EP1960288A2

EP1960288A2 - Method and device for the non-contact and sequential dispersion of macrocomponents, especially active micronutrients

Info

Publication number: EP1960288A2
Application number: EP06829447A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Andreas Noack
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: TERRA NANO Ltd
Priority date: 2005-12-08
Filing date: 2006-12-08
Publication date: 2008-08-27
Anticipated expiration: 2026-12-08
Also published as: WO2007065708A3; EP1960288B1; DE502006008583D1; DE102005059000A1; WO2007065708A2; ES2357971T3; ATE492493T1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for the sequential dispersion of macrocomponents. According to said method, a container (130, 1300) comprising at least two chambers (100, 200) for respectively receiving a macrocomponent (8, 10) is used. The macrocomponents in the chambers in the initial state are sealed from each other by a separating element (9, 39, 59) and from the outside by another separating element (12, 59). Said method comprises the following steps: a) a first separating element (9, 39, 59) is opened by applying a mechanical force, b) the two macrocomponents (8, 10) which are respectively in contact with the first separating element (9, 39, 59) in the intial state are brought into contact or mixed, releasing a gas which leads to a pressure rise corresponding to the degree of mixture or dispersion and causing the second separating element to crack, and c) the mixture (189) of macrocomponents (8, 10) obtained in step b) is brought into contact or mixed with at least one third macrocomponent. The invention also relates to a device for carrying out the method.

Description

Method and device for the contactless and sequential dispersion of macro components, in particular active ones

Micronutrients A method is set out with the aid of which components that tend to agglomerate or degrade can be dispersed extremely quickly and with minimal agitation. The dispersibility of the individual components is achieved with the aid of a defined mixing or contacting sequence, the degree of dispersion shown being considerably increased for many systems compared to the methods corresponding to the prior art. The process is characterized in particular by the fact that its handling and timing can be carried out in a very simple manner even by inexperienced users. The method is particularly suitable for the presentation of unstable beverages of a priori poorly soluble and thus difficult to bioavailable micronutrients in a readily bioavailable form.

Devices are also disclosed with the aid of which the method can be carried out in the simplest manner. In addition, optimally dispersed beverages can be produced without contact, i.e. No risk of contamination, and that with a minimum of preservation or dispersing aids to be used.

Drinks contain only a small amount of bioavailable active ingredients that tend to agglomerate in a free state. Such active ingredients are often only bioavailable in freshly squeezed juices, since they are likely to be nanoscale only inside a cell, i.e. H. protected from agglomeration by cell membranes. However, such nanoscale active ingredients can be stabilized using multi-component storage processes.

Technology is therefore required, such as how to bring together appropriate components in a drinking vessel, in particular a bottle or a beverage can, in a manner suitable for the user and to disperse them in a suitable manner. Such technology would, if it did would be implemented in a drink-compatible manner, have the essential advantage of integrating active and particulate plant constituents in a drink at any time in a bioavailable manner. From a hygienic point of view, it is essential that this advantage is not used up by the disadvantage of the risk of contamination of the beverage during the mixing process. It is therefore essential to ensure a contamination-free mixing process.

It is also fundamental that corresponding macro components are brought together in a defined sequence and timing in order to achieve optimal dispersion and thus optimal bioavailability. The following is a phenomenological example:

A system consisting of the 3 macro components - i.e. those that can be macroscopically separated - from A, B and C. This system would have to be dispersed using the following sequence:

1. A + B - »AB

2. AB + C ^ ABC

If all 3 components were brought together in this case, the system would not be able to be dispersed, at least not within a reasonable period of time. A component often does not dissolve, even over periods of a few minutes up to hours, or even coagulates if local pH fluctuations can occur as a result of real mixture inhomogeneities.

A device is therefore also required with which two components can be brought into contact with one another and mixed well with one another. As soon as the mixing has been carried out sufficiently well, the concentrated mixture should be mixed with the actual contents of a beverage container, with each step having to be carried out in such a way that foreign substances, for example bacteria, viruses, cannot get inside from it. It is also important to ensure that a sufficient amount of mechanical energy can be conveniently introduced from the outside so that the individual components in particular can mix well with one another. Because you usually have it with poorly soluble Do solids or pasteous, highly viscous fractions that are difficult to mix a priori.

According to DE 699 13 682, two separate fractions, which are separated by a partition, are placed in an inner container with a slight excess pressure, this inner vessel opening after the outer vessel has been opened. The inner vessel opens due to the decrease in pressure in the outer vessel, which causes the pressure difference across the membrane to be so great that it opens.

The disadvantage here is that, on the one hand, sequential mixing is not possible; on the other hand, the method is e.g. difficult to use for beverage cans, especially when components are to be dissolved or mixed in which are poorly soluble a priori and would require increased mechanical agitation of the components with one another. In other words, once a beverage can has been opened, it can no longer be shaken in order to dissolve or disperse any poorly soluble species.

The object of the present invention is therefore to create a method for the contactless and sequential dispersion of macro components.

According to the invention, these objects are achieved with the features of the independent claims.

The invention provides a method for the sequential dispersion of macro components. To carry out the method, a vessel, in particular a vessel, which can be arranged as an inner vessel in an outer main vessel, such as a bottle, is provided. This provided vessel has at least two chambers, each of which can accommodate a macro component. In the initial state, the chambers are each closed off from one another by a separating element and by a further separating element to the outside, that is to say in particular with respect to the outer main vessel. In the initial state of the filled inner vessel, the macro components in the chambers are separated from one another by at least one separating element. The inner vessel or at least one chamber is covered by at least one other Separating element closed to the outside. In the initial state, all macro components are packed separately.

