Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a method and related system efficiently and effectively recover a significant amount of valuable, useable oil from byproducts formed during a dry milling process used for producing ethanol. The method may include forming a concentrate from the byproduct and recovering oil from the concentrate. The step of forming the concentrate may comprise evaporating the byproduct using a multi-stage evaporator, as well as recovering the oil before the final stage of the evaporator. Further, the step of recovering oil from the concentrate may comprise using a centrifuge and, in particular, a disk stack centrifuge. Other aspects of the invention include related methods and subsystems for recovering oil.

Abstract: One exemplary aspect comprises a juice extractor having a top portion and a bottom portion that is inserted into a skin of a fruit, the juice extractor containing a cavity for collecting juice directly from the fruit, said bottom portion having an external surface with a plurality of openings through which pulp and seeds larger than each of said plurality of openings do not pass and juice flows and collects in said cavity; and a spray dispenser comprising a top portion and bottom portion, and comprising a spray pump partially disposed within and extending from the top portion of the spray dispenser, the bottom portion of the spray dispenser detachably coupled with the top portion of the juice extractor, the spray pump comprising a tube having a lower end disposed within the cavity and terminating within a void enclosed by said external surface, for collecting juice directly from the fruit.

Abstract: A laminated baked snack bar includes a layer of low moisture filling laminated between two thin layers of dough. The dough layers of the snack bar have a crunchy, cracker-like texture while the filling layer remains soft. The total thickness of the baked snack bar is preferably less than 7 millimeters. The snack bar is prepared by calibrating dough sheets to a thickness of less than 1 millimeter each, followed by depositing a filling composition having a high heat resistant stability on one of the calibrated dough sheets and placing a second calibrated dough sheet on top of the filling to form a laminate. The laminate is then calibrated, cut into bars and baked, using a mild baking profile. The snack bar may have a design molded on the top surface and/or a topping composition, preferably including oats, deposited on the laminate.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a method and related system efficiently and effectively recover a significant amount of valuable, useable oil from byproducts formed during a dry milling process used for producing ethanol. The method may include forming a concentrate from the byproduct and recovering oil from the concentrate. The step of forming the concentrate may comprise evaporating the byproduct using a multi-stage evaporator, as well as recovering the oil before the final stage of the evaporator. Further, the step of recovering oil from the concentrate may comprise using a centrifuge and, in particular, a disk stack centrifuge. Other aspects of the invention include related methods and subsystems for recovering oil.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel processing methods for green coffee beans that result in novel green coffee bean products, including products that incorporate whole green coffee beans. Methods include selecting whole coffee beans in their fresh green unroasted state with naturally-occurring levels of phytonutrients, sterilizing and drying them, applying iterative grinding processes and stabilization techniques, all while avoiding high temperatures. Whole green coffee bean products created and defined by these methods have unexpectedly been found to increase focus and concentration in users, and are believed useful in the treatment of attention and concentration deficits and related disorders, such as attention deficit (AD), attention deficit disorder (ADD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and various related and/or comorbid disorders.

Abstract: A method of preparing soybean mixed powder comprising a soybean powder having properties wherein formation of agglomerate is small when the powder is added to water and then heated with stirring to dissolve the powder.

Abstract: Methods of preparation and improved oat based puffed R-T-E or breakfast cereal products resulting there from with reduced sodium levels that provide good cooked grain flavor relative to other low or no sodium cooked cereal products and that approach the quality of higher sodium level products are provided. The methods include formulating cooked cereal doughs with minimal levels of sodium chloride and including a blend of potassium chloride and choline chloride. The cooked cereal dough is formed into pellets and gun puffed to form puff products having a total pyrazine content of at least 200 ppm. The puffed products are topically coated with saline solution and dried to provide the present improved low sodium high flavor finished breakfast cereal products.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a beverage. Movement of a brew chamber may automatically enable the provision of beverage precursor liquid into a reservoir in a brewer, which is then used (heated or not) to form a beverage. For example, closing of the brew chamber may cause a lid for a water reservoir to be fully opened or otherwise permit movement of the lid to allow access to the reservoir, allowing a user to provide water into the reservoir. The reservoir lid may open with an abrupt action, causing attention to be drawn to the reservoir lid. In another arrangement, closure of the brew chamber may cause actuation of a baffle, pump, valve or other device to provide a suitable amount of water to a reservoir for beverage formation. In another arrangement, opening of the brew chamber may cause the reservoir lid to be automatically and simultaneously opened with the brew chamber.

