Abstract: A process is provided for producing a chocolate composition reduced in fat and calories, which either contains sugar or is free of added sugar, and which has the taste and mouthfeel of traditional chocolate. The process involves developing the chocolate flavour during a normal chocolate-making procedure up to and including conching, and then removing some of the fat, e.g. by means of a cocoa liquor press.

Abstract: A post mix in-home carbonated drink dispenser has a novel expansion chamber and an anti-surge valve. The expansion chamber is a gradually expanding chamber which reduces carbonation loss as the carbonated liquid passes from the carbonator to the point where the liquid is discharged. The anti-surge valve, which is provided between the carbonator and the expansion chamber is designed to reduce the spitting and sputtering often experienced on start-up of a drink dispenser. The dispensing valve for carbonated water is part of the carbonator and not the dispensing head. This means that no carbonated water exists outside the carbonator. In addition, the dispenser is provided with a thin gas cylinder connecting probe which provides for a simple and easy to use CO.sub.2 cylinder connection.

Abstract: A post mix in-home carbonated drink dispenser has a novel expansion chamber and an anti-surge valve. The expansion chamber is a gradually expanding chamber which reduces carbonation loss as the carbonated liquid passes from the carbonator to the point where the liquid is discharged. The anti-surge valve, which is provided between the carbonator and the expansion chamber is designed to reduce the spitting and sputtering often experienced on start-up of a drink dispenser. The dispensing valve for carbonated water is part of the carbonator and not the dispensing head. This means that no carbonated water exists outside the carbonator. In addition, the dispenser is provided with a thin gas cylinder connecting probe which provides for a simple and easy to use CO.sub.2 cylinder connection.

Abstract: A surfactant for use as a viscosity reducing agent in chocolate, or an emulsifier, surfactant or foam stabilizer in the food and other industries is produced by extracting oats using an alcohol such as ethanol or propanol, extracting the alcohol extract with methanol and evaporating the methanol. The alcohol extraction may be preceded by extraction with a non-polar solvent such as hexane. A water-soluble surfactant can be produced by extracting the methanol extract with acetone and recovering the acetone-insoluble material.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing system is disclosed which uses throw-away plastic packages in which beverage concentrate is contained. The package comprises a body and an integral valve. The valve has a sleeve in which is contained a rotary barrel. The barrel defines two sub-chambers. As the barrel is turned by a drive of the machine, the valve is positioned so that one of the sub-chambers dispenses its contents into a drinking vessel, while the other refills and vice versa. As long as concentrate is being dispensed, diluent is also being dispensed into the vessel to form the final beverage.

Abstract: A carbonated beverage dispenser having a carbonating tank is described. The dispenser is for dispensing beverages comprising a concentrate and a diluent usually carbonated water. The carbonation takes place in the tank by spraying or jetting refrigerated water inside the tank and by spinning a bladed rotor inside the tank so as to intersect the jets or sprays to break up the water into atomized clouds. This is done in a carbon dioxide atmosphere inside the tank and therefore absorption of carbon dioxide takes place rapidly. A magnetic coupling between the bladed rotor and a prime mover outside the tank means that there is no need to make any break in the tank for a drive shaft. The dispenser also has facility to dispense either still water or carbonated water or a mixture depending upon the degree of carbonation required of the diluent.

Abstract: The invention provides novel cyclopropene fatty acid compounds of formula (I) ##STR1## wherein R is a straight chain aliphatic group of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, n is an integer of from 10 to 15; Z is a hydrogen atom, or an alkyl group of 1 to 6 carbon atoms. Also provided is a method of producing lipids comprising cultivating a suitable lipid accumulating microorganism in a growth medium containing at least one cyclopropene fatty acid or its derivative of general formula ##STR2## wherein n is an integer greater than 8 and Z and R are as defined above, the CPFA acting as a desaturase inhibitor. At least one CPFA desaturase inhibitor may be introduced into a nitrogen limited growth medium for microorganisms in an amount such that when a suitable microorganism is cultivated in such a medium, one or more desaturase enzymes are inhibited so that higher levels of saturated or less saturated lipids may be produced which may be used in fat compositions as cocoa butter equivalents.

