Abstract: A capsule-based beverage production machine that comprises a module designed for producing a beverage on the basis of ingredients which are contained in a capsule. The module comprises: means for retaining the capsule in a fixed position, and means for perforation of the capsule, wherein the perforation means are controlled to perforate the capsule after the capsule is retained in the fixed position by the retaining means.

Abstract: Mixing nozzle fitments and beverage devices containing the mixing nozzle fitments are provided. In an embodiment, the mixing nozzle fitment includes a first shaft defining an inlet passage, a second shaft defining a curved outlet passage and attached to the first shaft, and a coupling member attached to the second shaft. The coupling member defines a passage that leads into the curved outlet passage of the second shaft. The mixing nozzle fitment can be used in any suitable beverage dispensing device.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the field of nutrition. In particular the present invention relates to infant nutrition in the post natal period and in early life, more particular during the age period of 6-36 months or during a part thereof. One embodiment of the present invention is a kit of diet compositions for children during the age period of 6-36 months or during a part thereof, wherein the macronutrient content of the compositions is gradually changing in the form of a straight line from a composition that comprises about 40-50% energy from fat and about 40-49% energy from carbohydrates for children at the age of 6 months to a composition that comprises about 30-35% energy from fat and about 50-55% energy from carbohydrates for children at the age of 36 months, and its use to prevent obesity later in life.

Abstract: Capsule (1A) designed in particular for the preparation of a beverage in a centrifugal brewing device by feeding liquid in the capsule and rotating the capsule along a central axis (I) to produce centrifugal forces on the liquid traversing the capsule thereby forcing the beverage out of the capsule by such centrifugal forces, wherein the capsule comprises: a body (2) comprising containment walls (3,4), a main opening (6) of central axis (I) closed by a closing wall (8) forming a compartment (7) including beverage ingredients and a flange (5) peripherally bordering the said opening (6), wherein it comprises a perforating wall (9) placed close to the closing wall (8) and comprising perforating means (10-15) for perforating the closing wall (8) when applying a pressure on the transversal closing wall (8) or perforating wall (9).

Abstract: An apparatus for depositing a liquid, semi-liquid or semi-solid food product. The apparatus comprises a fixed volume chamber for receiving the food product under a positive pressure, the chamber being defined by chamber walls, one of the chamber walls being provided with an outlet orifice for depositing the food product, the outlet orifice being provided with a first sealing surface. The apparatus also comprises a valve spindle arranged for reciprocating movement within the chamber, the length direction of the valve spindle extending substantially perpendicular to the chamber wall in which the outlet orifice is provided, a first end of the valve spindle being provided with a second sealing surface. The second sealing surface of the valve spindle is arranged for abutting the first sealing surface of the outlet orifice to thereby close the outlet orifice.

Abstract: An in-line heater for a liquid food or beverage preparation machine, in which machine liquid is circulated through the heater and then guided into a brewing chamber for brewing a food or beverage ingredient supplied into said brewing chamber. The heater has a body incorporating an inlet, an outlet and a heating chamber extending therebetween, with the inlet, outlet and heating chamber forming together a rigid passage for guiding the liquid circulating through the body, and one or more electric components that are secured on or in the body and connected to a printed circuit board arranged to control the heater. The one or more electric components are rigidly connected to the printed circuit board.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device (1) having a tubular shape, comprising a body (2) and at least two extremities (3a, 3b), wherein at least one of these extremities (3a, 3b) has a V-shape (4) and comprises an opening (5) forming an ellipse (6), and wherein the angle ? between i) the central and longitudinal axis (7) of the device (1) and ii) the tangential line (8) formed by said V-shape (4) is lower than 10°.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an orally ingestible food or pet food composition or cosmetic composition containing glucosamine generated from plant materials through a drying process for the maintenance of joint health or prevention, alleviation and/or treatment of osteoarthritis, or the improvement of the skin quality and prevention or restoration of age-related alterations of skin. It also relates to the use of the composition in the manufacture of a nutritional product, a supplement, a treat, a medicament or a cosmetic product and methods for the maintenance of bone health, prevention, alleviation and/or treatment of osteoarthritis, improvement of the skin quality and prevention or restoration of age-related alterations of skin which comprises administering an effective amount of the composition.

Abstract: A brewing unit (1) of a beverage preparation machine has: a seat (11) for receiving a capsule (2) having an electrically conductive material (21, 22, 23, 24); and a capsule sensing electric circuit with first and second electric connectors (A, B). The first electric connector (A) and the second electric connector (B) are electrically connected through the electrically conductive material of the capsule (2) when the capsule is present in the seat (11) and electrically disconnected when the capsule is not in the seat so as to close and interrupt, respectively, the capsule sensing electric circuit (A, Aa, a, B, Bb, b, abc).

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for extracting a cap comprising a first part, a second part which is movable with respect to the second part which is provided with a space for the cap and defines the cap extracting position in a closed position thereof, an introduction and positioning part comprising the cap guiding elements which are arranged in such a way that it is possible to insert it in an intermediate position and a beverage pouring system in which the second movable part displaces the cap from the intermediate position to the extraction position.

