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: A closure (100) for a container (104) comprises a base (106) and a spout (110) disposed upon a mouth of said container (104) and defining a void space (134) between them; a cap (118) which comprises an inner body (124) concentrically disposed within an outer body (122), said cap configured to be disposed on said base (106) so as to seal therewith; and at least one tamper-evident device (136) extending between and locking together said cap (118) and said base (106), said tamper-evident device (136) comprising a flattened member extending from an edge of said inner body member (124) over at least one frangible link (140) and engaging said base (106) such that when the cap (118) is opened said at least one frangible link (140) ruptures, said tamper-evident device (136) consequently falling into and being partially obscured by said void space (134).

Abstract: A machine (1) for preparing a beverage from at least one ingredient (2) comprises: an ingredient processing module (30); an ingredient passage (40) for inserting an ingredient from outside such machine into the ingredient processing module; and a cover (10) that is movable between a position covering the ingredient passage and a position uncovering the ingredient passage. The cover (10) is slidable, in particular translationally and/or manually slidable, from the covering to the uncovering positions and/or vice versa. The cover (10) is associated with at least one fluid-escape opening (10a, 10b, 10b) through which vapor and/or steam can escape from the passage (40) when the cover is in the covering position.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device 1 for producing milk foam, which makes use of Couette flow and a high shear stress that is accordingly applied to a milk-air mixture in a gap between a housing, in particular an outer cylinder, and a rotating element rotating arranged therein. The device further comprises a milk supply circuit supplying the fluid inlet with milk and an air supply circuit supplying the fluid inlet with air, both supply circuits being independent from each other.

Abstract: The invention relates to whey protein micelles for use in the treatment and/or prevention of a disorder linked to an increase in insulin secretion and/or plasma IGF-1 concentration in an infant at risk of developing obesity or diabetes. The invention also relates to a nutritional composition for infants comprising whey protein micelles. Further, the invention relates to a non-therapeutic use of a nutritional composition for infants, comprising whey protein micelles.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device 1 for producing milk foam, which makes use of Couette flow and a high shear stress that is accordingly applied to a milk-air mixture between two concentrically arranged cylinders 2, 3. The cylinders are rotated relatively to another. The high shear stress leads to an emulsion of the milk and the air, which is the basis for a foaming effect, once the emulsion flows out of a gap 6 between the two cylinders 2, 3 and expands. The parameters of the device 1 that mainly influence the foaming effect are the width of the gap 6 and the relative rotation speed of the cylinders.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the field of probiotic bacteria. In particular it relates to methods for treating functional GI disorders comprising administering Bifidobacterium longum, such as Bifidobacterium longum ATCC BAA-999.

Abstract: Capsule (1), for preparing a beverage, connectable to a machine (42) for supplying sanitized liquid to the capsule, wherein the capsule comprises: a product compartment (2) containing nutritional ingredients to produce the beverage when associated with the liquid, a spout (3) comprising a housing (6) and a fluid connector (5) adapted to be fluidly connected to a connection part (55) of a liquid supply and treatment unit (47) of the machine (42) and to supply liquid inside the product compartment (2); wherein the fluid connector (5) is arranged in the housing (6) to be displaceable between a storage position in which the fluid connector is enclosed in the housing (6) and a treatment position in which at least a frontal portion (9) of the fluid connector including its tip (7) with a liquid inlet (8) extends beyond the housing (6) for enabling at least the tip (7) of the fluid connector to be inserted in the liquid supply and treatment unit (47) and to be exposed to an optical sanitizing field inside the unit

Abstract: The invention concerns a unit (1000) for controlling transmission of power to a thermal conditioning device (100) e.g. for coffee machine, comprising a controller (2) with a start-up profile for starting-up said device (100) from a temperature of inactivity (TI) to an operative temperature for bringing to a target temperature (TT) a fluid circulating through said device (100) at start-up end, said controller (2) being arranged to allow circulation of fluid through said device (100) at start-up end and to compare the determined temperature (SOT) of fluid circulated at start-up end to the target temperature (TT) and derive a temperature difference therefrom. It is characterized in that the start-up profile has at least one parameter and in that said controller (2) has a self-learning mode for adjusting said parameter as a function of said temperature difference and to store the adjusted parameter for a subsequent starting-up of said device (100).

Abstract: Apparatus (1) for preparing a beverage by delivering sanitized liquid within a package (2) containing nutritional ingredients comprising: a package (2) comprising a product compartment (26) containing nutritional ingredients and a spout (27) arranged for the supply of liquid inside the compartment (26) and a machine (3) comprising: a control unit (11), a liquid supply and treatment unit (8) comprising an optical irradiation chamber (14) arranged for sanitizing liquid circulating therein and a connection assembly (15) for fluidly connecting the liquid supply and treatment unit (8) with the package (2); wherein the spout (27) comprises a fluid connector (28), with a liquid inlet (30), insertable through the connection assembly (15) of the liquid supply and treatment unit (8); wherein the fluid connector (28) is positioned after insertion through the connection assembly (15) in a position of insertion in which the liquid inlet (30) is exposed to the optical irradiation field produced by the optical irradia

Abstract: The invention refers to a fluid foaming machine (100) for producing foam comprising a fluid container (30) where the fluid is arranged, and a foaming device (40) through which fluid flows and is heated and/or foamed, the machine (100) further comprising at least a cooling unit configured to maintain permanently refrigerated both the fluid container (30) and the foaming device (40) during fluid preparation and during stand-by of the machine (100).

