Europaisches P a t e n t a m t
©
European Patent Office
© Publication number:
Office europeen des brevets
0
000
077
A1
E U R O P E A N PATENT A P P L I C A T I O N
©
© Application number: 78200015.2
0
Int. CI.2: A 23 L 2 / 3 8
© Date of filing: 01.06.78
© Priority: 03.06.77 US 803337
©
Date of publication of aoplication:
20.12.71 Bulletin 78/1
© Designated Contracting States:
BE CH6EFRGBLUNI.se
© Applicant: THE PROCTER &GAMBLE COMPANY,
301 East Sixth Street,
Cincinnati, Ohio (US)
© Inventor: McCarty, Charles Bruce,
2921 WerkRoad,
Cincinnati, OH (US)
© Inventor: Sampson, Ronald Lee,
1580 Tremont Lane,
Cincinnati, OH 45224 (US)
© Representative: Munro, Hamish David et al,
PROCTER & GAMBLE EUROPEAN TECHNICAL CENTER
Temselaan 100,
1820 - Strombeek-Bever (BE)
© Dry-carbonated beverage mixes and method for the preparation of beverages therewith.
A substantially dry fructose-seetened dietetic, carbonated beverage mix comprising a crystalline fructose
sweetener, a flavorant, an acidulant and an amount effective
to carbonate a beverage of carbon dioxide-loaded zeolitic
molecular sieve material. At the point of consumption, when
a beverage-making liquid is brought into contact with the
mix, a fructose-sweetened, dietetic, carbonated beverage is
provided. The instant dry beverage mix of the present invention provides a higher level of sweetness in a dietetic carbonated beverage than other liquid beverage systems
sweetened with predissolved fructose or other natural
sugars whether solid or liquid on a calorie-for-calorie basis.
The dry instant beverage mix herein provides a faster rate of
carbonation of the beverage prepared therefrom than is provided by similar instant dry beverage mixed in which sucrose
is the primary sweetener.
This
mix for
it
are
dietetic
relates
free
in
the
.sitions
relates
carbonated
to n a t u r a l l y
sweetened
The p r e p a r a t i o n
of p o t a b l e
sweetened
art.
dry beverage
Depending
included
dry beverage
beverages,
by d i s s o l u t i o n
upon the
in such mixes,
beverage
More p a r t i c u l a r l y ,
beverages.
sweeteners.
beverages,
carbonated
to a dry
of a r t i f i c a l
carbonated
ficially
invention
mixes
particularly
an a r t i -
of a n a t u r a l o r
mix in water
nature
of the
beverages
which
has been d e s c r i b e d
various
prepared
compo-
there from
may be c h a r a c t e r i z e d
The d i e t e t i c
by c a l o r i c
carbonated
beverages
heretofore
been made with
sweeteners
appeared
down but
non-dietetic
considered
ill-advised
taken
in
drink.
been
widely
include
like
is
persons,
sugar
of
Kennedy
et
al.
a non-sugar
et
al.
or
that
a suitable
as
molecular
G.
Singh
do n o t ,
sweetener
sieves
and T.
however,
a suitably
in
J.
in
mention
an a l l - f r u c t o s e - s w e e t e n e d
or
not
e.g.,
Patent
low-calorie
dry m i x .
mix
Kennedy
mix com-
However,
sweetened
the
with
aspartame.
suitable
system
3,930,053
December
discuss
or
1975),
carrier.
a dry-mix
U.S.
are,
Shires
J.
beverage
primarily
agent,
Kennedy,
sweetened,
21,
April
among a number of
disclosed,
There
beverage
and P h i l i p
sugar
dry mix is
sweetening
dipeptide
have
beverage.
carbonated
a crystalline
low-calorie
Fructose'is
Japikse,
low-calorie
a dry
been
who should
carbonated
filed
or
low c a l o r i e
sweeteners-
obese,
Kennedy
570,332,
have
purpose.
carbonated
J.
