WO2005090170A2

WO2005090170A2 - Food package including a liquid food concentrate

Info

Publication number: WO2005090170A2
Application number: PCT/DK2005/000210
Authority: WO
Inventors: Annette Sandholm Franck
Original assignee: Annette Sandholm Franck
Priority date: 2004-03-24
Filing date: 2005-03-25
Publication date: 2005-09-29
Also published as: WO2005090170A3; WO2005090170A8

Abstract

The present invention relates to a food package (1) including a container (2; 7) with an internal container volume and a pre-filled quantity of a liquid food concentrate (3) inside the container, where the volume of and the concentration of the pre-filled liquid food concentrate when stored at a predetermined initial temperature are adapted to the container volume so that when boiling water is added to and mixed with the liquid food concentrate (3) a liquid food (15) ready for consumption at a serving temperature between approx. 25°C and 40°C is obtained, andwherein the internal container volume comprises a head space (18) above the food concentrate (3) which is sufficiently large to contain the required volume of boiling water to be added.

Description

FOOD PACKAGE INCLUDING A LIQUID FOOD CONCENTRATE Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a disposable food package including a container with an internal container volume and a quantity of a liquid food concentrate inside the con- tainer, where the quantity and the concentration of the liquid food concentrate are adapted to the container volume so that when the required amount of water is added to and mixed with the liquid food concentrate, a liquid food ready for consumption is obtained. Optionally said container includes a marking so that when water is added to and mixed with the liquid food concentrate up to said marking, a liquid food ready for consumption is obtained. A desired serving temperature is obtained by controlling the storage temperature of the food concentrate and the temperature of the water to be added. Similarly, the desired nutrition value of the food is controlled by adapting the water content of the food concentrate.

Background of the Invention

Food packages with food concentrate are known in many different embodiments. Concentrated fruit syrups are sold in e.g. bottles, and a drink ready for serving is obtained by mixing the fruit syrup with water in a glass or jug. Soups and sauces are sold as powder. The preparation takes place by mixing the powder with water and heating the mix.

Instant formula milk for babies, also called mother's milk substitute, is conventionally packed, prepared and served in two ways:

One possibility is to mix a formula powder with boiled and cooled water in a re- useable baby bottle or a disposable liner in a rigid holder/baby bottle. In order to ensure hygiene, the baby milk must be prepared when needed and cooled or heated until the correct temperature is reached. This system requires that the user has a plan of when the baby milk will be needed in order to have access to clean, lukewarm water, work space and clean utensils. Another possibility ^sis to pour a pre-mixed, one-serving-pack baby formula milk into a

, re-useable baby bottle or a disposable liner fitted in a. rigid holder/baby bottle and heated until the correct temperature is reached, either in a bowl of hot water, a bot- tie heating system or a microwave oven. This system requires access to clean utensils.

Both possibilities imply planning the baby's needs, tediously preparing the baby milk, having access to clean utensils and workspace and waiting until the correct temperature is reached. The waiting time and the preparation take place while the baby is demanding to be fed. This procedure is a stressful experience for both parties, especially at night or in a public place. Also, the time requirement is not suitable in an environment where professionals care for a number of babies, not allowing the flexibility of spending a substantial amount of time on preparation.

When preparing instant formula milk for babies, fulfilment of the following four requirements is desirable:

1. Correct temperature (served within a range of approx. 25 - 40°C). 2. A high level of hygiene in storage, preparation and serving. 3. Convenience, i.e. little planning, high speed, few actions, little effort and few needed utensils. 4. Compliance with recommended dilution ratio for liquid infant formula concentration or compliance with recommended ratio (mixture) of instant formula powder to liquid.

A number of solutions have been published in order to provide an optimal method of packing, preparing and serving baby formula milk. However, none have addressed all four requirements in one solution and the majority have focused on solving the symptoms (flaws and drawbacks) with present solutions, and thus not solving the basic problem.

The method of mixing the baby milk from formula powder does not meet any of the four requirements. The user needs to have access to work space, utensils and clean water at an appropriate temperature. Further, the process does not ensure hygiene, offer convenience or facilitate correct serving temperature. Also, the user must comply with the instructions for mixing (ratio of liquid. to formula powder) which are not ensured by the method. Furthermore, the powder is difficult to dissolve when using a disposable liner as the soft wall of the liner does not facilitate the mix- ing process sufficiently. This problem forms the background for US patent application no. 2004/0013030 A1. However, the solution according to the US application involves complex mixing elements, which must be cleaned after each use.

The method of using pre-mixed one-serving-pack of formula blend only meets two of the four requirements, i.e. a correct ratio of mixing, and to a certain extent the hygiene issue under the condition that the serving container is appropriately clean. This method does not offer convenience as the baby formula must be transferred to another container which also carries the risk of contamination, neither does this method ensure a correct temperature in an easy way.

