Abstract: A cartridge containing one or more ingredients for the preparation of beverages. The cartridge comprises an inlet for the introduction of an aqueous medium into the cartridge, an outlet for a beverage produced from said one or more beverage ingredients, an aperture in a beverage flow path linking the inlet to the outlet which generates, in use, a jet of beverage, and an expansion chamber located downstream of the aperture. The expansion chamber comprises an expansion chamber inlet for receiving the jet of beverage and an expansion chamber outlet; and an air inlet located in the expansion chamber in the vicinity of the expansion chamber inlet. The cross-sectional area of the expansion chamber decreases in a downstream direction from the expansion chamber inlet to the expansion chamber outlet, and the cross-sectional area and profile of the expansion chamber outlet are substantially the same as the cross-sectional area and profile of the beverage stream as it passes through the outlet.

Abstract: Disclosed is an animal feed composition that comprises free indole acetic acid (free IAA) or a derivative thereof. Also disclosed is a method for enhancing animal growth by feeding the animal with a composition according to the invention. Further disclosed is the use of free IAA or a derivative thereof in a method of therapy of animals in need of a growth-promoting treatment, such as immunocompromised animals, animals with a growth deficit or slow-growing animals. Disclosed is the use of free IAA or a derivative thereof for the preparation of a therapeutical composition for increasing the growth rate and/or the feed conversion rate and/or the immunity of animals in need of such a treatment, in particular, immunocompromised or slow-growing animals. A composition may be in the form of a food or feed supplement.

Abstract: Disclosed is a bowl that has a cereal section and a milk and fruit section that are separated by a continuous dividing wall. The milk and fruit section has a downward slope from the dividing wall that causes the milk to enter a curved bottom section from which the eater can take the last of the cereal and milk onto his/her spoon. Also disclosed is a cover for the bowl that makes a liquid tight seal on the milk and fruit section and also covers the cereal section.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a beverage cartridge for use in a beverage preparation machine, the cartridge being formed from substantially water-impermeable materials and comprising an inlet for the introduction of an aqueous medium into the cartridge and an outlet for discharge of a beverage produced from the aqueous medium and one or more beverage ingredients contained in the cartridge, wherein the one or more beverage ingredients includes one or more discrete edible components which are substantially insoluble in the aqueous medium and which, in use, are dispensed from the cartridge with the beverage.

Abstract: A synthetic bacon board does not wick and may be printed on both the inside of the package, with direct food contact, and on the outside of the package. The synthetic bacon board is lighter than conventional bacon boards, reducing freight costs, and is recyclable (#5 recyclable polypropylene, for example). Since it does not wick, the synthetic bacon board may be more appealing to the consumer. Moreover, consumer messages, such as coupons with optional varying background colors, may be printed on the inside of the packaging.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming a two component beverage using a container having two compartments, an upper compartment and a lower compartment, each containing a beverage ingredient. The upper compartment contains a first beverage ingredient, such as powdered milk, and the lower compartment 8 contains a second beverage ingredient, such as instant coffee. The upper compartment can be stacked above the lower compartment such that access to the lower compartment is through the upper compartment.

Abstract: A system and method for preparing a predetermined quantity of beverage suitable for consumption using an extractable product is disclosed. The system comprises: at least one disposable capsule; an apparatus comprising a fluid dispensing device for supplying an amount of fluid to the at least one capsule, a receptacle for accommodating the at least one capsule, and an outlet arrangement for supplying the beverage to a container, such as a cup. The at least one disposable capsule comprises a material barrier for enclosing an inner space comprising the extractable product. The disposable capsule further comprises a displaceable body conceived to interact with the material barrier for discontinuing at least an exit area thereof for enabling passage of the at least a portion of the beverage away from the capsule.

Abstract: Methods and systems for producing a food product having a liquid component and an insoluble component, such as soups or stews. A food product assembly may include a cartridge containing a liquid component medium that is usable by a beverage forming machine to produce a liquid component of the food product. A second container, to which the cartridge may be removably attached, may contain the insoluble component of the food product, and may receive the liquid component so as to hold both the insoluble component and liquid component together, e.g., for consumption by a user.

Abstract: The present invention provides an innovative packaging for microwave preparation of expandable food, such as cookies, an innovative food product prepared from the packaging and the method of preparation thereof. The innovative packaging includes first and second susceptor sheet portions each having an accordion-like shape; one or more members for spacing the susceptor sheet portions at a predetermined distance; and an expandable uncooked food placed between the two susceptor sheets, wherein the food is in intimate contact with sheet portions and becomes efficiently browned and crisped during microwave cooking. The food is preferably a cookie dough.