Abstract: A method for producing a proanthocyanidin extract is described. The method comprises: (a) providing a volume of proanthocyanidin-containing liquid feedstock; (b) passing the proanthocyanidin-containing liquid feedstock to an ultrafiltration feed tank; (c) filtering the material in the ultrafiltration feed tank through an ultrafiltration membrane system to fractionate the material into a proanthocyanidin-reduced permeate stream and a proanthocyanidin-enriched retentate stream; (d) collecting the proanthocyanidin-reduced permeate stream; and (e) passing the proanthocyanidin-enriched retentate stream to the ultrafiltration feed tank until the volume of proanthocyanidin-containing liquid feedstock is exhausted and thereafter collecting the proanthocyanidin-enriched retentate stream.

Abstract: Improved methods for potassium fortification in food products and the resulting potassium-fortified food products produced therefrom are provided. The methods of this invention allow significant levels of potassium fortification (i.e., greater than about 10 percent, and even up to about 50 percent, of the current U.S. Daily Values (DV) in a single serving) without the objectionable and unpleasant taste profile normally associated with current methods of potassium fortification.

Abstract: A process for making a fruit or vegetable extract including diffusing, screening, and pressing the pomace, and spinning, filtering and concentrating juice from the pomace to form an extract. Also, the pomace may be hydrated at various points during this process by water or by reclaimed condenser condensate. Also included is an extract made using the present inventive methods.

Abstract: An energy composition includes a methylated xanthine, a choline derivative, and at least one flavorant in a sufficient amount to render the energy composition palatable. The energy composition may also include vitamins, amino acids, enzymes, preservatives, and the like.

Abstract: A beverage preparation machine is electrically operated and has a control unit, at least one functional unit, and an electric circuit for supplying the functional unit and the control unit with current. The electric circuit has a switch for switching the current on or off, through respective first and second operations of an operating element. The switch has a first switch contact and a second switch contact, which are connected in parallel in the electric circuit. The first switch contact is brought into a closed state by the first operation of the operating element, and assumes an open state after the second operation. The control unit provides a control signal so that the second switch contact is closed after the first operation of the switch and opened after the second operation of the switch.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing a beverage liquid from beverage forming ingredients contained in a receptacle by passing water through the ingredients by centrifuging the receptacle. The apparatus includes a centrifugal driver for driving the receptacle around its central axis of rotation (I), a device for feeding water into the receptacle, a filter placed in the receptacle, and at least one beverage flow outlet of variable cross-section for enabling the beverage to flow out of the receptacle.

Abstract: An improved process for peeling hard boiled eggs includes contacting the cooked egg with a cold inert gas before peeling.

Abstract: A modular infuser includes a back plate assembly containing drive mechanisms and supporting a belt assembly, and infusing and mixing chambers. The belt assembly includes rollers rotating a continuous filter belt in either direction, an annular seal, and a funnel directing liquid to a removable, rotatable spout. The infusing chamber moves between having the bottom clamped to the seal through the filter belt and being spaced apart from the filter belt to allow waste removal by rotation of the filter belt. The mixing chamber receives and mixes ingredient and water, passing the mixture into the infusing chamber below. Replacement of the filter belt with different mesh sizes and of the removable spout with different inner diameters allows the mechanism to be easily adapted for different beverages, such as coffee or tea. Multiple instances of the modular infuser may be mounted in a single vending machine.

Abstract: A method for preparing a food liquid from a food substance contained in a single-use capsule. The method includes passing water through the substance, driving the capsule in centrifugal rotation while introducing water into the center of capsule, passing water through the substance to form a food liquid, and piercing at least one liquid delivery outlet in the capsule at least partially by the effect of the pressure rising in the capsule as a result of the centrifugation.

Abstract: One exemplary aspect comprises: inserting a device into a skin of a fruit to collect juice, said device comprising a juice extractor having a top portion and a bottom portion, the bottom portion of the juice extractor having an edge that is inserted into said skin, the juice extractor containing a cavity, said edge enclosing a substantially closed external surface having openings through which some solids do not pass and juice flows and collects in said cavity; and a spray dispenser comprising a top portion and bottom portion and a spray pump, the spray dispenser detachably coupled with the juice extractor, the spray pump comprising a spray outlet connected to a tube; directing said spray outlet in a desired direction; and activating said spray pump to cause juice collected within said cavity to flow within the tube through the spray outlet to spray the juice in the desired direction.

Abstract: A method for preparing hot beverages in a hot beverage machine by possibly repeatedly pumping a specific quantity of water from a water tank into a heating device, heating the quantity of water, pumping the heated quantity of water out of the heating device into a brewing chamber and possibly at the same time pumping a further quantity of water out of the water tank into the heating device, brewing a brewing substance contained in the brewing chamber to produce a hot beverage, and finally converting the quantity of water last pumped into the heating device completely into steam in a controlled manner for forcing liquid out of the entire line system downstream of the heating device.

Abstract: A subject of the present invention is the use of a maltodextrin and/or a glucose syrup obtained, by acid or enzymatic hydrolysis, from a leguminous starch having an amylose content comprised between 25% and 50%, expressed as dry weight relative to the dry weight of starch, for the encapsulation of organic compounds.