The requirement of ensuring correct temperature of the formula milk has provided the background for several patented solutions. A great number of efforts have been made trying to solve the problem, most of which focus on reducing the symptoms of the problem, not solving the problem. The quantity of proposals indicates the signifi- cance of the problem. Examples of solutions are for example providing temperature indicators on the bottle, either through controlling devices ranging from colour indicators on serving bottles, built-in thermometers on the serving bottles or preparation and storage devices, preparation and storage means, or additional tools for measuring temperatures.

The hygiene is important. The sterile liner is the only item on the market which meets this requirement in terms of offering increased hygiene. However, this sterile liner has the above-mentioned disadvantages of adding another item to the number of utensils needed, thereby actually reducing the convenience and also prolonging the heating process in order to meet the temperature requirement. The pre-mixed one-serving-pack of formula offers hygiene, but only to the extent that the user has access to clean utensils and work space.

The mixing ratio is also an important aspect as the baby may dehydrate or not be fed sufficient nutrition if the user does not comply with the mixing instructions. This is a major issue which can weaken the health of the baby and create significantly bad will to suppliers of .formula, particularly when providing less-experienced and less-educated parents with formula or when the user is not working under ideal conditions, e.g. when stressed by the demanding baby or not having appropriate working space.

A disposable food package is known from GB 964.542. The problem of this package is that it does not include means for ensuring a correct serving temperature, when used for feeding babies. GB 2181062 discloses a disposable nursing con- tainer. According to one aspect of this invention the container may be produced having a certain quantity of condensed milk liquid stored in advance requiring the user to pour hot water into the interior of the container containing condensed milk liquid. However, there is no guidance as to how one could adjust the quantity and concentration of the stored condensed milk liquid with the amount of water to be added, in order to obtain a ready baby meal. Nor is there any guidance as to the required temperature of the water to be added and it is even stated that the conventional use of boiling water, e.g. for disinfection purposes, is inconvenient.

In one aspect of the invention a food package containing a liquid food concentrate, such as a mother's milk substitute, which ensures a correct mixing ratio of liquid versus nutrition value and a correct serving temperature in a simple, safe and hygienic manner is provided.

Summary of the Invention The present invention relates in one aspect to a food package (1) including a container (2; 7) with an internal container volume and a pre-filled quantity of a liquid food concentrate (3) inside the container, where the volume of and the concentration of the pre-filled liquid food concentrate when stored at a predetermined initial temperature are adapted to the container volume so that when boiling water is added to and mixed with the liquid food concentrate (3) a liquid food (15) ready for consumption at a serving temperature between approx. 25°C and 40°C is obtained, and wherein the internal container volume comprises a head space (18) above the food concentrate (3) which is sufficiently large to contain the required volume of boiling water to be added. Another aspect of the invention relates to a food package (1 ) wherein the pre-fiiled volume of liquid food concentrate in relation to the volume of the liquid food ready for consumption is calculated from the following equation: X = (Tf - 100) / (Tc - 100), wherein X is the quantity of liquid food concentrate in relation to the quantity of food ready for consumption, Tf is the serving temperature in degrees Celsius, and Tc is the storing temperature of concentrate in degrees Celsius.

The food package of the present invention is preferably disposable and preferably corresponds to a traditional baby bottle.

A further aspect of the invention relates to a disposable food package (1) containing a liquid concentrate of a mother's milk substitute or of a liquid concentrate of tube food wherein the water content of the concentrate is pre-adjusted to the necessary amount of boiling water to be added to obtain the desired serving temperature thus obtaining a recommended dilution ration for feeding of a baby.

A further aspect of the invention relates to a liquid concentrated mother's milk substitute or a liquid concentrate of tube food wherein the water content is pre-adjusted to the necessary amount of boiling water to be added to obtain the desired serving temperature and the recommended dilution ratio for feeding of a baby.

Short description of the drawings

The invention is explained in greater detail below by means of a preferred embodi- ment of the invention which is shown in the drawings, in which

Fig. 1 discloses an embodiment of the food package according to the invention,

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the food package according to Fig. 1 ,

Fig. 3 discloses a nipple to be used with the food package disclosed in Figs. 1 and

2, and Fig. 4 is an illustration of an assessed user value of the food package of the invention as compared to existing offers in the market. The assessment is shown in the form of a histogram.

