Abstract: The present invention relates to a beverage preparation device having a water circulation system that includes a water source with an outlet, a pump with a support member for holding and securing the pump in the device, and an integral water conduit having an inlet and outlet for guiding water from the water source to the pump. The conduit outlet is connected to the pump and the water source outlet is connected to the water conduit inlet via an annular sealing member that forms an integral protruding portion of one of the conduit inlet or the source outlet. The pump support is integral with the water conduit, in particular with the conduit outlet.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions for preparing a beverage, the compositions comprise a microorganism and/or an enzyme capable of hydrolysing chlorogenic acids of a coffee extract to phenolic acids. When a beverage prepared with the compositions of the invention is consumed chlorogenic acids present in coffee extract is hydrolysed to improve antioxidant and/or anti-inflammatory properties compared to a similar conventional beverage.

Abstract: The present invention relates to whey protein micelles, particularly to whey protein micelle concentrates or powders thereof and to a method for producing them. The present invention also pertains to the use of these micelles concentrates or powders thereof in nutrition and/or cosmetics and/or pharmaceutics.

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

Abstract: A motorized beverage machine (1) has a brewing unit (2) that comprises a first assembly (13) and a second assembly (14) cooperating together, each assembly (13,14) delimiting part of a brewing chamber (29) for containing an ingredient capsule (30). At least one of these assemblies (14) is: movable away from the cooperating assembly (13) into an open position within such machine for forming between said assemblies a passage (31) for inserting into and/or removing from the brewing unit the ingredient capsule (30); and movable to the cooperating assembly into a closed position for forming the brewing chamber (29).

Abstract: Brewing or preparation chamber (1) which is intended for a beverage-making machine and is suitable for accommodating, and extracting the contents from, a portion capsule (27, 29) which is filled with pulverulent or liquid basic beverage substances and consists fully or partially of electrically conductive material, and the brewing or preparation chamber (1) consists of a first, fixed-location chamber part (2), which is provided with opening means (25) for opening the portion capsule (27, 29) in relation to the beverage outlet and is connected in a fluid-channelling manner to a structure (6, 7, 8) for the outflow of the beverage, and of a second chamber part (3), which can be moved vertically or horizontally in relation to the first chamber part (2), is connected in a fluid-channelling manner, for the purpose of supplying the portion capsule (27, 29) with the extraction liquid, to an extraction-liquid-feeding extraction-liquid pump (37) and is provided with piercing means (11, 12) for opening the portion capsu

Abstract: The present invention relates to nutritional formulae which are specifically designed to address the needs of infants and young children between 0 and 2 years. In particular, the invention provides a set of nutritional compositions for infants and young children, each nutritional composition having age-specific fat contents. The set of the invention is specifically aimed at providing long-term benefits to an infant/young child by meeting its nutritional needs at each specific age.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing packaging bags (1, 1?) having a triangular outline, made of a film strip having two longitudinal edges (3, 4) located opposite of each other. The film strip (2) is wound about a shaping mandrel forming a film spiral (5). The film spiral (5) is pulled off the shaping mandrel so far that a first seam section (7) formed by the longitudinal edges (3, 4) and extending in the circumferential direction about 180° around the film spiral (5) and a first film section opposite of the first seam section (7) are exposed and sealed there. The film spiral (5) is further pulled off the shaping mandrel so far that a second seam section (10) abutting the first seam section (7) and a second film section (11) located opposite of the second seam section (10) are exposed and also sealed.

Abstract: A confectionery product comprises first and second confectionery mass layers arranged in contact with each other as a laminate. At least one of the inner surfaces of the first and second confectionery mass layers is provided with at least one depression, and preferably a plurality of depressions arranged in a regular two-dimensional array. The inner surfaces of the confectionery mass layers define at least one pocket in the confectionery product, the or each pocket being located in an area corresponding to a respective depression. The pockets may provide aeration on a macro scale, and they may be at least partially filled with a liquid, semi-solid or solid material.

Abstract: A method for preparing a liquid comestible from a cell by passing liquid through the substance using centrifugal forces, wherein gas contained in the cell is controllably purged from the cell as liquid fills the cell. In one embodiment, the method includes prewetting the substance in the cell by filling liquid in the cell and rotating the cell at a first rotational speed; and then extracting the liquid comestible from the cell in an extraction phase which comprises continuing to fill liquid into the cell and rotating the cell at a second rotational speed that is higher than the first rotational speed. The invention also discloses a cell for use in these methods which cell includes a filter for preventing solids from being carried by gas during the gas purge.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for a long-term and sustained release of flavonoids, in particular rhamnose-containing flavonoids, and for prolonging the uptake of said flavonoids in the gastro-intestinal tract. It further relates to compositions comprising said flavonoid and ?-rhamnosidase. It also encompasses compositions comprising hesperidin and hesperetin-7-glucoside.