The process includes the following steps:

a) opening a first separating element using a mechanical force,

b) contacting or mixing the two macrocomponents which were in contact with the first separating element in the initial state, releasing a gas which corresponds to a degree of mixing or dispersion

Pressure increase, which causes a second separating element to burst,

c) contacting or mixing the mixture of the macro components from step b) with at least one third macro component.

By opening a first separating element, the inner vessel changes from its initial state to a state that is not fully open. In this incompletely opened state, at least two chambers and thus the macro components presented therein are in contact with one another, but the inner vessel is still sealed off from the main vessel at least by a closed separating element.

In an advantageous development, the method comprises step

d) moving, in particular shaking, the mixture from step c) in order to increase the mixing.

This movement can be done, for example, by shaking the main vessel. The method according to the invention comprises in particular the following steps: a) opening a first separating element using a mechanical force,

i) this force passing through at least two essentially closed vessels, b) contacting or mixing the two macrocomponents # 1 and # 2, which are in contact with the first separating element, with the liberation of a gas,

i) which leads to a pressure increase corresponding to the degree of mixing or dispersion and from a defined one

Bursting pressure causes a second separating element to burst, ii) whereby the mixture of macrocomponents # 1 and # 2 is brought into contact with or mixed with at least a third macrocomponent.

It is essential in this process that the correct timing of the mixing of macro components # 1 and macro components # 2 with the 3rd macro component - usually an aqueous liquid - is ensured. For this, the pressure increase, which is a consequence of the gas development, which in turn corresponds to the degree of mixing or dispersion of the corresponding macro components # 1 and # 2, is the decisive parameter. If the dispersion of macro components # 1 and # 2 is sufficiently advanced, a corresponding pressure has built up in the area surrounding macro components # 1 and # 2, which then causes the second separating element to burst. This completes a procedure for the user that defines the timing of the mixing sequence. The time period from the activation, i.e. the breaking of the first separating element to the bursting of the second separating element, depends primarily on how intensively the system is agitated and how effectively the macro components are mixed with one another.

Macrocomponents are those starting materials that are considered macroscopically to be homogeneous. However, these are usually built up from a large number of species, which in the context used here are referred to as microcomponents, completely independently of their actual particulate dimensions.

Another advantage of the method is that the dispersion process takes place or can take place in a contact-free manner, as a result of which the user can optimally disperse the macro components with one another at any time and in any environment, without contaminating them, which is particularly important in the field Food, particularly in the area of beverage preparation, as well as in the area of food supplements and supplementary balanced diets preferred.

Contactless is used here in the context that the macro components are not touched during the dispersion process or are not exposed to an external atmosphere; it is therefore typically a sterile process, which is particularly suitable for the dispersion of pharmaceuticals. The main vessel preferably remains closed during the entire mixing process, so that no bacteria or germs can penetrate into the interior. In addition or as an alternative to this, the main vessel is under increased pressure, so that at least no forced atmosphere exchange takes place from the outside into the vessel by opening it appropriately. The result of the method carried out according to the invention is typically an unstable solution or an unstable, colloidal solution of different microcomponents. It is also a feature that corresponding solutions degrade or agglomerate over time, so that the biological value of a corresponding drink decreases significantly within hours or days. As a rule, the proportion of particles changes under

100 nm in a period of 24 h, based on that of 10 minutes or 60 minutes after the initiation of the process, considerably. Typically, this proportion decreases by more than 50% during this period, which can be determined by laser diffraction studies.

The method according to the invention is therefore suitable for dispersing microcomponents containing microcomponents which contain particulate active substances, such as sparingly soluble trace elements or sparingly soluble vitamins or secondary plant constituents. Vanadium, silver, gold, platinum, for example, are considered to be sparingly soluble trace or ultra-trace elements, but also those trace elements classified as essential, such as iron, copper, cobalt. Poorly soluble secondary plant substances are, for example, carotenoids, flavonoids, poorly soluble vitamins, such as the E vitamins and the like. It also allows the process to adsorb enzymes in unpasteurized form on a carrier matrix and to use them as macro-components as an adsorbed and / or immobilized system. An advantageous method variant is to include a fourth macro component. The variant is used if a third macro component would otherwise comprise microcomponents that degrade each other, such as an oxygen-enriched macro component that should not contain carbohydrates or oxidizable microcomponents, for example. In this case, for example, a flavor concentrate, which would alternatively be diluted in a 3-macro component system in the main vessel, is introduced into the at least one inner vessel, with the help of a further separating element, the macro component # 3 between the 2nd and 3rd Introduces separating element.

The method according to the invention is particularly suitable for enriching oxygen-decomposable beverages with oxygen. However, since all oxygen-decomposable species are contained in the at least one inner vessel, they are thus protected against oxidizing or oxidation-catalytic influences. Oxygenation has nutritional benefits and particularly stimulates digestion. The oxygen partial pressure is typically between 1.0 and 15 bar, preferably between 2 and 10 bar.

A 4-macro component process is also preferred if macro component # 3 is a concentrate which, due to a very high proportion of ingredients with a preserving effect - for example sugar or fruit acids - only has a preserving effect in a concentrated form.

An essential feature of the method according to the invention is the display of dispersions with a high proportion of readily bioavailable particulate-nutritive active ingredients, since a high bioavailability of particulate active ingredients correlates with a high active interface, which in turn is particularly high in the case of nanoscale microcomponents. As a rule, based on the dry matter, at least 70% of the dissolved particles are smaller than 100 nm. Typically, at least 30%, preferably at least 50% of all particles are smaller than 100 nm. This percentage relates to the number of particles. The macrocomponents are typically composed of basic or acidic microcomponents, preferably basic and acidic microcomponents being separated. Due to the high hydroxide ion activity, trace and ultra-trace elements in particular are protected from agglomeration or crystallization in a basic suspension and thus stabilized in a readily bioavailable modification.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the gas which is released as a result of the contact of the macro components and which leads to the pressure increase which ultimately leads to the opening of a separating element is carbon dioxide.

