WO2017036601A1 - Capsule for preparing a drink - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a capsule for a drink preparation system, the capsule containing a capsule content which comprises one or more plant-based products selected independently of one another from the group consisting of fruit products and vegetable products, at least one plant-based product differing from sugar and sugar derivatives and not being obtainable from the seeds of a coffee or cocoa plant, and said capsule content not containing seasonings.

Description

 "Capsule for making a drink"

The present invention relates to the field of capsules for beverage makers. The capsules according to the invention contain fruit products (fruit products) and / or vegetable products and optionally micronutrients, macronutrients, dietetic foods and / or dietary supplements. With such capsules, health-preserving and / or health-promoting effects (for example, for prevention) can be achieved. Moreover, the present invention relates to a method of making a beverage and related uses.

Health-preserving or -promoting preparations are widely used in the marketplace. While a healthy and balanced diet is generally recommended for maintaining and promoting good health, certain situations can occur in which targeted supplementation of the diet makes sense. This applies, for example, to pregnancy, lactation, older age, stress or certain illnesses. In addition, an unbalanced diet is also possible in which not all substances required for the body, e.g. Vitamins, provided to a sufficient degree, compensate, at least to some extent, by supplying additional nutrients or supplements. Thus, deficiency symptoms or diseases can be avoided. This may be particularly important for a diet chosen voluntarily or for health reasons.

CONFIRMATION COPY Prior art formulations are often available in the form of nutritional supplements or dietetic foods. Herbal products, such as pomegranate or various berries, are also widespread.

Dietary supplements are foodstuffs according to EU Directive 2002/46 / EC and are defined as "foods intended to supplement normal diets consisting of single or multiple concentrates of nutrients or other substances having a nutritional or physiological effect and marketed in metered form, ie in the form of, for example, capsules, lozenges, tablets, pills and other similar dosage forms, powder pouches, liquid ampoules, drop dispensing bottles and similar dosage forms of liquids and powders for uptake in measured small quantities ". Among the highlighted "nutrients" the guideline understands vitamins and minerals.

Dietetic foods are defined by the German Diet Ordinance as foods intended for a particular diet, which is the case if they meet the particular nutritional requirements of certain consumer groups (disturbance of digestion, absorption or metabolism, well-being in particular physiological circumstances, healthy babies or Infants), are suitable for the specified nutritional purpose and are marketed with reference thereto and that they differ significantly from the foods of general consumption because of their special composition or specific manufacturing process.

The preparations of the prior art are regularly in the form of tablets or similar dosage forms (such as dragées) or as a powder. A disadvantage of the tablets and similar forms of administration is that especially young, very old or poorly disabled people have difficulties with oral intake. In addition, the swallowing of tablets is often simply perceived as unpleasant or cumbersome. In addition, tablets may not develop a pleasant flavor impression of the ingredients. Powders are disadvantageous in that they are cumbersome to handle (measuring with loose powders or opening and refilling a pre-portioned powder, dissolving in liquid, which is often tedious and / or requires stirring) and often dissolve only incomplete. For solid dosage forms, there is also a risk of swallowing. Associated with the inconveniences described above, the intake of the ingredients is often postponed or displaced, although just a regular intake is a prerequisite for the health effects of the ingredients. From a medical point of view, the mutual interaction of body and psyche is undisputed. It is therefore disadvantageous that the dosage forms in use today are reminiscent of medicaments and, since medicaments are generally associated with illness and malaise, often cause negative associations when ingested, although preparations with a health effect are taken predominantly for prevention and health maintenance.

The foregoing statements, as well as any description of exemplary embodiments contained herein, do not disclose particular embodiments or features.

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a dosage form for a preparation with which one or more of the disadvantages of the prior art can be overcome.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, the object is achieved by a capsule for a beverage maker, the capsule containing a capsule contents comprising one or more plant products, which are independently selected from the group consisting of fruit products (fruit products) and vegetable products, being at least one vegetable product of sugar and

Sugar derivatives is different and is not obtainable from the seeds of a coffee or cocoa plant, and wherein the capsule contents are free from edible spices.

By "beverage maker" is meant an automated or manually operable device designed to make a beverage in conjunction with a capsule suitable therefor. Examples of beverage makers are commercially available coffee capsule machines, such as those offered for example under the brands Nescafe Dolce Gusto or Nespresso. In one embodiment of the present invention, the capsule according to the invention is compatible with such a coffee capsule machine.

