Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of improving microbiological stability in a still water-based beverage with respect to undesirable growth of microbiological spoilage such as yeast and/or mould growth during their preparation and/or storage.

Abstract: Nutritional compositions and methods of making and using the nutritional compositions are provided. In a general embodiment, a nutritional composition includes exogenous vitamin K2. The nutritional compositions may further include an additional component selected from the group consisting of phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, iron, copper, manganese, calcium, vitamin D, osteopontin and combinations thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of lipids and in particular aims at improving lipid absorption, for example under conditions of lipid maldigestion or malabsorption. One embodiment of the present invention relates to a composition comprising a sn-2 monoacylglycerol derivative, wherein the sn-1 and sn-3 positions are blocked by protective groups. The acyl group may be a fatty acid, for example one with anti-inflammatory properties.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a cap (10) for receptacles (20) such as e.g. glass jars, comprising a cap base body (11) with a fixing means (13) for enabling the cap (10) to be removably attached on the receptacles (20), a backing layer (2) made from a deformable material, and a sealable, preferably heat-sealable membrane (3) not being glued to the backing layer (2), wherein both the backing layer (2) and the membrane (3) are retained inside the cap (10) via a retention portion (18) extending from an inner side wall (14) of the cap (10). The invention is further directed to a receptacle (20) having said cap (10) for closing it, and is also directed to a method for providing the cap (10) with a sealing element (1) and for providing said cap (10) onto the receptacle (20).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a plastic preform (200) for a container (300) comprising at least one elongate reinforcing element (210), and obtained by injection-molding. The present invention further relates to a container (300) blow-molded from such a preform (200), and comprising at least one reinforcing element (320), and having a continuous and smooth outer surface (310b).

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for classifying food products and predicting appropriate ages and/or developmental stages that children should be provided with certain food products. In an embodiment, the methods include mathematical models that use the measurements of key texture attributes to predict the minimum age and/or developmental stage of food products. Using the methods of the present disclosure, classification of food products can be directed during early product development. Additionally, the methods of the present disclosure have generated an understanding of which key texture attributes differentiate appropriate products across developmental stages.

Abstract: The present invention provides assays for detecting and measuring the presence or level of neutralizing and non-neutralizing autoantibodies to biologics such as anti-TNF? drug therapeutics in a sample. The present invention is useful for monitoring the formation of neutralizing and/or non-neutralizing anti-drug antibodies over time while a subject is on biologic therapy. The present invention is also useful for predicting and/or determining the cross-reactivity of neutralizing anti-drug antibodies in a subject's sample with alternative biologic therapies. As such, the present invention provides information for guiding treatment decisions for those subjects receiving therapy with a biologic agent and improves the accuracy of optimizing therapy, reducing toxicity, and/or monitoring the efficacy of therapeutic treatment to biologic therapy.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for manufacturing food products. In a general embodiment, systems for manufacturing a food product include at least one heat exchanger, at least one food product tank, at least one conduit downstream of the food product tank for flow of the food product, and a flow detection device coupled to an exterior of the conduit. The flow detection device includes a processor and a computer readable medium storing instructions which, when executed, cause the processor to perform a spread spectrum analysis of the flow of the food product through the conduit. Methods for manufacturing food products are also provided.

Abstract: A heightening device (10) is arranged for heightening a short cup (3?) under a beverage outlet (20) of a beverage preparation module (2) configured to dispense beverage into a tall cup (3). The device (10) comprises: a bottom (12) for resting on a support surface (5); a platform (14) that is supported by the bottom and that is configured for receiving said short cup (3?) and heightening thereof over the bottom (12); and a means (15,16) for assembling the bottom and the platform as a unit (12, 14) to a corresponding assembling means (25, 26) of said beverage preparation module under said outlet. The assembling means (15, 16; 25, 26) of such device (10) and of the module (2) are disassemblable for separating the unit (12, 14) from the module and removing the unit from under such beverage outlet (20) to allow placement of the tall cup (3) on said support surface (5) under the outlet (20).

Abstract: A cooking aid comprising a sheet of flexible burn resistant material and a composition disposed on one face of the sheet, the composition comprising a mixture of vegetable or animal oil with a melting point below 20° C., vegetable or animal fat with a melting point above 20° C., and one or more herbs, spices and flavor enhancers.

