WO2021059229A1

WO2021059229A1 - Insertable dosing/release system for supplemental ingredient for capsule comprising a main precursor and a supplemental ingredient and a method for production of said insertable dosing/release system and said capsule, and method for preparing a beverage

Info

Publication number: WO2021059229A1
Application number: PCT/IB2020/058999
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ulrich Achtnich
Original assignee: Famatek Gmbh
Priority date: 2019-09-28
Filing date: 2020-09-25
Publication date: 2021-04-01
Also published as: WO2020039411A4; WO2020039411A3; WO2020039411A2; EP4034472A1; WO2021059229A4

Abstract

The present invention concerns a insertable dosing/release system integrated in a container and a method for food and beverage preparation, said container being designed for connection to a pressurized ingredient source, such as a pressurized water source, the pressurized ingredient source provided by a food or beverage preparation machine, to be mixed with at least one precursor ingredient, such as coffee powder, contained in the container for preparing said food or beverage. The container of the present invention further contains inside the container an insertable dosing/release system for food additives, such as vitamins and the pressurized ingredient source to be mixed further with the food additives. Further aspects of the invention are an apparatus using the container and a method for preparing a beverage, which combines precursor ingredient(s), such as ground coffee, with food additive(s), such as vitamins, and a process line station, which inserts the insertable dosing/release system into the container.

Description

INSERTABLE DOSING/RELEASE SYSTEM FOR SUPPLEMENTAL INGREDIENT FOR CAPSULE COMPRISING A MAIN PRECURSOR AND A SUPPLEMENTAL INGREDIENT AND A METHOD FOR PRODUCTION OF SAID INSERTABLE DOSING/RELEASE SYSTEM AND SAID CAPSULE, AND METHOD FOR PREPARING A

BEVERAGE

Cross reference to related applications

[1] This application claims the benefit of International Patent Application PCT/IB2019/058261 , filed September 28, 2019, entitled: CAPSULE COMPRISING A MAIN AND A SUPPLEMENTAL PRECURSOR INGREDIENT, METHOD FOR PRODUCTION OF SAID CAPSULE AND METHOD FOR PREPARING A BEVERAGE, the content of the entirety of which are explicitly incorporated herein by reference and relied upon to define features for which protection may be sought hereby as it is believed that the entirety thereof contributes to solving the technical problem underlying the invention, some features that may be mentioned hereunder being of particular importance.

Field of the invention

[2] The present invention concerns a insertable dosing/release system integrated in a container and a method for beverage preparation, said container (within this patent application any container may also be a capsule) being designed for connection to a pressurized ingredient source, such as a pressurized water source, the pressurized ingredient source provided by a beverage preparation machine, to be mixed with at least one precursor ingredient, such as coffee powder, contained in the container for preparing said beverage. The container of the present invention further contains inside the container an insertable dosing/release system for food additives, such as vitamins. The food additives may be present without means to accommodate such food additives or within means to accommodate such food additives and the pressurized ingredient source to be mixed further with the food additives. Further aspects of the invention are an apparatus using the container and a method for preparing a beverage, which combines precursor ingredient(s), such as ground coffee, with food additive(s), such as vitamins, and a process line station, which inserts the insertable dosing/release system into the container.

Background of the invention

[3] In the following description, it will be considered that the pressurized ingredient source is a pressurized water source. Such a limitation should not be taken as a limitation of the invention scope. The dosing/release system as integrated into the container on a process line station and described and claimed therein can be used with other types of sources, such as milk, tea, coffee, otherwise specially treated water or liquids.

[4] Also, in the rest of the present description, and for simplification purposes, it will be considered that the container of the invention is a beverage container, for instance a beverage capsule. Again, this should not be taken as a strict limitation of the scope of the invention. The container of the invention can be of another type than a capsule, for instance it can be a soft pad, a pod, a sachet, a rigid or semi-rigid cartridge, or a combination thereof. It can be made of any type of material like plastic, paper, cardboard, metal or alloy, glass, synthetic or natural rubber or elastomer, or a combination thereof. Preferably, materials will be chosen from cost-effective and ecologic materia), having barrier properties, at least against moisture and oxygen. The precursor ingredient contained in the container of the invention can be of any type for preparing a beverage product, such as for example but not limited to: coffee, milk, tea, soup, mineral water, salad dressing or ice cream. In the following a beverage container will be described in more detail. The inventor believes that the principle of the invention can be applied to any container for preparation of an edible preparation, be it a beverage or a semi-solid or solid food, such as for example but not limited to: ice cream, potage, smoothies, cooking dough, soup comprising solid elements such as croutons, or even fully solid food such as pastry.

[5] Generally, food or beverage preparation machines are well known in the food science and consumer goods area. Such machines allow a consumer to prepare a given type of food or beverage, for instance a coffee-based beverage, e.g. an espresso or a brew-like coffee cup, or other types of beverages like chocolate, teas, soups and the like. [6] Today, most beverage preparation machines for beverage preparation comprise a system made of a machine which can accommodate portioned ingredients for the preparation of the beverage. Such portions can be soft pods or pads, or sachets, but more and more systems use semi-rigid or rigid portions such as rigid pods or capsules.

[7] The machine comprises a receptacle or cavity for accommodating said capsule and a fluid injection system for injecting a fluid, preferably water, under pressure into the capsule. Water injected under pressure in the capsule, for the preparation of e.g. a coffee beverage according to the present invention, is preferably hot, that is to say at a temperature above 70°C. However, in some particular instances, it might also be at ambient temperature, or even chilled. The pressure (relative to atmospheric pressure) inside the container/capsule chamber during extraction and/or dissolution of the capsule contents, until the capsule opens, increases up to typically about 1 to about 8 bar for dissolution products and about 2 to about 12 bar and even about 2 to about 20 bar for extraction of roast and ground coffee. Such a preparation process differs a lot from the so-called "brewing" process of beverage preparation - particularly for tea and coffee, in that brewing involves a relatively long time of infusion of the ingredient by a fluid (e.g. hot water), whereas the present beverage preparation process, i.e. extracting and/or dissolving the contents of a closed capsule under pressure, allows a consumer to prepare a beverage, for instance coffee, within a few seconds.

[8] The principle of extracting and/or dissolving the contents of a closed capsule under pressure is known, and consists typically of inserting the capsule in a receptacle or cavity of a machine, injecting a quantity of pressurized water into the capsule, generally after piercing a face of the capsule with a piercing injection element such as a fluid injection needle mounted on the machine (piercing on the one hand and injection on the other hand may alternatively be performed by separate elements), so as to create a pressurized environment inside the capsule either to extract the substance or dissolve it, and then release the extracted substance or the dissolved substance through the capsule. Capsules allowing the application of this principle have already been described for example in European patents EP 1472156 B1, and EP 1784344 B1 and in other patent applications WO 2018/024587 A1; W02004/071899 A1; US2014/0161940 A1. [9] Machines allowing the application of this principle have already been described for example in patents CH 605 293 and EP 242 556. According to these documents, the machine comprises a receptacle or cavity for the capsule and a perforation and injection element, typically made in the form of a hollow needle comprising in its distal region one or more liquid injection orifices. The needle has a dual function in that it opens the top portion of the capsule on the one hand, and that it forms the water inlet channel into the capsule on the other hand. Alternatively, the piercing and injection may be performed by separate elements. This principle has been described for example in international patent application PCT/EP01/07173.

[10] The machine further comprises a fluid tank - in most cases this fluid is water - for storing the fluid that is used to dissolve and/or infuse and/or extract under pressure the ingredient(s) contained in the capsule. The machine comprises a heating element such as a boiler or a heat exchanger, which is able to warm up the water used therein to working temperatures (typically temperatures up to 80-95°C). Finally, the machine comprises a pump element for circulating the water from the tank to the capsule, optionally through the heating element. The way the water circulates within the machine is optionally selected e.g. via a selecting valve means, such as for instance a peristaltic valve of the type described in European patent EP 2162653 B1 or solenoid valves.

[11] When the beverage to be prepared is coffee, one interesting way to prepare the coffee is to provide the consumer with a capsule containing roast and ground coffee powder, which is to be extracted with hot water injected therein.