Reference numerals:

1 Disposable food package 2 Container 3 Liquid food concentrate

4 Sealing foil

7 Bottle neck

8 Cap

9 Cap collar

10 Nipple

12 Markings

15 Hole in container or ring member

16 Transparent measuring scale

17 Marking

18 Head-space

Description of the Invention

A disposable food package according to the invention is characterised in that it comprises a container wherein a food concentrate is provided in such a quantity and concentration that when the added water is at or just below the boiling temperature, and the food concentrate is at a predetermined initial temperature, the obtained liquid food has a serving temperature between approx. 25^°C and 40^°C. By these simple means, the user obtains a correct mixing ratio between liquid concen- trate and added water with respect to the recommended nutritional composition, and a correct serving temperature in a simple, safe and hygienic manner for the baby to be fed by adding a predetermined amount, e.g. volume, of boiling water. In one embodiment this may be ensured where an appropriate marking is provided on the container and the boiling water is added up to said marking the container. The invention ensures proper hygiene as no contamination sources are introduced in the preparation process due to the fact that boiling water is per definition clean. There is no need to measure the temperature as long as the package is kept at the predetermined temperature before use, which for example can be room temperature (ambient storage, e.g. 19 - 22 °C) or normal refrigerator temperature, e.g. 2 - 5 °C. However, in cases where it is desired to have an indication of the serving temperature the package may be fitted with a device for indicating temperature. For example the container material may include a colour indicator which is temperature sensitive. The temperature of the boiling water is preferably between 90 and 101°C, more preferably between 95 and 99 °C. It is possible to dimension the parameters of the food package to provide a serving temperature between 32°C-and 42°C, or preferably between 35°C and 39°C. These temperatures are close to the normal temperature of mother's milk.

Furthermore, it is possible to dimension the parameters of the food package so that the serving temperature is obtained, when the initial temperature of the food concentrate is between 15^°C and 25^°C or between 18°C and 22°C. With this embodiment, the correct mixing ratio and correct serving temperature can be obtained by adding boiling water to a food package which is kept at room temperature, e.g. the volume of water to be added is calculated using the equation herein.

The parameters of the food package can be dimensioned so that the serving temperature is obtained, when the initial temperature of the food concentrate is between 0^°C and 10^°C, between 3^°C and 8^°C, or between 4^°C and 6^°C. With this em- bodiment, the correct mixing ratio and correct serving temperature can be obtained by adding boiling water to a food package which is taken directly from a refrigerator, e.g. the volume of water to be added is calculated using the equation herein.

The initial temperature can also be between -16°C and -22°C or between -18°C and -20°C. By this embodiment, the food package can be taken directly from a deep freezer.

The container may be designed as a serving container thereby offering convenience as well as ensuring hygiene during preparation and consumption of the food or meal.

According to an embodiment, the container includes a container opening covered by a removable cap, and where the cap is provided with a cap opening for receiving a nipple. Such a food package can be sold without a nipple. The user only needs to add boiling water and arrange a standard nipple in the cap opening before feeding the baby.

According to one preferred embodiment the container is a paper-based package with an injection moulded plastic top, such as the Tetra Top package preferably fitted with a lid in the form of a screw cap opening of the Dome S30 or Dome S38 type, all available from AB Tetra Pak, Ruben Rausings Gata, SE-221 86 LUND, • Sweden. More preferably the lid or screw cap is modified so thai it is converted into a screw-on ring, i.e. the present lid where the top plate is removable, e.g. the top plate of the lid is a separate plate inside the screw-on ring, or where the top plate can be removed by application of slight finger pressure from the inside of the screw cap, preferably in such a way to produce a circular opening or hole. It is preferred that the lid covers an opening in the container, where the lid comprises a central section, which central section is to be removed after opening of the lid, where the central section is fastened to the lid by a break in slope. The wall of the lid towards the central section is conical and cooperates with a conical outer wall of the central section. The diameter of the hole preferably complies with the diameter of a standard size nipple in a given market. Alternatively, A screw lid with a nipple, optionally in the form of a screw-on ring adapted for a nipple, may then be fitted to the container opening. After opening of the screw cap and addition of the required amount of boiling water to the pre-filled liquid food concentrate, the container cap is closed with a screw lid provided with a nipple and the container is ready for use in baby feeding. According to a preferred embodiment, the container opening is closed by a sealing foil. According to another preferred embodiment, the container opening is based on a screw cap of the StreamCap™ type, currently available for containers from Tetra- Pak™, such as Tetra Brik Aseptic 200 Square™, Tetra Brik Aseptic 1000 Square™, Tetra Prisma Aseptic 330 Square™, Tetra Prisma 500 Square™ and Tetra Prisma Aseptic 1000 Square™, all of which can be opened in one operation and is very tight when re-closed. A tamper ring may be provided to indicate when it has been opened. This screw cap may be modified so that the lid is converted into a screw-on ring, i.e. the present lid without the top plate as described above. The diameter of the hole preferably complies with the diameter of a standard size nipple in a given market. Alternatively, A screw lid with a nipple, optionally in the form of a screw-on ring adapted for a nipple, may then be fitted to the container opening. The hole is pre-punched during the converting process with the aluminium and polyethylene container material intact. The use of a StreamCap™ provides aseptic closure without the requirement of a sealing foil. The StreamCap™ opening works by twisting the cap to open the package for the first time, a little set of plastic teeth cut and then push away the pre-laminated membrane guaranteeing a reliable and clean opening. The StreamCap™ can be made of PE material or other hygienic plastic material. The StreamCap™ opening is a hermetic and hygienic closure which is re-sealable after opening. The re-sealable opening allows the package to be turned upside down, shaken once opened and safely re-closed. By turning the lid the package is opened: inside the cap an arm rotates and so cuts the packaging material and blocks it, to prevent interrupted product flow.

