Methods for delivering transparent shelf-stable liquid drink concentrates

Abstract

Disclosed is a method of making and delivering a composition beverage and nutritional components in a concentrated form. The method includes providing sweeteners, nutritional supplements, flavors, colors, thickening agents, acidifying agents or combinations thereof in a shelf stable format. The method also includes providing portable lightweight beverage mix or nutritional supplement. Additionally, the method includes providing clear and non-turbid beverage upon dilution in dilution media.

1 . A method of delivering a pre-measured, transparent, preservative-free, shelf-stable liquid drink concentrate that is readily miscible with any liquid medium without shaking or agitation comprising:
 selecting water soluble constituents; and   combining water and water soluble constituents to form transparent liquid drink concentrate; and   adjusting pH of transparent liquid drink concentrate to about 3.5 or lower; and   dispensing the acidified transparent liquid drink concentrate into pre-formed container; and   hermetically sealing the pre-formed container; and   dispensing acidified transparent liquid drink concentrate from the pre-formed container into a dilution medium for ingestion   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the water soluble constituents are selected to provide a transparent and non-turbid solution without cloudiness or precipitation. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the water soluble constituents are selected from the group consisting of sweeteners, nutritional supplements, flavors, colors, thickening agents, acidifying agents or combinations thereof. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the acidified transparent liquid drink concentrate further comprises between about 30% to about 90% water. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pre-formed container is selected from the group consisting of PVC, PVDC, HIPS, PS, PE or Poly Propylene or combinations thereof. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the acidified transparent liquid drink concentrate is filled into pre-formed container at amounts about 5 to 30 ml. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the dilution fluid is selected from the group consisting of water, fruit or vegetable juice, liquid brewed herbs, chilled or frozen treats or combinations thereof. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the ingestion of said diluted acidified transparent liquid drink concentrate is for the purpose of hydration, enjoyment or treating specific symptoms of deficient nutrition. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein acidified transparent liquid drink concentrate has a pH between about 0.5 to about 2.5. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the sweeteners are selected from the group selected consisting of monosaccharides, disaccharides, sucralose, aspartame, saccharin, Acesulfame Potassium, include mannitol, sorbitol, maltitol, xylitol, lactitol monohydrate, erythritol, and glycerin, and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the nutritional supplements are selected from the group consisting of water soluble vitamins, water miscible vitamins, antioxidants, minerals, herbal extracts, liquid extracts of herbs, water soluble fiber, prebiotics, probiotics, joint care nutrients, gelatin, collagen, amino acids, brain stimulating nutrients, water soluble pharmaceutical compounds, water soluble nutraceutical compounds, performance enhancers and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the flavors are selected from the group consisting of sweet, savory, herbal flavors and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the colors are selected from the group consisting of natural colors, artificial colors, fruit derived colors, vegetable derived colors, insect derived colors and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the thickening agent is selected from the group consisting of collagen, gellan gum, carbohydrate gel forming polymers, Carbo bean gum, locust bean gum, carrageenan, alginates, guar, xanthan, carboxymethyl cellulose, clear starch and mixtures thereof. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the acidifying agent is selected from the group consisting of citric acid, tartaric acid, malic acid, ascorbic acid, lactic acid, phosphoric acid, hydrochloric acid and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pre-measured, transparent, preservative-free, shelf-stable liquid drink concentrate is an energy supplement concentrate. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pre-measured, transparent, preservative-free, shelf-stable liquid drink concentrate is a sports drink concentrate. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pre-measured, transparent, preservative-free, shelf-stable liquid drink concentrate is a drink concentrate. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pre-measured, transparent, preservative-free, shelf-stable liquid drink concentrate is a nutritional supplement concentrate. 
   
   
       20 . A method of delivering a pre-measured, transparent, shelf-stable liquid drink concentrate that is readily miscible with any liquid medium without shaking or agitation comprising:
 selecting water soluble constituents; and   combining water and water soluble constituents to form transparent liquid drink concentrate; and   adjusting pH of transparent liquid drink concentrate to about 5.5 or lower; and   dispensing the transparent liquid drink concentrate into pre-formed container; and   hermetically sealing the pre-formed container; and   dispensing transparent liquid drink concentrate from the pre-formed container into a dilution medium for ingesting.   
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the water soluble constituents are selected to provide a transparent and non-turbid solution without cloudiness or precipitation. 
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the water soluble constituents are selected from the group consisting of sweeteners, nutritional supplements, flavors, colors, thickening agents, acidifying agents or combinations thereof. 
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the water soluble constituents contain a preservative. 
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the transparent liquid drink concentrate further comprises between about 30% to about 90% water. 
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the pre-formed container is selected from the group consisting of PVC, PVDC, HIPS, PS, PE or Poly Propylene or combinations thereof. 
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the transparent liquid drink concentrate is filled into said pre-formed container at amounts about 5 to 30 ml. 
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the dilution fluid is selected from the group consisting of water, fruit or vegetable juice, liquid brewed herbs, chilled or frozen treats or combinations thereof. 
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the ingestion of said diluted transparent liquid drink concentrate is for the purpose of hydration, enjoyment or treating specific symptoms of deficient nutrition. 
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein transparent liquid drink concentrate has a pH between about 3.5 to about 5.5. 
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the sweeteners are selected from the group selected consisting of monosaccharides, disaccharides, sucralose, aspartame, saccharin, Acesulfame Potassium, include mannitol, sorbitol, maltitol, xylitol, lactitol monohydrate, erythritol, and glycerin, and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the nutritional supplements are selected from the group consisting of water soluble vitamins, water miscible vitamins, antioxidants, minerals, herbal extracts, liquid extracts of herbs, water soluble fiber, prebiotics, probiotics, joint care nutrients, gelatin, collagen, amino acids, brain stimulating nutrients, water soluble pharmaceutical compounds, water soluble nutraceutical compounds, performance enhancers and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the flavors are selected from the group consisting of sweet, savory, herbal flavors and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the colors are selected from the group consisting of natural colors, artificial colors, fruit derived colors, vegetable derived colors, insect derived colors and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       34 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the thickening agent is selected from the group consisting of collagen, gellan gum, carbohydrate gel forming polymers, Carbo bean gum, locust bean gum, carrageenan, alginates, guar, xanthan, carboxymethyl cellulose, clear starch and mixtures thereof. 
   