[12] In many instances, the machine comprises a capsule holder for holding a capsule, which is intended to be inserted in and removed from a corresponding cavity or receptacle of the machine. When a capsule holder is loaded with a capsule and inserted within the machine in a functional manner, the water injection means of the machine can fluidly connect to the capsule to inject water therein for a food preparation, as described above. A capsule holder was described for example in European patent EP 1967100 B1.

[13] Known food or beverage containers (e.g. capsules) are designed to contain precursor ingredients. Some capsules can be used for infusion of a stationary precursor ingredient (e.g. roast and ground coffee) through which the mixing ingredient (e.g. hot water) flows. Some other capsules may also contain a soluble precursor ingredient, such as a soluble milk or chocolate powder, which is dissolved by mixing with a mixing ingredient like hot or cold water. The precursor ingredient contained in the container of the invention can be of any type for preparing a beverage product. In the rest of the present description, such precursor ingredient as described in the preceding part of the description is referred to as the main precursor ingredient.

[14] Such containers containing known main precursor ingredients, such as roast and ground coffee powder, providing familiar beverage products ready to be consumed by a consumer. Such containers may contain additional ingredients like compacted or pelletized coffee or soluble coffee powder, chocolate or cocoa or whitener or milk powder or combinations thereof (WO2018/024587) or flavoring components or functional ingredients (WO2016/111996 A1 , US2019/0291946 A1).

[15] Various methods and means to accommodate supplemental ingredients are known for beverage containers. Such methods and means may be to compact or pelletize the supplemental ingredient (WO2018/024587 A1) or to premix the supplemental ingredients with the main precursor, or impregnate, coat or agglomerate the main precursor with concentrated supplemental ingredients (WO2016/111996 A1) and then fill the mixture or the beverage components into a one-compartment container.

[16] Special means like pads, cushions, semi cartridges to accommodate supplemental ingredients are known for a one-compartment or multi-compartment container (US2014/161940 A1 ; EP3321213 A1 ; WO2017/168276 A1).

[17] It is common practice in the field of capsule/container for preparing a beverage to add ingredients into the beverage container in encapsulated or otherwise pretreated form (WO2016/111996 A1 , W02004/077964 A1).

[18] Furthermore, US2019/0291904 A1 describes a process, in which a liquid agent is dispensed on the precursor during the filling process with a special liquid agent dosing station. In addition, it describes a capsule with a filter inside the capsule for defining an ingredient chamber, which filters the ingredient during beverage preparation, comprising a dosing agent on a portion of said filter for controlling the flow of fluid through said filter. An alternative embodiment of said capsule has no filter inside, but said dosing agent is dispensed non-permanently bound to a portion of ingredient to form a cluster for controlling the flow.

[19] A problem with conventional capsules/containers is, that it can be difficult to control the manner, in which ingredients are exposed to fluid, that is injected into the capsule. Often, additional structural elements are used to achieve the desired flow pattern during beverage preparation or, as described in the aforementioned patent literature, a dosing agent is dispensed in a defined manner for controlling the flow. Structural elements are costly and a dosing station for dispensing a dosing agent is specific for each ingredient used for preparing a beverage.

[20] To apply a supplemental ingredient in a beverage container for preparing a beverage, it is of interest, to release the supplemental ingredient in a predefined manner and dose it into the beverage depending on the desired specification of the beverage. Especially, in case of supplemental ingredients such as e.g. vitamins, minerals, functional food or dietary supplements, the release rate of such supplemental ingredients into the beverage, such as e.g. coffee, is important for their availability and functionality in the human body. Thereby, the release of supplemental ingredients should not or only minimal impact the extraction from the ingredient. In addition, there is a need, not to or only minimal impact the taste of the coffee drink by a potentially unpleasant taste of the supplemental ingredient. A problem to be solved by a dosing/release system is, that it must protect the supplemental ingredient, when stored outside the capsule, inside the capsule and during beverage production. Further, a dosing/release system must allow to dose/release supplemental ingredient in a way, that it passes sieving elements used in common beverage preparing machines, which retain ground coffee precursor. Furthermore, such a dosing/release system must be applicable not only for one specific ingredient, but for a variety of existing ingredients in order the downtime for the adjustments to be made on the dosing stations in the process line, when starting a new campaign, can be minimized, when changing from one ingredient to another. In addition, such a dosing/release system must be insertable into a variety of containers, e.g. such as classical Nespresso® compatible capsules. A further need is, to manage the dosing/release specifications for a supplemental ingredient independently from the capsule/container filling process. A dosing/release system is needed, which can be inserted into the capsule like a plug and play system in the filling process, usable for various types of supplemental ingredients intended to be finally present in the capsule such that the filling process at the process line does not require any further adaptation, neither for the filling of the main precursor ingredient nor for the supplemental ingredient. Furthermore, it is desirable, that the insertable dosing/release system can easily be stored, transported and fed to the filling line.

[21] The known containers do not contain one or more supplemental ingredients such as vitamins, minerals, functional food or dietary supplements in a dosing/release system to accommodate, and optionally to preserve, such one or more supplemental ingredients inside that container, such that these supplemental ingredients are flushed out of the container to be e.g. suspended in the beverage or dissolved during the beverage preparation process in order to be admixed to that beverage. Hence, what is needed is a dosing/release system, which combines all features like easy placement into the capsule, preservation of supplemental ingredients and releasing the supplement ingredients into the beverage in a defined manner.

[22] In the rest of the present description, the term ‘supplemental ingredient’ is specifically used to refer to the supplemental ingredient of the present invention. Even though the international patent application no. PCT/EP2017/068959 describes variants of combinations of main precursors and supplemental beverage ingredients, in particular roast and ground coffee powder, compacted and non-compacted extractable powders, milk powder, instant coffee, cocoa powder, chocolate powder, carbohydrate such as sucrose, said application does not teach or suggest the presence of one or more supplemental ingredients like vitamins, minerals, functional food or dietary supplements.

[23] The dosing/release system of the present invention is to accommodate such supplemental ingredients and is placeable/insertable in a beverage capsule, the dosing/release system is suitable to accommodate a food or a beverage product, such as for example but not limited to: vitamins (fat and/or water soluble), minerals, flavors, medicinal products, proteins, enzymes, any bio active substance, pieces of fruits (preferably pieces of dry fruits), pieces of vegetables (preferably pieces of dry vegetables), pieces of spices, herbal extracts, foamer, functional foods, taste enhancers, taste maskers, antioxidants, and any mixture of these.

[24] Also, optionally, the means of the present invention allowing to accommodate and preserve one or more supplemental ingredients further comprise means configured to break the injected water jet so as to reduce the speed of the water injected into the capsule and distribute the water across the bed of substance at a defined speed.

[25] In many food and beverage preparation systems, several types of containers (such as capsules) can be used with the same machine. Some capsules can be used for infusion of a stationery main precursor ingredient (e.g. roast and ground coffee) through which the mixing ingredient (e.g. hot water) flows. Some other capsules may also contain a soluble main precursor ingredient, such as a soluble milk or chocolate powder, which is dissolved by mixing with a mixing ingredient like hot water. The dosing/release system of the present invention is suitable to be placed/inserted in such capsules.

[26] Particularly in case the main precursor ingredient contained in the capsule is soluble, it requires a large headspace built-in the capsule to ensure that the mixing ingredient (which is preferably liquid) injected from the machine within the capsule, can properly mix with the main precursor ingredient contained in said capsule. Such a proper mixing is guaranteed by a whirling movement of the ingredients inside the capsule. The whirling movement requires sufficient space within the capsule. Such a required headspace may be occupied by the second or third embodiment of the present invention.

[27] In known solutions, such as described in the international patent application PCT/EP2017/068959, there is a need to confer different beverage characteristics, for example, change the beverage extraction and aroma release kinetics, make more intense beverages and/or improve the beverage flow released from the capsule. For this purpose, pellets of compacted beverage extractable powder are proposed.

