Abstract: The invention relates to a head assembly for a beverage preparation device for preparing a nutritional composition upon interaction of ingredients provided in a capsule with liquid supplied to the capsule, the assembly comprising capsule opening means (10) which are adapted to interact with an injection face of the capsule, the opening means comprising a liquid injection means (1) for injection of liquid into the capsule and a gas injection means (2) for injecting of gas into the capsule, activation means (20) designed for interacting with the opening means and for moving the liquid injection means and the gas injection means with respect to the injection face of the capsule. The head assembly also comprises a drive unit (70) for driving the activation means (20) and the activation means comprises a driving gear (20b) adapted to be driven in rotational movement by the drive unit (70) for sequentially moving the liquid injection means (1) and gas injection means (2).

Abstract: The invention relates to a nutritional composition for infants and young children, such as an infant formula or follow-on formula or growing up milk, preferably an infant formula, and comprising a mineral or mixtures thereof. The minerals promotes and/or supports an optimal myelination trajectory in the brain, such trajectory being close to that observed in infants fed exclusively with human breast milk (HBM). The infants or young children can be between 0 and 60 months, preferably between 0 and 12 months of age.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a freeze-dried, aerated fruit and/or vegetable composition comprising a fruit and/or vegetable ingredient and an emulsifier and methods of making thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus (100) for filling and sealing containers comprises a carousel (401) with a plurality of stations (106) revolving about an axis (104), each station (106) comprising a holder (108) adapted to accommodate a container (110), a filling tool (126) for dispensing a fluid product in the container, and a sealing tool (200) for applying a closure (202) to the container (110); at each station (106), the holder (108) is mobile in a radial direction (R) of the carousel between a first, retracted position substantially aligned with the filling tool (126), and a second, extended position substantially aligned with the sealing tool (200).

Abstract: The invention relates to a bottling machine comprising a carousel (1) for filling containers with a main liquid material, wherein said bottling machine comprises a first micro-carousel (61) for introducing a first additive fluid into transferred containers; and a second micro-carousel (62) for introducing a second additive fluid into transferred containers. The invention also relates to a method for producing packs of a given number of containers filled with at least two different products within the same pack.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing an aromatized food or beverage product, wherein an aroma fraction is obtained from a plant extract, said aroma fraction is being contacted with an oil to remove undesired aroma compounds, and the aroma fraction from which undesired compounds have been removed are combined with a food or beverage composition to produce an aromatized food or beverage product.

Abstract: A cap (100) for a container comprises a disc-shaped top section (102), an annular side section (104) projecting from said disc-shaped top section (102), and a locking flange (111) disposed at an extremity of said annular side section (104) opposite said disc-shaped top section (102), and further comprises a locking flap (116) extending from said annular side section (104), which is mobile between a locked first position wherein a portion (114) of the locking flange (111) extends inwardly from the annular side section (104), and an unlocked second position wherein the locking flange (111) is at least partially recessed relative to the annular side section (104).

Abstract: A beverage capsule (100) comprises a substantially cup-shaped body (102) enclosed by an injection wall (108) and defining a cavity (104), a partition (112) dividing said cavity (104) into a first chamber (114) and a second chamber (116), and a channel (122) extending from the partition (112) which opens at a first end (124) into the first chamber (114) at the partition (112), and at a second end (126) into the second chamber (116) at a predetermined distance from said partition (112).

Abstract: The invention relates to a single-use feeding bottle for dispensing an aqueous nutritional composition to a human from a powdered or concentrated liquid nutritional formula base contained therein and being provided with a connecting member for connecting the bottle to external liquid dispenser adapted to supply liquid to the bottle, the bottle comprising at least one compartment forming a cavity for containing a predefined amount of powdered or concentrated liquid nutritional formula base for the preparation of the nutritional composition upon hydration with the supplied liquid, a neck portion in fluid communication with the compartment, and liquid inlet designed to be supplied with liquid from the liquid dispenser, the bottle furthermore comprising a filter assembly in the flow path of the liquid from the inlet to the compartment, the filter assembly configured to remove contaminants from liquid fed into the compartment through the inlet.

Abstract: Capsule (1) for containing beverage ingredients for producing a beverage in a beverage preparation device upon liquid injection into the capsule and by rotating the capsule about its central axis in the device, the capsule comprising:—a side wall (2a), a bottom wall (2b), an opening (2c) and a flange-like rim (2d), and—a lid member (3) attached to the flange-like rim (2d) and/or to the side wall and at least partially covering the opening, wherein the lid member (3) comprises an upper wall (3a) in recess relative to the flange-like rim and/or to the side wall towards the opening of the capsule and which comprises a central inlet (4) and peripheral outlet apertures (5) for the beverage release by effect of centrifugal forces, wherein the lid member (3) further comprises reinforcement members (6) protruding from the upper wall (3a) in axial direction.