Timothy
content
but who do not want
of a l o w - c a l o r i e
disclose
with
diet
Illustrative
from 7-30% of
tion
their
sweetened
prising
sugars,
the
e.g.,
the
forbidden
sweetened
this
for
calories
caloric
and
artificial
artificially
composition
al.
from
in
Patent Application
(U.S.
et
excessive
the
the
and u t i l i z e d
a number of
however,
hand,
approaches
a suitably
certain
Most n o t a b l y ,
accepted
other
a high
Numerous
to p r o v i d e
an a t t e m p t
soft
others.
Artificial
the
On the
contain
have
to keep
to the w e i g h t - c o n s c i o u s
certain
for
in order
sweetness.
beverages
unattractive
from such mixes
sweeteners.
to be n e c e s s a r y
carbonated
as dietetic or n o n - d i e t e t i c .
prepared
artificial
effective
provide
content
30,
dietetic
beverage
in
comb.ina-
to C. H.
1975.
'Japikse
beverages
could
be made
For maximum c o n v e n i e n c e
devices
of
the
beverage
not mention
worse,
dry
it
herein,
rate
fructose-sweetened
insufficient
of
fructose
passage
of
dietetic
unstable
time.
of c a r b o n a t i o n
the
at
rate
be r a p i d .
Japikse
may have,
of the
to t h e i r
fructose
sweetness
is
that
of c a r b o n a t i o n
carbonation
Although
carbonation
which fructose
mix a c c o r d i n g
sieve
molecular
desirable
made t h e r e w i t h
any e f f e c t
on the
beverage
is
in use of the
for
beverage
invention
et al
do
better
made with
or
a .
and a CO2-loaded
device.
is
the
sweetest
carbonated
dietetic
in l i q u i d
natural
beverage
levels,
systems
for
sugar,
a liquid
is hampered
the
sweetest
and d i m i n i s h e s
by
form
with
the
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It
tive
has
for
sweetness
carbonated
dry
been
sweetness
the
in
soft
sweetened
dietetic
It
is,
therefore,
beverage.
is
It
a method
for
the
come c e r t a i n
fructose
the
which
is
a dry
carbonation
It
fructose
the
beverage
a further
is
is
a method
of
the
present
a liquid
maximizes
device
provision
of the
the
provide
rate
the
loss
invention
power of
the p r e s e n t
to
fructose
with
invention
provide
in
t o
a suitable
of c a r b o n a t i o n
of the
dietetic
the
of
system.
of t h e
or m a x i m i z e d .
object
over-
a particular
system.
which maximizes
in a p a r t i c u l a r
is
much of
present
sweetening
it
object,
to overcome
mix in c o m b i n a t i o n
increased
another
latter
of
with
art.
beverage
object
whereby
to
which
beverages
to
dietetic
of a sweet
invention
dietetic
in
invention
combination
mix in
the
the
object
beverage
beverage
with
of t h e
present
for
prior
another
dietetic
It
provide
in
the
liquid.
to a r t i f i c i a l l y
of the
dry b e v e r a g e
invention
present
is
It
particular
of
object
inven-
fructose
particularly
an o b j e c t
fructose
connection
sweetness
a method
of
or f l e e t i n g
a primary
an o b j e c t
use
the
beverages.
device
problems
In
of
also
via
beverage
an a l t e r n a t i v e
a fructose-sweetened,
carbonated
final
is
It
effec-
can provide
of t h e p r e s e n t
systems,
carbonated
carbonation
provide
liquid
provide
a suitable
object
carbonated
diminished
drinks.
invention to
present
provide
to
fructose
mix and method
beverage
developed
carbonated
that
a dietetic
in c o n t r a s t
tion,
found
present
invention
sweetening
carbonated
to
power o f
beverage
system.
a
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The p r e s e n t
a surprisingly
carbonated
dietetic,
fructose
crystalline
The c a r b o n a t i o n
at
the
into
point
contact
device
with
sieve
preferred
instant
fructose
as
a mix which,
carbonation
rapidly
at
beverage
molecular
is
sweetener
device
the
point
sweetened
sieve
yields
with
and an
device.
the b e v e r a g e
brought
A C02-loaded
liquid.
container
a C02-loaded
a beverage
sucrose
carbonation
present
mix is
instant
dry beverage
of consumption
with
to c a r b o n a t e
use of e s s e n t i a l l y
in the
when c a r b o n a t e d
the
is
a
device.