The present patent application also includes a device with which the method according to the invention can be carried out. The device comprises a main vessel and at least one inner vessel. The inner vessel has at least two chambers for receiving at least two macro components which are separate from one another in the inner vessel. The wall of the chambers, that is to say their outer boundary, is at least partially formed by a separating element. The separating elements are dimensioned such that a first separating element, which separates the macro components presented in the chambers in the initial state when the inner vessel is filled, is opened upon the action of an external force, so that an open connection between the chambers is created, while a second Separating element, which in the incompletely opened state of the inner vessel closes at least one chamber of the inner vessel to the outside towards the main vessel, still remains closed.

The invention thus enables the macro components to be mixed step by step in a predeterminable sequence. The sequence is realized by dimensioning the separating elements: The separating element that has to separate the macro components to be mixed first has the least resistance to stress and is therefore opened first. A preliminary stage is thus achieved on the way to the mixture of all macro components that is ultimately to be achieved. In the simplest case of two macro components, this preliminary stage is the only one

Intermediate stage before opening the further separating element. Will be more than Two macro components are provided, correspondingly more chambers and more “first” separating elements are provided, which correspond to the desired number of intermediate stages. These intermediate stages characterize the incompletely opened state of the inner vessel.

In general, the separating element which closes the chamber with the macro component to be admixed last to the other chambers has the second-lowest resistance to stress. The separating element which closes the inner vessel or the last chamber from the outside to the main vessel has the lowest resistance. Thus, according to the invention, the macro components are first sequentially dispersed or mixed before they are released to the outside. The mixture can then either be used directly, or mixed with another component placed in the main vessel.

The chambers are designed, for example, as hollow bodies, in particular made of plastic and / or glass, such a hollow body having at least one opening which can be closed by a separating element.

In a further embodiment, the inner vessel is a double-chamber bag in which the separating elements are produced by a defined sealing of a peelable film. In an advantageous development, the second separating element is dimensioned such that it is only opened by the action of an increased pressure which arises as a result of an increase in pressure due to the reaction of the macro components with one another after the opening of the first separating element.

The inner vessel can, for example, be essentially cylindrical along a main axis, the at least two chambers being arranged in series with one another along this main axis. This creates a particularly slim design that can be easily used, for example, in beverage bottles or cans. In a preferred embodiment, the separating elements are designed as seals. A seal can be designed in such a way that it bursts above its resistance when subjected to mechanical loads. However, it can also be designed in such a way that two foils adhere to one another in a sealed manner in the closed state, the foils being separated from one another when the resistance to mechanical stress is exceeded, and the seal is thereby opened. The two foils can be the two opposite foil regions of the tube, in particular when the tube-shaped seal is open. Such a tubular seal can itself form a connection between the chambers in the open state.

Alternatively or additionally, it is provided that at least one separating element comprises at least one preferred opening segment. Such an opening segment forms a predetermined breaking point for the separating element, so that a particularly reliable opening can be set.

In a preferred development, a holding device is provided in order to fix the inner vessel in the main vessel. In particular, the inner vessel can have the holding device, so that it can be offered filled and, for example, only needs to be inserted into a bottle or can by the end user. In an advantageously simple embodiment, the holding device comprises an expansion plug. In particular, the device is constructed in such a way that the first separating element, which separates macro components # 1 and # 2 when the vessel is filled, is in direct or indirect contact with a flexible and / or movable area of the inner surface of the main vessel. In this way, at least the opening of the first separating element is correlated with the opening of the main vessel, so that the handling of the sequential dispersion is ensured in a simple and reliable manner without any special attention or control by the user.

The device is characterized in particular by the following independent features: It consists of a main vessel which contains an aqueous liquid and at least one inner vessel, the at least one inner vessel

a) contains at least two macro components, a macro component # 1 and a macro component # 2 and

b) comprises at least two separating elements, each with preferred opening zones,

i) where the first separating element, which the macro components # 1 and

# 2 separated, directly or indirectly with a flexible and / or movable area of the inner surface of the main vessel in

Connection is established and

ii) where macro components # 1 and # 2 together represent an acid-base system that releases carbon dioxide on contact. The device according to the invention is typically used as a beverage bottle, the inner vessel being fixed in the bottle via a holding element, which is preferably fastened in the region of the bottle neck. The holding element in connection with the pressure transmission element enables a force to be exerted on the first separating element from the outside which is ultimately able to open it.

The distance between the flexible or movable region of the main vessel and the region in which the first separating element is located in the at least one inner vessel is preferably bridged with the aid of a pressure transmission element, which brings about indirect contacting of the two regions. The term "indirect contacting" is to be understood in the following in such a way that, with regard to the flexibility or mobility of the corresponding contacting area of the main vessel, the margin between the inner surface of the main vessel and the one end of the pressure transmission element or the margin between the first separating element and the other end of the pressure relay element is small. As a rule, a corresponding margin is less than 50%, preferably less than 30%, with respect to the necessary distance that the pressure transmission element is pushed in the direction of the separating element in order to open or break the separating element. The pressure transmission element is typically a rod or a tube which is on the one hand firmly connected to a flexible region of the at least one inner vessel and on the other hand is in contact with a region of the inner surface of the main vessel which is flexible or movable. Typically, such a flexible or movable area of the main vessel is a flexible plastic or metal wall or even an area of the inside of an asymmetrical screw cap of a bottle, typically a beverage bottle, which exerts a force on the pressure transmission element via a type of screw mechanism, which exerts this on the first Separating element of the at least one inner vessel presses.