Abstract: A gas cylinder coupling and weighing mechanism useful in a carbonated drink dispenser having a gas cylinder. The coupling and weighing mechanism supports the cylinder rotatably within a hood, the hood forming a lever which is biased upwardly by a spring. A full cylinder will pull the hood all the way down. As the cylinder is emptied, the hood will begin to move upward and when the cylinder is empty the hood will be fully upward. Mounted inside the hood is a fitting engaging with a mating fitting on the gas cylinder. The mating fitting is equipped with a pair of arms which are aligned with locking slots contained within the mating fitting which are used to engage pins on the fitting inside the hood when mounting the gas cylinder.

Abstract: To dispense a drink made up of a concentrate and a diluent a concentrate and diluent are simultaneously dispensed by coupling from a bulk diluent supply and a bulk concentrate supply directly to separate outlets separated from each other by an air gap. The outlets are directed such as to cause a stream of concentrate and a stream of diluent to issue into free space and mix. A receptacle is disposed to intercept the diluent and concentrate streams until a desired quantity of drink has been dispensed. Continuous metering of the diluent and concentrate while dispensing is carried out to obtain a desired ratio and the concentrate is dispensed at a low pressure and the diluent at a pressure sufficient to obtain mixing without foaming.

Abstract: A mini-regulator valve assembly for providing a continuous supply of fluid at a predetermined pressure from a source of high pressure fluid. The valve has a first member adapted to join with the fluid source and a second member disposed for movement relative to the first member, one of the members forming a valve seal and the other forming a sealing edge cooperating therewith. The valve is further provided with a first biasing spring, a second biasing spring and an actuator. The first biasing spring biasing the second valve member against the first valve member and the second biasing spring acting on the actuator such that when the second biasing spring moved inward, the actuator acts on the second valve member moving the valve seat and edge away from each other thereby opening the valve, the first spring in combination with the pressure of the fluid passing through the valve ending close to the valve as the pressure builds up and thereby obtaining a regulating affect.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the dispensing of a concentrate from a container at a predetermined flow rate includes a first container part a first valve part in communication with a volume of concentrate; a second part having a second mating valve part and an outlet opening therein, the second part movable with respect to the first part to selectively move the first and second valve parts with respect to each other by a preselected amount to permit flow of the concentrate from the first part, through the valve parts and out the outlet opening; cams for effecting movement of the first and second parts, the preselected amount with respect to each other; a tube to introduce air at atmospheric pressure into the container when the first and second valve parts are moved apart having a cooperating valve to prevent backflow through the tube when the first and second valve parts are in sealing relationship; and a chamber interposed between the volume of concentrate and the tube having an outlet fixed near the outlet open

Abstract: Water is carbonated in a fast and efficient manner by causing a flow of carbon dioxide through the water being carbonated at a controlled rate through a small orifice until a predetermined pressure is reached in the carbonator and, upon reaching the predetermined pressure terminating flow through the orifice.

Abstract: In a drink dispenser for dispensing carbonated drinks which includes a source of carbon dioxide at high pressure and a source of carbon dioxide at a lower pressure, the lower pressure being a pressure utilized for dispensing carbonated water, water within a carbonator tank is quickly carbonated by admitting carbon dioxide to the carbonator at the higher pressure until a pressure intermediate the higher and lower pressure is reached, venting the head space of the carbonator to the lower pressure, and, preferably, of repeating these steps a plurality of times.

Abstract: A removable batch-type diluent tank for use in connecting to a rigid gas coupling in a beverage dispenser has a tank body for containing a supply of diluent having an opening and a removable cover for covering and sealing the opening. Also included is a relief valve for relieving pressure in the tank prior to removal of the cover. A quick disconnect coupling is rigidly connected to the tank and adapted for sliding connection with the rigid coupling of the dispenser, permitting the tank to be slid into the dispenser for connecting a source of pressurizing gas to the tank. Also included is a connection for conducting diluent from the tank.