Abstract: A flexible container (10) has a base (12) that includes a bottom (20), side walls (22, 24, 26, 28) and an interior (30), the bottom defining a substantially flat planar surface when the container houses product and the container rests thereon, an upper panel portion (14), that is adapted to be received within the interior of the base portion and includes side panels that define a closure member (60, 62). The upper panel is constructed and arranged to define a substantially flat surface (72) when the closure member is closed and portions of the upper panel are folded over. The upper panel includes a portion that is sealed to the base portion. A pair of handles (16, 18) may be secured to the base portion. The flat top and flat bottom allow for vertical stacking of the filled containers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel confectionery product comprising a casing of a protective confectionery material and a filling enclosed within the casing, wherein the casing is configured to enable the filling to be released without the casing having to be substantially dissolved and; wherein the filling includes a major amount of monosaccharide polyol in a crystalline anhydrous powder form chosen among polyols having a cooling effect. Preferably, the filling represents 6 to 40% by weight of the product and includes xylitol, erythritol, sorbitol or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A nutritional composition for promoting wound healing comprises a protein source, a lipid source and a carbohydrate source wherein no more than 1.8% of the total calories of the composition derive from arginine and wherein the protein source includes proline in an amount of at least 3% of the total calories of the composition. The composition may be administered orally and is particularly suitable for the amelioration of pressure ulcers although it may also be used with advantage in the nutritional management of acute wounds including pre and post surgery.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a refrigerated fluid cake mixture that is suitable for making cakes of chocolate fondant type. The cake mixture according to the present invention is characterized by the use of fat in the form of discrete particles of fat that are solid at room temperature, distributed in the continuous mixture phase. The mixture thus keeps all its fluidity, including at the usual refrigeration temperatures at which the products may be stored for several weeks.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel immortalized pre-osteoblast cell lines derived from the periost and capable of differentiate to osteoblasts. In particular, the present invention pertains to the use of such cell lines in assays for detecting substances controlling the differentiation of pre-osteoblasts to osteoblasts and for detecting substances enabling improved bone formation, maintenance of bone mass, bone repair and for preventing the onset of osteoporosis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a closed cartridge (10), for extraction under pressure, comprising a dish (12) with a bottom (13) with a central part and a peripheral part and a side wall having substantially the shape of a frustum of a cone and a circular edge with a diameter greater at the bottom and a cover (15) welded to the periphery of the edge of the dish and the cover is intended to be torn only through the effect of the force of the extraction fluid when extraction starts, the said cartridge comprising, in the dish at the level of the bottom, a means (16) guaranteeing retention of the solid substance when it is opened, in which the means guaranteeing retention of solid substance is a sheet of fabric sealed in the bottom of the dish in two zones, on the one hand in the central part (17) and on the other hand in the peripheral part (18) of the said bottom (13).

Abstract: A device for producing a beverage from a capsule, comprising a motor-driven extraction module which comprises a first jaw member and a cooperating second jaw member, wherein in an opened state of the extraction module the jaw members are distanced from each other while in the closed state the jaw members tightly enclose a capsule space, a motor for controlling the transfer of the extraction module between the closed and opened state, and a knee lever arrangement, being functionally connected to the motor and to at least one of the jaw members and being designed to convert the motor drive action into a closure force, i.e. a force with which the first and second jaw member are approaching each other, which is increasing during the course of the closure movement.

Abstract: A brewing-type beverage production device comprising at least one water reservoir, at least two thermoblocks respectively being in fluid connection with the water reservoir, at least brewing chambers, each of the brewing chambers being supplied with heated water from one of the thermoblocks, being adapted to contain a beverage ingredient and being connected with an outlet for draining a brewed beverage, the device furthermore comprising a hot water outlet being adapted to be selectively in fluid connection with the at least two thermoblocks.

