Abstract: The methods and products disclosed herein relate to high solids concentrated dairy liquids that remain retort and shelf stable for an extended shelf life at ambient conditions with substantially no negative flavor notes typically found in the prior retorted dairy liquids. In one aspect, the stable concentrated dairy liquids have up to about 50 percent total solids, and in some approaches, between about 38 and about 50 percent total solids. In another aspect, the high solids concentrated dairy liquids may also include increased levels of sugar relative to the dairy solids and/or increased levels of sugar relative to the protein and fat to aid in achieving stability.

Abstract: A capsule for preparing a predetermined quantity of beverage with a beverage brewing device is disclosed. The beverage brewing device comprises a receptacle for receiving the capsule. The capsule comprises a cup comprising a circumferential wall, a bottom closing the circumferential wall at a first end, and a lid in use connected to the cup at a second end of the circumferential wall opposite the bottom. The wall, bottom and lid, in use, enclose an inner space comprising the extractable product. At least a portion of a surface of the capsule conceived to, in use, interact with the receptacle is provided with at least one projection for forming a sealing engagement with the receptacle.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing a quantity of beverage suitable for consumption, includes a first and a second brew chamber part to form a brew chamber for holding an exchangeable capsule as well as a fluid dispensing device for supplying an amount of fluid, such as water, under pressure to the exchangeable capsule. The first and the second brew chamber part are movable relative to each other between a first relative position, and a second relative position. The first relative position defines an open state in which the capsule can be inserted into the brew chamber. The second relative position defines a closed state allowing the brew chamber to enclose the capsule. A first biasing member biases the capsule towards the second brew chamber part. A second biasing biases the first brew chamber part and the second brew chamber part towards each other. The first biasing member has a higher stiffness than the second biasing member.

Abstract: The invention provides a powder dispenser comprising a tube of circular cross-section; an auger extending axially through the tube; and a disc-shaped distributor extending laterally to the axis of the tube and partially closing the tube, wherein the disc-shaped distributor comprises a central ring and arms extending radially therefrom, characterised in that, the central ring has a radius of between 55%-90% of the internal radius of the tube; at least one of the arms extends to no more than 1 mm from the internal wall of the tube; and wherein there is a distance defined by a circular arc concentric with the tube between each arm at a distance of 1 mm from the tube wall of between 30%-65% of the internal radius of the tube.

Abstract: A capsule containing a substance for the preparation of a potable beverage. The capsule comprises an aluminum capsule body having a side wall and an outwardly extending flange and a sealing member at the outwardly extending flange for providing a fluid sealing contact with an enclosing member of a beverage preparation device. The beverage preparation device comprises an annular element having a free contact end which is provided with a plurality of radially extending open grooves. The capsule comprises a bearing for the enclosing member of the beverage preparation device if the capsule is positioned in the enclosing member of the beverage preparation device and the enclosing member is closed by means of a closing member of the beverage preparation device, said bearing enclosing at least a portion of the free contact end of the annular element.

Abstract: A die-cut lid for closing a container is formed from a flexible composite sheet material. The lid comprises a functional area bearing human-readable and/or machine-readable data. One or more rigidifying indentations are provided on the lid to promote flatness of the functional area in a resting state of the lid. The one or more rigidifying indentations can be in the form of one or more encircling indentations that border the functional area; and/or a planar indentation that encompasses the functional area.

Abstract: An assembly for frothing a fluid having an air channel with a controllable air valve and having a fluid channel with an air inlet emanation point in which the air channel emanates, a pump, a fluid restriction, a heater, and a valve assembly having a first state in which fluid is channeled to a fluid outlet of the fluid channel and a second state in which the fluid is diverted from the fluid channel to a second fluid outlet. A water supply channel is connected to the fluid channel. The assembly also includes a cleaning reservoir and a return channel that is connected to the second fluid outlet of the valve assembly and that emanates in the cleaning reservoir. An electronic controller assembly is configured to control at least the pump, the heater, and the valve assembly, and to operate the assembly in a production mode and a cleaning mode.