The opening process of the separating elements is typically irreversible. The system is preferably composed in such a way or the separating element is worked accordingly that the segment of the separating element which has been opened once maintains its opening position. This supports the rapid mixing of the macro components in the best possible way.

The separating element preferably consists of a rupture disc, usually made of plastic, which is embossed with a groove along which the rupture disc yields or opens and thus has preferred opening segments.

In a special embodiment, the inner vessel is fixed by at least two pressure transmission elements which are in contact with the side wall of a flexible plastic bottle or a beverage can.

The pressure transmission element is typically made of plastic and has a length of between 1 and 20 cm, preferably between 3 and 10 cm.

It is particularly advantageous if the dilution liquid is already placed in the main vessel, since the user can therefore prepare an optimally dispersed, orally ingestible or ready-to-drink solution at any time without contaminating the contents.

A special feature of the device according to the invention is a specific arrangement of the individual macro components, which the appropriate sequence of Mixing specifies. This ensures that even systems that would coagulate outside a specific pH or ionic strength, for example, or that would dissolve poorly or not at all, can be optimally dispersed.

Typically, the sequential mixing process using the device according to the invention is much more efficient and therefore faster or only possible in a reasonable period of time. An aqueous solution, usually mineral water or a drinking solution, the volume-specific dry mass of which is usually lower by a factor of 5, preferably by a factor of 10 than that of the mixture of macrocomponents # 1 and # 2, is initially introduced as the macro component in the main vessel.

The macro components # 1 and # 2 represent acid-base systems, carbonates and / or hydrogen carbonates always being present as the base component. With mutual contact or mixing, they release carbon dioxide in a pressure range between 0.1 and 30 bar, preferably between 0.5 and 5 bar. A corresponding pressure increase in the area of the inner vessel of approx. 1 bar can be used to open the 2nd separating element in a defined manner, with a corresponding embossing depth. The inner vessel generally has a volume of 2 to 200 ml, preferably between 5 and 50 ml or a volume in the range of 0.5 to 100 ml, preferably between 2 and 50 ml. The main vessel typically has a volume between 20 ml to 3 l, preferably between 50 ml and 1.5 l and particularly preferably between 100 ml and 1 l. The typical volume ratio between the main vessel and the inner vessel is between 100: 1 and 5: 1, preferably between 70: 1 and 10: 1. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the at least one inner vessel comprises 3 macro components. Macrocomponent # 3 typically represents a concentrate with sensory microcomponents, which typically have a self-preserving effect due to the high concentration.

For oxygen-enriched systems, which also prefer a 3-macro component system for the at least one inner vessel, the aqueous solution realized as high as possible oxygen partial pressures for nutritional reasons, usually between 1.0 and 15 bar, preferably between 2 and 10 bar. So that the 3rd separating element opens in any case when the 2nd separating element opens, it is designed in such a way that its opening pressure is lower than that of the 2nd separating element. Typically, this third partition element opens consecutively to the second partition element, ie in a time interval at the time of opening of the second partition element of less than 0.2 seconds.

Typically, the pressure transmission element is depressed downwards, i.e. via a guide spiral, which is arranged on the inside of the bottle stopper and which is defined in the term used here as part of the main vessel. pressed against the first separating element. In this case, preferably a fixing disk or a guide rail located therein directs the movement of the pressure transfer element in a lever-shaped manner towards the first separating element. The spiral element can be raised from the outside to the center or raised from the inside to the outside. In the first case, the pressure transfer element is pressed from the outside inwards against the first separating element, in the second case from the inside out. The pressure transfer element is preferably conveyed in the direction of the first separating element during screwing on. For this it is necessary that the increase in the spiral spiral is greater than the thread height of the closure. In this form, the sealing performance of the closure is generally higher and the usability better by the user. But also the reverse case, namely that the pressure transfer element is moved towards the first separating element by turning the closure, is u. a. preferred if the fixing washer should sit deeper in the bottle neck.

Macro components # 1 and # 2 preferably consist of particulate substances, either as dry matter and / or as an aqueous suspension. So that they dissolve easily and quickly using the method according to the invention, they should be smaller than 100 μm, preferably smaller than 10 μm. Typically, the particulate species of the suspension are 80% smaller than 1 μm.

Another essential feature of the method is that due to the reaction of macro component # 1 with macro component # 2, the average particle diameter of the respective educts drastically reduced. This is typically a matter of a few seconds. In a slow process, an agglomeration process starts at the same time, which after hours leads to the fact that agglomerates can often be recognized, even with the naked eye, which then settle on the bottom of the liquid for days. As a rule, the agglomeration process is followed by a recrystallization process in which the species involved, typically micronutrients, nutraceuticals or even pharmaceuticals, lose their bioavailability to a significant extent. For example, this applies to trace and ultra-trace elements such as iron, cobalt, silver, tungsten, gold, copper, and how many plant substances such as carotenoids.

As a rule, the inner vessel, which contains macro components # 1 and # 2, has the shape of a cylinder, so that the macro components are separated by a correspondingly round separating element. As an alternative to this, the components can also be present in two inner vessels which are connected to one another with a hose, a tube or the like.

The main vessel remains closed at all times during the mixing process. If the force is transferred to the first separating element via a screw cap, there are typically two complete sealing positions between the cap and the upper area of the bottle opening. In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the device according to the invention, an annular bulge, which is applied to the inner sealing cylinder, is located on at least one of the closure sealing positions. There is then a corresponding recess on the inside of the bottle stopper. When turning from one sealing position to the next, the sealing performance of the closure is temporarily reduced without the sealing effect being completely eliminated.

