Abstract: A delivery head for a beverage preparation machine including a movable first part and a fixed second part, the first part being movable relative to the second part between an open position and a closed position, in the open position the first part being positioned to enable loading of a cartridge into the delivery head, in the closed position the first part and second part being positioned to hold the cartridge in a dispensing position, the delivery head further comprising an inlet piercer and an outlet piercer, the inlet piercer and the outlet piercer being orientated substantially in the same direction and being pivotable relative to the fixed second part between a retracted position and a piercing position.

Abstract: A clamping mechanism for a beverage cartridge is provided, comprising: a frame; a tray suitable for receiving a beverage cartridge therein; a clamp; and an actuator. The tray is coupled to the frame to allow the tray to move between a brewing position and a loading position. The actuator is pivotably connected to the clamp and the clamp is pivotably connected to the frame to allow the clamp to be pivoted between a clamped position and an unclamped position on rotation of the actuator relative to the frame. The tray is engagable with the clamp during movement of the tray into the loading position to move the clamp from the unclamped position to a raised position.

Abstract: The present invention provides a beverage preparation machine for forming a beverage by contacting an aqueous medium with one or more beverage ingredients, the beverage preparation machine comprising a tube forming at least a part of an outlet path for discharging the beverage to a receptacle; wherein the tube has an upstream end for receiving the beverage and a downstream end for discharging the beverage; wherein the upstream end has a characteristic internal dimension of at least 8 mm and the downstream end has a characteristic internal dimension of at least 10 mm.

Abstract: An automatic coffee maker comprises a tube valve which has a passage tube for liquids and/or gases and a control device for controlling a throughput through the passage tube. The tube valve is improved by a direction changing device which changes an orientation of the passage tube during operation.

Abstract: A method of operating a beverage preparation machine, the beverage preparation machine being of the type comprising a brewer comprising: a reservoir containing water; a delivery head for receiving in use a cartridge containing one or more beverage ingredients; a pump for pumping water from said reservoir to said delivery head; a primary heater for heating the water contained in said reservoir; a secondary heater in between the reservoir and the delivery head; a controller for controlling energization of the primary heater and the secondary heater; and wherein the controller operates to prevent energization of the primary heater simultaneous with energization of the secondary heater. An apparatus for carrying out the method is also disclosed and methods and apparatus utilizing first and second brewers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a foaming instant coffee composition comprising particles having a bulk density of from 0.16 to 0.45 g/cm3, said particles comprising a continuous phase comprising an instant coffee matrix and a non-continuous phase comprising particles of a foamable component containing a gas.

Abstract: The invention relates to a resealable package (1, 1?, 1?), comprising a package body (2) having a first side wall (4), a second side wall (6) opposite the first side wall (4), an openable top end (8) and a closed bottom end (10), wherein a portion (12) of the first side wall (4) protrudes beyond the second side wall (6) at the top end (8) in a direction from the bottom end (10) to the top end (8), and a closure element (18) which is releasably adhered to an inner surface (14) of the portion (12) of the first side wall (4) which protrudes beyond the second side wall (6) and the second side wall (6) so as to close the top end (8), Upon removal of the closure element (18) from the package body (2), a resealable adhesive arrangement (20, 22; 23; 25) is exposed so as to allow the inner surface (14) of the portion (12) of the first side wall (4) which protrudes beyond the second side wall (6) and an outer surface (16) of the second side wall (6) to be resealably adhered to one another in a position to close the top

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a process for producing a confectionery product comprising heat resistant chocolate or a heat resistant compound mass and to the confectionery product, which is produced by this process. The process utilizes spraying water and/or a polyol (such as a sugar alcohol or a sugar) solution onto chocolate or a compound mass thereby inducing the formation of heat resistant chocolate or a heat resistant compound mass.

Abstract: A delivery head for a beverage preparation machine comprising a movable first part, a fixed second part and a cartridge guide; the first part being movable between an open position and a clamping position; the cartridge guide being operatively engaged with the first part and slidably movable relative to the second part between a loading position and a dispensing position; the cartridge guide being located in the loading position when the first part is in the open position so as to enable loading of a cartridge into the cartridge guide; wherein on movement of the first part into the clamping position the cartridge guide is slidable into the dispensing position due to the operative engagement of the cartridge guide with the first part.