[28] There is a need for a beverage container containing roast and ground coffee powder, and/or compacted and non-compacted extractable powders, and/or milk powder, and/or instant coffee, and/or cocoa powder, and/or chocolate powder, and/or carbohydrate such as sucrose, providing supplemental ingredients as for example but not limited to vitamins (fat and/or water soluble), minerals, flavors, medicinal products, proteins, enzymes, any bio active substance, pieces of fruits (preferably pieces of dry fruits), pieces of vegetables (preferably pieces of dry vegetables), pieces of spices, herbal extracts, foamer, functional foods, taste enhancers, taste maskers, antioxidants, and any mixture of these, the supplemental ingredients accommodated in an insertable dosing/release system in such a way, when said beverage container is used in a beverage preparation machine, such a beverage container provides a familiar beverage product ready to be consumed by a consumer, however enriched/enhanced with a certain portion of the supplemental ingredient(s).

[29] In addition, there is a need for a beverage container (e.g. a capsule) providing not only means to accommodate a main precursor ingredient, but also and in addition means to accommodate a dosing release system for to accommodate supplemental ingredients. Used in a beverage preparation machine, such a beverage container provides a familiar beverage product ready to be consumed by a consumer, however enriched/enhanced with a certain portion of the supplemental ingredient(s).

[30] Furthermore, there is a need for dosing/releasing supplemental ingredient(s) independently from the extraction process of main precursor, especially not or minimal impacting flow rate characteristics of extraction or dissolving process of main precursor nor changing taste of main precursor, especially in case supplemental ingredient has an inherent unpleasant taste.

[31] Furthermore, there is a need for preparing the supplemental ingredient in a form to be on the one hand optimal protected during shelf life as dosing/ release system (outside and inside the capsule) and preparation of the beverage as well as to ensure the supplemental ingredient deploys an intended effect on a consumer’s body (i.e. the supplemental ingredient keeps its chemical structure and/or functional activity), and to be on the other hand properly dispensed into the beverage during beverage preparation. As the shelf life of the supplemental ingredients as accommodated in the dosing release/ system is typically longer as the shelf life of the produced and filled capsule. Hence, the protection of supplemental ingredient in such a dosing/release system allows that the insertable dosing/release system can be stored outside/before placing into the capsule for logistical reasons for a defined time period. As a result, the dosing/release system may be stored before it is fed to the capsule process filling line and inserted into the capsule.

[32] There is a need for dosing/releasing supplemental ingredients from the capsule during beverage preparation without impairing the flow or blocking the sieving elements of the beverage machine or get retained by the sieving element and not properly dosed to the beverage.

[33] There is a need for an insertable dosing/release system for supplemental ingredient(s), which is easy to insert into the capsule during the capsule filling process.

[34] There is a need for an insertable dosing/release system for supplemental ingredients, which can be applied to a variety of main precursors without special adaptations in the filling line and as well to a variety of capsule systems.

[35] Furthermore, there is a need for an insertable dosing/release system, which can be developed, realized, adapted and optimized independently of the capsule filling process.

[36] In addition, there is a need for an insertable dosing/release system for supplemental ingredient(s), which protects said ingredients outside the capsule as well as inside the capsule, which can easily be transported, stored and fed into the filling process.

[37] Furthermore, there is a need for a standardized dosing/release system with regard to dimensional and flow rate characteristics to accommodate all kinds of supplemental ingredients, which can be inserted e.g. but not limited into Nespresso® compatible beverage containers.

[38] It is therefore an objective of the present invention to provide an insertable dosing/release system for supplemental ingredient(s) for a beverage container which contains one or more main precursor ingredient(s) as described above combined with one or more supplemental ingredient(s) in said insertable dosing/release system for example but not limited to vitamins (fat and/or water soluble), minerals, flavors, medicinal products, proteins, enzymes, any bio active substance, pieces of fruits (preferably pieces of dry fruits), pieces of vegetables (preferably pieces of dry vegetables), pieces of spices, herbal extracts, foamer, functional foods, taste enhancers, taste maskers, antioxidants, and any mixture of these.

[39] A further objective of the present invention is to provide dedicated means, as for example an insertable dosing/release system to accommodate and optionally preserve one or more supplemental ingredient(s).

[40] A further objective of the present invention is to provide an insertable dosing/release cartridge system, which can easily be transported, stored and fed into the capsule filling process with a simple cartridge inserting station, such as e.g. tape and reel packaging systems or pick and place system and the like.

[41] A further objective of the present invention is to provide the supplemental ingredient(s) for such insertable dosing/release system in a form to be optimal protected during shelf life/storage of the container and preparation of the beverage, and properly dispensed into the beverage during beverage preparation, that includes, that the supplemental ingredient(s) are not retained by the sieving elements of the beverage machine or the capsule itself. This may include known methods applied to supplemental ingredient(s) like, but not limited to, pelletizing, tableting, coating, spraying, agglomerating, encapsulating or a combination thereof of the above said supplemental ingredient(s).

[42] A further objective of the present invention is to provide the supplemental ingredients in a form, that the supplemental ingredient dispensed into the beverage will be suspended or partially dissolved in the beverage. [43] A further objective of the present invention is to provide a method for production of the container, the dosing/release system according to the present invention being functionally correct and in a cost-efficient manner inserted into the container.

[44] A further objective of the present invention is to provide a dosing/release system being of standardized and of known properties such that various capsule manufacturers are put into the position to easily integrate such dosing/release systems into their capsules by their manufacturing lines and production processes.

[45] A further objective of the present invention is to provide a method for preparation of a comestible good, preferably a beverage.

Summary of the invention

[46] The objectives set out above are met with a dosing/release system insertable into a container (e.g. a capsule) for beverage preparation, adapted for containing at least one main precursor ingredient, such as coffee, within at least one compartment, and comprising an injection wall for coupling to a beverage preparation machine having at least one pressurized source of a mixing ingredient, whereby a beverage product is prepared within said container by mixing said mixing ingredient with said main precursor ingredient, said container further comprising a supplemental ingredient in said dosing/release system as for example but not limited to vitamins (fat and/or water soluble), minerals, flavors, medicinal products, proteins, enzymes, any bio active substance, pieces of fruits (preferably pieces of dry fruits), pieces of vegetables (preferably pieces of dry vegetables), pieces of spices, herbal extracts, foamer, functional foods, taste enhancers, taste maskers, antioxidants, and any mixture of these.

[47] Whereas such container may contain the supplemental ingredient as for example but not limited to vitamins (fat and/or water soluble), minerals, flavors, medicinal products, proteins, enzymes, any bio active substance, pieces of fruits (preferably pieces of dry fruits), pieces of vegetables (preferably pieces of dry vegetables), pieces of spices, herbal extracts, foamer, functional foods, taste enhancers, taste maskers, antioxidants, and any mixture of these, in said dosing/release system in its raw or compacted form (such as vitamins in the form of powder) or in one or another way prepared form for ensure good preservation conditions during shelf life/storage of the dosing/release system and of the container and/or for properly dispensing such supplemental ingredients into a beverage as suspended material and/or for disintegration and/or for dissolution, such that the supplemental ingredient keeps as much as possible his chemical structure and/or functional activity, when admixed to the beverage.

[48] One or another way to prepare the supplemental ingredient for use in and/or as a dosing/release system as for example but not limited to vitamins (fat and/or water soluble), minerals, flavors, medicinal products, proteins, enzymes, any bio active substance, pieces of fruits (preferably pieces of dry fruits), pieces of vegetables (preferably pieces of dry vegetables), pieces of spices, herbal extracts, foamer, functional foods, taste enhancers, taste maskers, antioxidants, and any mixture of these, may be but not limited to, pelletizing, tableting, coating, spraying, agglomerating, encapsulating or a combination thereof of the above said supplemental ingredient(s).

[49] Within the context of the present application, the term ‘agglomeration’ shall be understood as primary particles (particles of main precursor and/or supplemental ingredient) bound together. Accordingly, the verb ‘agglomerate’ shall mean within the context of the present application the formation of an agglomeration according to the previous sentence.

