Abstract: A thermal storage device (1) for storing and maintaining a body (5), such as liquid, at a constant storage temperature different to a temperature external (1?) to such device, comprises: a container (4) for containing this body at the constant storage temperature; and a thermal source (3) for compensating heat transfer resulting from a thermal gradient between the external temperature and the constant storage temperature. The thermal source comprises a mass (31) for accumulating thermal energy and for transferring heat from or to the container to compensate said heat transfer resulting from the thermal gradient and maintain the body at the constant storage temperature.

Abstract: The labyrinth capsule consists of a cup-shaped capsule wall (1), the capsule base formed from a labyrinth plate (4) having a labyrinth structure and puncturing pins (14) on its upper side. A hole (10) with a central round stud (12) is located in the labyrinth plate center. A sealing film (7) is placed on the labyrinth plate and is welded along its edge to the edge of the labyrinth plate. The capsule wall (1) is sealed on its upper edge (2) with a closure film, thereby closing in the filling. When liquid presses in through the closure film, the sealing film is pressed against the labyrinth plate. The puncturing pins puncture the sealing film. The liquid flows through the puncture holes to the labyrinth plate and drains out between the labyrinth ridges (5). Finally, a laminar liquid stream is formed from the round stud in the spout hole (10).

Abstract: The invention concerns a beverage dispenser comprising: a frame (1) for supporting the components of the dispenser, a whipper assembly (2) comprising a whipper 9b housing (21), a whipper device (22) and a back wall (23), the whipper housing and the back wall forming a whipper chamber (24) in which is lodged the whipper device, a drive shaft (3) for driving the whipper device (22), said drive shaft being supported by the frame (1), detachable connection means (4a, 4b) for attaching the back wall to the whipper housing, wherein it further comprises detachable connection means (5) for attaching the whipper housing to the frame.

Abstract: A device (1) for producing pressurized hot or cold water comprising: a water heating and storing tank (5); a steam generator (6),—a cold water source (13); at least one pressurizable transfer tank (4) provided with: at least an inlet (14) for filling the tank (4) with water, an inlet (7) for introducing steam from the steam generator (6), and an outlet (8) for evacuating pressurized water; and separate valve means (31, 91, 71) to respectively fill the tank (4) with water, introduce steam in the tank, and evacuate pressurized water from the tank (4).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a kit, comprising:—at least one capsule (10) for insertion in a beverage production machine and containing nutritional ingredients, preferably infant formula ingredients, the capsule having a cup-like base body (10b) comprising an opening (11) being closed off by an outlet face (10c), and—at least one capsule opening device (1) provided separately to the capsule (10), the capsule (10) and the opening device (1) being provided with means for mechanically associating the opening device (1) to the capsule (10) by the consumer, preferably without using tools, the capsule opening device (1) comprising an integrally formed opening member (2) arranged to be operated by a user and designed for opening said outlet face (10c) of the capsule (10).

Abstract: Methods and compositions useful for enhancing the absorption and/or transport of peptides, peptidomimetics, and other gastrointestinal transport protein substrates through gastrointestinal transport proteins are provided. The methods comprise using hormones such as 5-methoxy-N-acetyltryptamine to increase the transport of the peptides, peptidomimetics, and substrates. The compositions comprise one or more hormones and one or more peptides, peptidomimetics, and other gastrointestinal transport protein substrates.

Abstract: Capsule for the preparation of a beverage in a beverage machine comprising an enclosure containing one or more beverage ingredients, filtering means delimiting at least one filtering side of the enclosure, beverage flow guiding means for guiding the beverage to a beverage outlet of the capsule, a shell and a protective cover that is attached to the shell in order to form a gas tight container for the beverage ingredients. The capsule further comprises an overflow wall that is positioned in the path of the brewed liquid after the filtering means and comprises at least one overflow aperture. The capsule further comprises opening means comprising an opening element configured to open the gas-tight container in order to create the beverage outlet. The beverage flow guiding means and the opening element are integrally housed in the gas-tight container.

Abstract: The invention aims to provide a device and a method for retrieving efficiently a capsule from a receptacle of a beverage production apparatus. In particular, the device allows retrieving a used capsule in safe conditions and without waiting time. The beverage production apparatus comprises a receptacle (1) with a cover (3) for receiving a capsule (2) containing beverage ingredient. The device comprises capsule extracting and guiding means consisting of a clamp (6) having members (6?, 6?) arranged on each lateral side of the cover (3) of the receptacle. The capsule (2) is provided with a rim (8) around its upper edge which is directed upwards when the capsule is inserted in the receptacle (1). At opening of the cover of the receptacle, the clamp (6) is activated in such a way to position its members under the rim (8) of the capsule which is lifted thanks to a spring (4) at the bottom of the capsule.

Abstract: The invention relates to a capsule (1) for insertion in a beverage production machine adapted to supply pressurized liquid into the capsule (1), the capsule (1) comprising at least one compartment (13) containing nutritional ingredients (14) for the preparation of a nutritional composition in combination with the supplied liquid, the capsule (1) further comprising a product delivery system (15) arranged at an outlet face (8) of the capsule (1) and designed for delivery of the nutritional composition, the product delivery system (15) comprising one or several plurality of perforating elements (16) designed to perforate a membrane (17) arranged between the compartment (13) and the outlet face (8) of the capsule (1) as a result of the pressure of liquid exerted in the compartment, wherein the perforating elements (16) each comprise three blade members (21) extending from a common axis (A).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a composition for sweetening an edible product, comprising thaumatin, characterized in that it further comprises gymnemic acid.