"Capsule" in the context of the present invention refers to a container for holding a capsule contents. Preferably, the capsule is airtight and / or waterproof. The wall of the capsule is preferably designed in several parts, in particular in two parts, as a cup-shaped part and a lid-shaped part. The cup-shaped part preferably has a curved surface in partial areas. The wall of the capsule is preferably partially or completely made of metal (preferably aluminum) and / or plastic. Preferably, the capsule is rotationally symmetrical and has, for example, substantially the shape of a spherical segment or a truncated cone. Preferably, a thickness of the wall is predominantly or completely in the range of 0.1 mm to 2 mm. A preferred Capsule is designed (in particular with regard to material, thickness and shape of the wall) that it does not deform substantially when gripping with the hands and when loading the beverage maker. Preferably, the internal volume of the capsule is from 1 to 75 ml, preferably from 5 to 50 ml. A preferred capsule is described in the copending co-pending patent application of the same Applicant entitled

"Capsule for production of a liquid food, method for producing a capsule for production of a liquid food, use of a capsule for production of a liquid food, system of capsule and device and device for producing a liquid food" described.

A "vegetable product" is obtainable from vegetable starting products, preferably with their further processing. "Fruit product" means a vegetable product which is obtainable from parts of fruit or whole fruits and "vegetable product" a vegetable product consisting of parts of

Vegetables or whole vegetables is obtainable. In both cases, the parts are preferably selected from shell, pulp, seeds and seeds.

Vegetable products which are "recoverable from the seeds of a coffee or cocoa plant" are preferably coffee, in particular ground roasted coffee, soluble coffee and coffee extract, for example freeze-dried and cocoa, in particular ready-to-eat cocoa powder (eg weakly deoiled or highly deoiled), soluble cocoa and Cocoa extract, for example freeze-dried. It is preferred that none of the vegetable products of the capsule contents be obtainable from the seeds of a coffee or cocoa plant.

A preferred vegetable product is not obtainable from the seeds or only from the seeds of the plant, as other ingredients such as peel or pulp are generally richer in health-maintaining or health-promoting ingredients.

"Sugar" refers to mono- and / or disaccharides, preferably sucrose. "Sugar derivatives" are substances that are obtainable by further processing of sugar, in particular caramel.

"Speisewürze" is a product of protein-containing raw materials (mostly vegetable), which have been split into peptides and amino acids. Commercial concentrates for broth usually contain edible spices and, in addition, salt, fat, spices and optionally flavor enhancers. Preferably, the capsule contents are free of such broth concentrates. It is beneficial if the vegetable product is not in

Form of a broth or soup is present, but by gentler processing the valuable ingredients can be better preserved. In the context of the present invention, "free from seasoning" preferably means that the capsule content does not contain any added seasoning, but this term may also mean that the capsule content contains only small amounts of added seasoning, for example at most 5%, preferably at most 3%, 2 %, 1%, 0.5%, 0.2%, 0.1%, 0.05% or 0.02%, and most preferably at most 0.01%.

The capsule according to the invention allows the preparation of a beverage containing valuable ingredients of plant products. For one thing, herbal products are naturally rich in vitamins. On the other hand, phytochemicals which can be used for example for lowering blood pressure, preventing thrombosis, promoting digestion, inhibiting inflammation, lowering cholesterol, inhibiting carcinogenesis or as an antioxidant, including phenolic compounds (eg polyphenols such as flavonoids, especially anthocyanins, xanthones) , Phenols, phenylpropanoids, stilbenes and their derivatives), isoprenoids (eg carotenoids such as beta-carotene, lutein and lycopene, phytosterols such as phytoestrogens, terpenes), polysaccharides and certain non-proteinogenic amino acids (eg alliin). Preferably, at least one of the herbal products is suitable for contributing to a health-sustaining or health-promoting diet.

Herbal products may have better bioavailability of their ingredients than synthetically produced compounds, or due to the complex mixtures their ingredients may produce synergistic effects over individual synthetically manufactured ingredients.

A beverage produced using the capsule according to the invention can also be drunk without difficulty by young, very old or persons with impaired health. This is particularly advantageous compared to tablets and similar forms of administration, since it is precisely these people who often have a special need for health-promoting or health-promoting substances. In general, this also falls away from these groups of people often as unpleasant or cumbersome swallowing of tablets away. In the beverage, the generally pleasant taste of fruit products and vegetable products can develop well, so that there is a greater willingness to receive such a preparation, especially for regular recording.

The handling of the capsule according to the invention is simple, since both a measurement of a loose powder as well as the opening and decanting of a pre-portioned powder deleted. In addition, eliminating the manual dissolution of a powder in liquid (such as water) and it must be especially not stirred. As the commercial Beverage makers process the liquid (usually water) with pressure (processing the liquid with pressure is preferred in the present invention), a faster and more complete dissolution of the capsule contents can be achieved than in a dissolution without pressure. Thus, for example, the common problem is avoided, even after a longer dissolution time and possibly longer

Stirring still undissolved constituents are present.

The use of the capsule according to the invention makes it possible to exploit the mutually stimulating effect of the body and psyche, in that by taking a preparation with a health-preserving and / or health-promoting effect, positive sensory perceptions and feelings can be combined, and thus the effect as a whole can be improved.

The present invention also allows hygiene benefits. The contents of the capsule do not come into contact with the hands. This is contrary to

Tablets that must be touched with the hands before swallowing by the same person or another person, as well as with the powders which often inadvertently come into contact with the hands during preparation. Thus, a hygienic use is possible in hospitals, fitness clubs or hotels.