[50] Whereas such container may contain the supplemental ingredient as for example but not limited to vitamins (fat and/or water soluble), minerals, flavors, medicinal products, proteins, enzymes, any bio active substance, pieces of fruits (preferably pieces of dry fruits), pieces of vegetables (preferably pieces of dry vegetables), pieces of spices, herbal extracts, foamer, functional foods, taste enhancers, taste maskers, antioxidants, and any mixture of these, in one or another way prepared form for to ensure good preservation conditions of supplemental ingredient and/or main precursor ingredient during shelf life/storage of the dosing/release system and of the of the container, and/or for properly dispensing such supplemental ingredient into a beverage as suspended material and/or for disintegration and/or for dissolution. Of a main precursor ingredient such as roast and ground coffee powder, its individual powder particles are encapsulated and/or the individual particles of the supplemental ingredient are encapsulated. The encapsulation(s) being prepared in a form to ensure good preservation conditions during shelf life/storage of the dosing/release system and of the container and/or for properly dispensing such supplemental ingredients into a beverage as suspended material and/or for disintegration and/or for dissolution, such that the supplemental ingredient preserves his nature and is protected as much as possible from potential degradation, when admixed to the beverage. Alternatively, one or more or substantially all particles of the main precursor ingredient may share the same encapsulation with one or more particle of the supplemental ingredient.

[51] Whereas such container may contain the supplemental ingredient as for example but not limited to vitamins (fat and/or water soluble), minerals, flavors, medicinal products, proteins, enzymes, any bio active substance, pieces of fruits (preferably pieces of dry fruits), pieces of vegetables (preferably pieces of dry vegetables), pieces of spices, herbal extracts, foamer, functional foods, taste enhancers, taste maskers, antioxidants, and any mixture of these, and at least one dosing/release system suitable for accommodating one or more supplemental ingredients, such that these one or more supplemental ingredients are flushed out of the capsule or dissolved during the beverage preparation process in order to be admixed to that beverage.

[52] Whereas such dosing/release system may comprise means suitable for accommodating one or more supplemental ingredients and adapted to release during the preparation of the beverage only particles within a predetermined particle size, e.g. of a size of diameter of less than 250pm, or preferably of less than 120pm, or even more preferably less than 50pm.

[53] Whereas such dosing/release system may comprise means suitable for accommodating one or more supplemental ingredients and adapted to release during the preparation of the beverage only particles within a predetermined bulk density, e.g. of a bulk density between 0.9-1.1gr/cc or preferably between 0.95-1.0gr/cc, or even more preferably between 0.96-0.97gr/cc in order the released particles remain distributed in the beverage for a certain time before the beverage is typically consumed.

[54] Whereas such accommodation means for the supplemental ingredient may be designed in such a way, that the accommodation means may be modified during the manufacturing process of the beverage container. In particular, the accommodation means for the supplemental ingredient may be modified before, during, or after the container is filled with the main precursor and/or the supplemental ingredients.

[55] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the container is a beverage capsule comprising a dosing/release system. [56] The container preferably comprises a rigid body having lateral walls, a bottom wall, the lateral walls defining an upper opening with outer peripheral edges onto which a further wall is attached once the container is filled with the main precursor ingredient(s) and once the dosing/release system is placed/inserted into the container. Throughout the instant description and the claims, ‘insertable dosing/release system’ shall mean that the dosing/release system is insertable into a container such as e.g. a capsule. The insertable dosing/release system may be of standardized shape, dimension(s), flow properties and/or dissolution/dispensing properties of supplemental ingredients. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the dosing/release system is an insertable cartridge system comprising supplemental ingredients. Throughout the instant description and the claims, the ‘cartridge system’ is preferably realized as a cartridge, but may also be realized as a cushion or a pad.

[57] The present invention is further directed to a method for producing such a container by inserting said dosing/release cartridge system for supplemental ingredient(s) into a cartridge by means of a cartridge inserting station, such as tape and reel or pick and place systems and the like.

[58] The present invention is further directed to a method for preparing a beverage from a container as described above, that contains at least one main precursor ingredient and at least one dosing/release system containing supplemental ingredient, comprising the steps of:

(i) inserting said container in a beverage machine having a pressurized source of a mixing ingredient,

(ii) establishing a fluid connection between said container and said source,

(iii) introducing said mixing ingredient within said container, and mixing said mixing ingredient with said precursor ingredient to create a beverage product,

(iv) delivering said beverage product to a consumer through a delivery wall of said container, in order that these one or more supplemental ingredients are flushed out of the capsule or dissolved during the beverage preparation process in order to be admixed to that beverage.

Brief description of the drawings [59] Additional features and advantages of the present invention are described in, and will be apparent from, the description of the presently preferred embodiments which are set out below with reference to the drawings in which:

[60] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a beverage preparation system comprising a machine and a capsule;

[61] Figure 2 is a schematic view of a fluid system of a beverage preparation system, comprising a machine and a capsule;

[62] Figures 3A to 3D are schematic views of supplemental ingredients post- processed to various types of preparations, for example but not limited as agglomerated, granulated, spray-crystallized, microencapsulated, coated, hot melted and a combination thereof;

[63] Figure 4 is a schematic side cut view of a capsule according to an alternative of the first embodiment of the invention with the supplemental ingredients as crystals or powder, whereas the crystals or powder is located on top of the capsule in compacted form of a dosing/release system;

[64] Figure 5 is a schematic side cut view of a capsule according to an alternative of the first embodiment of the invention with the supplemental ingredients prepared, for example but not limited as agglomerated, granulated, spray-crystallized, microencapsulated, coated, hot melted and a combination thereof, whereas the prepared ingredient is located on top of the capsule in agglomerated form of a dosing/release system;

[65] Figure 6 is a schematic side cut view of a capsule according to an alternative of the first embodiment of the invention with the supplemental ingredients coated on or co-encapsulated with the roast-and-ground-coffee or non-roast-and-ground-coffee, whereas the prepared ingredient is located on top of the capsule in agglomerated form of a dosing/release system;

[66] Figure 7 is a schematic side cut view of a capsule according to a second embodiment of the invention comprising a dosing/release cartridge system with supplemental ingredient as crystals or powder enclosed in the cartridge system;

[67] Figure 8 is a schematic side cut view of a capsule according to an alternative of the second embodiment of the invention comprising a dosing/release cartridge system with prepared supplemental ingredient, for example but not limited as agglomerated, granulated, spray-crystallized, microencapsulated, coated, hot melted and a combination thereof; [68] Figure 9A is a schematic side cut view of a capsule according to a second embodiment of the invention containing a one or multi-compartment dosing/release cartridge system to accommodate supplemental ingredient as crystals or powder;

[69] Figure 9B is a schematic top view of such a one or multi-compartment dosing/release cartridge system;

[70] Figure 10A is a schematic side cut view of a capsule according to a second embodiment of the invention containing a one or multi-compartment dosing/release cartridge system to accommodate supplemental ingredients prepared, for example but not limited as agglomerated, granulated, spray-crystallized, microencapsulated, coated, hot melted and a combination thereof;

[71] Figure 10B is a schematic top view of such a one or multi-compartment dosing/release cartridge system;

[72] Figure 11 is a side cut view of a semi-cartridge according to a third embodiment of the invention before placing into beverage container containing supplemental ingredients as crystals or powder;

[73] Figure 12 is a side cut view of a semi-cartridge according to a third embodiment of the invention before placing into beverage container containing supplemental ingredients for example but not limited as agglomerated, granulated, spray-crystallized, microencapsulated, coated, hot melted and a combination thereof;

[74] Figures 13A to 13H show a possible method for beverage container production according to third of the embodiments of the invention.

[75] Figure 14 is a side cut view of a semi-cartridge according to a third embodiment of the invention after placing into beverage container containing supplemental ingredients as crystals or powder;

[76] Figure 15 is a side cut view of a semi-cartridge according to a third embodiment of the invention after placing into beverage container containing supplemental ingredients for example but not limited as agglomerated, granulated, spray-crystallized, microencapsulated, coated, hot melted and a combination thereof;

[77] Figures 16A and 16B are side cut views of a first variant of a cartridge, suitable to be used according the second and third embodiment of the present invention, whereof Figure 16A shows the cartridge in an unassembled view, and Figure 16B in an assembled view;

[78] Figures 16C and 16D are side cut views of a second variant of a cartridge, suitable to be used according the second and third embodiment of the present invention, whereof Figure 16C shows the cartridge in an unassembled view, and Figure 16D in an assembled view.