the
that
at
carbonation
in a s e r v i n g
carbonation
is found
the
affixed
a
mix,
mix o f t h e
a flavorant
when said
a beverage-making
disc
carbonating
low-calorie,
beverage
an i n s t a n t
effective
of consumption
molecular
It
with
that
amount of an e s s e n t i a l l y
sweetener,
in c o m b i n a t i o n
acidulant,
dry,
instant
The dry
an e f f e c t i v e
comprises
rapidly
by a method of adding
carbonated
fructose-sweetened
invention
dietetic,
to an i n s t a n t ,
liquid
of c o n s u m p t i o n .
point
pure
is p r o v i d e d
beverage
on the d i s c o v e r y
based
low-calorie,
sweet,
beverage-making
is
invention
which
than
does
crystalline
mix h e r e i n
molecular
carbonates
and c a r b o n a t e d
device.
pure
provides
sieve
more
a carbonated
with
a C02-loaded
A beverage
has
only
about
6 calories
has
an e f f e c t i v e
prisingly
'enjoyment
during
of
beverage
tains
of
made in
the
level
the
the
of
ounce
of
is
for
but
the
words,
but
sweet,
and c a l o r i c
weight
sur-
consumer
In o t h e r
acceptably
sugar
invention
present
serving,
sweetness
periods.
invention
one-half
ncn-dietetic
fluid
serving
present
about
only
per
average
with
accordance
con-
content
beverages.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
with
In a c c o r d a n c e
low-calorie,
dietetic,
the
rapidly
fructose
(2)
sweetener,
an i n s t a n t
when
an e f f e c t i v e
into
contact
device
made
therefrom
free
of a r t i f i c i a l
The dry mix is
of
essentially
as used
fructose"
and a g g l o m e r a t e d
herein
flavor
sugar
made
method
liquid)
tive
of
carrier,
but
perceptible
of
at
the
carrier.
a liquid
amount
brought
beverage
an e f f e c t i v e t a m o u n t
with
dried
other
pure
fructose
powders,
crystalline
comprising
flavorant,
a crystalline
the
Such
flavorant,
flavor
forming
granules,
a uniform
carrier.
levels
dry-mixed
acidulant
are
crystals
an a c i d u l a n t ,
concentration
sweetness.
the
sugar
is
sweetener
fructose
comprising
crystals
crystalline
by the
is
powders.
Preferably,
dried
a beverage
liquid
"essentially
includes
(4)
sweeteners.
fructose
The term
ingredients.
beverage
and
to c a r b o n a t e
made by dry mixing
crystalline
pure
pure c r y s t a l l i n e
The dry mix and the
dry mix.
the
are
effective
dry,
beverage mix
an a c i d u l a n t
(3)
of a b e v e r a g e - m a k i n g
amount
with
an e s s e n t i a l l y
a flavorant,
carbonation
carbonated
carbonating
of the present invention is made from (1)
the
invention,
present
(or a t h i c k
and a minor
involved
and'a
preferably
slurry
Sucrose
with
is
but
effec-
a preferred
contributes
no
The uniform
manner,
vacuum-dried
e.g.,
flavor
crystals.
fructose
a preferred,
stable,
and dry
4% to
the
dry beverage
mix.
embodiment
of the
pure
sugar
from
In o t h e r
carrier
about
the
of
dry
flavor
fructose
of
96% by weight
Another
the
gives
fructose
crystals constitute from about
mix.
beverage
is
of
The c r y s t a l which
sucrose
said
dry
flavor
constitutes
consti-
crystals.
from about
88%
mix.
beverage
way to make the
crystals
dry c r y s t a l l i n e
crystals
dry
dry
mix com-
sweetener
the
flavor
dry
dry beverage
40% by weight
20% to
the
words,
about
of
12% by weight
substantially
amount of the
the
flavor crystals in which the flavor
about
tutes
to
with
a dry mix of e s s e n t i a l l y
prises
in a s u i t a b l e
dehydrated
an e f f e c t i v e
sweetener
A preferred
line
then
to provide
Admixing
crystalline
is
slurry
dry b e v e r a g e
mix of
the
present invention is to make a slurry of all the dry beverage mix ingredients
including an effective amount of essentially pure crystalline f r u c t o s e
sweetener
uniform
nation
and
beverage
of
said
course,
other
obvious
to
methods
those
in dry
a detailed
practice
mix.