A PET bottle with a diameter on the bottle neck of between 25 and 50 mm, preferably approximately 38 mm, is typically used for applications in the beverage sector. In this way, compact dimensions of the inner vessels can be maintained.

The invention also provides an inner vessel for a device described above and / or for carrying out a method described above available, which has at least two chambers for receiving a macro component each, the chambers in the initial state being closed off from one another by a separating element and from the outside by a further separating element. The invention further provides for the use of the device described above as a beverage bottle, beverage can or drinking ampoule for food supplements and a balanced diet. In addition, the invention provides for the use of the inner vessel as an insert for a beverage bottle, beverage can or drinking ampoule for food supplements and a balanced diet.

The invention further enables the production of dispersions, in particular liquid-liquid dispersions, that is to say emulsions in which in particular a lipophilic substance is dispersed in an aqueous substance. For example, the lipophilic substance is in the form of oil droplets distributed in water or an aqueous solution of other substances. Depending on the temperature and chemical nature, the lipophilic substance can also be in solid form. Therefore, the term "particle" is used in the following to refer to both solid fat particles and liquid oil droplets.

Depending on the material characteristics of their ingredients, their interactions with one another and the particle size or particle size distribution of the lipophilic substance, such emulsions can initially be present with very small particles, for example with particles in the nanoscale range. However, such emulsions can be unstable for a long time, especially in the food sector, that is to say that the very small particles grow and / or agglomerate and / or coalesce immediately after production. This can start within a few minutes after production and can result in the lipophilic substance being present in such large particles that it is no longer bioavailable for the consumer of a corresponding emulsion. This problem arises with all such emulsions that are offered ready-made and therefore have a storage time behind them. With the aid of the method and / or the device, the invention provides a possibility of in-situ dispersion with an aqueous phase and at least one lipophilic particle distributed in this aqueous phase To produce substance. A macrocomponent comprises particles of a lipophilic substance which have a particle size distribution such that the lipophilic substance is in bioavailable form. A mixture of this starting dispersion provided as a macro component with other substances is then carried out, the lipophilic substance still being present in the finished mixture in bioavailable form. This enables the consumer to consume the lipophilic substance in a bioavailable form. At the same time, the entire preparation can also be stored for long periods, since the individual macro components are only brought into contact with one another immediately before consumption.

In order for the macro component containing the lipophilic substance to be sufficiently stable to substantially prevent growth of the particles during storage to such sizes that significantly reduce the bioavailability, the corresponding macro component is provided, for example, with an aqueous phase which is in a highly viscous form and / or is present as a gel. An acidic pH value can also be set.

In an advantageous development, the invention provides that the lipophilic substance comprises at least one omega-3 fatty acid. The lipophilic substance preferably comprises omega-3 fatty acids which are present at least 30 percent by volume as eicosapentaenoic acid EPA and / or docosahexaenoic acid DHA. The concentration of the omega-3 fatty acids is adjusted so that they are in the mixture of all macro components resulting from the last mixing step in a concentration in the range between 5 milligrams per liter and 500 milligrams per liter, preferably between 10 milligrams per liter and 300 Milligrams per liter, particularly preferably between 30 milligrams per liter and 200 milligrams per liter. Additionally or alternatively, the lipophilic substance can comprise at least one lipophilic vitamin, in particular from the group of carotenoids, in particular beta-carotene and / or xeaxanthin and / or lycopene and / or lutein. In a further preferred embodiment, the lipophilic substance comprises at least one lipophilic amino acid, in particular chrysin, and / or at least one polyphenol, in particular Reservatroi. The invention thus creates a dispersion with an aqueous phase and particles present in this aqueous phase distributed at least one lipophilic substance, producible or produced by using the method according to the invention or with the aid of the device according to the invention. The dispersion has an aqueous phase and at least one lipophilic substance has particles present in this aqueous phase, the dispersion being producible or produced by a process described above and wherein as a macro component an aqueous dispersion of at least one lipophilic substance and as a further macro component an aqueous one Substance is presented.

A particular advantage of the invention is that a very high amount of mechanically introduced dispersing energy can be converted into the corresponding oil droplets in the viscous matrix and these can then also be stored nanoscale. The viscosity of the corresponding macro components is typically between 1,000 and 100,000 mPa s and preferably between 5,000 and 50,000 mPa s. The nano droplets generated and stored here can also be largely converted into the dispersion with the third macro component via activation. It is unique here that oil-in-water dispersions can be produced in which at least 5 vol% in a concentration range of the oil between 10 and 1000 mg / l, or at least 10 vol. In a concentration range between 50 and 500 mg / l % of the oil can be produced in nanodroplets smaller than 100 nm, essentially without having to be stabilized by additional emulators.

The invention can advantageously also be used for particles of lipophilic substances which are at least 50% by volume in droplets with an average diameter, for example the volume density distribution, in particular with a Sauter diameter, of less than 1 micrometer. In a preferred development of the invention, these particles of the lipophilic substance with an average starting diameter of less than 500 nanometers have a growth rate of more than 100% by weight per hour. The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying figures using exemplary embodiments. The same components are provided with the same reference symbols in the figures. 1 shows a schematic sectional side view of the device according to the invention in a first embodiment in a section in the initial state,

Figure 2

Section A is a schematic representation of the closure of a first embodiment in a view from below, section B is a schematic representation of the fixing element, section e is a schematic representation of the

Pressure transfer elements with fixing rod,

Section D is a schematic representation of the second

Separating element in supervision

Figure 3 is a schematic side sectional view of the device according to the invention in a first embodiment in section in half open or half activated

Status,

FIG. 4 shows a schematic sectional side view of the device according to the invention in a first embodiment in section in the open state,

Figure 5 is a schematic side sectional view of the closure in a first embodiment in section, Figure 6 is a schematic side sectional view of the device according to the invention in a second embodiment in section in the initial state, and

Figure 7 is a schematic side sectional view of the device according to the invention in a third embodiment in section in the initial state (A), in the half-open or activated state (B) shortly after activation / opening, in half open or activated state with mixed macro components (C), in open state (D).

