substantially all of the polyol is reacted with at least one fatty acid lower alkyl ester. The process then employs a multistage column for further transesterification of the first step reaction product. Partially esterified polyol, a second portion of fatty acid lower alkyl ester and catalyst are fed to the column to form a mixture and cause further transesterification of the partially esterified polyol and fatty acid lower alkyl ester, with lower alkyl alcohol being formed as a by product. The resulting liquid mixture of reactants and product is passed in a first direction between adjacent stages through the column for further reaction of partially esterified polyol with fatty acid lower alkyl ester.

Abstract: Provided are highly dispersible absorbent products, comprising an absorbent structure and preferably a water soluble barrier layer, wherein the absorbent products have a high rate of dispersibility, can exhibit low residual by-product in urinals upon flushing, resist strikethrough of absorbed fluid onto the hand of the user, and can absorb a sufficient amount of fluid without becoming overloaded or leaking. In one embodiment, provided is a ring rolled cellulosic sheet having a water soluble polymeric film laminated thereto. Also provided is a method of making such dispersible absorbent products comprising mechanically weakening an absorbent structure. Also provided are packaged products comprising a package and a plurality of dispersible absorbent products or articles.

Abstract: Insoluble, denatured, heat-stable protein particles are used in food and beverage products. The particles are easily dispersible in aqueous solutions and take the form of substantially non-aggregated macro-colloids. In a hydrated state the preferred mean diameter particle size distribution of the insoluble, denatured, heat-stable particles ranges from about 0.1 microns to about 3.0 microns, with less than about 5 percent of the total number of particles exceeding about 3.0 microns in diameter. The majority of the particles are substantially spheroidal in shape and have a substantially smooth, emulsion-like organoleptic character similar to that of high-calorie fats and oils. Additionally, these particles have a degree of protein insolubility of at least about 80%, which provides processing advantages during heat treatment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to faecal management devices for babies, children or adults, to be adhesively attached in a releasable manner to the perianal area of the wearer, said devices being particularly easy to put in place and particularly easy to detach after use. Claimed and described is a fecal management device (10) comprising a bag (11), said bag (11) having an aperture (21) and a flange (12) surrounding said aperture (21) said flange (12) having a wearer facing portion (23) and a garment facing portion (22), wherein said wearer facing portion (23) comprises a layer of adhesive (20) for releasable attachment to the perianal area of a wearer, characterized in that said flange (12) is provided with at least two non-adhesive lobes, i.e. one or more placement lobes (13) or one or more detachment lobes (14) or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A process for removing digestible fat from a crude reaction mixture comprising nondigestible fat and at least one digestible fat selected from the group consisting of digestible fats having fatty acid chains, comprising the steps of: (1) treating the crude reaction mixture with an aqueous solution comprising lipase at a pH sufficient to obtain soaps from the fatty acid chains; and (2) removing the soaps.

Abstract: A flowable nondigestible oil composition having a Consistency in a temperature range of 20° C. to 40° C. of less than about 600 P.sec(n−1), preferably less than about 400 P.sec(n−1). The flowable nondigestible oil contains a liquid polyol polyester having a complete melt point less than 37° C., and a solid polyol polyester having a complete melt point of at least about 37° C. The solid polyol polyester can be a solid saturated polyol polyester, a solid diversely esterified polyol polyester, a polyol polyester polymer, or a combination thereof, which are crystallized, or co-crystallized, into unaggregated crystal particles of typically less than 10 microns in maximum dimension. The flowable nondigestible oil is made by a process which includes the steps of melting completely the nondigestible oil, crystallizing the solid polyol polyester while applying shear to avoid formation of clusters of crystallized aggregates which can prevent the composition from being flowable.

Abstract: Methods of removing a lower alkyl alcohol from a polyester mixture of polyol fatty acid polyester and lower alkyl alcohol comprise (a) contacting the polyester mixture with a stripping mixture comprising an inert stripping gas, up to about 10,000 ppm lower alkyl alcohol and up to about 2000 ppm oxygen, wherein at least a portion of the lower alkyl alcohol is transferred from the polyester mixture to the stripping mixture, thereby increasing the concentration of lower alkyl alcohol in the stripping mixture, and (b) separating the stripping mixture from the polyester mixture.