The above-mentioned description of requirements and usage is related to baby feeding. However, the invention also relates to other applications where it is desir- able to provide a preferably disposable food package containing all ingredients for a meal of liquid food and only requires the user to add boiling water in order to obtain a meal in a short time while also ensuring correct mixing ratio, a high level of hygiene, temperature within a limited tolerance span and convenience in the preparation process.

According to an embodiment the mentioned principle for the food package and the preparation process may also be applicable for tube feeding. Thus, in the above mentioned preferred embodiments the nipple may be exchanged for a tube feeding system provided with appropriate monitoring devices and a dosage pump as needed. Traditionally a patient is fed a ready-mixed fluid food product, which is provided in a disposable package, stored cold (refrigerator at 2 to 5 ° C). The food is injected by tube inserted either through the skin into the stomach or through a nasal feeding tube. In both cases a large amount of food is injected directly into the stomach. The patient is fed by un-sealing the food package with a device which is con- nected to the permanent tube inserted in the patient's stomach as mentioned above thus injecting the food directly into the stomach. The large amount of food, which is injected, may be an unpleasant experience to the passive and fragile patient due to difficulty in providing an optimal feeding temperature, i.e. approximately 37°C. This problem may be solved by either inserting a dosage pump, which prolongs the feed- ing process or by heating the food package.

The food package may be heated by either storage at room temperature for an appropriate period of time or alternatively inserting the package in a hot-water bath. These heating solutions require planning with respect to the patient's need for a meal, often they do not result in precise and optimal serving temperatures and they are time-consuming. The existing package solution does not allow for microwave heating due the pressure this causes in the package and the risk of un~even :tem- peratures in the food mixture. The meal may be served by taking the food package directly from the cold storage. This should be avoided out of consideration for the fragile patient as it may be unpleasant to experience induction of a large amount of cold food directly into the stomach, and the risk of further causing a strain on the fragile patient due to the heat loss and the calories spent on heating the food up to body temperature. However, it is an option available to the caretaker.

Tube feeding is characterised by requirements that are identical to baby formula feeding. That is the importance of correct mixing ratio (liquid to nutrition value), ensured hygiene as the patient is fragile and the meal is highly nutritious implying that the food is perishable as well as the temperature requirements as the food is injected directly into the stomach of the patient. Convenience matters as the patient is fed by a caretaker who may experience limitations in terms of predicting and planning the need of the patient, working under time pressure, having to comply with hygiene requirements, etc.

However, the care of the patient may be significantly improved by applying a food package, which contains a clean food concentrate. On the top wall of the food package is attached a sealed opening devise which allows for adding a specified amount of boiling water to the food package. This amount appears from a significant marking on the food package. Injection of the specified amount of boiling water instantly results in a meal with correct nutrition values (mixing ratio), at optimal tem- perature (e.g. body temperature) without causing any contamination risk to the meal as boiling water is per definition clean and no other contamination sources are introduced. The meal is prepared with a minimum of effort and time expenditure, no requirements to prior planning of the patients need and with no other requirements to utensils and work space than access to boiling water.

Immediately after preparation of the meal the opening devise is used for attaching the food package to the patients permanently inserted tube. Once the seal is broken the opening devise thus allows for adding boiling water as well as dispensing the ready meal through a tube connected to the patients stomach pump. For safety reasons the opening devise attached on the top wall of the food package should be imply a valve. This valve should be opened only by injecting fluid through the valve into the package, thus ensuring correct? mixing ratio, prior to use. Once this seal is broken the valve must allow for dispensing the food.

The container preferably includes a transparent or translucent area so that the quantity of contents can be viewed from outside the container. Said area may also comprise a measuring scale. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the liquid food concentrate is a concentrate of a mother's milk substitute.

The quantity of liquid food concentrate can be about 0.65 - 0.85 or 0.7 - 0.8 times the volume of the container volume up to the marking.