Abstract: A receptacle holding unit (1) for a device for preparing a beverage from an ingredient contained in a receptacle (2) comprises: —a first part (10) with a first engagement arrangement (11); —a second part (20) that has a second engagement arrangement (21) pivotally movable relative to the first engagement arrangement (11) about a longitudinal axis (1?) between a closed position for holding the receptacle in such unit and an open position for inserting the receptacle into such unit and/or for removal therefrom; and —a piercing device (20C) having at least one piercing element (29) for piercing the receptacle (2), this device being assembled to and held by the second part. At least one piercing element (29) is off this axis (1?) and is angularly fixed relative to the first part (10) about this axis (1?) when the second engagement arrangement (21) is pivotally moved relative to the first engagement arrangement (11) about this axis (1?) between the closed and open positions.

Abstract: A beverage preparation machine (1) comprising: a body (2) having one or more outer faces (21,22) and a beverage outlet for delivering a beverage on a beverage dispensing area (27); and a module (3) operatively connected to the body adjacent to one of said one or more outer faces. The module is movable into a plurality of different operative connection positions along said one or more outer faces of the body.

Abstract: An apparatus (100) for purifying liquid comprises an irradiation chamber (102) upon which are disposed a plurality of UV-LEDs (112) which irradiate a flow (110) of liquid as it passes therethrough; a coolant conduit (104) is disposed about said irradiation chamber (102) and UV-LEDs (112), which conducts a flow (126) of a coolant fluid through it thereby cooling the flow (110) of liquid and the plurality of UV-LEDs (112).

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for producing a nutritional composition (6), the system comprising (a) a measurement device (3) for determining a level of one or more nutrients in a sample (2) from a subject (7); (b) a controller (4) for calculating a required nutrient intake for the subject (7), wherein the controller (4) is operatively linked to the measurement device (3) and is configured to calculate the required nutrient intake based on the level of the nutrients in the sample (2) from the subject (7); (c) a nutritional dispenser (5) for preparing a personalized nutritional composition (6) comprising a combination of nutrients required by the subject (7); wherein the nutritional dispenser (5) is operatively linked to the controller (4) and is configured to produce the personalized nutritional composition (6) comprising the combination of nutrients based on the required nutrient intake for the subject (7) calculated by the controller (4).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a powder for coloring a food product or a food product surface when heated, the powder having a plant extract, a chemical base, and a carrier; wherein the plant extract includes a compound with at least one aromatic ring having at least two hydroxyl groups borne by two adjacent carbon atoms of that aromatic ring. Further aspects of the invention are the use of said powder for coloring a food product when heated for example in a microwave oven and to food products having said powder.

Abstract: A beverage preparation machine (1) comprises: a beverage preparation module (2); a removable reservoir (4) assembled to the beverage preparation module and disassemblable therefrom for removal; and a lid (41) for covering the reservoir. The lid has a fastening arrangement (46) for securing the reservoir against the beverage preparation module when the reservoir is assembled to the module.

Abstract: The present invention describes a beverage production apparatus (1), comprising:—a mixing chamber (21) for producing a beverage from a soluble ingredient and a liquid, and—a chamber receiving area (22) for receiving the mixing chamber (21), the mixing chamber (21) being removable from the chamber receiving area (22), wherein the chamber receiving area comprises an upper part (22a), said upper part being removable from the beverage production apparatus (1).

Abstract: The present invention relates to the production of wafers and more particularly to the use of a batter aerating system to obtain wafers with an effective density of at most 0.16 g/cm3, and with sufficient strength to be able to remove them from the wafer baking plates.

Abstract: A capsule system for preparing beverages by centrifugation of a capsule in a centrifuging brewing device comprising: a set of different capsules (1A, 1B; 1C, 1D; 1E, 1F, 1G; 1H, 1I; 1J,1K, 1L); each one for selectively delivering a beverage having specific characteristics that differ from the other capsules of the set; each capsule of the set comprising a body (2) with a sidewall and a free rim (3), an upper wall (4) and an extractable or infusible ingredient; and an insertion diameter (D) of the body of the capsule for insertion in a rotary capsule holder (14) of the centrifuge brewing device (7) in a referential position, wherein the different capsules in the set having bodies (2) of different storage volumes obtained by a variable depth (d1, d2, d3) of the body in the set but the same insertion diameter (D) for all capsules of the set.

Abstract: A primary composition comprises all essential nutrients of a fruit or a plant material, which has an increased stability, bio-availability and miscibility, and a process forms same. An oral composition can contain the primary composition in a foodstuff, food supplement, cosmetic preparation or a pharmaceutical preparation.