Preferably, the capsule according to the invention is intended to cooperate with a beverage maker, which is provided with a filter system. This can filter the liquid (such as water) before processing with the ingredients of the capsule and ensure that it is optimal even when working with the liquid

Hygiene standards can be achieved.

Since the amount of water used in a beverage maker is precisely definable, the present invention also allows to make beverages whose ingredients are present in a predefined concentration. This may be important for isotonic drinks, but also generally, so that the taste impression is neither too strong nor too weak. In this case, the beverage maker can be designed so that he can adjust the amount of water to be used flexible. Thus, the beverage maker can prepare drinks from capsules with different ingredients. It is possible that the beverage maker has a choice, for example, different keys, with which the (then defined) amount of water can be selected. Likewise, features, for example imprints, patterns, surface textures, projections, RFID chips or the like may be provided on the capsule, which the beverage maker recognizes and selects the (then defined) amount of water on the basis of this information, for example in a look-up

Read the table in a non-volatile memory. But it is also conceivable that the Amount of water comparable to a faucet, is completely freely selectable, for example, a button of the water inlet into the capsule started and then can be stopped by the user freely certain time again. This makes it possible to accommodate different user preferences about the consistency of the beverage to be made.

A capsule makes it possible to use a wider range of possible ingredients than, say, a tablet or a powder. In the last-mentioned administration forms, ingredients in certain forms or consistencies can not be used at all because of the requirements of the preparation (such as liquid, syrupy, semi-solid or as puree). Such a limitation may circumvent the use of the capsule according to the invention.

A capsule is also advantageous in that valuable ingredients of the capsule contents can be protected from oxidation, degradation or other spoilage due to air seal and / or sunscreen. Stability of the capsule also allows mechanical protection of the capsule contents.

Preferably, at least one of the vegetable products is one of the following:

(a) a fruit juice concentrate (fruit juice concentrate),

 (b) a vegetable juice concentrate,

 (c) a fruit powder (fruit powder),

 (d) a vegetable powder,

 (e) a fruit extract (fruit extract),

 (f) a vegetable extract,

 (g) a fruit puree concentrate (fruit puree concentrate),

 (h) a vegetable puree concentrate,

(0 a fruit pulp concentrate (fruit pulp concentrate) or

 (j) a vegetable pulp concentrate.

Fruit juice concentrates may be syrups, for example. Puree concentrates are sometimes known as "smoothie". In a preferred capsule, at least one of the vegetable products satisfies one or more of the following characteristics:

(a) the fruit juice concentrate or vegetable juice concentrate is liquid, nectar-like, syrupy, honey-like, firm or semi-solid,

(b) the fruit juice concentrate is made from one or more types of fruit, (c) the vegetable juice concentrate is made from one or more vegetable varieties,

 (d) the fruit powder or vegetable powder is freeze-dried,

 (e) the fruit powder is made from one or more types of fruit,

(f) the vegetable powder is made from one or more vegetables,

(g) the fruit extract is made from one or more types of fruit,

(h) the vegetable extract is made from one or more vegetables,

(i) the fruit puree concentrate is made from one or more types of fruit,

 (j) the vegetable puree concentrate is made from one or more vegetable varieties,

 (k) the fruit pulp concentrate is made from one or more types of fruit, or

 (I) The vegetable pulp concentrate is made from one or more vegetable varieties.

Preferred herbal products are from organic or organic farming. The fruit products and vegetable products can be used as a pure variety or as mixtures. In addition to being made from several types of fruit (e.g., multi-fruit products) or a multi-vegetable variety, it is also possible to mix one or more fruit products with one or more vegetable products. Thus, for example, fruit juice concentrates can be mixed with one another, vegetable juice concentrates can be mixed with one another, or fruit juice concentrates can also be mixed with vegetable juice concentrates. The same applies to the powders, extracts, puree concentrates and pulp concentrates. Preferred fruit powders are freeze-dried.

Preferred fruit products and preferred vegetable products are rich in valuable ingredients, as set forth below. For example, citrus fruits are particularly rich in flavonoids, and red grapes are especially rich in polyphenols such as anthocyanins. Anthocyanins are also found in blueberries, blackcurrants, blackberries and elderberries. In the case of vegetables, aubergine peel and red cabbage should be emphasized, for example, with regard to anthocyanins. Also preferred is carrot, not least because of its high content of carotenoids. The corresponding fruit products and vegetable products are preferably made to accumulate valuable ingredients therein, such as extracts.

In a capsule particularly preferred according to the invention, the capsule content further comprises one or more additional ingredients independently selected from the group consisting of micronutrients, macronutrients, prebiotics, dietetic foods and nutritional supplements. This allows to provide an even higher concentration or targeted selection of health-sustaining or health-promoting ingredients. Preferably, at least one of the additional ingredients is suitable for contributing to a health-maintaining or health-promoting diet.