[79] Figures 16E and 16F are side cut views of a third variant of a cartridge, suitable to be used according the second and third embodiment of the present invention, whereof Figure 16E shows the cartridge in an unassembled view, and Figure 16F in an assembled view.

[80] Figure 17A and 17B are schematic views of a filling station for filling dosing/release system in a beverage container, whereof Figure 17A shows the filling station in pick mode, and Figure 17B in place mode.

[81] Figure 18A is a schematic view of a potential manufacturing system for making beverage containers containing a dosing/release system with a filling station for such dosing/release systems.

[82] Figure 18B is a diagram of a process for making beverage containers containing a dosing/release system with a filling station for such dosing/release systems.

[83] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that elements in the Figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, dimensions may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of the invention and its embodiments. Furthermore, when the terms 'first', 'second', and the like are used herein, their use is intended for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequential or chronological order. Moreover, relative terms like 'front', ’back’, ’top’ and ’bottom’, and the like in the present description and/or in the claims are not necessarily used for describing exclusive relative position. Those skilled in the art will therefore understand that such terms may be interchangeable with other terms, and that the embodiments described herein are capable of operating in other orientations than those explicitly illustrated or otherwise described.

[84] Various apparatuses or methods will be described below to provide examples of the claimed invention. The claimed invention is not limited to apparatuses or methods having all the features of any one apparatus or method described below. The claimed invention may reside in a combination or sub-combination of the apparatus elements or method steps described below. It is possible, that an apparatus or method described below is not an example of the claimed invention. The applicant(s), inventor(s) and/or owner(s) reserve all rights in any invention disclosed in an apparatus or method described below, that is not claimed in this document and do not abandon, disclaim or dedicate to the public any such invention by its disclosure in this document.

Detailed description of the invention

[85] The following description is not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way as it is exemplary in nature, serving to describe the best mode of the invention known to the inventors as of the filing date hereof. Consequently, changes may be made in the arrangement and/or function of any of the elements described in the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

[86] The preferred embodiments of an insertable dosing/release system within a container according to the present invention will now be described in detail, with reference to the drawings. In these embodiments, it is considered that the container is a beverage capsule for use in a beverage preparation machine. The capsule contains a main precursor ingredient, typically roast and ground coffee powder, and a supplemental ingredient. The machine and the capsule constitute a beverage preparation system, as exemplarily shown in Figure 1.

[87] As shown in Figure 1, the machine 100 comprises a machine body 112, a reservoir 114 adapted for containing a mixing ingredient, for instance water, said reservoir being removable from the machine body 112 for refill. In an alternative embodiment, the mixing ingredient is supplied by a direct line (not shown). The body 112 comprises an on/off switch 116. The machine 100 further comprises an extraction head 120. The head 120 comprises a locking lever 122, an opening 124 for insertion of a capsule 132, and an outlet 130 for guiding a beverage out of the extraction head. The machine 100 further comprises a cup tray 126, for holding a cup under the outlet. The machine 100 further comprises a control panel (not shown) comprising selector elements for selecting for instance the volume of a beverage to be dispensed, and may comprise optionally a screen, wherein data about the beverage preparation settings are represented. The extraction head 120 is adapted to receive a capsule 132.

[88] Referring now to Figure 2. The machine 100 comprises a fluid pipe system 200, as exemplarily shown in Figure 2, which comprises a pump 210 that convey the water held in the reservoir 204 via a flow meter 206 towards the extraction head 240 where it is injected inside the capsule 250. Optionally, the mixing fluid can be conveyed through a heating or chilling element of the machine 220, that is located between the reservoir 204 and the extraction head 240. The water is delivered to the capsule as a pressurized source. In other words, the pressurized fluid source is constituted by the beverage preparation machine comprising a fluid reservoir 204, a fluid pump 210, and optionally a device 220 for heating or chilling said fluid.

[89] Generally, in the context of the present invention, by "pressurized" source of mixing ingredient (e.g. water) it is meant that the source comprises an element that generates a pressure to force the flow of mixing ingredient towards the capsule. However, the relative pressure of mixing ingredient within the capsule compartment is not necessarily above atmospheric pressure. However, the mixing ingredient is preferably at a relative pressure inside the capsule, which is comprised between 1 and 20 bar, for example in a low-pressure range between 2 to 12 bar above atmospheric pressure or alternatively in a high-pressure range between 12 to 20 bar, whereas the pressure can vary considerably during beverage preparation.

[90] As further shown in Figure 2, the machine 100 comprises a system 260 to open the capsule 250, when the pressure in the capsule 250 exceeds a predefined pressure, and/or to retain the main precursor and/or supplemental ingredients in the capsule 250 while releasing the beverage through the outlet 130 of the machine 100.

[91] The machine 100 is suitable for holding a capsule, the capsule containing at least one precursor ingredient as will be described hereafter. In the following description, it will be considered that the main precursor ingredient contained within the capsule is a roast and ground coffee powder, or alternatively a soluble powder to be dissolved by mixing with the mixing ingredient, such as water.

[92] The capsule 250 comprises a compartment 270, the compartment having a compartment volume. The compartment volume is surrounded by enclosing one or more walls and is adapted to accommodate precursor ingredients. In order to prepare a beverage, a pressurized mixing ingredient (e.g. water) is conducted into the compartment volume by traversing one wall at one region. The pressurized mixing ingredient traverses the compartment volume (partially or substantially completely) and escapes the compartment volume by traversing at another region of the wall or another wall of the capsule.

[93] In general, a capsule is a closed capsule that comprises a capsule body, which is made of a rigid, semi-rigid or soft material such as, but not limited to aluminum, polypropylene, polyethylene or filter paper. By "closed", it is meant a capsule that is at least tight to solids, powders, crystals, gels, beads. Capsules made of rigid or semi- rigid material are further tight to liquids and gas. The capsule body has a generally cylindrical orfrustoconical shape. The material can also be made from a biodegradable material such as a material comprising cellulosic fibers, or starch for instance. The manufacturing process can be thermoforming or injection molding. It can also involve in-mold labelling, for instance in order to provide the capsule with specific barrier properties by using a film label with moisture and oxygen barrier properties. Such an overlap between the barrier elements of the capsule guarantees that a proper barrier against moisture and oxygen is achieved, which protects the ingredient(s) contained within the capsule against oxidation and degradation of its organoleptic properties during storage. The barrier properties can be achieved with any kind of suitable material such as barrier thermoplastic films having single or multiple layers, or aluminum, or paper, or a combination thereof.

[94] The capsule comprising the dosing/release system according to the invention contains a main precursor ingredient, typically roast and ground coffee powder, or alternatively a soluble powder to be dissolved by mixing with the mixing ingredient, and supplemental ingredients, such as for example, but not limited to: vitamins (fat and/or water soluble), minerals, flavors, medicinal products, proteins, enzymes, any bio active substance, pieces of fruits (preferably pieces of dry fruits), pieces of vegetables (preferably pieces of dry vegetables), pieces of spices, herbal extracts, foamer, functional foods, taste enhancers, taste maskers, antioxidants, and any mixture of these, such supplemental ingredients being situated in a dosing/release cartridge system or forming itself inherently a dosing/release system.

[95] Referring now to Figures 3A to 3D. Supplemental ingredients, as used in the below described embodiments, may be made as follows or in combinations thereof.

