Composition for Preparing a Beverage or Food Product Comprising a Plurality of Insoluble Material Bodies

Abstract

The present invention relates to improvements in the preparation of beverage and food products and, in particular, to an improved composition for preparing beverage and food products in machines. The composition is prepared by the addition of a liquid to said composition and comprises one or more beverage or food ingredients and at least one preparation aid. The preparation aid comprises a plurality of bodies formed from a substantially insoluble material and the preparation aid is selected to have a predetermined effect on the interaction between the liquid and the composition. The bodies have a diameter in the range of 0.1 mm to 200 mm, and preferably in the range of 1 to 20 mm or in the range of 100 to 200 mm.

1 . A composition for preparing a beverage or food product by the addition of a liquid to said composition, said composition comprising one or more beverage or food ingredients and at least one preparation aid which has a predetermined effect on the interaction between the liquid and the composition, said preparation aid comprising a plurality of bodies formed from a substantially insoluble material, in which the bodies have a diameter in the range of 0.1 mm to 200 mm, and preferably in the range of 1 to 20 mm or in the range of 100 to 200 mm. 
     
     
         2 . A composition as claimed in  claim 1  in which the material from which the bodies are made is substantially impermeable. 
     
     
         3 . A composition as claimed in  claim 1  in which the predetermined effect is to substantially prevent movement of the ingredient (s) in the liquid. 
     
     
         4 . A composition as claimed in  claim 1  in which the predetermined effect is to promote agitation of the ingredient (s) in the liquid. 
     
     
         5 . A composition as claimed in  claim 1  in which the bodies are non-buoyant. 
     
     
         6 . A composition as claimed in  claim 1  in which the bodies have a shape or structure including a plurality of edges and/or corners. 
     
     
         7 . A composition as claimed in  claim 1  in which the bodies have a shape or structure which promotes turbulent flow of liquid flowing in or around the bodies. 
     
     
         8 . A composition as claimed in  claim 1  in which the bodies have a shape, structure or textured surface such that, when the bodies compact together, small flow paths are created therebetween. 
     
     
         9 . A composition as claimed in  claim 1  in which the bodies have a smooth surface. 
     
     
         10 . A composition as claimed in  claim 1  in which the bodies are buoyant. 
     
     
         11 . A composition as claimed in  claim 1  in which the bodies are substantially of the same size. 
     
     
         12 . A composition as claimed in  claim 1  which the bodies are of at least two different sizes. 
     
     
         13 . A composition as claimed in  claim 1  in which the preparation aid comprises a combination of non-buoyant and buoyant bodies. 
     
     
         14 . A package containing a composition as claimed in  claim 1 , said package comprising a chamber in which the beverage or food product is prepared having an inlet for the addition of liquid to the chamber and an outlet for dispersing the prepared product. 
     
     
         15 . A package as claimed in  claim 14  comprising a soft pod or an at least semi rigid cartridge. 
     
     
         16 . A method of producing a package as claimed in  claim 14  comprising the steps of filling the package with the composition of any one of  claims 1  to  13 . 
     
     
         17 . A method of dispensing a beverage or food product during an operating cycle from a package as claimed in  claim 14 , the method comprising the steps of passing a liquid through the inlet of the chamber to dispense the beverage or food product out of the outlet and into a receptacle. 
     
     
         18 . A beverage or food dispensing system comprising a package according to  claim 14  in combination with a beverage or food dispensing machine adapted to receive the package and to dispense a beverage or food product therefrom by the addition of a liquid.