Abstract: In a method of carbonating a beverage using a carbon dioxide diffusing stone, temperature is measured in a flow of that beverage immediately before the flow changes from laminar to effervescent, thereby obtaining a true temperature at which carbon dioxide is diffused into the beverage. In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a portable controller having connectors joinable to a gas pressure regulator of a gas cylinder and to any one of several beverage carbonation containers. The portable controller has instruments therein for controlling a flow of carbon dioxide gas to the beverage in any one of the containers and for controlling a pressure gradient of the carbon dioxide gas in the beverage over a period of time. There is also provided an elongated carbon dioxide diffusing stone assembly having an elongated temperature probe well extending parallel to and immediately below a diffusing stone.

Abstract: A reception interface for a machine for preparing beverages by infusion from a ground product to be infused, wherein the interface removably receives by manual action of a user a filter-holder device for containing the ground product, wherein it includes a selection element that is movable from a rest position and configured to be reach one of a plurality of work positions each corresponding to a respective operation mode of the machine, wherein the selection element can moved into one or the other of the work positions by the filter-holder device when received in the reception interface. One or more embodiments of the invention also relate to a machine for preparing beverages as well as a method for operating such a machine.

Abstract: A peeling apparatus and method using rotating rollers as a peeling bed includes a mechanism that moves food products through the peeling bed. The mechanism has multiple walls mounted to a continuous loop that is driven over the peeling bed to define cavities between each adjacent pair of walls. The walls' lower edges are spaced close to the rollers to prevent food products from exiting a cavity. One or more of the walls may have cleaners, such as spray nozzles connected to high pressure liquid, to clean particles from the rollers. The nozzles spray the particles off as the spray nozzles pass over the rollers during normal operation of the peeling apparatus.

Abstract: A nutritional composition is provided which has an effective prophylactic and/or improving effect for various symptoms of muscle mass decrease, decreased basal metabolism, low body temperature, suppression of obesity, suppression of visceral fat accumulation, hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia and the like in elderly people. The nutritional composition can include n-3 fatty acid and one or more of free lysine, dipeptides containing lysine, and lysine salts, wherein the content of free lysine, dipeptides containing lysine, and/or lysine salts is 0.1 g-10.0 g per 100 kcal of the composition, and the content of the total amount of n-3 fatty acid is 0.17 g-5.00 g per 100 kcal of the composition.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for extracting compounds from raw materials packed into an extraction column. The system may include a flowing solvent source connected to an extraction column to provide a flow of solvent for extracting the raw materials. The system may also include an electrodeionizer to separate positive ions and negative ions within the flowing solvent to create an imbalance of ions and transform the solvent to a deionized solvent. In further embodiments, the extraction column includes a solvent surface layer in contact with a bed of raw materials, such that the hydraulic pressure applied within the extraction column results in the formation of catalyzing energy to generate a self-perpetuating energy cycle to extract the raw materials.

Abstract: A nut cracking device with a frame having elongated, parallel members that surround a mechanical advantage device, such as a hydraulic jack. Top and bottom channel members are mounted at opposite ends of the frame members to separate the frame members and form a rigid frame structure. An anvil with texture to reduce slipping and increase pressure is mounted to the top member and extends toward the jack, on which a table is mounted. A nut may be placed on the table. Upon displacement of the jack's shaft, the table moves toward the anvil and any nut on the table is clamped, and ultimately fractured, between the table and the anvil. A hand-grippable knob permits manual bypass of a valve to permit the table to be pulled away from the anvil by springs mounted to the table.

Abstract: A method of operating a tankless beverage brewing apparatus that includes a digital controller for dynamically varying the water temperature and/or the brew flow rate of the dispensed beverage is shown. In some embodiments, a main supply line of the tankless beverage brewing apparatus includes a pressure reducer, a pressure sensor, a linear heater, a temperature sensor, and a spray valve; all supplying a hot water spray head and/or a hot water spigot. The inlet of the main supply line of the tankless beverage brewing apparatus may be connected directly to the local cold water supply. The controller uses feedback from the temperature sensor and/or the pressure sensor to dynamically vary the water temperature and/or the brew flow rate depending on the type of beverage being brewed.

Abstract: A process for infusing a consumable substance is described. The process includes the steps of placing a desired amount of an infusion material into a chamber at atmospheric pressure, placing a desired amount of consumable substance into said chamber, sealing said chamber from the surrounding atmosphere, and applying at least one reduced pressure cycle within said chamber. Methods for separating the infusion material from the consumable substance after completion of the infusion process are also described. In addition, devices for infusing liquids or consumable substances, and/or brewing beverages are described.

Abstract: A method for decontaminating articles having porous outer surfaces. The method includes providing a decontamination chamber; conveying the articles through the decontamination chamber at a predetermined speed wherein the speed is selected such that the articles are disposed in the decontamination chamber for a predetermined period of time; providing a source of sterliant vapor, the source providing the sterilant vapor at a temperature within a predetermined acceptable temperature range and at a concentration within a predetermined acceptable concentration range; conveying a sterilant vapor from the source of sterilant vapor to the decontamination chamber; and exposing the articles to the sterilant vapor. The predetermined period of time and the predetermined acceptable concentration range of the sterilant vapor are selected such that the sterilant vapor does not penetrate the porous outer surfaces of the articles.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a matrix of raw materials, also referred to as a poly-grain grind matrix. In some embodiments, the matrix of raw materials may form an interlocking network of varied particle grind sizes that allows the particles to nest and interlock with one another when packed into an extraction vessel, so that most, but not all of the interstitial spacing within the matrix of raw materials is closed. Additionally, the varied particle sizes may be selected by pre-determined weight ranges and size classifications so that the particle grind sizes achieve the desired consistency uniformity. This may allow the network of particles to act as its own best filtering agent during the extraction process. Moreover, the nesting and interlocking network of the particles within the matrix of raw materials may allow the particles to be effectively packed within the extraction column, thus allowing for an efficient and high quality extraction to be performed consistently each and every time.