(i) The supplemental ingredients may be in its raw form and/or prepared as crystals (not shown) of specified particle size in a preferred range of diameter of 10pm to 1000pm, in a more preferred of 20pm to 500pm, more preferred 50pm tolOOpm;

(ii) The supplemental ingredients 302 may be encapsulated 304 in gel-like or other materials like alginate, ethyl cellulose, Shellac, hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose, modified starch, maltodextrin, chitosan, carnauba wax, or arabic rubber. The encapsulation 304 having a particle size in a preferred range of diameter of 10pm to 500pm, more preferred 20pm to 200pm, more preferred 50pm to 100pm and/or the encapsulation 304 having a predetermined bulk density, e.g. of a bulk density between 0.9-1.1gr/cc, or preferably between 0.95-1. Ogr/cc, or even more preferably between 0.96-0.97gr/cc. The encapsulation 304 being formed as a micro pearl or a microcapsule. Micro pearl or microcapsule means typically a round-shaped bead, wherein the supplemental ingredient 302 is arranged together with a matrix of the micro pearl or microcapsule randomly as shown in Figure 3A or in layers as shown in Figure 3B or as coat of a core and covered by matrix, as shown in Figure 3C;

(iii) The supplemental ingredients 302 may be agglomerated by e.g. gel-like or other materials 306 like alginate, ethyl cellulose, Shellac, hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose, modified starch, maltodextrin, chitosan, carnauba wax, arabic rubber sugar-like substances as shown in Figure 3D;

(iv)The supplemental ingredients may be pressed into pills, pellets or tablet format 420 suitable to fit into the capsule;

(v) The supplemental ingredients 302 may be coated on the particles of the main precursor ingredient and/or co-encapsulated with the particles of the main precursor ingredient and/or agglomerated in gel-like or other materials like alginate, ethyl cellulose, Shellac, hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose, modified starch, maltodextrin, chitosan, carnauba wax, arabic rubber (not shown) and/or agglomerated with or without additional materials by pressing main precursor ingredient and supplemental ingredient together into pills, pellets or tablet format 520, 620 suitable to fit into the capsule.

[96] Supplemental ingredients, as described above in the previous paragraph, are intended to be either dissolved substantially instantly when getting in contact with a mixing ingredient (e.g. water) or, as an alternative, flushed out of the capsule into the beverage in order to be suspended in the beverage for slow release. Slow release means that the ingredient is dissolved during the time of beverage preparation, or even afterwards (e.g. in a receptacle such as a cup) while the beverage is ready for consumption. Typical slow release time is between 5 seconds to 5 minutes, preferably between 15 seconds to 2 minutes. The release time means the time when the supplemental ingredient gets first in contact with the mixing ingredient (e.g. water) until said supplemental ingredient is substantially dissolved. As an alternative, the supplemental ingredients, transported into the beverage during beverage preparation, are not dissolved or dissolved only after a release time of 5 minutes (delayed dissolution) in order to be consumed by a consumer in suspended form jointly with the beverage. Discrete supplemental components can form part of the beverage. This forms a new and inventive type of beverage with at least one or more suspended vitamin(s).

[97] The supplemental ingredients, as described above in paragraph [95] are of size and/or shape to pass such a system 260 as described in Figure 2.

[98] Now referring to Figures 4 and 5. In a first embodiment, a special dosing/release system of standardized dimensions and/or standardized flow characteristics is formed by compaction and/or agglomeration of supplemental ingredient(s) to an insertable dosing/release system 420, 520, providing the supplemental ingredients, and said special dosing/release system 420, 520 is placed on top of the main precursor ingredient by a dosing/release system filling system as described in Figure 17. Such filled capsule is shown in Figure 4, showing the case of supplemental ingredient according paragraph [95], item (i) combined with (iv) and Figure 5, showing the case of supplemental ingredient according paragraph [95], items (ii), (iii) and (v) all combined with (iv). Figures 4 and 5 show a schematic side cut view of a capsule 400, 500, providing a magnification view 404, 504 of a part of the compartment volume of the capsule’s compartment 470, 570. A dosing/release system 420, 520 providing supplemental ingredient 406, 506 is situated between the main precursor ingredient 402, 502 and a wall 410, 510. The capsule 400, 500 is adapted that a beverage (not shown) may escape from the inside of the capsule 400, 500 by traversing at a region of the wall 410, 510. It is visible, in particular in the magnification view 404, 504, that the main precursor ingredient 402, 502 and the supplemental ingredient 406, 506 are not mixed among each other, but substantially separated.

[99] Now referring to Figure 6. In an alternative of the first embodiment, a special dosing/release system 620 of standardized dimensions and/or standardized flow characteristics is formed by compaction and/or agglomeration of supplemental ingredients to an insertable dosing/release system providing the supplemental ingredients 606 and said special dosing/release system 620 is placed on top of the main precursor ingredient by a dosing/release system filling system as described in Figure 17. Such filled capsule is shown in Figure 6, whereas the individual particles of the supplemental ingredient and/or the individual particles of the main precursor ingredient 602 are coated and/or co-encapsulated and/or agglomerated with each other as described in paragraph [95], item (v). Figure 6 shows a schematic side cut view of a capsule 600, providing a magnification view 604 of a part of the compartment volume of the capsule’s compartment 670. It is visible, that the main precursor ingredient 602 and the supplemental ingredient 606 are not mixed among each other, but substantially separated. Particles 606 of a supplemental ingredient are coated. Also, particles of a main precursor ingredient 602 may be coated. Exemplarily in Figure 6, the particles 606 of the supplemental ingredient are encapsulated by microcapsules 615. Also, particles 602 of the main precursor ingredient may be encapsulated. In a variant, the particles 606 of the supplemental ingredient and the particles 602 of the main precursor ingredient are co-encapsulated and share a microcapsule. In a further variant, the capsule may be filled with main precursor ingredient 602 and/or with supplemental ingredient 606 coated and/or co-encapsulated and/or agglomerated with each other as described in paragraph [95], item (v). Such prepared main precursor and/or supplemental ingredients are agglomerated and/or compacted to a dosing/release system 620, which is filled on top of the main precursor ingredient. The capsule 600 is adapted that a beverage (not shown) may escape from the inside of the capsule 600 by traversing at a region of the wall 610.

[100] The exploited volume of the one or more dosing/release systems 420, 520, 620 in relation to the exploited volume of the main precursor ingredients 402, 502, 602 as filled in the compartment 470, 570, 670 of the capsule 400, 500, 600 are typically between 1:4 and 1:100, preferably between 1 :10 and 1 :50, and even more preferably between 1:15 and 1:20.