   
       35 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the acidifying agent is selected from the group consisting of citric acid, tartaric acid, malic acid, ascorbic acid, lactic acid, phosphoric acid, hydrochloric acid and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       36 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the preservative is selected from the group consisting of nisin, sorbic acid or a salt of, benzoic acid or a salt of, EDTA, Methyl Paraben, Propyl Paraben, natural preservatives, synthetic preservatives or mixtures thereof. 
   
   
       37 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the pre-measured, transparent, shelf-stable liquid drink concentrate is an energy supplement concentrate. 
   
   
       38 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the pre-measured, transparent, shelf-stable liquid drink concentrate is a sports drink concentrate. 
   
   
       39 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the pre-measured, transparent, shelf-stable liquid drink concentrate is a drink concentrate. 
   
   
       40 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the pre-measured, transparent, shelf-stable liquid drink concentrate is a nutritional supplement concentrate. 
   
   
       41 . A portable kit comprising
 a preformed package, and   a pre-measured, preservative-free, acidified, shelf-stable concentrate consists essentially of liquid; and   a water soluble additive selected from the group consisting of sweeteners, nutritional supplements, flavors, colors, thickening agents or combinations thereof.   wherein the performed package allows for packaging and portability of the pre-measured, preservative-free, shelf-stable liquid drink concentrate, and allows for easy dispensing into containers of fluids as well as protection of dissolved water soluble additives.   
   
   
       42 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the water soluble constituents are selected to provide a transparent and non-turbid solution without cloudiness or precipitation. 
   
   
       43 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the water soluble constituents are selected from the group consisting of sweeteners, nutritional supplements, flavors, colors, thickening agents, acidifying agents or combinations thereof. 
   
   
       44 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the acidified transparent liquid drink concentrate further comprises between about 30% to about 90% water. 
   
   
       45 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the pre-formed container is selected from the group consisting of clear and transparent PVC or PVDC combinations thereof. 
   
   
       46 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the said acidified transparent liquid drink concentrate is filled into said pre-formed container at amounts about 5 to 30 ml. 
   
   
       47 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein acidified transparent liquid drink concentrate has a pH between about 0.5 to about 3.5. 
   
   
       48 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein the sweeteners are selected from the group selected consisting of monosaccharides, disaccharides, sucralose, aspartame, saccharin, Acesulfame Potassium, include mannitol, sorbitol, maltitol, xylitol, lactitol monohydrate, erythritol, and glycerin, and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       49 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein the nutritional supplements are selected from the group consisting of water soluble vitamins, water miscible vitamins, antioxidants, minerals, herbal extracts, liquid extracts of herbs, water soluble fiber, prebiotics, probiotics, joint care nutrients, gelatin, collagen, amino acids, brain stimulating nutrients, water soluble pharmaceutical compounds, water soluble nutraceutical compounds, performance enhancers and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       50 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein the flavors are selected from the group consisting of sweet, savory, herbal flavors and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       51 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein the colors are selected from the group consisting of natural colors, artificial colors, fruit derived colors, vegetable derived colors, insect derived colors and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       52 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein the thickening agent is selected from the group consisting of collagen, gellan gum, carbohydrate gel forming polymers, Carbo bean gum, locust bean gum, carrageenan, alginates, guar, xanthan, carboxymethyl cellulose, clear starch and mixtures thereof. 
   
   
       53 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein the acidifying agent is selected from the group consisting of citric acid, tartaric acid, malic acid, ascorbic acid, lactic acid, phosphoric acid, hydrochloric acid and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       54 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the pre-measured, transparent, preservative-free, shelf-stable liquid drink concentrate is an energy supplement concentrate. 
   
   
       55 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the pre-measured, transparent, preservative-free, shelf-stable liquid drink concentrate is a sports drink concentrate. 
   
   
       56 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the pre-measured, transparent, preservative-free, shelf-stable liquid drink concentrate is a drink concentrate. 
   
   
       57 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the pre-measured, transparent, preservative-free, shelf-stable liquid drink concentrate is a nutritional supplement concentrate. 
   
   
       58 . The kit of  claim 41 , wherein the preformed package is hermetically sealed.