Abstract: A new method and system cold brewing espresso is described. The system employs an in-line percolator filter housing and a liquid pump. After an initial brew, the pump is configured to pump the coffee through the coffee grounds within the filter housing multiple times, in order to achieve the desired flavor and caffeine intensity via cold brewing. The coffee is finely ground to approximately 80 microns to best achieve the percolated result.

Abstract: A delivery system and method for a brewed beverage, such as coffee or tea, that stores a batch of brewed beverage in a cooled container, and heats a serving quantity on demand at the point of dispensing. A heater such as a tankless water heater may be connected to a dispensing line to generate hot servings on demand. Cold servings may also be provided. Quality control of the brewing process may be improved by brewing in a centralized, controlled environment and then shipping cooled containers to dispensing points such as coffee shops or cafés. Containers may be filled with a gas such as nitrogen to prevent oxidation, thereby preserving freshness during storage or shipping. At the dispensing site, containers may be refrigerated and attached to gas tanks to maintain the freshness as servings are dispensed.

Abstract: Described herein are methods of sanitizing and preserving produce and other agricultural products, for example for consumption as Ready-to-Eat. The methods can comprise treating the products with a sanitizing agent and forming a protective coating over the products.

Abstract: A method and system for removing foreign grains from oat grains to establish gluten-free oats, i.e., oat grains having gluten levels below 20 ppm and, more preferably, below 10 ppm, relies upon performing various mechanical differentiation operations on a combination of grains, including oats and foreign, or gluten containing, grains. The mechanical differentiation operations can be arranged in series or in a combination of series and parallel operations. The various operations preferably include width grading and multiple length grading steps, as well as an aspirating steps, as well as a potential debearding step. The resulting oats can be used to make a wide range of gluten-free oat food products, including cereal and granola products.

Abstract: To provide a processed egg capable of making a puffed egg product which has good restorability when restored with hot water wherein said puffed egg product is characterized in that the whole egg powder has a total free amino acids content of 500 mg/100 g or more. There is also provided a whole egg powder which is suitable to be puffed, characterized in that the whole egg powder has a free methionine content of 10 mg/100 g or more. There is further provided a whole egg powder which is suitable to be puffed, characterized in that the whole egg powder has a free lysine content of 40 mg/100 g or more.

Abstract: A drinking water supply device may include a first channel configured to channel water, a water discharge pipe coupled to the rear end of the first channel configured to discharge the drinking water, a first connection pipe connecting the first channel and the water discharge pipe, a second channel configured to supply minerals to the first connection pipe, the second channel provided with a pressure sensor and a mineral supply valve, a mineral container configured to communicate with the first connection pipe via the second channel and configured to store condensed minerals, a pump configured to pressurize the interior of the mineral container to discharge the condensed minerals out of the mineral container, and a controller configured to control the mineral supply valve to open for a first predetermined time and then close according to a water discharge signal.

Abstract: A food product is coated within an aqueous solution. The solution includes: at least one edible acid; and at least one osmotic agent, and wherein after the solution reaches equilibrium with the food product, the resultant pH of the solution is between about 1 and 4 and in some embodiments subsequently adjusted to between 3.5 and 5.5. The food product thus prepared remains deliciously palatable and safely edible for prolonged periods without refrigeration.

Abstract: Apparatus, system and method embodiments for molding soft confectionery are included herein include a conveyor system arranged for conveying a plurality of trays in a serial succession, a loading unit arranged for loading the trays onto the conveyor system, a depositing unit arranged for depositing liquid confectionery in mold cavities of at least two trays simultaneously, and an unloading unit arranged for unloading the trays from the conveyor system.

Abstract: A coffee brewing basket for use with a pre-measured coffee filter packet is shown having a first compartment for retaining the coffee filter packet and a second compartment situated below the first compartment for providing an initial wetting of the coffee filter packet. A rib protruding from an interior wall of the first compartment into the second compartment provides access by which hot water introduced into the brewing basket can enter the first compartment and bypass the coffee filter packet to collect in the lower compartment. A reservoir formed by a series of ridges channels the water draining out of the second compartment and draws water through the coffee filter.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for desolventizing particulate material having a solvent carried thereby wherein an upper indirect heating zone and a lower direct heating zone is provided. Each of the zones has a plurality of spaced apart horizontal trays for receiving particulate material. The trays define a vertical series of compartments through which the particulate material passes. Steam is provided to the particulate material indirectly in said indirect heating zone and directly in said direct heating zone are also included. An integral air tight flash chamber below the compartments enhances solvent recovery via vaporization of residual solvent from the condensed steam adhered to the particulate material traveling through the direct heating zone prior to discharge of the particulate material. The recovered residual solvent is delivered under pressure to a predetermined compartment in the direct heating zone provide heat for desolventizing the solvent-laden particulate material.