The container can be transparent. A transparent container makes it easier to add water in the correct amount to the container, as the level of the mixed content can be viewed through the container. However, for liquid food concentrates, such as infant formulas, the container material is preferably non-transparent due to the requirements for protection of the food content against contamination and deterioration, e.g. caused by UV light and oxygen exposure.

According to an embodiment, the container is of flexible plastic, for example polyethylene. In this connection, the package is easier to store and takes up little space if only the liquid food concentrate is contained in the unopened state of the food package.

In a preferred embodiment, the container with liquid food concentrate is vacuum- packed such that no or a very little amount of air or a controlled atmosphere is contained in the package. This ensures that the container takes up little space and has a long shelf-life.

A complete filling of the container may be an indication of a correct mixing ratio. In this connection, the container opening per se may constitute the marking.

According to a specific embodiment, the food concentrate is provided in such a quantity and concentration that when adding boiling water up to the marking when the food concentrate is at room temperature, which is about 20°C, the obtained liq- uid food is at a temperature between approx. 30^°C and 37^°C, preferably between 32^°C and 35°C.

In another embodiment, the food concentrate is provided in such a quantity and concentration that when adding boiling water up to the marking when the food concentrate is at approximately 2-5^°C, the obtained liquid food is at a temperature between approx. 30^°C and 37°C, preferably between 32^°C and 35^°C.

According to another preferred embodiment, the food package may be provided with a concentrated tube-feeding formula in such a quantity and concentration that when adding boiling water up to the marking when said concentrated tube-feeding formula is at refrigerator temperature or room temperature, the tube-feeding formula will obtain a temperature between room temperature and 37^°C.

The invention also relates to a feeding bottle system including a feeding bottle, said feeding bottle including a bottle and a removable cap with a nipple, said feeding bottle system further including one or more disposable food packages of the type which includes a ring member with a sealing foil, and where said ring member of the disposable food package is adapted so as to be held between the bottle and the cap when the cap is mounted on the bottle. Several advantages are obtained by this system. In use, the liquid food package is arranged in the bottle with the ring member resting on the bottle edge surrounding the bottle opening, the sealing foil is removed or ruptured, boiling water is added through the ring member, the cap with the nipple is mounted, the bottle is shaken lightly, after which the baby can be fed. This system is very convenient to use, the liquid food has a correct mixing ratio and temperature and is sterile. After use, the container can be disposed of and the cap cleaned or sterilized. The bottle itself does not necessarily have to be cleaned or sterilized.

The invention was based on needs and requirements, not covered by the available solutions on the formula market. This example shows how the invention can be realised to provide the disposable food package according to the invention in the form of a disposable infant feeding bottle containing a semi-ready liquid infant formula concentrate that only needs addition of a specific volume of boiling water (approxi- mately 95°C to 101 °C) to obtain a formula meal with the desired nutritional value, at correct serving temperature (30-40 °C), limited preparation time and limited re-. ^• q*ιirements of utensils and workspace in combination with ensured, hygiene.

Formula milk is manufactured as a dry nutrition powder, consisting of a protein source to which is added the required carbohydrate, fats or lipids, fibres, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, etc. The composition of this depends on a baby's needs at various age levels, various health conditions, etc. The powder is provided to the user with instructions for mixing ratio of powder to water and preparation process in terms of hygiene requirements, heating, etc. Alternatively, the formula is provided as a fully mixed liquid already containing the appropriate amount of water with instructions for hygiene requirements, heating, etc. However, these products and instructions for usage do not provide a convenient and reliable method for reaching the ready meal. The present inventor has invented a method to increase convenience, reliability and hygiene. As a mother of twins she needed a system that allowed for flexibility, particularly at the time of preparation as well as safety. Every 24 hours she would sterilise 6 bottles per baby, add an appropriate amount of boiling (and thus sterile) water, close the bottles and store them in the refrigerator. Once cooled to the refrigerated storage temperature (2-5 °C) she would add the specified amount of dry formula powder for a full formula meal, as given in the instructions from the manufacturer. However, by adjusting the amount of cooled water she was able to reach a solution so that when adding an adjusted amount of boiling water the total amount of powder, cooled water and boiling water would arrive at the desired body temperature level at the time of mixing.

When a baby demanded to be fed the mother would take a bottle of formula concentrate from the refrigerator, add the specified amount of boiling water and have a ready meal in less than a minute. This granted her the flexibility and time savings in the feeding situation, provided a safe solution, also when other care-takers were involved and ensured hygiene under the condition that the initial preparation was conducted carefully and the bottles were stored for a maximum of 24 hours.

The ratio of liquid cooled formula concentrate to boiling water is given by the equa- tion: X = (Tf-100)/(Tc-100), wherein X is the volume of concentrate, Tf is serving temperature of meal, and Tc is the storage temperature of concentrate.