of
combining
in
beverage
beverage
discussion of
the
the
uniform
and a c i d u l a n t .
dry
ccmbiOf
the ingredients
art.
are
these
a substantially
and d r y i n g
flavorants
mixes
a substantially
flavorant
sweetener,
skilled
or u n d e r s t a n d
to p r o v i d e
same
Such a mix is
fructose
Various
useful
the
co-drying
well
and a c i d u l a n t
known in
components
present
is
the
systems
art.
unnecessary
invention.
Thus,
to
will be
In
affixed
is
disc
the
at
carbonation.
instant
in
useful
Liepa
a preferred
the
8,
February
the
Hendrikus
of Liepa
of
0.001
dry
serving
the
is
and
mix
beverage
container
discharged
promote
carbonation.
inch
are
making
from
the
to
devices
by A l e x a n d e r
in U. S.
Patent
No.
Leon -
4,007,134,
its
in
by r e f e r e n c e
sieve
provide
carbonation
disclosed
are
carbonation
sieve
is
to about
is
contact
the
block
dissolution
or
entirety,
3 inches.
put
into
with
of
the
its
the
following
the
molded b l o c k
having
introduced,
and
device
a single
material
enclosed
When water
cup.
suitable
incorporated
and J a p i k s e
molecular
about
of
molecular
container
a serving
Japikse
instant
of C 0 2 - l o a d e d
from
a C02-loaded
drawings.
A preferred
teachings
of
invention
herein
1977,
particularly
bottom
Examples
present
Cornelis
and
embodiment,
a thickness
Both
the
block
a container,
preferably
serves
dry mix and p r o v i d e
a
ice, into
over
mix and b l o c k ,
discharge
e.g.,
and
the
CO2
to a g i t a t e
beverage
The f r u c t o s e
found
to c a r b o n a t e
which
are
herein.
of
molecular
whether
sweetened
the
mix p a r t i c l e s
the
This
beverage
affixed
find
in
to the
the
whether
placed
serving
effectiveness
in the
sweetness
serving
calorie,
the
point
level
dietetic,
essentially
is
liquid
does
and the
of the
of
a
crystalline
on
or below t h e
before
devices
carbonation
with
carbonation
not depend
above
the
beverages
as d i s c u s s e d
addition
the
ice.
added
preferably
since
container,
are
carbonated
rate. of
container
serving
herein
similar
pure
placed
or dry beverage
The p r e s e n t
the
the
use of c a r b o n a t i o n
the
the-device
that
mix h e r e i n
device
the
making
facilitates
the
beverage
carbonation
found
is
device
carbonation
is
made with
beverage
fructose
of
it
otherwise
when each
sucrose
sieve
Furthermore,
the
dry
with
mixes
beverage
than
more r a p i d l y
sweetened
CO2-loaded
sweetened
which
are
not
consumer will
not
device
mix p a r t i c l e s
affected
are
by
first
container.
invention
fructose
rapidly
provides
in
a method
of m a x i m i z i n g
a fructose-sweetened,
carbonating
carbonated
low
beverage
at
of c o n s u m p t i o n .
By adding
calorie, d i e t e t i c ,
a beverage-making
liquid to the instant dry, low
rapidly carbonating carbonated beverage mix a surprisingly
level
high
of
used
beverage
as
calories
per
sweetener
fructose
herein
fluid
means
of
ounce
accounts
is
sweetness
for
The term
provided.
which has
a beverage
Of c o u r s e ,
serving.
all
substantially
of
the
"dietetic"
6 or
the
less
fructose
calories
in
the.
beverage.
No a r t i f i c i a l
the
resulting
beverage
all
consumers
to
3 to
about
made
beverage
device
a molded
supra,
of
elongated
is
surface
disc
is a
in
contact
and
ice
can
also
making
l
extending
in
at
place
with
preferred
be used
as
i
molecular
effective
the
the
liquid.
Chilled
beverage-making
both
the
q
u
a dietetic
sweetened.
