Abstract: A free-standing, portable apparatus or appliance adapted for receiving a first container such as a pliable plastic bag containing a supply of a fluid such as breastmilk; the appliance adapted for storing, cooling, and/or heating the first container and the fluid contained in the first container; the appliance adapted for dispensing the supply of fluid from the first container; and the appliance adapted for dispensing warm fluid such as breastmilk from the first container into a second container such as a standard baby bottle for instant feeding of the fluid such as breastmilk to an infant; and a process for dispensing warm fluid such as breastmilk from the first container.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a beverage cartridge which includes a filter. The filter, comprising filter material, is arranged to separate the cartridge into first and second compartments. The first compartment stores a first substance and is positioned adjacent the second compartment. A coating is arranged on the filter material and the coating increases the puncture resistance of the filter material.

Abstract: A system for providing a single serving of a frozen confection, wherein the system comprises a pod comprising at least one ingredient for providing a single serving of a frozen confection; the system cools the pod; the system introduces water into the pod; the system simultaneously stirs the contents of the pod while scraping at least one wall of the pod to prevent a build-up of the frozen confection on the at least one wall of the pod; and the system ejects the frozen confection out of the pod.

Abstract: A pod for storing and dispensing a beverage preparation ingredient during a dispensing operation. The pod comprises a body defining a cavity for storing the beverage preparation ingredient, said body comprising a dispensing side and a closed side, and at least one side wall extending from the closed side to the dispensing side; and an actuation member contained within said cavity. The actuation member is configured to cause an opening to be formed between said cavity and a region outside the pod when actuated. The opening is formed around a perimeter of a dispensing surface of the pod at a junction formed between the at least one side wall and the dispensing surface, the dispensing surface being provided at the dispensing side of the body.

Abstract: A method of using a portion capsule for producing a beverage. The method includes providing an apparatus including a barcode reader, the apparatus including a pump adapted to supply heated water; loading the portion capsule into the apparatus; piercing the foil lid; reading a barcode on the portion capsule with the barcode reader; determining whether the read barcode agrees with a stored reference; and activating the pump to push heated water into the portion capsule only upon a determination that the read barcode agrees with the stored reference.

Abstract: A portion capsule for producing a beverage includes a base element having a cavity in which a beverage raw material is provided and which is closed by a membrane fastened to the base element.

Abstract: Capsule for the preparation of a beverage comprising a container and a beverage ingredient contained therein, wherein the container comprises a code (65) adapted for being identified or read by external reading means (62), wherein the code is arranged on the container to be read while the capsule is rotated around an axis of rotation traversing the capsule.

Abstract: A sealed pack (440) contains quantities of ingredients to make an individual smoothie portion. The ingredients comprise a flavour ingredient (410) such as pieces of fruit (strawberries, raspberries, mango), a frozen portion of liquid (420) such as water, fruit juice, milk, coffee or tea; and a consistency ingredient (430) such as ice-cream, sorbet and yoghurt. The pack may be subjected to a temperature sufficiently low to maintain the frozen state of some of the ingredients in the pack (440). Also disclosed is a method of packaging the ingredients into the pack, or into first and second containers, or into a container with compartments for different ingredients in frozen and unfrozen states; and a method of preparing an individual smoothie using the sealed pack wherein the ingredients are blended with additional liquid; and an apparatus that uses sealed pack for automatically vending an individual smoothie portion.

Abstract: A capsule comprises a casing (202) that includes: a base wall (203) and a side wall (204) defining a cavity (205) that is suitable for containing a food preparation (P); a flange-shaped edge (206) extending from the side wall (204), the side wall (204) being deformable along preset lines of pliability (219, 220) to enable the casing (202) to be compressed along a direction (A) that is transverse to the base wall (202). The capsule (201) further comprises: a cover element (208) fixed to the flange edge (206) to close the cavity (205) hermetically and a nozzle (210; 310), fixed to the cover element (208), which is housed in the cavity (205).

Abstract: Technologies are described for devices and methods to utilize an ingredient cartridge assembly. The devices may comprise a cooking pot, a heat source, a loading track, a propulsion system, a loading compartment, and a controller. The loading compartment may be located along the loading track. The controller may be in communication with the heat source and the propulsion system. The propulsion system may be configured to receive an ingredient cartridge assembly including a cartridge. A protective film on the cartridge may be contacted with the propulsion system. The propulsion system may pull the protective film to peel the protective film from the cartridge and slide the cartridge along the loading track towards the loading compartment. An ingredient inside of the cartridge may deposit into the loading compartment as the cartridge passes over the loading compartment. The loading compartment may be configured to deposit the ingredient into the cooking pot.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates beverage nanoemulsions and methods for making such beverage nanoemulsions. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to methods for making beverage nanoemulsions using high shear processing.