Amount of powder pr. ml liquid varies from one brand to another. An example, following the instructions given by e.g. Nestle for 'NAN 2' and stored at refrigerated temperature:

33 grams of formula powder to 200 ml. of liquid, arriving at a ready meal of 220 ml X= (37-100)/(5-100) X=0.66 Thus, 33 grams of NAN 2 powder is dissolved in 135 ml (66% of 200 ml) of clean water, such as boiled or filtered water, previously cooled in the refrigerator. At the feeding time, the remaining 65 ml (34% of 200 ml) liquid is added in terms of boiling water, thus arriving at the desired serving temperature of about 37 °C.

This principle of preparation can be converted to a large scale industrial production and thus providing even further gains for the user. In an industrial production the formula powder will be dissolved in a specified amount of water, thus producing a liquid formula concentrate. This concentrate can be UHT treated or in other ways sterilised.

A specified amount of clean concentrate is afterwards filled into a container, which has the appropriate size for serving one meal for a baby (generally 220 ml, i.e. a container with a volume of about 240 ml is required). The container is fitted with a thread and a cap suitable for holding a nipple, equivalent to an ordinary baby bottle. The container is made of a material or a composition of materials, which protects the concentrate against deterioration and contamination, typically from oxygen, UV light, etc. Prior to the filling the container is cleaned, thus ensuring no contamination of the clean formula concentrate. After the filling the container is sealed in a manner that protects against contamination, deterioration of concentrate content etc. The bottle has a size that allows for adding the specified amount of boiling water. Thus the bottle has excess volume capacity at the point of sealing. The content may be further protected by ensuring that this 'head space' of the container volume is occupied by either an inert gas such as N₂ or CO₂ or purified atmospheric air.

This process will provide the end user with a solution, where the concentrate comes with the preparation and serving container, thus eliminating the requirements to utensils needed for mixing, heating and cleaning, no prior preparation, no cleaning afterwards, etc. Not having facilities for sterilising the concentrate nor sealing the container the inventor experienced the need for conducting the entire preparation and cleaning process and experienced limited storage time and strong requirements to storage conditions.

The process will allow a storage life of up to 90 days and very importantly, the concentrate can be stored at ambient temperature, thus freeing the user from the re- quirement of access to cold storage.

Using the principle, given by the equation herein, this product will follow this process:

The container (fig. 1 ) is a disposable baby bottle, containing a concentrate of liquid formula (3) is stored at ambient temperature (ideally 20 °C)

The manufacturer assures that the nutritional value of the formula concentrate is equivalent to the ready meal volume and thus the container volume of e.g. 220 ml, cf. that complete filling of the container may be an indication of a correct mixing ratio. In this connection, the container opening per se may constitute the marking.

The concentrate amounts to: X= (37-100)/(20-100) X= 0.79

Thus, in the case of a 220 ml formula meal the concentrate (3) will amount to 158 ml + 20 ml (79% of 200 ml liquid + the estimated volume of the formula powder) to which shall be added the remaining 42 ml of liquid in terms of boiling water (21% of 200 ml liquid). The resulting initial temperature of the ready meal is in the range of from approximately 35 °C to equal to or less than 37 °C, when considering a potential heat loss to the container material.

No modification will be is needed to existing formula powder products. The produc- tion process will only need to adjust the amount of liquid to be added to the concen- trate depending on storage conditions, e.g. temperature, prior to use. The difference as compared to existing forms of providing formula occurs in terms of taking into account the mixing aspect in combination with temperature requirements to the final meal as well as providing a container which allows for as well hygienic and easy storage, safe and easy transportation, safe and easy preparation and final serving.

Tests demonstrate that the time requirement for the end user will decrease from 11 minutes to less than 3 minutes. An analysis of the generic criteria for formula use (Fig. 4) indicates that on a scale from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest) user value will in- crease to an average of 9 by the above mentioned concept from a user value of 1 when only providing the user with formula powder or 4.7 when providing the user with a fully mixed solution in a transport and storage container, cf. Fig. 4.

The person skilled in the art will know how to prepare a food package containing a liquid food concentrate suitable for tube feeding of a patient after addition of the required volume of boiling water in the same general manner as outlined above.