[101] Now referring to Figures 7 to 10B. In a second embodiment, the at least one compartment 770, 870, 970, 1070 of a capsule 700, 800, 900, 1000 comprising special means 720, 820, 920, 1020 suitable for accommodating one or more supplemental ingredients 706, 806, 906, 1006, such that these one or more supplemental ingredients are flushed out of the capsule or dissolved during the beverage preparation process in order to be admixed to that beverage. In a preferred embodiment the dosing/release system is realized as a dosing/release cartridge system 720, 820, 920, 1020 suitable for accommodating one or more supplemental ingredients 706, 806, 906, 1006 are one or more pads, cushions or cartridges. The cartridge may be a one or multicompartment cartridge. Figure 9B shows a schematic top view of such a one or multi- compartment cartridge as used in the capsule of Figure 9A, exemplarily a four- compartment cartridge is shown. Figure 10B shows a schematic top view of such a one or multi-compartment cartridge as used in the capsule of Figure 10A, exemplarily a four-compartment cartridge is shown. In addition to the above general description of the supplemental ingredient, in the second embodiment, the supplemental ingredients may further comprise food-ingredients, functional food, or food additives, such as for example, but not limited to: vitamins (fat and/or water soluble), minerals, flavors, medicinal products, proteins, enzymes, any bio active substance, pieces of fruits (preferably pieces of dry fruits), pieces of vegetables (preferably pieces of dry vegetables), pieces of spices, herbal extracts, foamer, functional foods, taste enhancers, taste maskers, antioxidants, and any mixture of these. The dosing/release cartridge systems 720, 820, 920, 1020 according to the second embodiment may be made, for instance, of following materials: nonwoven fabric, soluble (preferably water- soluble) foils or mat of fibers, or foils or mat of fibers of polyvinyl alcohol or plastic or a combination thereof. The dosing/release cartridge systems 720, 820, 920, 1020 of the second embodiment are constructed such to open under pressure, the pressure causing a compression of the dosing/release cartridge system, and due to one or more means (not shown), such as needles and/or sharp ingredients, placed inside the dosing/release cartridge system the outer wall of the dosing/release cartridge system is perforated. As an alternative to the one or more needles, the walls of the dosing/release cartridge system may comprise predetermined breaking points (not shown), the predetermined breaking points tear under pressure due to the compression of the dosing/release cartridge system. The capsule 700, 800, 900, 1000 is adapted that a beverage (not shown) may escape from the inside of the capsule 700, 800, 900, 1000 by traversing at a region of the wall 710, 810, 910, 1010. The exploited volume of the one or more dosing/release cartridge systems 720, 820, 920, 1020 in relation to the exploited volume of the main precursor ingredients 702, 802, 902, 1002 as filled in the compartment 770, 870, 970, 1070 of the capsule 700, 800, 900, 1000 are typically between 1 :4 and 1:100, preferably between 1:10 and 1:50, and even more preferably between 1:15 and 1:20. Figures 7 and 9A show such a capsule of the second embodiment with supplemental ingredient 706, 906 according to paragraph [95], item (i) and Figure 8 and 10A with supplemental ingredient 806, 1006 according to paragraph [95], items (ii), (iii), (iv) and (v). [102] In the second embodiment, as shown in Figure 9A and 9B, as well as in Figures 10A and 10B, the means for to accommodate the supplemental ingredients is a one or multi-compartment cartridge 920, 1020. The exploited volume of the one or multi-compartment cartridge in relation to the exploited volume of the main precursor ingredients 902, 1002 as filled in the compartment 970, 1070 of the capsule 900, 1000 are typically between 1:4 and 1:100, preferably between 1:10 and 1:50, and even more preferably between 1:15 and 1:20. Figures 9A and 10A show a cut view of the multicompartment cartridge 920, 1020 in its configuration placed into the beverage capsule 900, 1000. Figure 9B and 10B shows a top view of a multi-compartment cartridge 920, 1020. The cartridge 920, 1020 comprises a part 930, 1030 comprising at least one wall 932, 1032 and a sieve frame 934, 1034. The cartridge 920, 1020 comprises further a sieve insert 936, 1036 on both side of the sieve frame, i.e. on the top and on the bottom, such as to form and close the compartment(s) of the cartridge 920, 1020. The sieve insert 936, 1036 may be made of, for example, non-woven fabric or filter material, having mesh size of 20pm to 200pm, preferably 40pm to 150pm, or even more preferably 50pm to 100pm. In an alternative variant, the sieve insert 936, 1036 may be made, for example, out of polypropylene, or other food compliant plastic with defined perforations, having diameter size of 20pm to 200pm, preferably 40pm to 150pm, or even more preferably 50pm to 100pm. Cartridge 920, 1020 accommodate in its compartment(s) the supplemental ingredients 906, 1006. The part 930, 1030 and/or 932, 1032 may be made, for example, out of polypropylene, or other food compliant plastic. However, the sieve insert 936, 1036 and the part 930, 1030, and/or 932, 1032 are not necessarily made out of the same material. In an alternative variant, instead of a sieve insert 936, 1036, a water-soluble layer (not shown), such as a slide, film, foil or sheet, may be used. Figure 9A shows the accommodation filled with supplemental ingredients according to paragraph [95], item (i) and Figure 10A according to paragraph [95], items (ii), (iii), (iv) and (v).

[103] Now referring to Figures 11 and 12. In a third embodiment, the means to accommodate the supplemental ingredients is a two-part or multi-part compartment 1100, 1200. The exploited volume of the two-part or multi-part compartment in relation to the exploited volume of the main precursor ingredients 1302 as filled in the compartment 1370 of the capsule 1300 are typically between 1:4 and 1:100, preferably between 1:10 and 1:50, and even more preferably between 1:15 and 1:20. Figures 11 and 12 show a cut view of the two-part or multi-part compartment 1100, 1200 in its configuration before placed into a beverage capsule. In one variant, as shown in Figure 11, the two-part or multi-part compartment 1100 accommodates supplemental ingredients according to paragraph [95], item (i). In one variant, as shown in Figure 12, the two-part or multi-part compartment 1200 accommodates supplemental ingredients according to paragraph [95], items (ii), (iii), (iv) and (v). The compartment 1100, 1200 comprises a receptacle part 1104, 1204, the receptacle part 1104, 1204 comprising at least one wall 1106, 1206 and a bottom 1110, 1210. The wall 1106, 1206 and bottom 1110, 1210 are tight such to not allow traversing supplemental ingredients 1120, 1220, even the bottom 1110, 1210 may be perforated, but optionally sealed with a removable membrane (not shown) for protection while it is not placed inside the capsule 1300. The compartment 1100, 1200 comprises further a sieve part 1112, 1212, the sieve part 1112, 1212 comprising at least a sieve frame 1114, 1214 and a sieve insert 1116, 1216. The sieve insert 1116, 1216 may be made of non-woven fabric or filter material, having mesh size of 20pm to 200pm, preferably 40pm to 150pm, or even more preferably 50pm to 100pm. In an alternative variant, the sieve insert 1116, 1216 may be made of, for example, out of polypropylene, or other food compliant plastic with defined perforations, having diameter size of 20pm to 200pm, preferably 40pm to 150pm, or even more preferably 50pm to 100pm. Receptacle part 1104, 1204 and sieve part 1112, 1212 are affixed to each other and accommodate the supplemental ingredients 1120, 1220. The wall 1106, 1206, the bottom 1110, 1210, and the sieve frame 1114, 1214 may be made, for example, out of polypropylene, or other food compliant plastic. However, they do not necessarily be made out of the same material. In a further alternative variant, instead of a sieve insert 1116, 1216, a water-soluble layer (not shown), such as a slide, film, foil or sheet, may be used.

[104] In a further variant of the third embodiment, the compartment 1100, 1200 is a semi-cartridge and comprises a sieve part 1112, 1212, the sieve part 1112, 1212 comprising at least a sieve frame 1114, 1214 and a sieve insert 1116, 1216 in the configuration as described in the preceding paragraph. This variant does however not comprise a receptacle part 1104, 1204. The sieve part 1112, 1212 of this variant may be placed as such into the capsule 1300 and may receive supplemental ingredient before or after being placed into the capsule 1300.

[105] Now referring to Figures 13A to 13H. The Figure 13A shows exemplarily a cut view of an empty receptacle part 1104, 1204 before filled with supplemental ingredients 1220. Note, Figures 13A to 13H show as the supplemental ingredient exemplarily a supplemental ingredient according to paragraph [95], item (ii), (iii), (iv) and (v). However, it is emphasized that a supplemental ingredient according to paragraph [95], items (i) may be used instead. The Figure 13B shows a cut view after the receptacle part 1104, 1204 is filled with the supplemental ingredients 1220, leaving still some free space in the receptacle part 1104, 1204 for subsequent process steps. The receptacle part 1104, 1204 filled with supplemental ingredients 1220 serves as sieve frame 1114, 1214, is closed with a sieve insert 1116, 1216, as described in more details in paragraph [118], as shown in Figure 13C as a cut view. In an intermediate production step, the compartment 1100, 1200 is placed in a capsule 1300 as shown as a cut view in Figure 13D. The receptacle part 1104, 1204 may be pressed (shown in Figure 13E) towards the sieve part 1112, 1212 such that the two parts 1104, 1204 and 1112, 1212 are uncoupling from each other (shown in Figure 13F), for example, but not limited to, by a predetermined breaking point 1122, 1222 between the two parts 1104, 1204 and 1112, 1212. Figure 13G shows a cut view of an exemplary capsule 1300, having the sieve part 1112, 1212 positioned inside the capsule 1300, the sieve part 1112, 1212 accommodating the supplemental ingredients 1120, 1220, and the receptacle part 1104, 1204 is removed as it is at that stage of product not anymore required. Inside the capsule 1300 remains a semi-cartridge part 1350 of the compartment 1100, 1200. Subsequently, as shown in Figure 13H, the capsule 1300 is closed by a membrane-like element 1324, such as, but not limited to an aluminum foil or a plastic foil. The membrane-like element 1324 closes the capsule 1300 in a tight manner in the region of the capsule’s rim 1326, having barrier properties, at least against moisture and oxygen. The sieve part 1112, 1212 may optionally be affixed to the membrane-like element 1324.

[106] Figure14 shows such a semi-cartridge part 1350 after placing the compartment 1100 into the capsule 1400 and closing the capsule 1400 by a membrane-like element 1324. The semi-cartridge part 1350 containing supplemental ingredients as crystals or powder according to paragraph [95], item (i).