Abstract: An exchangeable supply pack for a beverage dispensing machine. The pack comprises a doser including a pump assembly comprising a pump channel between an inlet and an outlet, for receiving a fluid from an ingredient container and for pumping it to the outlet. The pump assembly comprises a pump chamber and at least two engaging gears forming a gear pump. At least one of said gears forms a driving gear and comprises a shaft opening for receiving a driving axle of the beverage dispensing machine. The shaft opening coincides with an axle reception opening of a support wall of the pump chamber, and a flexible seal is arranged at least between the driving gear and the support wall. The seal comprises a through opening coinciding with the shaft opening and the axle reception opening for receiving the driving axle.

Abstract: A system for preparing a quantity of beverage suitable for consumption includes a second exchangeable capsule having a second body with a second flange-like rim and a second exit face attached to the second flange-like rim. The system further includes an apparatus for preparing a quantity of beverage suitable for consumption having a first brew chamber part having a cavity for holding the second exchangeable capsule and a second brew chamber part for closing the first brew chamber part around the second exchangeable capsule. The first brew chamber part has a first substantially annular abutment surface in the cavity and further has a second substantially annular abutment surface. A diameter of the second annular abutment surface is larger than a diameter of the first annular abutment surface. The second abutment surface is arranged for abutting the second flange-like rim there against when the cavity holds the second exchangeable capsule.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the manufacture of a freeze-dried coffee powder, the method comprising: providing a coffee extract having from 40 wt % to 55 wt % solids; adding gas to the coffee extract in an amount of from 1 NL/kg to 5 NL/kg of coffee extract, to provide a gas-containing coffee extract at above atmospheric pressure; depressurising the gas-containing coffee extract to form a foamed coffee extract; cooling the foamed coffee extract to below ?40° C. without shear, or with low shear, to form a frozen coffee extract, grinding the frozen coffee extract to a powder; and drying the powder, wherein the step of cooling the foamed coffee extract to below ?40° C. comprises: (i) cooling the foamed coffee extract to a first temperature; (ii) cooling the foamed coffee extract from the first temperature to a second temperature lower than the first temperature; and (iii) cooling the foamed coffee extract from the second temperature to below ?40° C., wherein the first temperature is 1° C.

Abstract: A system for preparing beverage consumptions comprising an appliance to prepare and dispense a beverage and at least one exchangeable supply pack. The appliance includes a loading channel to receive the exchangeable supply pack. The exchangeable supply pack has a container to hold a beverage related ingredient, a drive port to receive a driving torque and an ingredient outlet port. The loading channel has a protruding drive shaft for transmitting torque from the appliance to the supply pack, and an ingredient receiving connector for conveying the ingredient from the supply pack to the appliance. The drive port and outlet port of the supply pack are coupled to the drive shaft and the receiving connector. The drive port includes an opening with a concave tapered inner wall defining a funnel shape and cooperates with the protruding drive shaft to assist in aligning the outlet port with respect to the receiving connector.

Abstract: A method of dispensing a beverage comprising: a) inserting a beverage ingredient tablet (20) into a beverage preparation machine (30); b) measuring a characteristic associated with the thickness of at least a portion of the beverage ingredient tablet (20) to identify the beverage ingredient tablet (20); c) configuring one or more dispense parameters of the beverage preparation machine (30) based on the identification of the beverage ingredient tablet (20); and d) operating the beverage preparation machine (30) to dispense a beverage by contacting the beverage ingredient tablet (20) with an aqueous fluid.

Abstract: A system for heating and frothing a beverage comprises a device for heating and frothing a beverage and a froth wand. The device for heating and frothing a beverage includes a steamer, a steam conduit connecting the steamer to a steam nozzle and a froth wand holder for removably holding a froth wand. The froth wand is a disposable froth wand and comprises a tubular wall having a steam inlet end comprising a steam inlet, a steam outlet end comprising a steam outlet separate from the steam inlet and a steam channel extending between the steam inlet and the steam outlet. The froth wand holder is arranged for holding the disposable froth wand at least in an operational position in the device for heating and frothing a beverage in which operational position the steam nozzle is in communication with the steam inlet of the disposable froth wand.