Abstract: The invention concerns a method of manufacturing a container in a blowing mold, the blown container (22; 72; 82) having a neck and a bottom aligned along a longitudinal axis (A) and being enclosed within a blowing mold (12; 70; 80), the blowing mold comprising two side halves (12a, 12b; 70a, 70b; 80a; 80b) which are in contact with each other along a joint plane (P) when the blowing mold is in a closed position, the blown container having at least one transverse dimension in a longitudinal cross-section including the longitudinal axis, characterized in that the method comprises a step of moving apart the two side halves (12a, 12b; 70a, 70b; 80a; 80b) of the blowing mold along a substantially transverse direction, the two side halves being moved apart from the joint plane (P) over an overall distance that is less than the greatest transverse dimension of the blown container and that enables extraction of the blown container from the blowing mold (12; 70; 80).

Abstract: Nutritional compositions are provided that comprise a fructo-oligosaccharaide (FOS) in an amount of 35 to 44% by weight; a polysaccharide that is not a partially hydrolyzed guar gum such as, for example, an arabinogalactan in an amount of 50% to 38% by weight; and inulin in an amount of 12% to 24% by weight. The FOS and the polysaccharide may be present in a weight ratio of about 1:1. More specifically, the FOS and inulin may be present in a weight ratio of about 7:3. Also provided are methods of promoting gut micro biota balance and health. The methods include administering an effective amount of the nutritional composition to patients in need of same.

Abstract: A receptacle holding unit includes a first part and a second part cooperating with the first part; a cavity for receiving a receptacle containing an ingredient for preparing a beverage by a device, the cavity being delimited by at least one of the first and second parts; and a driving device for relatively moving the second part towards the first part into a closed position and relatively apart from the first part into an open position. The driving device includes an actuator and a transmission having a helicoidal ramp arrangement cooperating with a connector member for converting a translational movement into a rotational movement or vice versa. When the actuator actuates the transmission, the first and second parts are driven together or apart. The ramp arrangement includes two ramps spaced apart and generally parallel between which the connector member relatively moves along the ramp arrangement.

Abstract: A bulk bag hook for use on a bulk bag to releasably connect the bulk bag to a shopping cart. The bulk bag hook includes a base section that is secured to the bulk bag, a hook portion that is designed to releasably secure to a shopping cart, and a hinge that is connected between the base section and the hoof portion to enable the hook portion to move relative to the base section.

Abstract: A closure apparatus for use with a flexible pouch containing a flowable material and having a spout for discharging the flowable material from the pouch, comprising a cap member sealingly engageable with the spout and a clip assembly extending from the cap member, the clip assembly comprising a first clip member; and a second clip member connected to the first clip member and cooperating with the first clip member to define a pouch receiving space, the first clip member and the second clip member having a pouch clip position such that the first clip member and the second clip member restrict the flow of the flowable material through the pouch when at least a portion of the pouch is positioned in the pouch receiving space.

Abstract: An extraction unit (10) for extracting cartridges (1a; 1b) of two different heights (ha;hb) comprises a seat (11, 12, 13; 15) for receiving any of such cartridges (1a; 1b) for extraction thereof in the seat. The seat is delimited by a first part (11,12,13) and second part (15) that are relatively movable between a cartridge extraction position and a cartridge loading and/or ejection position. The first part (11,12,13) has a first portion (11,12) and a second portion (13) that are relatively movable to delimit a cavity (12?) having selectively: —a first depth (da) for receiving a cartridge (1a) of the first height (ha); and —a second depth (db) for receiving a cartridge (1b) of the second height (hb), the first part (11,12,13) has a lock (112?, 132, 132?, 142?) for locking the first and second portions (11,12,13) when the delimited cavity (12?) has the first depth (da) or the second depth (db).

Abstract: A method for fabricating a preform (100) by providing a plurality of preform segments (101-103) which each define a portion of a preform (100), positioning said preform segments (101-103) in continuous contact with each other along at least one edge of said preform segments (101-103) such that said plurality of preform segments (101-103) define a cavity (107), and bonding each of said preform segments (101-103) to at least one other preform segment such that said plurality of preform segments (101-103) forms a continuous whole.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the early prevention of overweight, obesity, excessive fat accumulation and/or associated metabolic disorders in infants or children. For example, the present invention relates to the prevention of overweight, obesity, excessive fat accumulation and/or associated metabolic disorders in infants or children through appropriate nutrition for women desiring to get pregnant and/or during pregnancy and/or lactation. Embodiments of the present invention relate to the Vitamin B6 for use in the prevention of overweight, obesity, excessive fat accumulation and/or associated metabolic disorders in the offspring, wherein the vitamin B6 is administered to women desiring to get pregnant and/or to the mother during pregnancy and/or lactation and to maternal food compositions that can be used for this purpose.

Abstract: In an embodiment, compositions comprising monoacylglycerols (MAG), such as sn-1(3) MAG, are administered with a lipase inhibitor, such as tetrahydrolipstatin, and/or with a diet low in fat and/or calories. In another embodiment, compositions comprising MAG, such as sn-1(3) MAG, are administered concurrently with a lipase inhibitor, such as tetrahydrolipstatin, and/or with fat-soluble nutrients. The compositions and the methods of using the compositions enhance absorption of fatty acids and fat-soluble nutrients such as fat-soluble vitamins and carotenoids to address nutritional deficiencies due to a weight loss diet used in association with a lipase inhibitor.