Abstract: A cocoa extract which is rich in procyanidin monomers and oligomers is made by extracting de-fatted, unroasted, unfermented cocoa beans with organic solvents. The yield of procyanidins in an extract varies with type of solvent used, reaction temperature, reaction pH and whether or not the solvent is an aqueous solution. Extraction parameters can be optimized to increase procyanidin yield, and different conditions result in the preferential extraction of the higher or lower oligomers. A preferred extraction method is counter-current extraction method.

Abstract: A cocoa extract which is rich in procyanidin monomers and oligomers is made by extracting de-fatted, unroasted, unfermented cocoa beans with organic solvents. The yield of procyanidins in an extract varies with type of solvent used, reaction temperature, reaction pH and whether or not the solvent is an aqueous solution. Extraction parameters can be optimized to increase procyanidin yield, and different conditions result in the preferential extraction of the higher or lower oligomers. A preferred extraction method is counter-current extraction method.

Abstract: A cocoa extract which is rich in procyanidin monomer and oligomers is made by extracting de-fatted, unroasted, unfermented cocoa beans with organic solvents. The yield of procyanidins in an extract varies with the type of solvent used, reaction temperature, reaction pH and whether or not the solvent is an aqueous solution. Extraction parameters can be optimized to increase procyanidin yield, and different conditions results in the preferential extraction of the higher or lower oligomers. A preferred extraction method is counter-current extraction method.

Abstract: Processes are provided for preparing ready-to-eat health bars such as chocolate granola bars and chocolate confectioneries such as dark or milk chocolate chews. The bars and confectioneries contain sterol ester(s) and/or stanol esters and cocoa solids having a high cocoa procyanidin content. The cocoa solids are pretreated with the sterol/stanol ester(s) or other edible oils or fats during the preparation of the products to prevent the loss of cocoa procyanidins. Other particulate antioxidants can be pretreated with food grade fats and/or oils or emulsifiers such as lecithin to conserve their effectiveness.

Abstract: Processes are provided for preparing ready-to-eat health bars such as chocolate granola bars and chocolate confectioneries such as dark or milk chocolate chews. The bars and confectioneries contain sterol ester(s) and/or stanol esters and cocoa solids having a high cocoa procyanidin content. The cocoa solids are pretreated with the sterol/stanol ester(s) or other edible oils or fats during the preparation of the products to prevent the loss of cocoa procyanidins. Other particulate antioxidants can be pretreated with food grade fats and/or oils or emulsifiers such as lecithin to conserve their effectiveness.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for delivering goods ordered by a plurality of customers, in which a plurality of customers place orders for goods from a vendor, the vendor fulfills its orders by combining into a single shipping order the goods ordered by a plurality of customers who are geographically close to a single local pick-up point, and the vendor causes the single shipping order to be sent to a local pick-up point.

Abstract: A cocoa extract which is rich in procyanidin monomers and oligomers is made by extracting de-fatted, unroasted, unfermented cocoa beans with organic solvents. The yield of procyanidins in an extract varies with type of solvent used, extraction temperature, extraction pH and whether or not the solvent is an aqueous solvent solution. Extraction parameters can be optimized to increase procyanidin yield, and different conditions and/or solvents result in the preferential extraction of the higher or lower oligomers. A preferred extraction method is counter-current extraction method.

Abstract: A cocoa extract which is rich in procyanidin monomers and oligomers is made by extracting de-fatted, unroasted, unfermented cocoa beans with organic solvents. The yield of procyanidins in an extract varies with type of solvent used, reaction temperature, reaction pH and whether or not the solvent is an aqueous solution. Extraction parameters can be optimized to increase procyanidin yield, and different conditions result in the preferential extraction of the higher or lower oligomers. A preferred extraction method is counter-current extraction method.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for delivering goods ordered by a plurality of customers, in which a plurality of customers place orders for goods from a vendor, the vendor fulfills its orders by combining into a single shipping order the goods ordered by a plurality of customers who are geographically close to a single local pick-up point, and the vendor causes the single shipping order to be sent to a local pick-up point.

Abstract: A method of administering a promotional contest comprises the steps of: providing to a consumer a product the label of which includes the identification code, enabling the consumer to input the identification code into a prize redemption system, validating the identification code, and determining whether the code is a winning code that entitles the consumer to receive a prize.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for transmitting electronic mail from a sender to a plurality of recipients is provided by use of a software application that allows a sender to designate a recipient as one of several categories. A first category is a primary recipient of the electronic mail and is to receive both a text message and an attached file. A second category is a secondary recipient of the electronic mail and is to receive both a text message and the attached file. A third category is a tertiary recipient of the electronic mail and is to receive a text message without the attached file.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for motivating a consumer to promptly indicate an interest in purchasing a product and/or service over a computer network includes the steps of presenting an offer for sale of a product and/or service to the consumer over the computer network, concurrently presenting an incentive for purchasing the product and/or service to the consumer promptly over the computer network. The incentive is initially set to a predetermined maximum value and decreases over a period of time. Additional steps include indicating an interest to purchase the product and/or service by the consumer at a point in time during the period of time, and providing the consumer the current value of the incentive corresponding to the point in time at which the consumer indicated the interest.