Fig. 1 discloses an embodiment of the food package according to the invention. This food package includes a container 2 of plastic and/or carton based material. The container is rigid or semi-rigid and can itself be used as a feeding bottle. The container 2 is provided with a vertical transparent or translucent measuring scale 16 with markings 12 indicating the level of the contents. A distinct marking 17 indicates the maximum level of the mixed liquid food after boiling water has been added. In Fig. 6, the contents of the liquid food concentrate can be viewed through the meas- uring scale 16. At the top, the container includes a neck with a non-visible outer thread onto which an internally threaded cap has been screwed on. The head space 18 is the empty volume above the pre-filled liquid.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the food package. The cap 8 is provided with an opening 15 for receiving a standard nipple 10 which is used with conventional baby bottles, and which is disclosed in Fig. 8. The opening is covered by a sealing foil 4 which may comprise a pull off tab for convenience (not shown). The sealing foil is preferably adhered to the rim of the container opening but may alternatively be adhered to the inside of the cap. The cap may further comprise a liquid-dissolvable disk, e.g. as disclosed in US patent 6,527,109, containing a nutritionally or probiotically active ingredient which is unstable in an aqueous medium and which dissolves or disperses in the liquid food when the bottie is shaken.

Fig. 4 shows an assessment of user value against generic criteria: existing offers as compared to the invention. Scale: 1 (lowest degree of fullfilment) to 10 (optimal level of fulfilment). Baby bottle containing a meal prepared from powder formula (left hand bars): average score of 1 ; Baby bottle containing meal prepared from fully mixed formula with no need for dilution (middle bars): average score of 4.7; DFS (disposable baby bottle with meal according to the invention) (right hand bars): av- erage score of 9. The considerable advantages of the invention are clearly illustrated by this assessment.

When preparing a meal for the baby, the user removes the cap 8 and the sealing foil 4. Boiling water is added up to the distinct marking 17. The nipple 10 is arranged in the opening of the cap 8, which is screwed onto the container 2. The container 2 is shaken lightly to mix the concentrate with the water and to obtain a homogeneous temperature. Hereafter, the baby can be fed.

If the container 2 of the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is made of semi-rigid plastic it can be vacuum-packed. The volume of the container which is not taken up by liquid food concentrate can be filled with a controlled atmosphere. This ensures a long shelf-life.

If the food package is intended to be kept at room temperature it can be provided with a specific marking up to which boiling water is added so as to obtain the correct mixing ratio and temperature of the liquid food. The temperature of the liquid food which in this case is mother's milk substitute should be about 37°C or slightly below. The food package may also be intended to be kept at 2 to 5°C which is the normal temperature in a refrigerator, and in this case the quantity and concentration of the concentrated mother's milk substitute would be different.

If the food package 1 is kept at a different temperature than the intended, the user can add boiling water to obtain the correct serving temperature, but in this case the mixing ratio would differ slightly from the correct mixing ratio. The user may also add boiling water to obtain the correct mixing ratio. In this case the serving tempera- ture would differ from the desired serving temperature.

The cap 8 comprises a nipple 10 and a cap collar 9 which is provided with an internal thread, and the bottle neck of the bottle 7 is provided with a corresponding ex- ternal thread (not shown).

The quantity of liquid concentrate in relation to the volume of the liquid food ready for consumption can be calculated from the following equation: X = (Tf - 100) / (Tc - 100), where X is the quantity of mother's milk concentrate in relation to the quantity of food ready for consumption, Tf is the serving temperature in degrees Celsius, and Tc is the storing temperature of concentrate in degrees Celsius. The quantities are preferably volumes at the level of millilitres in the range of from app. 40 ml to app. 250 ml for baby feeding purposes, and greater, e.g. up to about 300 - 400 ml for tube feeding purposes.

Example 1.

If the concentrate is kept at 20°C and the serving temperature should be 35°C, the quantity X of the concentrate in the container should be 0.79 times the volume of food ready for consumption [X= (37-100)/(20-100) , X= 0.79].

Example 2.

If the concentrate is kept at 5°C and the serving temperature should be 35°C, the quantity X of the concentrate in the container should be 0.66 times the volume of the food ready for consumption [X= (37-100)/(5-100), X=0.66].

Naturally, these calculations are theoretical, and the heat capacity of the liquid food concentrate is assumed to be the same as the heat capacity of water. Heat loss during the preparation of the liquid food and the heat capacity of the package material should also be considered, when the different parameters of the food package are determined. However, a skilled person would have no difficulties in taking these aspects into account when determining the different parameters of the food package according to the invention.

The boiling point of water is 100°C at sea-level where the normal atmospheric pres- sure is 1013 millibars. In mountainous regions, the atmospheric pressure is lower. At 5.5 km above sea-level, the normal atmospheric pressure is about 500 millibars, and the boiling point for water is about 81 °C. If the food-package according to the invention is used in these heights, the temperature of the mixed liquid food would be slightly below the reference temperature.

