001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/295 949 filed on January 18  2010  the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[002] The present invention relates to an easy-to consume  preferably shelf stable  gel-based product that could be preferably consumed in one bite without a spoon. More particularly  the invention relates to a soft gel-based product containing a gum and additional ingredients including  but not limited to food-grade acid  sodium citrate  calcium lactate  nutritive and non-nutritive sweetener  color  flavor  functional ingredients or combinations of these ingredients. One aspect of the present invention relates to an easy-to-consume energy gel composition containing at least caffeine  taurine  a vitamin B complex and a gum.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[003] In today""s fast-paced society  where consumers are constantly on-the-go  a need exists for easy-to consume shelf-stable comestibles that could be preferably consumed in one bite without a spoon or other eating utensil. An example of such a comestible is an easy- to-consume gel-based product.

[004] In particular  when individuals work long hours  are involved in many extracurricular activities  and have many competing obligations  the vast majority of these individuals consume caffeinated beverages in order to stay alert  awake  and focused. Therefore  a need exists for an easy-to-consume energy comestible that delivers functional ingredients  such as caffeine  taurine  and vitamin B complex. Functional foods or ingredients are food components or whole foods that may provide health benefits beyond basic nutrition and are believed to promote health or in some cases  as part of a healthy diet  reduce the risk of certain diseases. General categories of functional ingredients include  without limitation  plant sterols  antioxidants  phytochemicals  omega 3 fatty acids  vitamin D and fiber. Moreover  although many liquids  such as coffee and energy drinks  may deliver caffeine  it is desirable to have an energy gel composition that easily delivers caffeine and other functional ingredients in a solid form in one bite or swallow to promote alertness and provide an individual with additional energy.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[005] The present invention relates to a soft  JELL-O® like preferably shelf stable gel-based comestible that could be preferably consumed directly from its package without a spoon in one bite  and a method for making this comestible. In one aspect of the present invention the comestible includes at least one gum  at least one buffering agent  at least one calcium ion source  and at least one bulking agent. In another aspect of the present invention  the comestible includes the ingredients listed in the immediately preceding sentence along with at least one flavor  at least one color  at least one food-grade acid  and at least one sweetener. In yet another aspect of the present invention  the comestible includes at least one gum  at least one buffering agent  at least one calcium ion source  and at least one bulking agent  along with at least one preservative  caffeine  taurine  and vitamin B complex to create an energy gel composition. In one aspect of the present invention  the energy gel composition also includes without limitation additional functional ingredients such as maltodextrin  D-Ribose  L-carnitine  ß-alanine  and ginseng and guarana.

[006] Yet another aspect of the present invention is directed to a method of preparing the gel- based comestible  such as an energy gel composition  including mixing the ingredients  hydrating the gum  holding  and cooling.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[007] The present invention relates to a preferably shelf-stable gel composition. More specifically  the present invention relates to a preferably shelf-stable gel comestible containing a gum-based gel. Moreover  another aspect of the present invention relates to an energy gel composition. The gel-based composition has a firm structure  yet is easily consumed in one bite or swallow by the consumer preferably directly from the package 

without the need for a spoon or other utensil. The composition preferably has a serving size of about 0.5 oz. to about 2.0 oz.

[008] The preferably shelf-stable gel comestible may comprise a gum-based gel. Gums that may be used in the gum-based gel include  but are not limited to carrageenan  locust bean gum  xanthan gum  gellan gum  pectin  carboxymethyl cellulose  and combinations thereof. The gum-based gel composition may also include at least one buffering agent  at least one bulking agent  and at least one calcium ion source. Suitable calcium ion sources may include  but are not limited to  calcium disodium edetate  calcium citrate  calcium lactate  calcium chloride  and calcium carbonate. The buffering agent used in accordance with the present invention may include  without limitation  sodium citrate  trisodium citrate  potassium citrate and combinations of these ingredients. Examples of bulking agents that may be used in accordance with the present invention include  without limitation  sucrose  maltodextrin  dextrin  pectin and combinations thereof.

[009] Citric acid  ascorbic acid  adipic acid  acetic acid  lactic acid  formic acid  oxalic acid  tartaric acid  fumaric acid  malic acid  phosphoric acid and combinations of these food- grade acids may also be used in the present invention. Additionally  or alternatively  the gel-based comestible may also include at least one sweetener (nutritive and/or non- nutritive)  at least one color  at least one flavor  at least one functional ingredient or combinations of the aforementioned ingredients.