Abstract: A method of providing a pet with a benefit relating to effective assimilation of a lipid is described wherein the pet is administered, as a part of, or in addition to its regular diet, an edible composition that contains an ingredient that maintains, promotes or enhances the capacity of the pet to digest lipid efficiently. The invention extends to compositions for use in promoting lipid assimilation in pets, particularly senior or elderly pets. The compositions include pancreatic, liver and intestinal mucosa function-promoters. In embodiments, the liver function-promoter may be selected from taurine, emulsifiers, vitamins, minerals, glutathione and glutathione promoters.

Abstract: A nutritional composition comprising a partially hydrolysed milk protein having a degree of hydrolysis between 15 and 25% and 50 to 1000 nanograms of TGF-? per 100 ml of ready to consume composition and methods for the primary prevention of allergic reactions to newly introduced dietary protein at weaning and the prevention of development of atopic diseases in a young mammal at weaning comprising feeding to the young mammal a therapeutic amount of the composition are disclosed.

Abstract: A machine (1) for preparing a beverage comprises: a handle (10, 12) having a drive portion (12) arranged to be contacted and driven by a human hand to move the handle into a beverage preparation position; and a user-interface (20a) for initiating beverage preparation. This drive portion comprises this user-interface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a packaging (1) for bar-like or bar-shaped foodstuffs, in particular for bars of chocolate, with a rectangular base (2), two side elements (3) which are arranged on opposite sides of the rectangular base (2), are separated from the base (2) via folding lines (5) and can be folded inwards along the folding lines (5), and a first and a second cover element (4.1, 4.2) which are arranged on the two other opposite sides of the rectangular base (2), separated from the latter via folding lines (5), and which partially overlap with the two side elements in the folded state. The first cover element (4.1) has a perforation (6) by means of which a flap (7) can be separated from a fixing region (9), and the second cover element (4.2) can be inserted into an opening (10) for re-closing of the packaging.

Abstract: Dispensing device for preparing and dispensing food and/or nutritional composition comprising: a water circuit for transporting water, a water heater, an injection head (4) comprising an injection intruding part (25, 38) for injecting water in a capsule comprising the food and/or nutritional ingredient; a capsule holder (17) for holding the capsule during injection of water in the capsule, wherein the injection head and capsule holder are moveable relatively one another for approaching the capsule surface to the injection head and injecting water in the capsule, wherein it also comprises a cleaning and/or sanitizing means (13) which can be associated to the injection system for enabling hot water and/or steam to clean and/or sanitize the external surface of the injection intruding part.

Abstract: A package consisting of a) a container component made of polystyrene comprising a base and a side wall extending from the perimeter of the base to form the cavity of the container component, and b) a closing means removable manually and comprising a top side adapted to seal the cavity of the container component and a side wall extending from the perimeter of the top side and adapted to encircle the side wall of the container component.

Abstract: A motorized beverage machine (1) has:—activation means that comprise a motor (3); and—a brewing unit (2) that comprises a first assembly (13) and a second assembly (14) cooperating together, each assembly delimiting part of a brewing chamber (29) for containing an ingredient capsule (30). At least one of these assemblies (14) is:—movable away from the cooperating assembly (13) into an open position within the machine for forming between the assemblies a passage (31) for inserting into and/or removing from the brewing unit the ingredient capsule; and—movable to the cooperating assembly into a closed position for forming the brewing chamber. The motor is a low power motor configured to:—generate a maximum torque of no more than 50 mNm; and/or—consume a maximum power of no more than 50 W, for driving the movable assembly between the open and closed positions.

Abstract: A dispensing device for a viscous edible product, with a storing unit for storing the viscous product, and a dispensing unit. The dispensing unit includes a flexible packing tube for packing and dispensing the food product, disposed within the dispensing unit such that it comprises a substantially linear portion adjacent its dispensing opening, compression components for pinching said linear portion of tube, compression components being movable in substantially perpendicular and parallel directions relative to the longitudinal axis of the tube, actuation components for reversibly moving said compression components firstly in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the packing tube to releasably pinch at least one portion of the flexible tube, and secondly in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tube towards its dispensing opening, so as to dispense at least one portion of the product packed in the tube.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an injection-molded capsule for use in a food preparation machine, said capsule for use in a food preparation machine comprising: (i) a structure (1) with a lower side (2), at least three pillars (3) extending from the lower side and linked to a circular upper frame (4) which defines the surroundings of the capsule top side, the pillars (3) having cross-sections S1, S2 and S3, the lower side (2) being a solid wall that comprises a dispensing opening (5) and is centered across the vertical symmetry axis VSA of said capsule, and (ii) a label (6) attached to the outer surface of the lower side (2), pillars (3) and upper circular frame (4), thus forming an envelope that defines capsule side walls, characterized in that the injection point IP of the capsule is off-centered in the vicinity of said dispensing opening (5), opposed the pillar (3) having a cross-section S3 relatively to the axis VSA, and in that S1=S2 and S3>S1.