Embodiments

example 1

Figure 1 shows the device according to the invention in "zero position", in which the device can be stored for a long time. The device has an inner vessel 130 with two chambers 100, 200 for receiving the macro components. The macro components # 1 (8) and # 2 (10) are separated from each other by means of the closed separating elements 9 and 12 in the inner vessel and from the macro components # 3 - the contents of the bottle. An important part of the inner vessel is the flexible cover, through which the force is transmitted to the first separation unit (FIG. 3), but which is also sufficiently stable to accommodate the pressure increase that occurs during the mixing of macro components # 1 and # 2 results in giving less than the second separator does.

The inner vessel, which is essentially delimited by the elements 6, 11 and 12, is fixed in the interior of the bottle 13 via the fixing rods. This fixation is also a prerequisite so that the pressure transmission element 3, together with the push pin 7, can transmit a force to the first separating element. So that this force, which is originally introduced into the system via the rotary movement at the closure 14, is largely transferred to the first separating element, the interaction of the guide spiral with the fixing disk is required, as a result of which the upper end of the pressure-transmitting element in a kind of lever movement Direction is pushed onto the first separating element.

Figure 2: Section A shows the view from below through the closure. The guide spiral 5, which is a component of the closure, is shaped in such a way that it pushes the pressure transmission element 3 towards the center and downwards. The force exerted on the pressure transmission element 3 is converted into a directional movement via the fixing rail 15 (see section B). In the case shown, the closure is closed. Section B: Through the Perforation of the fixing element 25, the outflow behavior of the liquid is homogenized. Section C shows that the fixing rods 26 (the rear one has been omitted for clarity in the other pictures) do not substantially interfere with the outflow behavior. Section D shows the second separating element 12 with an indentation 27 along which the opening process takes place, the inner segment 37 being pressed down with respect to the image plane.

FIG. 3 shows the device half-opened or activated, the macro components # 1 and # 2 having already mixed with one another to form a dispersion 180, in the logical second before in the cell which is delimited by the elements 6, 11 and 12, the 2nd separating element bursts.

Figure 4 shows the inner vessel completely open. The dispersion of macrocomponents # 1 and # 2 is poured into the liquid in the skin vessel, which is not shown here for the sake of clarity.

FIG. 5 shows details of the closure: a second sealing position is implemented via the sealing ring 41 attached to the inner sealing cylinder 4, which cooperates with a corresponding groove on the inside of the bottle neck, in which the activation is usually carried out.

Example 2

Figure 6 shows a second embodiment of the device according to the invention. The device comprises an inner vessel with two chambers 100, 200 for receiving one macro component each. Via the axially fixed pressure transmission elements 30, the first separating element 39 is pressed or pried open by compressing them along the arrows. The corresponding plastic tab fixes the pressure transmission elements 30 via corresponding bulges or indentations at the contact areas 29 provided. Example 3

FIG. 7 illustrates a further embodiment of the invention, which realizes a pneumatic opening mechanism. The inner vessel 1300 is in the shown example designed as a double chamber cartridge. It comprises two chambers 100, 200. The chamber 100 is closed off from the chamber 200 by a separating element 49 designed as a seal. In the initial state shown in FIG. A, the inner vessel 1300 is closed off from the outside by a further separating element 59 designed as a seal, that is to say in particular with respect to the interior of a main vessel (not shown). A first macro component 8 is presented in chamber 100. A second macro component 10 is placed in chamber 200. A gas space 60 is located above the macro components.

In the initial state shown in Figure A, a main vessel, for example a bottle, with a built-in inner vessel 1300, which is filled with macro components, can be stored. The main vessel is under a pressure, which is referred to here as the external pressure, which corresponds to the pressure in the gas volume 60 in the chambers 100, 200, which is referred to here as the internal pressure. In order to pressurize the contents of the main vessel, that is to say to prestress it, nitrogen and / or oxygen can advantageously be used. In principle, the use of other gases, such as carbon dioxide, is also within the scope of the invention, but in some applications this may be less advantageous if carbon dioxide would cause the drink to bubble so strongly that this bubbling would no longer be acceptable to the consumer.

When the main vessel is opened, the external pressure drops, so that the gas volume 60 expands due to the relatively increased internal pressure.

As a result of this expansion, the seal 49 is opened and the

Macro components start to mix (Figure B). The open

Seal 49 forms a connection 300 between the chambers 100 and

200 of the inner vessel. The main vessel is preferably closed again at the latest now.

The macro components are now in contact with each other. The main vessel can now be shaken for further or faster mixing of the macro components. Mixing the macro components 8, 10 produces CO2 as a result of an acid-base reaction. As a result, the volume of the gas space 60 continues to increase (Figure C) until the second seal 59 is finally broken (Figure D). After this Breaking through the second separating element 59, the mixture 180 from the macrocomponents 8, 10 into the surrounding liquid - not shown - which is placed in the main vessel, is poured out or pressed. The distribution of the mixture 180 can be supported by further shaking.

The double chamber cartridge 1300 is preferably fixed in the correct position in relation to the main vessel using an expansion dowel. In particular, the double chamber cartridge is positioned inside the main vessel.