Patent
4,007,134,
No.
having
surface
the
or
an o p p o s i t e
an amount
when b r o u g h t
beverage
cool
device
The
cup.
having
liquids.
i
a plurality
to
a serving
water
carbonation
of a b o u t
a carbona-
material
to'carbonate
yet
comprising
of
bottom
sieve
period
serving,
a disc
from one
but
substantially
effectively
of U.S.
form of
the
channels
held
are
in
is
embodiment
by FIG.3
for
serving
14-ounce
method
preferred
block
dioxide
carbon
a 6- to
or used,
sweet
an a v e r a g e
instant
C02-loaded
of
For
illustrated
needed
surprisingly
for
the
by
In a n o t h e r
tion
is
enjoy.
27 m i n u t e s
is
sweetener
tap
water
Carbonated
and
d
the
water
beverage.
For
best
ice and
results,
serving
cup c o n t a i n i n g
provide
a specified
the
total
An a n t i - f o a m i n g
mix.
beverage
for
dry beverage
to
3,983,251
to
A rapidly
The P r o c t e r
integral
The
illustrated
the
not
is
.
September
the
of
in U.S.
Patent
28, 1976,
of
the
the
this
dry
additive
assigned
The a n t i f o a m a n t
crystals
to
in
dry a n t i f o a m
disclosed
Company..
limited
e
to t h e
mix t o
beverage
m
dissolvable
and methods
can be a n
mix.
dry b e v e r a g e
invention
following
are
further
Examples
EXAMPLE I
.
Flavor
A 200
Crystals
g batch
constitute
about
sweetener)
of
flows;
u
added
are
can be i n c l u d e d
agent
flavor
products
but
l
Singh,
& Gamble
of
part
o
compositions
Gyanendra
carbonated
dry
v
water
6.7
of
parts
a low-calorie
Preparation
flavor
crystals,
by dry weight
dry b e v e r a g e
which
(93.3
mix,
when u s e d
parts
fructose
was p r e p a r e d
as
of
All
liquid
ingredients
into
were weighed
a
container.
single
the
All
added
slowly
uniform
to
of
ingredients
dry
the
liquid
a natural
derived
plant.
into
was p o u r e d
of
temperature
flavor
licorice
the
stainless
were
crystals
flavor
acceptable
screened
formulation,
flavor
mono-
enhancer
slurry
product
at
20 hours.
a U.S.#12
retained
is
drink,
and v a c u u m - d r i e d
through
a
until
the
liquid
approximately
were
crystals
GRAS sweet
trays
for
in
ounce
The t h i c k
steel
100°F
about
fluid
then
separately,
blending
Present
a 10.6
ammonium g l y c y r r h i z i n a t e ,
from
while
ingredients
15 ppm in
about
weighed
were
was o b t a i n e d .
mixture
slurry
a level
at
the
a
The d r i e d
and
screen,
the
#20 s c r e e n .
on a U.S.
EXAMPLE I I
Several
dietetic
93.3
carbonated
is
with
in
for
a total
ounce
3 of
U.S.
the
The b e v e r a g e
g of
drink,
mix were
prepared
flavor
dry
fructose
of
ice
is
Patent
is
17.05
rapidly
sieve
4,007,134,
placed
in
by dry a d m i x i n g
g of
the
carbonated.
1.15
disc
of Example
g of
ice
a serving
like
supra.
the
cup and cool
mix p e r
(3.55
cup e q u i p p e d
one
At the
I.
flavor
dry b e v e r a g e
105 g o f c u b e d
in
crystalline
pure
crystals
and about
including
molecular
low-calorie,
and e s s e n t i a l l y
dry
of the
weight
a dry,
The dry mix was p l a c e d
a CO2-loaded,
sumption,
parts
15.9
ounce).
Fig.
beverage
about
fluid
fluid
6.7
of
servings
substantially
with
crystals
10.6
of
parts
fructose
This
sample
illustrated
point-of
tap w a t e r
con-
added.
A panel
of
beverages.