In the present case, "micronutrients" (sometimes also referred to as vital substances) are substances that an organism (in particular the human) must absorb without being important for the supply of energy. This is in contrast to the "macronutrients".

Preferably, the mass ratio of the additional ingredients to the vegetable products is 10: 1 to 1:10, 8: 1 to 1: 8, 6: 1 to 1: 6, 4: 1 to 1: 4, 3: 1 to 1: 3 , 2: 1 to 1: 2 or 1: 1.

A preferred minimum content of additional ingredients is 10 wt%, preferably 20 wt%, 30 wt%, 40 wt%, 50 wt%, and most preferably 60 wt% of the capsule contents.

The above information on the mass ratio of the additional ingredients to the vegetable products and the minimum content of the additional ingredients includes both (higher) values, which are more likely to be used when vegetable products are used to a lesser extent (eg powder) as well as (lower) values, which are more likely to be used when plant products are used to a greater extent (eg concentrates).

Preferably, at least one of the additional ingredients meets one or more of the following characteristics:

(a) the micronutrients are selected from the group consisting of vitamins, vitaminoids, minerals, trace elements, antioxidants and phytochemicals;

 (b) the micronutrients include water-soluble and / or fat-soluble

 Micronutrients

 (c) the macronutrients include proteins, proteinogenic amino acids, fats,

 Fatty acids and / or carbohydrates,

 (d) the dietary supplements are high calorie dietary supplements,

 (e) the dietary supplements are balanced dietary supplements,

(f) the additional ingredients are liquid, nectar-like, syrupy, honey-like, solid, semi-solid, powdered, granules, a soluble tablet or an effervescent tablet. The additional ingredients may be particularly suitable for prevention and deficiency symptoms (in any indications). They can be present, for example, in a ready-made compilation or in an individual compilation (eg based on a personal metabolic analysis).

Preferred vitamins are vitamin A, vitamin B (such as vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B6 or vitamin B12), vitamin C, vitamin D (such as vitamin D3), vitamin E, biotin, niacin or nicotinamide, pantothenic acid and folic acid.

Preferably, the vitamins are present in the following amounts:

- Vitamin A: 0.3 mg to 1 mg,

 - Vitamin B1: 1 mg to 25 mg,

 - Vitamin B2: 1 mg to 25 mg,

 Vitamin B6: 1 mg to 25 mg,

 - Vitamin B12: 1 g to 100 g,

 - Vitamin C: 100 mg to 1500 mg,

 Vitamin D3: 1 pg to 20 mg,

 - Vitamin E: 50 mg to 400 mg,

 - Biotin: 50 mg to 250 mg,

 Nicotinamide: 5 mg to 75 mg,

 Pantothenic acid: 5 mg to 50 mg, and / or

 - Folic acid: 0.1 mg to 2 mg.

Preferred vitaminoids are coenzyme Q10 (preferably in the range of 5 mg to 100 mg), L-carnitine (preferably in the range of 50 mg to 500 mg), inositol (preferably in the range of 50 mg to 300 mg) and choline.

Preferred minerals are magnesium (preferably in the range of 100 mg to 400 mg), calcium (preferably in the range of 200 mg to 600 mg), and potassium. Magnesium is preferably present as magnesium citrate.

Preferred trace elements are zinc (preferably in the range of 2 mg to 50 mg), selenium (preferably in the range of 10 M9 to 300 M9). loci. Fluoride, iron, copper (preferably in the range of 0.1 mg to 2.5 mg), molybdenum (preferably in the range of 10 M9 to 200 mg), manganese (preferably in the range of 0.5 mg to 5 mg), chromium and cobalt. Zinc is preferably present as zinc gluconate, iron preferably as iron gluconate, copper preferably as copper gluconate and chromium preferably as chromium (III) salts such as chromium (III) chloride. Selenium is preferably used as sodium selenite and molybdenum is preferably sodium molybdate. Amounts of ionic substances do not include the respective counterion. For example, a quantity for a metal is to be understood only with reference to the metal ion; such a quantity does not take into account the anion.

Preferred anions are citrate and gluconate.

Preferred phytochemicals are phenolic compounds (eg, polyphenols (preferably in the range of 2 mg to 500 mg) such as flavonoids, especially anthocyanins, xanthones, phenols, phenylpropanoids, stilbenes and their derivatives), isoprenoids (eg carotenoids such as beta-carotene, lutein and lycopene (preferably in the range of 2 mg to 25 mg), phytosterols such as phytoestrogens, terpenes), polysaccharides and certain non-proteinogenic amino acids (eg alliin).

A preferred proteinogenic amino acid is L-arginine.

Preferred fats are rapeseed oil, sunflower oil, olive oil, linseed oil, flax oil, hemp oil, cranberry seed oil, amaranth seed oil, thistle oil, soybean oil, borage oil, evening primrose oil, chia oil, hibiscus oil, fish oils, marine oils and algae oils.

