Abstract: The present invention relates to polyethylene furanoate (PEF) copolymers and methods for processing the same to provide PEF articles, as well as the articles so produced.

Abstract: The present application provides a cooler for cooling a beverage fluid flow. The cooler may include a thermoelectric cooling device in communication with a fluid heat exchanger with the fluid flow therein and a water permeable membrane. The cooler further may include a fan positioned about the water permeable membrane for evaporative cooling therein.

Abstract: Disclosed in the present invention is a packaging composite material comprising polarizing films, the packaging composite material comprising: a polarizing layer, comprising two or more layers of polarizing film, wherein polarization directions of at least two layers of polarizing film have an included angle which is not 0°. The packaging composite material of the present invention has a simple structure, strong light-blocking properties, a high light-blocking rate, and a broad-spectrum light-blocking effect. Also disclosed in the present invention are the use of the packaging composite material in packaging, and the use of the packaging composite material in a label. When used as packaging or a label, the packaging composite material can extend the shelf life of products which need to be stored in the dark.

Abstract: This disclosure provides an investigation of the kinetic uptake properties of water in amorphous PEF and PET across the entire water activity interval at various temperatures, and also investigates the corresponding equilibrium uptake properties at the same conditions. Uptake data were measured using three independent and complementary methodologies, and excellent agreement was observed among all three methodologies. Accordingly, this disclosure provides for methods of plasticizing poly(ethylene furanoate) film by cold water sorption, and provides a plasticized poly(ethylene furanoate) (PEF) film made according to the disclosed methods. Methods for making thin films of PEF are also provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making a composition comprising storing at least one acid in an acid storage container, storing at least one acid-degradable component in a component storage container, and mixing the at least one acid from the acid storage container and the at least one acid-degradable component from the component storage container such that the at least one acid and the at least one acid-degradable component mix together to form the composition. A method and apparatus for providing a selected beverage from a plurality of selectable beverages comprising storing a number of non-sweetener beverage component concentrates separately in a respective number of beverage component storage containers and in response the selection of the selected beverage, automatically dispensing, continuously in a predetermined ratio for any volume of the beverage dispensed, any combination of at least two or more of the number of non-sweetener beverage component concentrates and a diluent.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making a composition comprising storing at least one acid in an acid storage container, storing at least one acid-degradable component in a component storage container, and mixing the at least one acid from the acid storage container and the at least one acid-degradable component from the component storage container such that the at least one acid and the at least one acid-degradable component mix together to form the composition. A method and apparatus for providing a selected beverage from a plurality of selectable beverages comprising storing a number of non-sweetener beverage component concentrates separately in a respective number of beverage component storage containers and in response the selection of the selected beverage, automatically dispensing, continuously in a predetermined ratio for any volume of the beverage dispensed, any combination of at least two or more of the number of non-sweetener beverage component concentrates and a diluent.

Abstract: The present application provides a merchandiser for dispensing a number of products. The merchandiser may include an ambient compartment with a number of ambient product columns with a number of ambient products therein, an X-Y drive device positioned beneath the ambient compartment, and a temperature controlled compartment positioned beneath the X-Y drive device, the temperature controlled compartment including a number of temperature controlled product columns with a number of temperature controlled products therein. The X-Y drive device receives an ambient product from one of the ambient product columns of the ambient compartment and delivers the ambient product to one of the temperature controlled product columns of the temperature controlled compartment.

Abstract: Polymorphic and amorphous forms of Rebaudioside X and methods for preparing the same are provided herein. Also provided herein are Rebaudioside X complexes and methods for preparing the same. Sweetener compositions and sweetened compositions comprising Rebaudioside X forms and Rebaudioside X complexes are described, as well as and methods of their preparation. Methods of improving the flavor and/or temporal profile of sweetenable compositions, such as beverages, are also provided herein.

Abstract: Stevia varieties with a high content of RebM, are disclosed Further provided are methods for producing Stevia plants having a high RebM content by negatively regulating certain genes selecting the resulting plants, and breeding with such plants to confer such desirable Reb M phenotypes to plant progeny.

Abstract: A display device includes a base structure, a plurality of modules coupled to the base structure, where each of the modules include a plurality of actuator assemblies. Each of the actuator assemblies is individually controllable to move the actuator assemblies between a retracted state and a plurality of extended states. A controller is coupled to each of the modules and is programmed to control the actuator assemblies to move the actuator assemblies between the retracted state and the plurality of extended states.