The p a n e l i s t
a sweetness
scale
Table
mix
I under
of
in
II.
cool
the
ice
cubed
105 g of
from the
disc
on
in
beverage
B was
II
Example
When s e r v e d , t h e
a serving
and a CO2-loaded
column
mix of
beverage
into
two
beverage
low-calorie
dry
a day b e f o r e .
was poured
tasted
beverages, shown
shown under
beverage
same dry
water
tap
the
test
of each
sweetness
One of
90.
The o t h e r
solution
one-day-old
the
A, was made
by d i s s o l v i n g
200 ml of
rated
10 to
column
Example
prepared
of
in a b l i n d
casters
expert
for
cup c o n t a i n i n g
a 10.6
fluid
ounce
serving.
The
mix
the
dry
tap
water
The beverage
each
The b e v e r a g e s ,
about
6.0
about
4 minutes
ef
fluid
per
before
in both
carbonation
volumes
of
was
found
bevorage
under
was about
of
approaching
approaching
90 are
unacceptable
with
It
the
will
be noted
sweetness
rating
scale.
of
cool
stand
to
4 minutes,
about
1.5
to
of
for
the
about
level
1.6
liquid.
of
level
the
be g r e a t e r
to
under
beverage
than
that
column A
of
the
B.
On a s w e e t n e s s
ratings
content
allowed
were
beverages
panelists
column
serving,
200 ml of
and
a caloric
having
from
prepared
carbonated.
rapidly
After
sweetness
by a l l
is
tasting.
volume
CO2 per
The
of
ounce
ice
105 g of cubed
about
by adding
thereto.
column A was f r e s h l y
under
beverage
scale
of
the
least
10 are
the most
the
from Table
Beverage
level
I that
A near
of
the
the
as used
sweet,
with
sweet,
optimum
10-90
both
in Table
whereas
ratings
extremes
sweetness
average
I,
being
panelist
optimum m i d - p o i n t
being
about
50.
rated
of
the .
EXAMPLE I I I
A 2000 g batch
carbonated
cola
of a dry
low-calorie
mix was p r e p a r e d
beverage
dietetic
the
having
following
formulation:
The dry mix was p r e p a r e d
dry
with
ingredients
the
cola
liquid
resulted
flavor
in a uniform
mixed with
wet f l a v o r - c o a t e d
was passed
Standard
sweetener
and vacuum-dried
a U.S.
to provide
screen
coated
with
said
The dry beverage
having
a CO2-loaded
Patent 4,007,134,
105 g of
ice
with
the
promote
disc
the
carbonation.
Fig.
3,
and dry mix,
dissolution
disc
the
into
shelf
The d r i e d
product
on a U.S.
#18
fructose
the
into
serving
as d e s c r i b e d
a level
the
fluid
ounce
cup making
C02 d i s c h a r g e d
was r a p i d l y
cups
in U.S.
of 17.5
g;
about
serving.
contact
to a g i t a t e a n d
of the dry mix and provide
The beverage
tem-
and a c i d u l a n t .
to make a 1 1 . 3
was i n t r o d u c e d
a uniform
at a drying
mix was packed
at
admixture
This wet mass was
a combination of
supra,
This
was t h e n
and r e t a i n e d
flavorant
admixture
until
and 100°F.
#6 screen
carbonation
was added
When the water
blender
mass r e s u l t e d .
room t e m p e r a t u r e
through
The s l u r r y
slurry.
the
the
combining
and a c i d u l a n t .
in a Hobart
fructose
to t r a y s
between
perature
and then
base
liquid
fructose
the
transferred
first
together
and mixing
by weighing
carbonated.
beverage
The b e v e r a g e
of e x p e r t
minutes;
a panel
dietetic
carbonated
and w i t h o u t a n y
was allowed
tasters
beverage
unpleasant
to stand
tasted
and found
aftertaste.
it
for about
the
5
fructose-sweetened
acceptably
sweet
A dry, l o w - c a l o r i e c a r b o n a t e d beverage mix
comprising a s w e e t e n e r , a f l a v o r a n t , an a c i d u l a n t and an
i n s t a n t c a r b o n a t i o n device e f f e c t i v e to c a r b o n a t e a
beverage when said mix is brought into c o n t a c t with a
1.
beverage-making l i q u i d , c h a r a c t e r i s e d in t h a t the b e v e r a g e
is free of a r t i f i c i a l sweeteners and in t h a t the s w e e t e n e r
comprises e s s e n t i a l l y pure f r u c t o s e which p r o v i d e s s u b s t a n t i a l l y all of the c a l o r i e s .