Example 4

A dispersion is used as the first macrocomponent, which comprises an acidic organic gel in which fats or oils are dispersed. The gel comprises in particular at least one fruit acid, in particular citric acid and / or malic acid and / or tartaric acid.

This dispersion was preferably carried out in such a way that the fat particles or oil drops have average diameters in the nanoscale range. The effects of the high viscosity and the low pH value stabilize these dispersions very well. As another

A clearly basic liquid and / or paste and / or a clearly basic powder is presented to the macro component. Upon contact of the first, acidic, viscous macro component with the second, basic macro component, the viscous structure of the first breaks

Macro component together. In particular, this breakdown occurs very quickly as a result of the chemical conversion of the viscous fruit acid into the non-viscous acid anions. This in turn leads to the fact that it is in the mixture of the two

Macro components, dispersed fat particles or oil droplets remain dispersed in an optimal way for a sufficiently long time. The final mixture with the outer beverage liquid then includes this again Oil-in-water dispersion, which then remains stable for a sufficiently long time in relation to its consumption so that it is accepted by the user

It is apparent to the person skilled in the art that the invention is not restricted to the exemplary embodiments described above, but rather can be varied in many different ways. For example, the inner vessel can also have more than two chambers and correspondingly more separating elements. In particular, the features of the individual exemplary embodiments can also be combined with one another.

Reference list

Figure 1

1: holding rod for inner vessel

2: Fixing disc and spout homogenizer

3: Print forwarding element

4: Sealing cylinder in the lock

5: Guiding spiral

6: flexible end cover

7: push pin

8: Macro component # 1

9: first separating element (closed)

10: Macro component # 2

11: Wall of the inner vessel

12: second separating element (closed)

13: main vessel (bottle)

130: inner vessel

14: twist lock Figure 2

Section A

140: Sealing cylinder of the screw cap 5: Spiral with guide groove

34: side closure wall

Section B

15: fixing rail of the fixing disc

25: Edging of the fixing washer

3: Print transfer element Section C

3: Print transfer element

26: Bracing brace for fixing the inner vessel Section D

17: contact surface between inner vessel and separating element

27: opening groove

37: Inner segment that is pressed open when opened Figure 5

5: Spiral of the screw cap in the profile

4: inner sealing cylinder with attached density increase

41: density increase of the inner sealing cylinder 4

14: side wall twist lock

48: thread closure

58: Threaded bottle neck

Figure 6

30: Laterally spread pressure transfer elements

29: Contact areas to the flexible wall of a plastic bottle 39: First separating element that pops out on lateral pressure

Figure 7

59: second separating element, designed as a seal

10: Macro component # 2

49: first separating element, designed as a sigle

8: Macro component # 1

60: gas volume

100, 200: chambers

1300: inner vessel, designed as a double chamber cartridge

180: Dispersion or mixture of macro components # 1, # 2

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1. A method for the sequential dispersion of macro components, for the implementation of which a vessel (130, 1300) is provided which has at least two chambers (100, 200) for receiving one each

Macro component (8, 10), the macro components in the chambers in the initial state being closed off from one another by a separating element (9, 39, 59) and by a further separating element (12, 59), comprising the following steps:

a) opening a first separating element (9, 39, 59) using a mechanical force,

b) contacting or mixing the two macrocomponents (8, 10), which were in contact with the first separating element (9, 39, 59) in the initial state, releasing a gas which forms a mixture or

Degree of dispersion leads to a corresponding increase in pressure which causes a second separating element to burst,

c) contacting or mixing the mixture (180) of the macro components (8, 10) from step b) with at least one third macro component.

2. The method of claim 1 comprising step

3. A method for the sequential dispersion of macro components, in particular according to claim 1 or 2, comprising the following steps:

a) opening a first separating element using a mechanical force,

i) this force passing through at least two essentially closed vessels,

b) contacting or mixing the two macrocomponents # 1 and # 2, which are in contact with the first separating element, with the liberation of a gas,

i) which leads to a pressure increase corresponding to the degree of mixing or dispersion and causes a second separating element to burst at a defined threshold value, ii) whereby the mixture of macro components # 1 and # 2 is brought into contact with or mixed with at least a third macro component.

4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the third macro component is an aqueous liquid in the main vessel.

5. The method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least 4 macro components are brought together.

6. The method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one inner vessel comprises a third macro component and a third separating element.

7. The method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a 3rd or 4th macro component is an aqueous, oxygen-enriched liquid in the main vessel.

8. The method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the dispersions produced are real or colloidal solutions.

9. The method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least 30%, preferably at least 50% of all colloidally dissolved particles are smaller than 100 nm.

10. The method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the dispersed species in a period of

Agglomerate to a substantial extent from 15 minutes to 50 days.

1 1. The method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a third macro component contains basic or acid coagulable proteins as a micro component.

12. The method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the third separating element is opened consecutively to the second separating element.

13. The method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mechanical force is introduced via a rotary movement and / or pressing on the closure of the main vessel.

14. The method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mechanical force is introduced by pressing together a bottle wall or bottle base made of flexible material.

15. The method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one macro component or its aqueous solution is acidic and at least one macro component or its aqueous solution is basic.

16. The method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gas is essentially carbon dioxide.

17. Device for the sequential production of dispersions according to process claims 1 to 16, with a main vessel and at least one inner vessel (130, 1300),

which comprises at least two chambers (100, 200) for receiving at least two macro components (8, 10) present separately from one another in the inner vessel,

wherein the wall of the chambers is at least partially formed by a separating element (9, 39, 49, 12, 59), and

the separating elements are dimensioned so that a first

Separating element (9, 39, 49), which in the filled state of the inner vessel in the initial state separates the macrocomponents (8, 10) presented in the chambers (100, 200) from one another, is opened under the action of an external force, so that an open connection (300) is created between the chambers while a second separator

(12, 59), which in the incompletely opened state of the inner Vessel at least one chamber of the inner vessel from the outside to the main vessel to the outside, still remains closed.