Preferred fatty acids are omega-3 fatty acids (preferably in the range of 0.1 g to 2 g), in particular docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid.

Preferably, a spatial separation is provided between the vegetable products and the additional ingredients. This makes it possible to provide also those herbal products and additional ingredients in combination which would affect unfavorably upon storage in direct contact, such as in the form that a vegetable product would damage an additional ingredient and / or vice versa.

A spatial separation is preferably in the form that the capsule comprises a chamber for the vegetable products and a chamber for the additional ingredients.

A preferred capsule has two or more chambers. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the capsule has exactly two chambers, preferably a chamber for the vegetable products and a chamber for the additional ingredients. In the case of exactly two chambers, a first chamber (preferably having a volume of 0.5 to 25 ml) and a second chamber (preferably having a volume of 0.5 to 50 ml) are distinguished. In an embodiment of the wall of the capsule as cup-shaped part and decker-shaped Part preferably, the lid-shaped part forms part of the wall of the first chamber, but not of the second chamber. Preferably, the second chamber is the chamber for the vegetable products and the first chamber is the chamber for the additional ingredients.

Preferably, a partition (eg a foil) is formed between two chambers (for example between the chamber for the vegetable products and the chamber for the additional ingredients, and / or between the two chambers), according to one embodiment, preferably adapted thereto Increasing the capsule internal pressure to lose its separating effect (such as cracking or bursting), which is an advantageous adaptation to use in a beverage maker. In contrast, according to another embodiment, it is preferable if such a separation does not readily lose its separating effect even when the capsule internal pressure is increased. In such a case, the separation at one or more specific locations is broken (pierced through) and only loses its detaching effect at these sites.

However, in order to provide a capsule of particularly simple construction according to the invention, in individual cases it may also be preferable to provide no spatial separation between the vegetable products and the additional ingredients.

The wall of an advantageous capsule is adapted at one or more points to opening the capsule. According to one embodiment, the wall is at a location that is substantially opposite to this point or places, adapted to lose as limiting the internal pressure of the caps their limiting effect (such as to break or burst), preferably in that this point a Foil has. In contrast, according to another embodiment, a plurality of locations, against which the wall of the capsule is adapted to open, are substantially opposite. These are further advantageous adaptations to use in a beverage maker.

The opening of the capsule, and optionally the breaking of the separation, preferably takes place by means of a perforation element, which is assigned for example to the beverage maker or preferably the capsule itself. Particularly preferred is a capsule which has two or more (especially exactly two) chambers and in which the perforation element is located in one of the chambers.

The capsule content may further comprise one or more excipients to improve bioavailability, improve solubility and / or rate of dissolution (eg, emulsifiers), improve shelf life (eg, preservatives), improve taste (eg, taste-masking agents, flavor-enhancing agents, sweeteners). to increase or decrease the Viscosity, stabilizers, dyes, acidulants, humectants, release agents, thickeners and / or fillers. Preferred excipients are dextrose, gelatin, maltodextrin, citric acid, gum arabic, glycerin, flavor, modified starch, sorbitol and acesulfame K.

Preferably, the capsule contents are pasteurized or sterilized.

Preferably, the capsule contents are adapted for processing with cold or lukewarm water (preferably at one of the exemplary temperatures defined below). This preferably means that all soluble substances of the capsule contents are those which dissolve completely under normal pressure in 200 ml of such cold or lukewarm water with stirring at 60 rpm in 20 s, 10 s, 5 s, 2 s or 1 s.

In a preferred capsule contents after its contact with water at a temperature of 95 ° C (200 ml, 10 s stirring at 60 rpm) no significant difference in the mass of solutes detectable compared to a contacting with water at a temperature of 25 ° C at otherwise identical conditions. This preferably means that the mass of dissolved substances is at most 20%, preferably at most 10%, 5%, 2% or 1% and especially preferably at most 0.5% higher.

In a preferred capsule according to the invention, the sum of the proportions of the vegetable products selected from fruit products (fruit products) and vegetable products and the additional ingredients (if present) is at least 80% by weight, preferably at least 85% by weight, 90% by weight. , 95% by weight, 98% by weight, 99% by weight, 99.5% by weight, 99.8% by weight, 99.9% by weight or 99.95% by weight , or is more preferably 100 wt .-%.