Abstract: Capsule containing a substance for the preparation of a potable beverage, the capsule having an aluminum capsule body having a side wall and an outwardly extending flange and a sealing member at the outwardly extending flange for providing a fluid sealing contact with an enclosing member of a beverage preparation device. The beverage preparation device comprises an annular element having a free contact end which may be provided with a plurality of radially extending open grooves. The sealing member is integral with the outwardly extending flange and comprises a projection. An annular trough between the inner projection foot and the side wall has a bottom axially spaced from the outer projection foot towards the bottom of the capsule body.

Abstract: A capsule containing a substance for the preparation of a potable beverage. The capsule comprises an aluminum capsule body having a side wall and an outwardly extending flange and a sealing member at the outwardly extending flange for providing a fluid sealing contact with an enclosing member of a beverage preparation device. The beverage preparation device comprises an annular element having a free contact end which may be provided with a plurality of radially extending open grooves. The sealing member is integral with the outwardly extending flange and comprises at least one projection projecting from the outwardly extending flange. The projection comprising a projection top and is configured such that its projection top exerts a radial force on the free contact end of the annular element if the capsule is positioned in the enclosing member of the beverage preparation device and the enclosing member is closed by means of a closing member of the beverage preparation device.

Abstract: A system and method for preparing a consumable beverage. The system includes an apparatus including a first brew chamber part having a cavity for selectively holding an exchangeable first or second capsule. An exit area of the second capsule has a diameter that is larger than a diameter of an first exit area of the first capsule. The apparatus includes a second brew chamber part for closing the first brew chamber part around the first or second capsule. The second brew chamber part has an extraction plate for abutting against the first or second exit area. The extraction plate includes a central portion and a peripheral portion. The central portion is movable relative to the peripheral portion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pad for use in a coffee-maker, provided with an envelope with an inner space which is filled with a beverage preparation product, wherein the envelope is formed by a first disc-shaped sheet and a second disc-shaped sheet, wherein the interconnected parts of the first sheet and the second sheet form a sealing seam and wherein the first sheet and the second sheet each form a filter which can pass a fluid and which forms a barrier to the beverage preparation product, wherein, in use, with the coffee-maker a fluid such as water is supplied, under pressure, via the first sheet to the pad so that the fluid is pressed through the pad for obtaining the beverage which thereupon leaves the pad, wherein each sheet comprises at least one layer, and wherein at least one of the first sheet and the second sheet is of form-retaining design, made of at least one base compound comprising meltable polymers and preferably fibers and/or filaments of the same, and at least one enforcement compound compri

Abstract: A die-cut lid (20) for closing a container is disclosed; the lid being formed from a flexible composite sheet material (30). The lid comprises a functional area (70) bearing human-readable and/or machine-readable data with the lid comprising one or more rigidifying indentations (50) to promote flatness of the functional area in a resting state of the lid. The one or more rigidifying indentations are selected from the group of: i) one or more encircling indentations that border the functional area; and/or ii) a planar indentation that encompasses the functional area. A lidded container (1) comprising such a die-cut lid and a method of forming a die-cut lid are also described.

Abstract: A system for preparing beverage, including a second exchangeable capsule, and arranged for optionally including a first exchangeable capsule. The second capsule is larger than the first capsule. The system also includes an apparatus with a first brew chamber part and a second brew chamber part forming a brew chamber for selectively holding one of the capsules and a fluid dispensing device for supplying fluid under pressure to the first brew chamber part. The first brew chamber part has a cavity for selectively holding the first or second capsule. The first brew chamber part may include a first volume not occupied by the first exchangeable capsule when holding this capsule. The first brew chamber part may include a second volume not occupied by the second exchangeable capsule when holding this capsule. The invention further relates to a brew chamber assembly, an apparatus, a set of capsules, a method of preparing a beverage, a capsule, and several adapters.

Abstract: A system for preparing a quantity of beverage suitable for consumption, including an apparatus including a first brew chamber part and a second brew chamber part forming a brew chamber for selectively holding one of a first and second exchangeable capsules, the second exchangeable capsule having a larger diameter than the first exchangeable capsule, wherein the second brew chamber part includes a central portion and a peripheral portion, wherein the peripheral portion includes a second sealing member arranged for providing a fluid sealing engagement between the peripheral portion and the first brew chamber part when forming the brew chamber for holding the second exchangeable capsule.