2.
A beverage mix according to Claim 1 c h a r a c t e r i s e d
in t h a t the i n s t a n t c a r b o n a t i o n device is a C 0 2 - l o a d e d
m o l e c u l a r sieve d e v i c e .
A beverage mix according to Claim 1 or Claim 2
3.
c h a r a c t e r i s e d in t h a t the i n s t a n t c a r b o n a t i o n device i s
a s i n g l e molded block having a t h i c k n e s s of from a b o u t
0.001 inch to about 3 i n c h e s ; said block being a f f i x e d
in said c o n t a i n e r , whereby when said b e v e r a g e - m a k i n g
l i q u i d is i n t r o d u c e d in said c o n t a i n e r making c o n t a c t
with said mix and said block, said C02 is d i s c h a r g e d t o
a g i t a t e and promote d i s s o l u t i o n of said dry mix and p r o vide beverage c a r b o n a t i o n .
4.
A beverage mix according to any one of Claims 1-3
c h a r a c t e r i s e d in t h a t the beverage mix comprises d r y
f l a v o r c r y s t a l s comprising the f l a v o r a n t , the a c i d u l a n t ,
and a c r y s t a l l i n e sugar c a r r i e r .
A beverage mix a c c o r d i n g to Claim 4 c h a r a c t e r i s e d
the f l a v o r c r y s t a l s c o n s t i t u t e from 4% to 12% by
weight of the dry beverage mix, and in t h a t the c r y s t a l l i n e
sugar c a r r i e r is sucrose which c o n s t i t u t e s from about 20%
to 50%.by weight of the dry f l a v o r c r y s t a l s .
5.
in t h a t
of making a sweet, f l a v o r e d c a r b o n a t e d
beverage comprising adding a beverage-making l i q u i d to a
sweetened dry beverage mix at the point of c o n s u m p t i o n ,
said beverage mix comprising a s w e e t e n e r , a f l a v o r a n t ,
an a c i d u l a n t and an i n s t a n t c a r b o n a t i o n device e f f e c t i v e
to c a r b o n a t e the beverage at the point of c o n s u m p t i o n
when said b e v e r a g e - m a k i n g l i q u i d i s . a d d e d to said b e v e r a g e
c h a r a c t e r i s e d in t h a t the sweetener comprises n o t
mix,
6.
A method
less
88% by weight of t o t a l sweetener of e s s e n t i a l l y
pure c r y s t a l l i n e f r u c t o s e whereby said sweet, f l a v o r e d
c a r b o n a t e d beverage has a sweetness l e v e l g r e a t e r t h a n
the sweetness l e v e l of a c a r b o n a t e d beverage s w e e t e n e d
with p r e d i s s o l v e d f r u c t o s e on a c a l o r i e - f o r - c a l o r i e b a s i s .
than
7 . ' A method a c c o r d i n g to Claim 6 c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n
t h a t the i n s t a n t c a r b o n a t i o n device comprises a CO2loaded m o l e c u l a r sieve device and in t h a t the c a r b o n a t e d .
beverage has a more rapid r a t e of c a r b o n a t i o n at t h e
point of consumption than has a c a r b o n a t e d b e v e r a g e
sweetened with s u c r o s e and c a r b o n a t e d with the s a i d
instant carbonation device.
A method a c c o r d i n g to Claim 6 or Claim 7
8.
c h a r a c t e r i s e d in t h a t the beverage mix comprises d r y f l a v o r
c r y s t a l s c o m p r i s i n g said a c i d u l a n t and said f l a v o r a n t
and a c r y s t a l l i n e sugar c a r r i e r .
9 . A method a c c o r d i n g to Claim 8, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n
t h a t the c r y s t a l l i n e sugar c a r r i e r is s u c r o s e , in t h a t
the c a r r i e r is from 20% to 50% by weight of the f l a v o r
c r y s t a l s , and in t h a t the f l a v o r c r y s t a l s c o n s t i t u t e from
4% to
12% by weight
of said
dry beverage
mix.