Abstract: The present application provides a product vending module for vending a number of products. The product vending module includes a product row configured to contain a number of products therein. The product vending module also includes a product gate positioned about the product row and rotatable from a closed position preventing access to the number of products to an open position allowing access to one of the number of products while preventing access to a remainder of the number of products, the product gate including a biased base. The product vending module further includes a product locking system in communication with the product gate, the product locking system including a locking pin releasably engaging the biased base and movable from a first allowing rotation of the product gate toward the closed position to a second position restricting rotation of the product gate toward the closed position.

Abstract: Device authentication may be provided. A mobile computing device may read a device ID from a dispensing device (e.g., a beverage dispenser, kiosk, ATM, etc.) wirelessly when the mobile computing device is placed in close proximity to the dispensing device. The mobile computing device may send the device ID along with a user ID to a server in a notification from the mobile computing device. Using the user ID, the server may look up user preferences from a table on the server. User preferences may be sent from the mobile computing device to the server. The server may send the user preferences to the dispensing device that corresponds to the device ID. In response, the dispensing device may display a customized user interface based upon the user preferences.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein that include providing a cooler with a supply duct, a plurality of shelf plenums connected in fluid communication with the supply duct, and a return duct to implement precise temperature control over an internal cooling space of the cooler. Each of the shelf plenums may include openings disposed in a top surface of each shelf plenum. A supply airflow generated by a fan of a refrigeration system may pass the supply airflow through the supply duct to each of the plurality of shelf plenums, where the supply airflow may exit the shelf plenums through the openings in each shelf plenum to directly contact beverages and/or food products disposed on the top surface of the shelf plenums. The cooler may be further operated to supercool liquid beverages below a freezing point of the beverages without causing solidification and/or crystallization of the beverages.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for forming caramels having reduced low molecular weight species such as 4-MeI. The low-4-MeI caramels produced by this method have improved stability and taste relative to those known in the art. The invention also extends to the caramels produced by the disclosed methods and the use of such caramels in food and beverages.

Abstract: Disclosed are bio-based polyester fibers, particularly a PET fibers, and a method of making the same by: contacting a bio-based MEG composition with a diacid composition to form a polyester composition; and spinning and/or drawing the resulting polyester composition into a fiber; wherein the bio-based MEG composition comprises: a) monoethylene glycol (MEG); and b) from about 1 ppm to about 5000 ppm of at least one C3-C12 1,2-diol, wherein the C3-C12 1, 2-diol is linear, branched, or cyclic.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to steviol glycosides, as well as compositions comprising such steviol glycosides. The present invention further extends to methods of preparing and purifying such steviol glycosides and methods for enhancing the flavor or sweetness of consumables using these steviol glycosides and compositions. The present invention extends to consumables comprising steviol glycosides, where the such steviol glycosides are present in a concentration at or below their sweetness recognition threshold, and wherein such steviol glycosides enhance the sweetness of the consumable.

Abstract: A beverage dispenser is disclosed herein. The beverage dispenser may include a housing configured to house at least one beverage container therein. The beverage container may include an identification tag associated therewith. At least one identification tag reader may be disposed within the housing. The identification tag reader may be configured to detect the identification tag associated with the beverage container. The beverage dispenser also may include a user interface disposed about an exterior of the housing. The user interface may include at least one beverage identification area that corresponds to the beverage container. At least one controller may be in communication with the at least one identification tag reader and the user interface. The controller may be configured to update the beverage identification area based at least in part on the identification of the beverage container by the identification tag reader.

Abstract: Systems and methods for dispensing a product are provided. A plurality of product ingredients are associated with a product dispenser that is operable to form a plurality of selectable products from the plurality of products ingredients. Input for a selected product is received and a recipe that defines the ratio of product ingredients for forming the selected product is identified. The dispense of each of the respective product ingredients is commenced based at least in part on the identified recipe, and the dispense of each of the respective product ingredients is independently monitored during the dispense of the selected product.

Abstract: Agitating a plurality of fluid packages in a tower. The housing tower may include a stationary tower as well as an agitation device. The agitation device may include an agitation chassis assembly and an agitation rack tower. The plurality of fluid packages may be received at the agitation rack tower. Once received, the plurality of fluid packages may be connected to a pump assembly, wherein the pump assembly is located at the agitation chassis assembly. In addition, the agitation rack tower may be agitated relative to the agitation chassis assembly about a pivot point located on the agitation rack tower.

Abstract: Disclosed is an acid-resisting alloy catalyst comprising nickel, one or more rare earth elements, stannum and aluminum. The acid-resistant alloy catalyst is low-cost and stable, and does not need a carrier, and can be stably used in continuous industrial production, thus achieving a low production cost.