In addition, the present invention relates in one aspect to a disposable food package (1) including a container (2; 7) with an internal container volume and a quantity of a liquid food concentrate (3) inside the container, where said container (2; 7) comprises a marking (17) and where the quantity and the concentration of the liquid food concentrate are adapted to the container volume so that when water is added to and mixed with the liquid food concentrate (3) up to said marking (17), a liquid food (15) ready for consumption is obtained, and wherein the food concentrate (3) is provided in such a quantity and concentration that when the added water is at or just below the boiling temperature and the food concentrate (3) is at a predeter- mined initial temperature, the obtained liquid food (18) is at a serving temperature between approx. 25°C and 45°C.

All herein cited patents and patent applications are incorporated by reference.

Claims

1. A food package (1 ) including a container (2; 7) with an internal container volume and a pre-filled quantity of a liquid food concentrate (3) inside the container, where the volume of and the concentration of the pre-filled liquid food concentrate when stored at a predetermined initial temperature are adapted to the container volume so that when boiling water is added to and mixed with the liquid food concentrate (3) a liquid food (15) ready for consumption at a serving temperature between approx. 25^°C and 40^°C is obtained, and wherein the internal container volume comprises a head space (18) above the food concentrate (3) which is sufficiently large to contain the required volume of boiling water to be added.

2. A food package according to claim 1 wherein the volume of said liquid food concentrate is given by the equation X = (Tf - 100) / (Tc - 100), wherein X is the volume of liquid food concentrate in relation to the volume of food ready for consumption, Tf is the serving temperature in degrees Celsius, and Tc is the storage temperature of concentrate in degrees Celsius.

3. A food package according to any one of claims 1 and 2, where said container (2; 7) comprises a marking (17) and where the quantity and the concentration of the liquid food concentrate are adapted to the container volume so that when boiling water is added to and mixed with the liquid food concentrate (3) up to said marking (17), a liquid food (15) ready for consumption at said serving temperature is ob- tained.

4. A food package according to any one of claims 1 , 2 and 3 where the container opening per se constitutes the marking so that a complete filling of the container is an indication of a correct mixing ratio.

5. A food package according to any one of the preceding claims, where said container (2; 7) further comprises a measuring cup having an inner diameter at the site of the rim corresponding to the outer diameter of the container (1 ), where said measuring cup has an internal volume A, and where the quantity and the concentra- tion of the liquid food concentrate are adapted to the container volume so that when the volume of boiling water A is added to and mixed with the liquid food concentrate (3) a liquid food (15) ready for consumption at said serving temperature is Obtained.

6. A food package (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the temperature of the boiling water is between 90 and 101 ^°C.

7. A food package (1 ) according to any one of the claims 1-5, wherein the serving temperature is obtained, when the initial temperature of the food concentrate (3) is between 15^°C and 25°C, preferably between 18^°C and 22^°C

8. A food package (1) according to any one of the claims 1-7, wherein the serving temperature is obtained, when the initial temperature of the food concentrate (3) is between 0°C and 10^°C, preferably between 3^°C and 8^°C, most preferably between 4^°C and 6°C.

9. A food package (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the liquid food concentrate is a concentrate of a mother's milk substitute or a concentrate for tube feeding of a patient.

10. A food package (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the container (7) includes a container opening covered by removable cap (8), and where the cap (8) is provided with a cap opening (15) for receiving a nipple (10) or a tube.

11. A food package (1 ) according to claim 10, wherein the opening (15) is closed by a sealing foil (4).

12. A food package (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the container (2; 7) further comprises a transparent or translucent area so that the quantity of content can be viewed from outside the container (2; 7).

13. A food package (1 ) wherein the volume of liquid food concentrate in relation to the volume of the liquid food ready for consumption is calculated from the following formula: X = (Tf - 100) / (Tc - 100), wherein X is the volume of liquid food concentrate in relation to the volume of food ready for consumption, Tf is the serving temperature in degrees Celsius, and Tc is the storage temperature of concentrate in degrees Celsius.

14. A food package (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims which is dis- posable.

15. A disposable food package (1) containing a liquid concentrate of a mother's milk substitute wherein the water content of the concentrate is pre-adjusted to the necessary amount of boiling water to be added to obtain the desired serving tempera- ture thus obtaining a recommended dilution ration for feeding of a baby.

16. A liquid concentrated mother's milk substitute wherein the water content is pre- adjusted to the necessary amount of boiling water to be added to obtain the desired serving temperature and the recommended dilution ratio for feeding of a baby.

17. A disposable food package (1) containing a liquid concentrate of tube food wherein the water content of the concentrate is pre-adjusted to the necessary amount of boiling water to be added to obtain the desired serving temperature thus obtaining a recommended dilution ration for feeding of a patient.

18. A liquid concentrated tube food wherein the water content is pre-adjusted to the necessary amount of boiling water to be added to obtain the desired serving temperature and the recommended dilution ratio for feeding of a patient.

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Fig.1 Fig.3

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Criteria

Fig. 4