Abstract: A valve arrangement for providing clinical nutrition is provided. The valve arrangement is suitable for use with a rotary peristaltic pump and is capable of allowing flow of fluid in a first direction and capable of preventing flow of fluid in a second direction, wherein the valve arrangement comprises a valve having a cracking pressure of about 0.10 to about 0.20 bar. Also described are a method of production of the valve arrangement, use of the valve arrangement in providing nutrition to a patient and a method of treatment of a patient that comprises administering an effective amount of a composition via the valve arrangement.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for enhancing vascular integrity in animals are disclosed. The compositions and methods, which utilize long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids and nitric oxide releasing compounds are also effective for reducing ischemia-induced brain injury in an animal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel lactic acid bacterial micro-organisms that have been isolated and selected for their probiotic potential and their use for the preparation of petfood compositions intended to improve the health of pets, and to compositions containing the same.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for enhancing vascular integrity in animals are disclosed. The compositions and methods, which utilize long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids and nitric oxide releasing compounds are also effective for reducing ischemia-induced brain injury in an animal.

Abstract: A hose fitment for the connection of disposable food containers to dispensing lines of food dispenser. This hose fitment is adapted to securely establish fluid connection between a hose and a food or beverage dispensing line. This fitment includes a body member having a first engaging surface for internally engaging a hose end and a sleeve member that includes a second engaging surface that externally engages around the hose end to press on the hose end against the first engaging surface in a manner effective to create a tight seal between the fitment and the hose end.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing milk chocolate products containing a higher than normal water content by preparing a dark chocolate containing up to 30% by weight of water, adding a milk powder suspension optionally together with seed crystals of cocoa butter or cocoa butter equivalent, and mixing under low shear. The invention also relates to high water content milk chocolate products, methods of preparing a chocolate coated ice cream article with such products and to the resulting chocolate coated ice cream articles.

Abstract: A novel microorganism of the genus Bifidobacterium longum, in particular to its genomic and plasmid sequence and to a method of producing polypeptides of said Bifidobacterium, respectively. Also methods of detecting these nucleic acids or polypeptides, respectively. A data carrier is provided comprising nucleotide sequences and/or polypeptide sequences of NCC2705. In addition, the Bifidobacterium longum strain NCC2705 and also to food and pharmaceutical compositions containing said Bifidobacterium or active components thereof for the prevention and/or treatment of diarrhoea brought about by rotaviruses and pathogenic bacteria are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel apparatus to grow cells where the cultivation chamber (1) is partially filled with liquid cultivation medium and cells. Mixing and aeration is achieved by generating intermittently one single large gas bubble (6) at the bottom of the column bioreactor, the single large bubble width representing from 50 99% of the tank width, preferably from 60 to 99%, more preferably 98.5%. The culture medium flows out as a film between the large bubble and the inner wall of the bioreactor. This rising bubble allows mixing and aeration of the bulk. As the design of the invention is very simple, it is possible to manufacture it with flexible plastic material and use the apparatus as a disposable system. Moreover, such a mixing/aeration principle minimizes cell damages usually due to shear stress and small bubbles and allows easy and efficient scale-up from small scale to a larger one. Such a large-scale, efficient and disposable culture system can largely reduce production costs.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to novel cocoa polypeptides having a molecular weight of about 10 and 14 kDa and being derived from a 69 kDa precursor. In particular, the present invention relates to the production of the polypeptides via recombinant means and the use of the polypeptides or fragments thereof for the production of cocoa/chocolate flavor.

Abstract: Pyridinium-Betain compounds of the general formula (A): wherein R1 is H or a primary amino acids that is attached to the structure, X is OH or its ionized form O?, Y is OH, SH, or their ionized forms O? and S?, Z is H, an alkyl group, or a glycosidic group, or a phosphate or ester derivative thereof, and n is an integer of 0 to 4 to represent the chain length of the compound. A counter-ion is associated with these compounds and is preferably an ion of sodium, potassium, ammonium, calcium, magnesium, chloride, nitrate, carbonate, sulphate, phosphate, or the like. These compounds can be used as taste modifiers in various foodstuffs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel carboxypeptidase gene and the polypeptide encoded thereby. In particular, the present invention relates to the use of the present carboxypeptidase and polypeptide in the manufacture of cocoa flavor and/or chocolate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a powdered nutritional composition, which comprises at least long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids and trace elements, such as iron, besides optional further constituents, such as macro- and micronutrients. Due to encapsulation of the iron source with or in a fat, wax or mixtures thereof, lipid-oxidation may be largely reduced and fishy off-flavour formation is prevented. Thus, a powdered composition with extended shelf-life may be obtained.