Abstract: The invention concerns an apparatus for blowing and filling a plastic container from a preform, comprising a mold for enclosing a preform so as to leave access to the mouth of the preform that protrudes from the upper surface of the mold, blowing means for blowing the preform enclosed within the mold, an injection head for injecting a liquid into the preform, the injection head being in sealing engagement with the upper surface of the mold around the protruding preform mouth, and the apparatus comprises liquid collecting means for collecting the residual liquid that is present between the injection head and the neck of the blown and liquid filled container, the liquid collecting means being suitable for collecting the residual liquid before opening of the mold and/or moving away the injection head from the mold.

Abstract: Capsules for use in a beverage production machine. One capsule includes a base body having a flange-like rim and containing beverage-forming ingredients therein, the ingredients being sealed in the base body by a foil member attached to the flange-like rim, and at least one flow control porous member arranged between at least a portion of ingredients in the capsule and the foil member. Another capsule includes a first wall member for supporting beverage-forming ingredients, a second perforable wall member attached to the first wall member, and at least one porous layer located between the beverage-forming ingredients in the capsule and the second wall member, with the porous layer forming a multilayer laminate with the perforable non-porous foil member. These flow control porous members provide faster and more consistent flow of the liquid extract through the capsule and significantly reduces the resurgence of non-soluble solids.

Abstract: The invention provides an orally-administrable nutritional product comprising a dipeptide including a branched chain amino acids (BCAA). In one embodiment, the nutritional product comprises a dipeptide selected from at least one of the following: alanyl-leucine, alanyl-isoleucine, alanyl-valine, glycyl-leucine, glycyl-isoleucine, and glycyl-valine.

Abstract: System for preparing drinks from a capsule comprising: a capsule (1) including a body comprising an injection face and an extraction face with an opening and terminating in a collar (5) and a portion for delivery of the drink; the collar terminating in a free edge (8); a device for preparing drinks comprising: a first chamber portion (14) comprising a cavity of a shape suitable for substantially covering the body of the capsule and a clamping surface (23) which is engaged in compression against the collar, and a second chamber portion comprising an extraction plate, at least one of the two chamber portions being able to move relative to the other chamber portion from an open position in which the capsule is inserted to a closed position in which the capsule is enclosed between the two chamber portions, the first chamber portion (14) comprising means (32, 38) for hooking the capsule making it possible to keep the capsule in the said cavity of the said first portion during the transition from the closed positio

Abstract: Packaging apparatus for randomly orientated fragile solid products comprising: a) an apparatus for manoeuvring randomly orientated products prior to packaging, the apparatus comprising at least one conveying means for conveying the products and a vibratory conveyor arranged to receive the products from the at least one conveying means, wherein the mechanical alignment means are arranged to sort the products into parallel lines of products and wherein the vibratory conveyor comprises: an upstream portion having a conveying surface arranged for increasing transverse spacings between the products; a downstream portion having mechanical alignment means arranged to align the products and sort the products into a plurality of lines; and b) a stick-pack packaging machine arranged to receive products from the apparatus and package the products in stick-packs, wherein the stick-pack packaging machine comprises multiple packaging lines arranged in parallel to each receive respective lines of the products.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preparing a beverage through a capsule (2) inserted in a beverage machine; the capsule (2) comprising an enclosure (20) containing one or more beverage ingredients, wherein a brewing fluid is introduced in the enclosure (20) to brew said one or more beverage ingredients, characterized in that: a discharge wall (3, 3B, 300, 310, 320, 330) is placed in association with the enclosure (20), wherein the discharge wall (3, 300, 310, 320, 330) comprises discharge means (100, 301, 311, 321, 331) which restrain the brewed liquid from being discharged from the capsule (2) or limit the liquid flow in case the pressure inside the enclosure (20) is below a predetermined value, and the discharge means (100, 301, 311, 321, 331) enable the delivery of the brewed liquid in case the pressure exceeds said predetermined value.

Abstract: A nutritional composition for infants comprises a protein source, a lipid source and a carbohydrate source wherein the lipid source includes at least 16 wt % linoleic acid and at least 2 wt % ?-linolenic acid expressed as a percentage of total fatty acid content in each case and in amounts such that the ratio of linoleic acid: ?-linolenic acid is in the range from 1 to 10.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods directed to the cosmetic use of an effective amount of at least one probiotic microorganism especially from the genus Lactobacillus sp. and/or Bifidobacterium sp., of a fraction thereof and/or of a metabolite thereof, as an active agent for limiting, preventing or treating skin irritation and/or irritative skin disorders.

Abstract: A beverage machine having a beverage brewing unit for receiving a single-serve capsule and including a capsule holding assembly for holding a capsule in a position during insertion by gravity of the capsule in the brewing unit; and a water injection assembly for at least partially enclosing the capsule and providing water in the capsule. The capsule holding part forms a front part of the unit and is mounted to the capsule injection assembly in a manner to be displaceable along a substantially horizontal path whereas the water injection assembly is located in a rear fixed part of the unit. The beverage machine has an outermost casing. One of these brewing unit assemblies can be moved or telescoped out or through this casing for inserting/removing the ingredient capsule and retracted into the outermost casing for bringing the brewing unit into its capsule extraction configuration.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for the preparation of a beverage having: a mixing chamber (1) for mixing a soluble ingredient (2) and a diluent, the chamber further having a top opening (4), a diluent inlet opening (5), a beverage outlet opening (6), sealing item (7) that is able to seal the top opening (4) of the mixing chamber (1) and to prevent any fluid from leaving the mixing chamber through said sealing item. The invention also relates to a method for using this device.