18. The apparatus according to claim 17, characterized in that the second separating element is designed such that it is only opened by the action of an increased pressure, which after a rise in pressure due to the reaction of the macro components with each other

The first separating element is opened.

19. Device according to one of claims 17 to 18, characterized in that the inner vessel is substantially cylindrical in shape along a main axis and / or is a film tube, the at least two chambers being arranged in series with one another along this main axis.

20. Device according to one of claims 17 to 19, characterized in that the separating elements are designed as a seal.

21. Device according to one of claims 17 to 20, characterized in that at least one separating element comprises at least one preferred opening segment.

22. Device according to one of claims 17 to 21, characterized in that the inner vessel has a holding device in order to fix the inner vessel in the main vessel.

23. The device according to claim 22, characterized in that the holding device comprises an expansion plug.

24. Device according to one of claims 17 to 23, characterized in that the first separating element, which separates the macro components # 1 and # 2 in the filled state of the vessel, with a flexible and / or movable area of the inner surface of the main vessel directly or indirectly is contacted.

25. The device, in particular according to claim 24, for the sequential preparation of dispersions according to the process claims 1-16, thereby characterized in that at least one inner vessel is contained in a main vessel, the latter

c) contains at least two macro components, a macro component # 1 and a macro component # 2 and

d) at least two separating elements, each with preferred ones

Includes opening segments,

i) wherein the first separating element, which separates the macro components # 1 and # 2, is directly or indirectly contacted with a flexible and / or movable area of the inner surface of the main vessel and

ii) where macro components # 1 and # 2 together represent an acid-base system that releases carbon dioxide on contact.

26. Device according to one of claims 17 to 25, characterized in that the at least one inner vessel is fixed.

27. Device according to one of claims 17 to 26, characterized in that an aqueous liquid is placed in the main vessel.

28. The device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the indirect contact takes place via a pressure transmission element.

29. The device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second separating element separates the macro components # 2 from the aqueous liquid and / or from a further macro component.

30. The device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner main vessel comprises three separating elements, the opening pressure of the second separating element being greater than that of the third separating element.

31. The device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an oxygen-enriched aqueous liquid is contained in the main vessel.

32. Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bottle stopper is part of the main vessel.

33. Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bottle closure on its side facing the bottle interior contains a spiral element which is raised either towards the center or towards the edge.

34. Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first separating element is opened via the rotation of the guide spiral with the closure and a force transmission through the pressure transmission element.

35. Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that comprises a fixing disk, which channels the force exerted by the spiral element on the bottle stopper on the pressure transmission element into a rectilinear and downward movement.

36. Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pressure increase in at least one segment of the inner vessel due to the release of CO2 is in the range between 0.1 and 30 bar, preferably between 0.5 and 5 bar.

37. Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the volume of the main vessel is between 20 ml and 3 l, preferably between 50 ml and 1.5 l, particularly preferably between 100 ml and 1 l.

38. Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one separating element is a rupture disk.

39. Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the volume of the at least one inner vessel between 3 and 100 ml, preferably between 10 and 50 ml or that the volume of the at least one inner vessel is between 0.5 and 100 ml, preferably between 2 and 50 ml.

40. Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holder device of the inner vessel is fixed via a corresponding bulge in the region of the bottle neck.

41. Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the main vessel is a bottle or a can.

42. Inner vessel for a device according to one of claims 17 to 41 and / or for carrying out a method according to one of claims 1 to 16, which has at least two chambers for receiving a macro component each, the chambers in the initial state by a separating element from each other and are closed to the outside by a further separating element.

43. Use of the device according to one of claims 17 to 41 as a beverage bottle, beverage can or drinking ampoule for

Dietary Supplements and Complementary Diet.

44. Use of the inner vessel according to claim 42 as an insert for a beverage bottle, beverage can or drinking ampoule for food supplements and a supplementary balanced diet.

45. Use of the method according to one of claims 1 to 16 for the in-situ production of a dispersion with an aqueous phase and particles present in this aqueous phase and distributed at least one lipophilic substance.

46. Use according to claim 45, characterized in that the lipophilic substance comprises omega-3 fatty acids.

47. Use according to one of claims 45 or 46, characterized in that the lipophilic substance comprises at least one lipophilic vitamin, in particular from the group of carotenoids, in particular beta-carotene and / or xeaxanthin and / or lycopene and / or lutein.

48. Use according to one of claims 45 to 47, characterized in that the lipophilic substance at least one lipophilic

Amino acid, especially chrysin.

49. Use according to one of claims 45 to 48, characterized in that the lipophilic substance comprises at least one polyphenol, in particular Reservatrol.

50. Dispersion with an aqueous phase and particles present in this aqueous phase distributed at least one lipophilic substance, producible or produced by use according to one of claims 45 to 49.

51. Dispersion with an aqueous phase and particles present in this aqueous phase distributed at least one lipophilic substance, producible or produced by a process according to one of claims 1 to 16, wherein as a macro component an aqueous

Dispersion of at least one lipophilic substance and an aqueous substance is presented as a further macro component.

52. Dispersion according to claim 50 or 51, characterized by a concentration of the omega-3 fatty acids between 10 and 1000

Milligrams per liter, preferably between 50 and 500 milligrams per liter.

53. Dispersion according to one of claims 50 to 52, characterized in that the particles have a particle size below 500 nanometers

Have growth rate of more than 100 wt .-% per hour.