Abstract: A method of producing chocolate comprising mixing for 10-120 minutes a composition having a temperature of 35-50 C, the composition comprising: chocolate base mass; and one or more surfactants; wherein the composition has a fat content of 22-30 wt. % and a water content of at least 1.1 wt. % relative to the total mass of the composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the manufacture of a chocolate product involving the use of hydrated salt, hydrated sugar or hydrated sugar alcohol in the underlying chocolate mass and comprising the steps of refining, conching and optionally tempering of the chocolate mass. The invention further relates to a chocolate product comprising a chocolate mass comprising certain weight proportions of hydratable salt, hydratable sugar or hydratable sugar alcohol, as obtainable by the process of the invention.

Abstract: The present application relates to a pouch location device (18) for a machine (10) for dispensing beverages or foods, and in particular to a device for enabling a soft pouch (31) containing beverage or food ingredients to be accurately located in a bar code reader (37). The pouch location device comprises a slot (17) for receiving at least an end of a flexible pouch. The slot (17) has an entry aperture (32) at one end, an end wall (34) at the opposing end, a substantially transparent window (30) defining the top of the slot, a spring biased platen (33) defining the base of the slot. The platen (33) defines the lower lip of the entry aperture (32) and is angled to taper the slot (17) towards the end wall (34).

Abstract: Improvements in containers are provided, and in particular improvements in containers for preparing and dispensing foamable beverage and food products. The package may contain at least a liquid primary ingredient and a secondary ingredient and comprises at least one wall defining a chamber at least partially filled with the primary ingredient, an outlet for dispensing the prepared product, and a capsule surrounding the primary ingredient separating the secondary ingredient from the primary ingredient. The capsule may be attached to insides of opposing walls of the package such that as the opposing walls are moved further apart the capsule breaks. At least one of the ingredients may include a foaming agent such that the foamed product is produced when the capsule is broken and the primary and secondary ingredients mix.

Abstract: A process is provided for preparing (1) a first composition obtained by extracting a plant material with a single phase mixture of water and at least a first organic solvent under agitation so as to obtain a first extract rich in polyphenol oligomers, wherein the first composition is the first extract, and (2) a second composition obtained by extracting at least a portion of the first extract with a biphasic mixture of water and at least a second organic solvent under agitation so as to obtain a second extract rich in polyphenol monomers, dimers, and trimers, wherein the second composition is the second extract. Food products, mendicants, and cosmetics containing the first composition or the second composition are also provided.

Abstract: A beverage preparation machine for dispensing beverages comprising: a housing; a first reservoir station; a first reservoir for containing an aqueous medium, the first reservoir being connectable to said first reservoir station; an auxiliary module station for receiving an auxiliary module.

Abstract: A cartridge containing one or more ingredients for the preparation of beverages. The cartridge comprises an inlet for the introduction of an aqueous medium into the cartridge, an outlet for a beverage produced from said one or more beverage ingredients, an aperture in a beverage flow path linking the inlet to the outlet which generates, in use, a jet of beverage, and an expansion chamber located downstream of the aperture. The expansion chamber comprises an expansion chamber inlet for receiving the jet of beverage and an expansion chamber outlet; and an air inlet located in the expansion chamber in the vicinity of the expansion chamber inlet. The cross-sectional area of the expansion chamber decreases in a downstream direction from the expansion chamber inlet to the expansion chamber outlet, and the cross-sectional area and profile of the expansion chamber outlet are substantially the same as the cross-sectional area and profile of the beverage stream as it passes through the outlet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a beverage cartridge for use in a beverage preparation machine, the cartridge being formed from substantially water-impermeable materials and comprising an inlet for the introduction of an aqueous medium into the cartridge and an outlet for discharge of a beverage produced from the aqueous medium and one or more beverage ingredients contained in the cartridge, wherein the one or more beverage ingredients includes one or more discrete edible components which are substantially insoluble in the aqueous medium and which, in use, are dispensed from the cartridge with the beverage.

Abstract: The present invention provides an acidified dairy food comprising cocoa shells, a method for producing the acidified dairy food, and the use of cocoa shells to increase the fiber content and/or lower the fat content of an acidified dairy food.

Abstract: A cartridge for use in a beverage preparation machine, the cartridge containing one or more beverage ingredients and being formed from substantially air- and water-impermeable materials, the cartridge comprising an inlet for the introduction of an aqueous medium into the cartridge and an outlet for discharge of a beverage produced from the one or more beverage ingredients.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an edible composition, a method for making the same and edible items comprising the composition. The edible items can be used to produce yet more intricate edible products.