[0010] In accordance with at least one aspect of the invention  the gel-based comestible is an energy gel composition containing caffeine  taurine  at least one gum  at least one buffering agent  at least one calcium source  at least one bulking agent  at least one nutritive or non-nutritive sweetener  at least one preservative  and at least one food-grade acid. The energy gel composition may include additional ingredients  such as flavors  colors  and other functional ingredients. The energy gel composition described herein is easily consumed in one bite or swallow by the consumer  lending itself to easy and fast consumption to increase alertness or otherwise provide the consumer with added energy. With respect to the present invention  "effective amount" refers to an amount of the energy gel composition  preferably in a serving size ranging from about 0.5-2.0 oz 

delivered to an individual necessary to promote alertness or provide the individual with added energy.

[001 1] In one embodiment of the energy gel composition made in accordance with the present invention  the energy gel composition includes caffeine  taurine  at least one additional functional ingredient  a gum  at least one sweetener  at least one preservative  and at least one food-grade acid. The one additional functional ingredient may include  without limitation  vitamin B complex  ginseng  guarana  D-ribose  L-carnitine  ß-alanine  amino blend (leucine  isoleucine  histidine  valine)  maltodextrin (70-80% of the complex/simple carbohydrates blend)  electrolytes (sodium  potassium and calcium salts)  vitamin B2  antioxidant blend (conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)  spirulina  lycopene  acai  pomegranate  rosemary extract  blueberry extract  Vitamin A  E and C)  vitamin D  vitamin K  biotin  green tea extract  theanine  red clover  passion flower  choline  folic acid  minerals (Zn  Mg  Ca  K  Na  chromium  phosphorous)  plant sterol  fiber (aloevera  soy  beta glucan  resistant starch  guar gum  inulin  gelatin  lutein  beta carotene) or mixtures of these ingredients. The vitamin B complex used in accordance with the present invention may consist of vitamin B3  vitamin B5  vitamin Be  and vitamin B12. One of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that other vitamins and/or antioxidant blends may be used in accordance with the present invention.

[0012] The gum used in the present invention may be a food-grade gum including  without limitation  carrageenan  locust bean gum  gellan or xanthan gum. Alternatively  the gum may comprise a gum blend including at least two of carrageenan  gellan gum  locust bean gum  and xanthan gum. In another aspect of the present invention  the gum blend may also include trisodium citrate  dextrin  a calcium ion source such as calcium lactate  calcium citrate  and mixtures of these ingredients.

[0013] The at least one sweetener used in accordance with the present invention may be selected from any suitable non-nutritive sweeteners either alone or in combination with nutritive sweeteners. Examples of such nutritive and non-nutritive sweeteners include  without limitation  sucrose  high fructose corn syrup  fructose  dextrose  sucralose  aspartame  acesulfame K  saccharin  cyclamate  alitame  honey  agave  and all brands of stevia (Reb A extract). One of ordinary skill in the art at the time of the invention would appreciate that other sweeteners may be used in accordance with the present invention.

[0014] In another aspect of the present invention  the energy gel composition comprises caffeine  taurine  at least one additional functional ingredient  at least one gum  at least one sweetener  at least one preservative  a vitamin B complex  and at least one food- grade acid. The vitamin B complex may comprise vitamins B3  B5  B6 and B]2. The at least one additional functional ingredient may be ginseng  guarana  D-ribose  L-carnitine  ß-alanine  amino blend (including basic amino acids such as leucine  isoleucine  histidine  valine)  maltodextrin (70-80% of the complex/simple carbohydrates blend)  electrolytes (sodium  potassium and calcium salts)  vitamin B2  antioxidant blend (vitamin E and vitamin C) and mixtures of these ingredients.

[0015] The at least one food-grade acid used in accordance with the present invention may include  without limitation  citric acid  ascorbic acid  adipic acid  acetic acid  lactic acid  formic acid  oxalic acid  tartaric acid  fumaric acid  malic acid  and phosphoric acid and combinations thereof. The at least one preservative may include  without limitation  calcium disodium edetate  sodium hexametaphosphate  potassium sorbate  sodium benzoate  potassium cinnamate  lauric arginate (mirenat) and combinations thereof. The pH of the gel-based composition is between about 3.0 and 4.5  generally between about 3.2 and 3.8  such as 3.5. One or more buffering agents  and chelators  such as sodium citrate and calcium disodium edetate  may also be added to the gel-based composition described herein. One or more calcium ion source such as calcium lactate  calcium chloride  calcium carbonate is used to create the gel matrix.