Abstract: A produce chamber (1) is provided to subject produce in a crate (7) to a controlled atmosphere. The chamber (1) has at least one inflatable/deflatable balloon seal structure (15) for sealingly engaging with a side wall of a produce crate (7) which has at least one opening (13) in a side wall (11) thereof. The balloon seal structure (15) has at least one discharge opening (19) that aligns with the at least one crate opening (13). Crates (7) with produce therein can be loaded in the chamber (1) with the balloon seal structure (15) deflated. The balloon seal structure (15) can then be inflated and controlled atmosphere allowed to circulate through the balloon seal structure (15) and discharged from the opening (19) and through the crate opening (13) to expose the produce to a controlled atmosphere.

Abstract: A method for making a snack product having a target shape from expandable pellets is disclosed. The snack product is formed into a target shape by expanding the pellets inside a mold. As the pellets expand inside the mold, the mold walls restrain the pellets expansion in the direction normal to the mold wall surface. The pellets also adhere to one another as they expand. An edible binder material can be included to facilitate such adherence.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for preparing a beverage from a soluble beverage powder comprising the steps of: —metering a dose of the soluble beverage powder, —heating the soluble beverage powder dose, —diluting the heated soluble beverage powder dose with a diluent.

Abstract: An edible baking liner is formed from an edible paper made with large-granule vegetable starch. The liner may be baked with a baking product, and can be consumed without removing the liner from the baking product. The edible baking liner can replace the use of an inedible baking liner. In one aspect, a method of making an edible baking liner may include placing pieces of shredded edible paper into a recess of a mold, pressing an insert into the recess, and removing the formed edible baking liner from the mold.

Abstract: The present invention relates to feedstuffs for use in aquaculture, as well as methods for producing said feedstuffs. The invention also provides methods for rearing fish and/or crustaceans. In particular, the present invention provides a method of rearing a fish or crustacean, the method comprising feeding the fish or crustacean a feedstuff comprising lipid, the fatty acid of said lipid comprising at least 5.5% (w/w) stearidonic acid (SDA).

Abstract: Packaging comprising:—at least a foodstuff (2), the foodstuff being a fresh, peeled and natural kiwi,—an atoxic wrapping (4) completely sealed in which said foodstuff (2) is completely contained, and—a handgrip element (3) associated or associable with said foodstuff (2).

Abstract: A packaging for foodstuffs and/or semi-luxury products produced in the form of bars, such as chocolate bars, containing two or more bars lying on top of each other, wherein each bar is wrapped in a sheet on all sides and the bars thus wrapped are enveloped by a wrapper sheet, characterized in that all bars lie flatly on top of each other in the form of a stack of bars and all bars lying on top of each other are embraced by a single continuous wrapper sheet, namely on at least three adjacent sides of each individual bar, with all fold lines of the wrapper sheet running parallel to each other.

Abstract: In one embodiment of an apparatus and process for packaging foodstuffs or other materials in a rigid container sealed by a flexible cover, a desired quantity of material to be packaged containing or together with some water or other liquid is placed in the container, the flexible cover is secured on the container so as to leave at least one unsealed opening, the container is heated and/or placed in a partial vacuum to bring the liquid above its boiling point to cause or permit vapor generated by the boiling liquid to expel other gases from the container through the unsealed opening, and the container is sealed while gas or vapor is still flowing out of the container through the unsealed opening.

Abstract: The invention concerns a new food product (1) in the form of a meal comprising food (4) and a sauce (5), intended to be mixed for consumption of the meal, in closed packaging (1) comprising a container (2) in which the food (4) is placed and a lid (3) in which the sauce (5) is placed, the sauce being separated from the food by a seal (7) which closes off the part of the lid (3) facing the food (4) characterized in that the container (2) comprises a mechanism (11) to tear the seal (7) when the lid (3) is turned concurrently to the container (2) between a pre-tearing position of the seal (7) and a tearing position of the seal (7).

Abstract: A method for the production of drinks, particularly coffee, even more particularly “American type coffee” or filter coffee by means of a machine and a capsule containing a proportion of preparation for drink is disclosed. The method includes the phases of heating a liquid for the preparation of drinks, putting under pressure the liquid within a boiler, feeding the liquid to the capsule with crossing of the capsule, taking the liquid after this phase of crossing of the capsule. The method also includes an infusion and remixing phase of the liquid with the preparation for drink within the capsule, which occurs within a housing partially filled up with the preparation for drink according to a filling factor in the range from 35 to 90%, preferably in the range from 40 to 85%, even more preferably in the range from 45 to 75%.

Abstract: High concentration, that is, strong antimicrobial treatment materials such as high concentration aqueous ammonia solutions or even liquid ammonia may be applied to a foodstuff without deleterious effects by controlling the temperature of the foodstuff at or immediately after the time of contact with the antimicrobial treatment material. In particular, ice crystals are maintained at or just below the surface of the foodstuff at or immediately after the time of contact with the antimicrobial treatment material. The ice crystals in the foodstuff inhibit absorption of the antimicrobial treatment material into the foodstuff.