Abstract: A system and method of printing a biotic material based object from a biotic material originated from swiftlet's edible bird nest, includes providing parameters of an object for printing; controlling a deposition of a fluid biotic material comprising a blend of water and nanometre-sized and/or micrometre-sized swiftlet edible bird nest particles to form the said object, wherein at least an outer surface region of the fluid biotic material is converted to a solid or semi-solid region after deposition & dehydration; and controlling a dehydration of said deposited fluid biotic material by accurately exposing the said deposited fluid biotic materials to a controlled environment. During and/or after the fluid biotic material deposition, an ultra-low humidity air stream is specifically channelled onto the freshly deposited fluid biotic material to accelerate the dehydration process and minimise the deposited biotic material based object or structure from deforming.

Abstract: A beverage producing system is provided comprising a capsule containing beverage ingredients and a beverage preparation machine. The capsule comprises a cup-shaped body and a lid; the cup-shaped body having a base and a side wall and the lid being sealed to the cup-shaped body. The side wall is dimensioned to be contacted by an enclosing member of the beverage preparation machine on closure of the enclosing member to buckle the side wall to form a valley zone bridging the enclosing member. The side wall is adapted such that said valley zone forms at least one sealing interface between the enclosing member and the side wall. A capsule and a method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of preparing a beverage, wherein the method comprises the step of heating a beverage in a cup by means of injecting steam into the beverage through a wand and the step of measuring the temperature of the beverage in the cup, wherein the step of measuring the temperature of the beverage comprises during the step of heating the step of continuously recording an audio signal from the beverage and the step of deriving the temperature of the beverage from the recorded audio signal. A device for preparing a beverage, said device being provided with a beverage temperature sensor comprising at least one microphone and a controller which is loaded with a computer program for performing the inventive method.

Abstract: A cartridge for use in a beverage preparation machine, the cartridge containing one or more beverage ingredients and being formed from substantially air- and water-impermeable materials, the cartridge comprising an inlet for the introduction of an aqueous medium into the cartridge and an outlet for discharge of a beverage produced from the one or more beverage ingredients.

Abstract: A system for providing a single serving of a frozen confection, wherein the system comprises a pod comprising at least one ingredient for providing a single serving of a frozen confection; the system cools the pod; the system introduces water into the pod; the system simultaneously stirs the contents of the pod while scraping at least one wall of the pod to prevent a build-up of the frozen confection on the at least one wall of the pod; and the system ejects the frozen confection out of the pod.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a single serve capsule for preparing a beverage, comprising a side wall and a bottom, which together define a space, a filter element being sealed to the bottom within said space.

Abstract: An assembly (10) including a container (12) having a first end (14) and an opposing second end (16). The assembly (10) also includes a housing (18) for removably receiving a cartridge (20) of the type including a substance storage compartment (22) for storing a substance therein. The housing (18) is connectable to the second end (16) of the container (12). When connected to the container (12), the housing (18) is movable relative to the container (12). A rupturing device (24) is provided for rupturing the storage compartment (22) upon relative movement between the housing (18) and container (12), so as to combine any storage compartment contents with any container contents. The rupturing device (24) is mounted within the container (12). A container opening (26) is provided in the first end (14) of the container (12); and a closure (28) provided for sealing the container opening (26). The closure (28) is movable between a closed position, and an open position for providing access to the container (12).

Abstract: Systems and methods have demonstrated the capability of rapidly cooling the contents of pods containing the ingredients for food and drinks.

Abstract: A capsule for preparing a predetermined quantity of beverage with a beverage brewing device is disclosed. The beverage brewing device comprises a receptacle for receiving the capsule. The capsule comprises a cup comprising a circumferential wall, a bottom closing the circumferential wall at a first end, and a lid in use connected to the cup at a second end of the circumferential wall opposite the bottom. The wall, bottom and lid, in use, enclose an inner space comprising the extractable product. At least a portion of a surface of the capsule conceived to, in use, interact with the receptacle is provided with at least one projection for forming a sealing engagement with the receptacle.