Abstract: A flowable nondigestible oil composition having a Consistency in a temperature range of 20° C. to 40° C. of less than about 600 P.sec(n-1), preferably less than about 400 p.sec(n-1). The flowable nondigestible oil contains a liquid component having a complete melt point less than 37° C., and a solid component having a complete melt point of at least about 37° C. At least one of the solid component and the liquid component includes a material selected from esterifield linked alkoxylated polyols, such as esterifield linked alkoxylated glycerines; esterifield epoxide-extended polyols; and mixtures thereof. A method for making the composition is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for collecting and disposing of urine and fecal excrement from an individual. The method is the simultaneous and independent use of a disposable urine management device and a disposable fecal management device. The disposable urine management device is independently applied in a releasable manner to the uro-genital area of the individual while the disposable fecal management device is independently applied in a releasable manner to the perineal area of the individual.

Abstract: A process for synthesizing polyol fatty acid polyesters comprising the steps of (1) mixing ingredients comprising (a) unesterified first polyol having hydroxyl groups, (b) second polyol esterified with fatty acids, (c) basic catalyst, and (d) emulsifying agent to form a mixture of ingredients; (2) reacting the mixture of ingredients at a temperature sufficient to obtain a transesterification reaction products and by-products; and (3) removing at least a portion of the by-products from the transesterification reaction mixture; and (4) further heating the transesterification reaction products and ingredients from step (3) at a temperature and for a time sufficient to esterify at least about 50% of the hydroxyl groups of the first polyol.

Abstract: Process for synthesizing polyol fatty acid polyesters which includes the steps of reacting an excess of lower alkyl ester with polyol to esterify hydroxyl groups thereof and form polyol fatty acid polyester, separating at least a portion of the unreacted lower alkyl ester from the polyol fatty acid polyester, and recycling the separated unreacted lower alkyl ester for further reaction with polyol or partially esterified polyol. The recycled lower alkyl ester is substantially free of lower alkyl ester degradation reaction products, such as carbonyls and free fatty acids.

Abstract: A method of brewing a fluid extract using a filter pouch containing flavor extractable particles. One step is supporting a fully compliant, fluid-permeable filter pouch partially filled with flavor extractable particles such that the pouch is inclined at an angle to horizontal ranging from about 30° to about 90° so that the particles accumulate at a bottom end of the filter pouch. Another step is directing brew water to near an upper end of the filter pouch above the particles. The brew water enters the filter pouch without the need for an opening in the pouch, and drops to infiltrate the particles. The particles are partially fluidized by and suspended in the brew water and they rise with the brew water into an empty portion of the filter pouch without a need for opposing sides of the filter pouch to separate to generate internal space. A further step includes brewing a fluid extract from the particles in the filter pouch and discharging the fluid extract from the filter pouch.

Abstract: A novel dissolution agent, and its use in the manufacture of instant (flavored and unflavored) beverage products, (coffee, hot chocolate, teas, creamy juice drinks, milk shakes, nutritional drinks, and the like, especially instant coffee products), that have improved mouthfeel (“creaminess”, “richness”, “body”, “complexity”, “body-richness”, “substantial”) and thickness, without “sliminess” or “stringiness”. This novel dissolution agent may also be used to make a binder solution that will be used during manufacturing in the agglomeration process. The instant beverage products made according to the present invention, (especially preferred are instant coffee products), can deliver a creamy, rich, preferably foamy, beverage with a clean, improved mouthfeel and thickness without “sliminess” or “stringiness”, as well as a higher flavor impact, at a lower dosage of solids (5-10%, preferably 6.5-8.

Abstract: An improved method of adding food-additive ingredients to a food product, particularly a reduced fat fried snack product, and an ingredient suspension containing a flowable edible, preferably a nondigestible fat, and food-additive ingredients. The method consists of suspending the encapsulated or powdered ingredients in the flowable edible fat, and applying the suspension in a controlled amount to the surface of a food product. The preferred food product is a fabricated reduced fat or fat-free potato chip which is a fried snack made by frying a dough in a nondigestible fat to a moisture content of less than 5%. The ingredient suspension is applied to the surface of the fried snack soon after emerging from the fryer. The food product has a light, crispy, improved crunchy texture, improved flavor and a fat content of from about 20% to about 38% nondigestible fat, and is fortified with food-additive ingredients.

Abstract: No-rinse floor cleaning compositions which provide improved burnish response to finished floors are sold in concentrated form or in diluted, ready to use form. The concentrated compositions when diluted with water comprise from about 100 ppm to about 750 ppm of an amine oxide surfactant, from about 0 ppm to about 650 ppm of a nonionic surfactant, and from about 1 ppm to about 40 ppm of a silicone antifoam agent. These floor cleaning compositions are substantially free of harsh chemicals and are particularly suitable for use on highly polished floors in commercial environments where daily burnishing is most often utilized.