The present invention in a second aspect relates to a capsule for a beverage maker, the capsule containing a capsule content comprising one or more plant products independently selected from the group consisting of fruit products (fruit products) and vegetable products, wherein at least one vegetable Product of sugar and sugar derivatives and is not obtainable from the seeds of a coffee or cocoa plant, and wherein the proportion of (selected from fruit products and vegetable products) vegetable products at least 80 wt .-% (preferably at least 85 wt .-%, 90 Wt%, 95 wt%, 98 wt%, 99 wt%, 99.5 wt%, 99.8 wt%, 99.9 wt% or 99.95 Wt%, or more preferably 100 wt%) of the capsule contents. In a third aspect, the present invention relates to a capsule for a

A beverage maker, wherein the capsule contains a capsule contents containing one or more vegetable products independently selected from the group consisting of fruit products (fruit products) and vegetable products, wherein at least one vegetable product is different from sugar and sugar derivatives and is not obtainable from the seeds of a coffee or cocoa plant, the capsule contents further comprising a or more additional ingredients independently selected from the group consisting of micronutrients, macronutrients, prebiotics, dietetic foods and nutritional supplements, and wherein the sum of the proportions of the plant products (selected from fruit products and vegetable products) and the additional ingredients is at least 80 wt % (preferably at least 85% by weight, 90% by weight, 95% by weight, 98% by weight, 99% by weight, 99.5% by weight, 99.8% by weight). %, 99.9 wt% or 99.95 wt%, or more preferably 100 wt%) of the capsule contents.

The present invention in a fourth aspect relates to a capsule for a beverage maker, the capsule containing a capsule content comprising one or more plant products, wherein at least one of the vegetable products is one of the following:

(a) a fruit juice concentrate (fruit juice concentrate),

 (b) a vegetable juice concentrate,

 (c) a fruit powder (fruit powder),

 (d) a vegetable powder,

 (e) a fruit extract (fruit extract),

 (f) a vegetable extract,

 (g) a fruit puree concentrate (fruit puree concentrate),

 (h) a vegetable puree concentrate,

(i) a fruit pulp concentrate (fruit pulp concentrate) or

 0) a vegetable pulp concentrate and the sum of the proportions of the products (a) to (j) at least 80 wt .-% (preferably at least 85 wt .-%, 90 wt .-%, 95 wt .-%, 98 wt .-% , 99% by weight, 99.5% by weight, 99.8% by weight, 99.9% by weight or 99.95% by weight, or particularly preferably 100% by weight) of the capsule contents is.

In a fifth aspect, the present invention relates to a capsule for a beverage maker, the capsule containing a capsule content comprising one or more plant products, wherein at least one of the vegetable products is one of the following:

(a) a fruit juice concentrate (fruit juice concentrate), (b) a vegetable juice concentrate,

 (c) a fruit powder (fruit powder),

 (d) a vegetable powder,

 (e) a fruit extract (fruit extract),

 (f) a vegetable extract,

 (g) a fruit puree concentrate (fruit puree concentrate),

 (h) a vegetable puree concentrate,

 (i) a fruit pulp concentrate (fruit pulp concentrate) or

 Ü) a vegetable pulp concentrate, the capsule contents further comprising one or more additional ingredients independently selected from the group consisting of micronutrients, macronutrients, prebiotics, dietetic foods and nutritional supplements,

wherein the sum of the proportions of the vegetable products (a) to (j) and the additional ingredients at least 80 wt .-% (preferably at least 85 wt .-%, 90% by weight, 95 wt .-%, 98 wt. %, 99 wt%, 99.5 wt%, 99.8 wt%, 99.9 wt% or 99.95 wt%, or most preferably 100 wt%) of the Capsule content is. In this case, preferably at least one of the additional ingredients fulfills one or more of the following features:

(a) the micronutrients are selected from the group consisting of vitamins, vitaminoids, minerals, trace elements, antioxidants and phytochemicals;

 (b) the micronutrients include water-soluble and / or fat-soluble

 Micronutrients

 (c) the macronutrients include proteins, fats, fatty acids and / or

 Carbohydrates,

 (d) the dietary supplements are high calorie dietary supplements,

 (e) the dietary supplements are balanced dietary supplements,

(f) the additional ingredients are liquid, nectar-like, syrupy, honey-like, solid, semi-solid, powdered, granules, a soluble tablet or an effervescent tablet.

In a sixth aspect, the present invention also relates to a capsule for a beverage maker, the capsule containing a capsule content comprising one or more plant products independently selected from the group consisting of fruit products (fruit products) and vegetable products, at least one vegetable product is different from sugar and sugar derivatives and can not be obtained from the seeds of a coffee or cocoa plant and further wherein (i) the capsule contents are adapted for processing with cold or lukewarm water or (ii) after contacting the capsule contents with water at a temperature of 95 ° C (200 ml, 10 s stirring at 60 rpm), there is no significant difference The mass of dissolved substances is detectable compared to a contact with water at a temperature of 25 ° C under otherwise identical conditions.

The present invention also relates, in a seventh aspect, to a capsule for a beverage maker (preferably in one of the embodiments described above) comprising one or more pharmaceutically active substances. Preference is given in particular to non-prescription (OTC) substances, for example acetylsalicylic acid as an antiplatelet agent ("blood thinner").

According to an eighth aspect, the present invention also relates to a method for producing a beverage, comprising the following steps:

(a) loading a beverage maker with a capsule according to the invention,

(b) opening the capsule,

 (c) providing and optionally filtering a beverage maker located in the

 Liquid,

 (d) contacting the capsule contents of the opened capsule with the liquid or a liquid suspension thereof, whereby the liquid or suspension absorbs capsule contents (preferably by dissolving, in particular completely dissolving),

 (e) collecting the liquid or suspension that has taken up the contents of the capsule, thereby providing a ready-to-drink beverage.