Abstract: An adapting device for adapting a capsule into the capsule holder of a food machine when the capsule or pod is smaller than capsules or pods originally designed for insertion into the capsule holder is provided. The machine includes a fluid injection element for circulating a fluid through the capsule to a discharge opening, the capsule including a body enclosing a food ingredient to be dissolved and/or extracted so as to produce a food product, and further including circumferential edges. The device includes a holding portion for holding at least a portion of the capsule, and a sealer for circumferentially adapting to the capsule holder and/or to the fluid injection element, and/or to the capsule outside surface, in a leak-tight manner so that the fluid flow is directed solely from the fluid injection element through the capsule, to a discharge opening.

Abstract: The present invention relates to use of whey protein micelles as a cosmetic agent or abrasive agents, and in particular to the use of such micelles in cosmetic compositions as well as to a method for obtaining such compositions.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a capsule (12) for the preparation of a food or beverage by injection therein of a fluid under pressure, comprising a chamber containing a substance, a bottom pierceable membrane (23), and opening means (24) allowing the capsule to be opened by piercing the bottom membrane for allowing the beverage to flow out of the capsule, the opening means (24) comprising a surface with a multitude of piercing elements (25) which are configured to engage the bottom membrane (23) under the effect of the rise in pressure in the chamber, characterized in that said opening means (23) further comprises at least one safety piercing element (26) that is surrounded by a safety wall (27) such that the apex (28) of said safety piercing element is located within the vicinity of said safety wall (27).

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the development of cognitive function in infants. More particularly, the present invention provides the use of lactoferrin for improving memory and/or learning speed, and/or for promoting brain maturation in infants under physiological, i.e. non-pathological conditions. In one aspect, the present invention shows the utility of lactoferrin for improving long-term memory, e.g. long-term location memory in a healthy infant.

Abstract: The invention concerns a beverage dispenser (1) comprising a base (2) and a holding system that comprises a holding part (3) positionable beneath a beverage outlet (4) in order to accept a first, relatively small receptacle, and being configured and dimensioned to be moveable between a deployed holding position suitable for accepting the small receptacle and a second position in which the holding part is moved at least partly out of the way of the beverage outlet to create an unoccupied space in which a second, larger receptacle can be positioned, in place of the first receptacle, beneath the beverage outlet, wherein the holding system comprises a sensor (8) configured for detecting the position of the holding part between the first position and the second position.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a beverage capsule (100) comprises a capsule body (101) with an outlet (104), a plug (111) configured to mate with said outlet (104), and an opening device (110) being at least partially fabricated from a shape-memory alloy and biased to retain said plug (111) within said outlet (104) in a first, closed position, and which is configured to deflect from said first, closed position when heated above the transition temperature of said shape-memory alloy, thereby withdrawing said plug (111) from said outlet (104) into a second, open position and permitting fluid communication through said outlet (104).

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of infant nutrition. In particular, the present invention relates to infant feeding formulas comprising probiotic micro-organisms. These probiotic micro-organisms may be non-replicating probiotic micro-organisms such as bioactive heat treated probiotic micro-organisms, for example.

Abstract: A one-piece closure can mount on a container having an aperture. The one-piece closure includes a base portion that inwardly defines an opening centered about a base portion longitudinal axis and that is intended to be mounted on the container neck. The one-piece closure includes a hinged cap that is linked to the base portion by an outside hinge member. The hinge member has two opposite ends that are respectively connected to the base portion and the cap, the cap being movable between a closed position in which it closes the aperture of the base portion and an open position in which the aperture is left clear. The two opposite ends of the hinge member are aligned along an axis that is inclined with respect to the base portion longitudinal axis when the cap is in the closed position.

Abstract: A combination of a capsule extraction unit (1) and a capsule (20) includes a piercing device (10) for piercing the capsule. The piercing device has a plurality of piercing elements (11a, 11b, 11c, 11d). Each element has am extremity (12a, 12b, 12c1, 12c2, 12c3, 12c, 12d) arranged to pierce the capsule in a piercing direction (10?), such as a direction (10?) generally parallel to a longitudinal axis (12a?, 12b?, 12c?, 12d?) of the piercing elements (11a, 11b, 11c, 11d). The extremities format corresponding locations (22?, 22c1?, 22c2?, 22c3?, 22c?, 22d?) of the capsule either a series of corresponding inlet openings or a series of corresponding outlet openings. The piercing extremities are spatially arranged relatively to the piercing locations to contact and penetrate the capsule at the piercing locations at different respective moments in time when the capsule and the piercing device are urged together in the piercing direction.

Abstract: Production machine (1) for beverages and liquid comestibles, the machine comprising: a housing (20); a capsule holder designed for insertion into the housing (20), wherein the capsule holder comprises a capsule receiving means (11); a liquid injection assembly (4a, 4b) provided in the housing (20). The capsule holder and the machine are designed such that the capsule holder can be transferred manually, via a relative movement of the capsule holder and the housing of the machine, at least between: —a first capsule loaded position, in which any capsule (30) received in the capsule holder is positioned ready for being engaged by the liquid injection assembly (4a, 4b) and, —a second capsule loading position adapted for loading a capsule outside of the housing (20). Complementary stopping means of the capsule holder and the housing are provided which are configured to automatically engage each other to stop the capsule holder in the second capsule loading position.