[0016] Additional ingredients such as food-grade colors derived from both natural and artificial sources may be added to the gel-based composition. Examples of such colors include Yellow 5  Yellow 6  Red 40  Blue 1  cochineal extract  beta carotene  fruit based colors  vegetable based colors  lycopene  natural blue and combinations thereof. Flavors and flavor modifiers including  without limitation  lime  lemon  orange  grapefruit; strawberry  blueberry  josta berry  fruit  cherry  malt  beer  chocolate  coffee  tea  acai  pomegranate  hibiscus  tamarind  mango  peach  pineapple  melon  watermelon  taste

modifier and combinations thereof may also be added to the gel composition in accordance with the present invention.

[0017] Moreover  the gel-based composition of the present invention remains firm and in a solid state at or below room temperature and up to a temperature of about 125° F. Although the gel-based composition is a solid  it can be easily delivered and consumed by the consumer in one bite  gulp  or swallow  preferably without the need for a spoon or other utensil. The serving size of the gel composition may range preferably from about 0.5 oz to 2 oz  Moreover  as one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate  the calorie content of the gel-based composition varies in light of the ingredients added to the composition may range preferably from about 0 calories to about 200 calories per serving.

[0018] In yet another aspect of the present invention  the serving size of the comestible of the present invention may range from about 0.5 oz to 5.0 oz.  for use as a meal replacement.

[0019] In one aspect of the present invention the gel-based composition is prepared by introducing at least one bulking agent  such as sucrose in combination with at least one gum  at least one source of calcium ion  and at least one buffering agent into a mixer. The gum is hydrated for about 10-30 minutes at a temperature of about 155°-195° F  such as 20 minutes at about 175° F  to create a hydrated gum mixture. Any additional ingredients (such as functional ingredients  sweeteners (nutritive and non-nutritive)  food-grade acid  color  and flavor) are then added to the hydrated gum mixture  followed by the addition of the at least one food-grade acid. The hydrated gum mixture may be held for 30-120 minutes  such as 60 minutes at a temperature between about 145° F and 175° F  such as 155° F  prior to packaging and cooling to set the gel and form the gel composition.

[0020] In another aspect of the present invention  the hydrated gum mixture is filled into containers of a preferred shape prior to cooling at temperatures between about 145-175° F and subsequently cooled to temperatures between 70-100° F for about 30-90 minutes

to set the gel. In another aspect of the present invention  the gel-based composition is packaged following cooling.

The following are examples of various embodiments of the present invention:

Example 1: The energy gel composition is comprised of the following components:

ratlon m % 1

Xanthan 6.0 3.0„-9.0 .

Locust Bean Gum 6.0 3.0-9.0

Gellan 9.0 5.0-14.0

Carrageenan 24.0 12.0-36.0

Calcium lactate 8.0 4.0-12.0

Trisodium citrate 8.0 4.0-12.0

Dextrin 39.0 20.0-60.0

[0022] The final pH of the composition is 3.5. Moreover  the caffeine and taurine concentrations per serving are about 200 mg/serving and 1000 mg/serving respectively. The vitamin B complex contains 100% of the recommended daily allowances for vitamins B3  B5  B6 and B]2. The total amount of calories contained in the energy gel composition is about 40 calories and is delivered to the consumer in one 1.5 oz serving.

[0023] Example 2: A method of preparing the energy gel composition set forth in Example 1  wherein the preservatives such as sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate are mixed in 50% water for about 5 minutes at a temperature of about 165-175° F. The sucrose  sodium citrate  and gum blend are mixed in a dry blender and added with the above preserved water at a temperature of about 165-175° F for 10-20 minutes to form a hydrated gum mixture. The sweeteners  functional ingredients and color (sucralose  caffeine  guarana  ginseng  taurine  D-ribose  maltodextrin  L-carnitine  ß-alanine  calcium disodium edetate) are mixed separately in a high shear mixer with 20% water for 5-10 minutes. This mixture is then added to the hydrated gum mixture in the main tank and the temperature of tank is maintained at 155-165° F. The flavor and acid are then added and the final volume is achieved by adding water. The resulting gum mixture is cooled to temperatures of 70-100° F within an hour to arrive at the energy gel composition of Example 1.

[0024] Example 3:

[0025] Example 4: A method of preparing the energy gel composition set forth in Example 3  wherein the preservatives such as sodium benzoate  potassium sorbate  and the caffeine are mixed in 50% water at a temperature of about 145-185° F until substantially dispersed. The maltodextrin  sodium citrate  and citric acid are then added to the heated solution. The sucrose and gel blend are mixed in a dry blender and added with the above preserved water at a temperature of about 145-185° F for 10-20 minutes to form a hydrated gum mixture. The sweeteners  functional ingredients and color (if any) (sucralose  ginseng  calcium disodium edetate) are mixed separately under non-high shear conditions. This mixture is then added to the hydrated gum mixture in the main tank and the temperature of tank is maintained at 145-185° F. The flavor and acid are then added and the final volume is achieved by adding water. The resulting gum mixture is cooled to temperatures of 65-100° F within an hour to arrive at the energy gel composition of Example 3. Following cooling  the energy gel composition may be refrigerated.