The loading can take place manually or automatically. The opening preferably takes place in the beverage maker, in particular by puncturing the capsule (in particular one or more locations adapted to be opened) with a perforating element which is advantageously suitable for introducing liquid into the capsule (for example a needle).

The liquid is preferably cold (eg, the liquid has a temperature in the range of 0 to 4 ° C, 4 to 8 ° C, 8 to 12 ° C or room temperature, for example 18 to 25 ° C), lukewarm (eg, it has a temperature in the range of 25 to 50 ° C, 30 to 45 ° C or 35 to 40 ° C) or hot (eg, it has a temperature in the range of 60 to 100 ° C, 70 to 98 ° C, 80 to 96 ° C or 90 to 95 ° C). A preferred liquid is water. A preferred liquid suspension is steam. It is preferred according to one embodiment that as a result of contacting the capsule contents with the liquid or suspension present in the beverage maker, the capsule internal pressure is increased and consequently the wall of the capsule (and optionally a partition between a chamber for the vegetable products and a chamber for the additional ingredients ) loses its separating effect (eg by tearing or bursting). For the wall and optionally the separation then each predetermined breaking points are preferably provided. According to another embodiment, it is preferred that the wall and / or the separation even when increasing the capsule internal pressure not easily lose their separating effect, but at one or more targeted locations broken (about pierced) and only at these points their separating effect to lose.

According to a ninth aspect, the present invention relates to the use of a capsule according to the invention for producing a beverage in conjunction with a beverage maker, and according to a tenth aspect to the use of a beverage preparation for producing a beverage in cooperation with a capsule according to the invention.

Features that have been characterized as preferred in describing an aspect of the present invention are also preferred for the other aspects.

Examples

Example 1: Cardiovascular system

Vegetable product: vegetable juice concentrate carrot

 Micronutrients: Magnesium citrate 100 mg, Vitamin C 250 mg, Vitamin E 12 mg, Vitamin B6 2.5 mg, Vitamin B1 2 mg, Folic acid 400 pg, Vitamin A 375 pg, Vitamin B12 4.5 pg

 Macronutrient: L-arginine 250 mg

Excipient: maltodextrin

Example 2: Immune system

Fruit product: Multifruit concentrate

 Micronutrients: Vitamin C 500 mg, Vitamin E 36 mg, Zinc gluconate 7.5 mg, Iron gluconate 5 mg, Niacin 30 mg, Vitamin B1 3.3 mg, Vitamin B2 4.2 mg, Vitamin B6 4.2 mg, Pantothenic acid 9 mg , Beta-carotene 0.5 mg, copper gluconate 0.25 mg, sodium molybdate 30 pg, sodium selenite 25 pg, folic acid 600 pg, chromium (III) chloride 15 pg, vitamin D3 15 pg, vitamin B12 4.5 pg

Excipient: maltodextrin

Example 3: Anti-aging

Fruit product: blackberry concentrate

 Micronutrients: Vitamin C 300 mg, Vitamin E 100 mg, Zinc gluconate 7.5 mg, Vitamin A 375 pg, Folic acid 200 pg, Sodium selenite 25 pg

Macronutrient: L-arginine

 Excipient: maltodextrin

Claims

 claims:

A capsule for a beverage maker, the capsule containing a capsule content comprising one or more plant products independently selected from the group consisting of fruit products and vegetable products, wherein at least one vegetable product is different from sugar and sugar derivatives and not from the seeds a coffee or cocoa plant is obtainable, and wherein the capsule contents is free from seasoning.

The capsule of claim 1, wherein the capsule content further comprises one or more additional ingredients independently selected from the group consisting of micronutrients, macronutrients, prebiotics, dietetic foods and nutritional supplements.

A capsule for a beverage maker, the capsule containing a capsule content comprising one or more plant products independently selected from the group consisting of fruit products and vegetable products, wherein at least one vegetable product is different from sugar and sugar derivatives and not from the seeds a coffee or cocoa plant is obtainable, and wherein the proportion of the vegetable products is at least 80 wt .-% of the capsule contents.

A capsule for a beverage maker, the capsule containing a capsule content comprising one or more plant products independently selected from the group consisting of fruit products and vegetable products, wherein at least one vegetable product is different from sugar and sugar derivatives and not from the seeds a coffee or cocoa plant, the capsule content further comprising one or more additional ingredients independently selected from the group consisting of micronutrients, macronutrients, prebiotics, dietary foods and nutritional supplements, and wherein the sum of the proportions of the herbal products and the additional ingredients is at least 80% by weight of the capsule contents.