Abstract: A beverage preparation machine includes (i) a reservoir for a fluid, (ii) a brewing head adapted for receiving at least one ingredient capsule, (iii) a pump for pumping a predetermined volume of the fluid from the reservoir to the brewing head, (iv) a heating element for optionally heating the fluid pumped from the reservoir before it enters the capsule, (v) an electronic control board able to receive commands from a control panel of the machine. The control panel includes in combination: —a rotating wheel which is linked to the control board such that by rotating and/or pressing the wheel, a beverage preparation parameter is set in the control board, and —illuminated means, at least a portion of which has the shape of a schematic cup, which is linked to the control board such that the state of the beverage preparation parameter within the control board is represented on the means.

Abstract: The present invention relates to flavor generation. In particular the invention relates to a process for the preparation of a flavor composition. The process comprises forming a deep eutectic solvent, preparing a reaction mixture comprising the deep eutectic solvent and flavor precursors, and heating the reaction mixture to form aroma compounds. The deep eutectic solvent is a liquid based on a combination of at least two compounds solid at 25° C. and comprises water and/or glycerol in an amount insufficient to dissolve all the compounds solid at 25° C. individually, or in an amount such that all the compounds solid at 25° C. are simultaneously saturated at 25° C. The flavor precursors may comprise the compounds solid at 25° C. on which the deep eutectic solvent is based. A further aspect of the invention is a food product comprising the flavor composition obtainable by the process of the invention.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a coding insert for associating to a food ingredient capsule adapted to be functionally inserted in the cavity of a food preparation machine, characterized in that said coding insert is a disc or a ring that comprises at least one deformable portion that is deformed when said insert is inserted into the machine cavity, and/or when said cavity is closed, so that at least one machine operational parameter is set by detection of there action force on the machine cavity by the deformed portion, so as to customize the machine brewing functional parameters to each coding insert inserted therein with the capsule it is associated with.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided that are useful in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients. The Compositions and methods are suitable in the prevention or postponement of a relapse in inflammatory bowel disease patients.

Abstract: A heating unit for a beverage preparation machine. The machine includes a pump for circulating a beverage preparation fluid through the machine from a fluid source to the heating unit. The heating unit is suitable for heating the fluid and includes a housing which defines a fluid heating chamber. A heating element is located inside the housing and is adapted to heat the fluid. The heating unit further includes a pre-heating tube for conveying the fluid from the pump. The pre-heating tube includes a tube inlet and a tube outlet. The tube outlet connects with the heating chamber. The pre-heating tube is located at least partly within the housing such that the heating element will at least partially heat the fluid in the pre-heating tube before the pre-heated fluid is released into the heating chamber through the outlet.

Abstract: The invention refers to a pumping and foaming device (10) comprising a mixing unit (201) where air and a foamable fluid are conveyed and pre-mixed, and a foaming unit (203) where the mixture of air and fluid is foamed; the device (10) further comprising a processing element (202) rotatable with respect to the foaming unit (203), such that the rotation of the processing element (202) sucks air and fluid by centrifugal forces into the mixing unit (201), where they are conveyed and pre-mixed, that same rotation of the processing element (202) with respect to the foaming unit (203) driving the mixture of air and fluid under a certain level of shear stress which allows the mixture to be foamed. The invention further refers to a pack (100) comprising a device (10) and a fluid container (20), and further to a machine (200) to which such a pack (100) is connectable. The invention also refers to a system (300) comprising a machine (200) and a pack (100).

Abstract: Systems and assay methods are disclosed for detecting an autoantibody in a sample. In certain instances, the systems and methods employ a mass tag releasably connected to an antigen. The tag is thereafter released for detection. A tag can be detected by mass spectrometry or in certain instances the tag is fluorescent. Methods for diagnosing a disease or disorder in a subject are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for aiding in the diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in an individual. In particular, the present invention is useful for determining whether the individual does not have either celiac disease or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and has IBS and/or a subtype thereof. Thus, the present invention provides an accurate diagnostic prediction of IBS and is useful for guiding treatment decisions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a liquid purification assembly using ultraviolet light irradiation against reproduction of pathogenic microorganisms, comprising an irradiation chamber (200) having an internal volume and comprising an inlet (204) and an outlet (205), the irradiation chamber (200) being provided with ultraviolet light emitting means (208) configured to irradiate liquid in the irradiation chamber (200) with ultraviolet light. The irradiation chamber (200) comprises a mechanism configured to cause a change in the internal volume of the irradiation chamber (200), said change in internal volume drawing liquid into the irradiation chamber (200) when the volume of the irradiation chamber (200) increases, and forcing liquid out of the irradiation chamber (200) when the volume of the irradiation chamber (200) decreases. The invention also relates to a beverage dispenser and to a method for purifying a liquid.

Abstract: Capsule for the preparation of a beverage from beverage ingredients contained therein, comprising a body (2) comprising at least one compartment for receiving said beverage ingredients and a flange-like rim (4) extending outwardly and transversally to a central axis (I) of said body; a membrane (6) for closing the opening which is sealed onto the flange-like rim, an optical code (7) containing binary information configured to be read by a camera (11) of a beverage producing device (20), wherein the optical code (7) is a two-dimensional barcode having rectilinear borders (7a-7d) and which is inscribed in a circular area (8) concentric relative to the center (O) of the membrane having a radius (R) smaller than the radius (R0) of the membrane.