[0026] Example 5: In embodiments where high amounts of starch are used  the processing temperatures may be lowered to allow for the addition of aspartame into the product mixture.

[0027] Examp

[0028] Example 7: A method of preparing the energy gel composition set forth in Example 6  wherein the preservatives such as sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate are mixed in 50% water for about 5 minutes at a temperature of about 165-175° F. The sucrose  sodium citrate  and gum blend are mixed in a dry blender and added with the above preserved water at a temperature of about 165-175° F for 10-20 minutes to form a hydrated gum mixture. The sweeteners  calcium disodium edentate and color are mixed separately in a high shear mixer with 20% water for 5-10 minutes. This mixture is then added to the hydrated gum mixture in the main tank and the temperature of tank is maintained at 155-165° F. The flavor and acid are then added and the final volume is achieved by adding water. The resulting gum mixture is cooled to temperatures of 70-100° F within an hour to arrive at the energy gel composition of Example 6.

This invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The foregoing embodiments  therefore  are to be considered in all respects illustrative rather than limiting the invention described herein. The scope of the invention is thus indicated by the appended claims  rather than by the foregoing description  and all changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.

We Claim:

1. A gel-based comestible comprising:

at least one gum  at least one buffering agent  at least one bulking agent  and at least one calcium ion source.

2. The gel-based comestible of claim 1 wherein the at least one gum is selected from the group consisting of carrageenan  locust bean gum  gellan gum  xanthan gum  pectin  carboxymethyl cellulose and combinations thereof.

3. The gel-based comestible of claim 1 wherein the at least one buffering agent is selected from the group consisting of sodium citrate  trisodium citrate  potassium citrate and combinations thereof.

4. The gel-based comestible of claim 1 wherein the at least one bulking agent is selected from the group consisting of sucrose  maltodextrin  dextrin  pectin and combinations thereof.

5. The gel-based comestible of claim 1 wherein the at least one calcium ion source is selected from the group consisting of calcium citrate  calcium disodium edetate  calcium lactate  calcium chloride  calcium carbonate and combinations thereof.

6. The gel-based comestible of claim 1 further comprising at least one sweetener  at least one preservative  at least one functional ingredient  at least one color  at least one flavor and combinations thereof.

7. The gel-based comestible of claim 1 wherein the at least one gum is a gum blend comprising calcium lactate  trisodium citrate  dextrin  and at least two gums selected from the group consisting of carrageenan  locust bean gum  xanthan gum  and gellan gum.

8. The gel-based comestible of claim 1 further comprising caffeine  taurine  vitamin B complex  at least one sweetener  at least one additional functional ingredient  at least one preservative  and at least one food-grade acid.

9. The gel-based comestible of claim 8 wherein a single serving of the energy gel composition supplies a consumer with about 200 mg caffeine  1000 mg taurine  and 100% of a recommended daily allowance of vitamins B3  B5  B6 and Bi2.

10. A method of delivering to an individual in need thereof an effective amount of the gel-based comestible of claim 8 to promote alertness and provide the individual with added energy.

11. The gel-based comestible of claim 1 further comprising caffeine  ginseng  at least one sweetener  at least one preservative  and at least one food-grade acid.

12. A method for preparing a gel-based comestible comprising the steps of:

introducing at least one bulking agent  at least one gum  at least one calcium ion source and at least one buffering agent into a mixing device to form a gum mixture;

hydrating the gum mixture at a temperature of about 155-195° F for about 10-30 minutes to form a hydrated gum mixture;

introducing a food-grade acid to the hydrated gum mixture to form an acidified hydrated gum mixture; and

cooling the acidified hydrated gum mixture to form the gel-based comestible.

13. The method of claim 12  wherein at least one preservative is added to the gum mixture prior to hydrating the gum.

14. The method of claim 12  wherein following the hydrating of the gum mixture  additional ingredients selected from the group consisting of functional ingredients  sweeteners  food-grade acid  color  and flavor and mixtures thereof  are introduced to the hydrated gum mixture.

15. The method of claim 12 wherein following cooling  the gel-based comestible is packaged.

16. The method of claim 12 wherein following holding  the hydrated gum mixture is filled into preformed containers prior to cooling to form a gel-based comestible of a desired shape.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the preformed container facilitates delivery of the gel-based comestible to a consumer in one bite.