Capsule according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein at least one of the vegetable products is one of the following:

(a) a fruit juice concentrate,

 (b) a vegetable juice concentrate,

(c) a fruit powder, (d) a vegetable powder,

 (e) a fruit extract,

 (f) a vegetable extract,

 (g) a fruit puree concentrate,

 (h) a vegetable puree concentrate,

 (i) a fruit pulp concentrate or

 (j) a vegetable pulp concentrate.

A capsule for a beverage maker, the capsule containing a capsule content comprising one or more herbal products, wherein at least one of the vegetable products is one of the following:

(a) a fruit juice concentrate,

 (b) a vegetable juice concentrate,

 (c) a fruit powder,

 (d) a vegetable powder,

 (e) a fruit extract,

 (f) a vegetable extract,

 (g) a fruit puree concentrate,

 (h) a vegetable puree concentrate,

 (i) a fruit pulp concentrate or

 (j) a vegetable pulp concentrate and the sum of the proportions of products (a) to (j) is at least 80% by weight of the capsule contents.

A capsule for a beverage maker, the capsule containing a capsule content comprising one or more herbal products, wherein at least one of the vegetable products is one of the following:

(a) a fruit juice concentrate,

 (b) a vegetable juice concentrate,

 (c) a fruit powder,

 (d) a vegetable powder,

 (e) a fruit extract,

 (f) a vegetable extract,

 (g) a fruit puree concentrate,

 (h) a vegetable puree concentrate,

 (i) a fruit pulp concentrate or

(j) a vegetable pulp concentrate, the capsule contents further comprising one or more additional ingredients independently selected from the group consisting of micronutrients, macronutrients, prebiotics, dietetic foods and nutritional supplements,

wherein the sum of the proportions of the vegetable products (a) to (j) ^ur) d of the additional ingredients is at least 80% by weight of the capsule contents.

8. Capsule according to one of claims 5 to 7, wherein at least one of the vegetable products fulfills one or more of the following features:

(a) the fruit juice concentrate or vegetable juice concentrate is liquid, nectar-like, syrupy, honey-like, firm or semi-solid,

 (b) the fruit juice concentrate is made from one or more types of fruit,

 (c) the vegetable juice concentrate is made from one or more vegetable varieties,

 (d) the fruit powder or vegetable powder is freeze-dried,

 (e) the fruit powder is made from one or more types of fruit,

(f) the vegetable powder is made from one or more vegetables,

 (g) the fruit extract is made from one or more types of fruit,

(h) the vegetable extract is made from one or more vegetables,

 (i) the fruit puree concentrate is made from one or more types of fruit,

 (j) the vegetable puree concentrate is one or more

Produced vegetables,

 (k) the fruit pulp concentrate is made from one or more types of fruit, or

 (I) The vegetable pulp concentrate is made from one or more vegetable varieties.

A capsule according to any one of claims 2, 4, 5, 7 or 8, wherein at least one of the additional ingredients meets one or more of the following characteristics:

(a) the micronutrients are selected from the group consisting of vitamins, vitaminoids, minerals, trace elements, antioxidants and phytochemicals;

(b) the micronutrients include water-soluble and / or fat-soluble micronutrients, (c) the macronutrients include proteins, proteinogenic amino acids fats, fatty acids and / or carbohydrates,

 (d) the dietary supplements are high calorie dietary supplements,

 (e) the dietary supplements are balanced dietary supplements,

 (f) the additional ingredients are liquid, nectar-like, syrupy, honey-like, solid, semi-solid, powdered, granules, a soluble tablet or an effervescent tablet.

10. Capsule according to one of claims 2, 4, 5, 7, 8 or 9, wherein a spatial separation between the vegetable products and the additional ingredients is provided.

A capsule according to claim 10, wherein the capsule comprises a chamber for the vegetable products and a chamber for the additional ingredients.

12. Capsule according to one of the preceding claims, in particular according to claim 11, wherein the capsule has exactly two chambers.

13. A capsule according to claim 1 or claim 12, wherein between the chamber for the vegetable products and the chamber for the additional ingredients or between the exactly two chambers, a separation is formed.

14. Capsule according to one of the preceding claims, whose wall consists partially or completely of metal and / or plastic.

15. Capsule according to one of the preceding claims, whose wall is adapted at one or more points to open the capsule.

16. Capsule for a beverage maker, in particular according to one of claims 1 to 14, comprising one or more pharmaceutically active substances.

17. A method of making a beverage, comprising the following steps:

(a) loading a beverage maker with a capsule according to one of the preceding claims,

 (b) opening the capsule,

(c) providing and optionally filtering a liquid in the beverage maker, (d) contacting the capsule contents of the opened capsule with the liquid or a liquid suspension thereof, whereby the liquid or suspension receives capsule contents,

 (e) collecting the liquid or suspension that has taken up the contents of the capsule, thereby providing a ready-to-drink beverage.

18. Use of a capsule according to one of claims 1 to 15 for producing a beverage in cooperation with a beverage maker.

19. Use of a beverage preparation for producing a beverage in cooperation with a capsule according to one of claims 1 to 15.