[107] Figure15 shows such a semi-cartridge part 1350 after placing the compartment 1200 into the capsule 1500 and closing the capsule 1500 by a membrane-like element 1324. The semi-cartridge part 1350 containing supplemental ingredients for example but not limited as agglomerated, granulated, spray- crystallized, microencapsulated, coated, hot melted and a combination thereof according to paragraph [95], items (ii), (iii), (iv) and (v). [108] Now referring to Figures 16A to 16F. Figures 16A and 16B are side cut views of a first variant of a dosing/release cartridge system, suitable to be used according the second and third embodiment of the present invention, whereof Figure 16A shows the cartridge in an unassembled view, and Figure 16B in an assembled view. Figures 16C and 16D are side cut views of a second variant of a cartridge, suitable to be used according the second and third embodiment of the present invention, whereof Figure 16C shows the cartridge in an unassembled view, and Figure 16D in an assembled view. Figures 16E and 16F are side cut views of a third variant of a cartridge, suitable to be used according the second and third embodiment of the present invention, whereof Figure 16E shows the cartridge in an unassembled view, and Figure 16F in an assembled view. These figures shall provide a more detailed identification of the parts comprised in the cartridges used in the second and third embodiment. The cartridge 1600 comprises a receptacle part 1630 comprising at least one circumferential wall 1632 and optionally a sieve frame 1634. The cartridge 1600 comprises further at least a first sieve insert 1636. In the first and the second variant of the cartridge 1600, the first sieve insert 1636 is affixed to a first side of the sieve frame 1634 (as schematically shown in the Figures 16A to 16D). Optionally, in the first and the second variant of the cartridge, additionally a second sieve insert (not shown) may be affixed to the second side of the sieve frame 1634, i.e. such as to form a chamber between the first and the second sieve insert. The so formed chamber may accommodate a further supplemental ingredient(s), which is optionally different to the first supplemental ingredient. In the third variant of the cartridge 1600, the sieve insert 1636 is directly affixed (e.g. by ultra-sonic welding) to the circumferential wall 1632. The third variant of the cartridge 1600 does not comprise a sieve frame (as schematically shown in the Figures 16E and 16F).

[109] Now turning to methods and processes of production of the above described embodiments.

[110] A method or process of production of a capsule comprising the dosing/release system according to the first embodiment described above comprise following steps:

(i) Preparation of the supplemental ingredients as powder and/or crystals.

(ii) Compacting or agglomerating the prepared supplemental ingredients into a dosing/release system. Such dosing/release systems may be stored in suitable container, which is suitable for later beverage capsule production process or used immediately. (iii) In the usual filling line of the main precursor ingredient the dosing/release system is removed from the storage container and laid on and/or pressed in the prefilled beverage capsule prefilled with the main precursor ingredient with a filling station for filling a dosing/release system in a beverage container as exemplarily shown in Fig. 17A and Fig. 17B. The location, where the dosing/release system is placed within the beverage capsule, may change according to the need of the beverage.

(iv) After filling the main precursor ingredients and insertion of dosing/release system in the beverage capsule, the beverage capsule is sealed with the state of the art means for closing and preserving the main precursor and supplemental ingredients for optimal storage and for optimal dispensing the beverage during beverage delivery.

[111] A method or process of production of a capsule comprising the dosing/release cartridge system(s) according to the second embodiment described above comprise following steps:

(i) Preparation of the supplemental ingredients as micro-pearls and/or microcapsules and/or pills/pellets/tablets and/or agglomerates and/or as coat of main precursor ingredient.

(ii) Filling process of supplemental ingredient as prepared as described in instant paragraph section (i) into one half of dosing/release cartridge system and close the dosing/release cartridge system with the second half by methods such as and not limited ultrasonic welding and/or perforating the dosing/release cartridge system by methods such as and not limited ultrasonic perforation or laser technology. Alternatively, the dosing/release cartridge system may comprise of sieving material, which may be welded together or on the cartridge by methods such as and not limited ultrasonic welding. Such dosing/release cartridge systems may be stored in suitable container, which is suitable for later beverage capsule production process or used immediately.

(iii) In the usual filling line of the main precursor ingredient the dosing/release cartridge system is removed from the storage container, if necessary, in case the dosing/release cartridge system is not yet perforated, the dosing/release cartridge system is perforated by a method such as and not limited ultrasonic perforation or laser technology and laid on and/or pressed in the prefilled beverage capsule prefilled with the main precursor ingredient with a filling station for filling a dosing/release system in a beverage container as exemplarily shown in Fig. 17A and Fig. 17B. The location, where the dosing/release cartridge system is placed within the beverage capsule, may change according to the need of the beverage.

(iv)After filling the main precursor ingredients and insertion of dosing/release cartridge or semi-cartridge system in the beverage capsule, the beverage capsule is sealed with the state of the art means for closing and preserving the main precursor and supplemental ingredients for optimal storage and for optimal dispensing the beverage during beverage delivery.

[112] A method or process of production of a capsule comprising the two-part or multi-part compartment dosing/release cartridge system 1100, 1200 according to the third embodiment described above comprise following steps:

(i) Preparation of the supplemental ingredients as powder and/or crystals and/or micro-pearls and/or micro-capsules and/or pills/pellets/tablets and/or agglomerates and/or as coat of main precursor ingredient.

(ii) Filling the prepared supplemental ingredients into the receptacle part 1104,

1204 of the two-part or multi-part compartment cartridge 1100, 1200 and may be stored in a suitable container for later beverage capsule production or used immediately.

(iii) The two-part or multi-part compartment cartridge 1100, 1200 may be removed from the storage container, if necessary, and placed on the beverage capsule prefilled with main beverage precursor ingredients with a filling station for filling a dosing/release system in a beverage container as exemplarily shown in Fig. 17A and Fig. 17B. In the beginning, during or at the end of this process pre-determined breaking points may decouple parts, such as 1104, 1204 and 1112, 1212 as shown in Figure 13, or may be decoupled by other movements, such as twisting, turning and the like, or may be opened by removing special membranes on bottom and/or on top side. The location, where the two-part or multi-part compartment cartridge is placed within the beverage capsule, may change according to the need of the beverage.

(iv) After filling the main precursor ingredients and insertion of the two-part or multipart compartment cartridge into the beverage capsule, the beverage capsule is sealed with the state of the art means for closing and preserving the main and supplemental ingredients for optimal storage and for optimal dispensing the beverage during beverage delivery.

[113] A method or process of production of a capsule comprising the one or more gel elements or the one or more pills or pellets or one or more agglomerates of particles or one or more sponge-like discs according to the embodiment described above, the supplemental ingredients may be pre-filled in a dosing/release cartridge system and then inserted into the beverage capsule as described in paragraphs [111] and [112], or the supplemental ingredients may be first formed to a suitable form for placing them like a cartridge into the beverage capsule as described in paragraphs [110] and [112].

[114] A method or process of production of a capsule comprising a dosing/release system according to the embodiments described above comprises a filling station for filling a dosing/release system in a beverage container, e.g. capsule, 1750. Such a filling station is schematically and exemplarily shown in Figures 17A and 17B. Those skilled in the art will therefore understand that such examples as provided in the description below may be realized in a different way, thereby remaining within the spirit of the provided concept. Said filling station 1700 comprises a mean 1710 to make dosing/release systems 1720 accessible for the robotic pick and place arm 1730. Said mean may comprise a piston 1715 to move dosing/release systems 1720 out of storage container. The robotic arm comprises means to pick 1735 the dosing/release system, e.g. by suction, to move 1740 the dosing/release system up and locate it precisely on the beverage container, which is prefilled or not yet filled or at any step in the capsule filling process, e.g. by positioning motors, and to place it 1735 on the capsule 1750, which is positioned in a production cavity 1760, e.g. of round plate of filling machine. While placing the dosing/release system on top of main ingredient it may optionally decouple the receptacle part 1104, 1204 from the sieve part 1112, 1212 at the predetermined breaking points 1122, 1222 and remove and discard the receptacle part 1104, 1204 thereafter. As an alternative, a tape and reel system and the like could be used instead of a pick and place system.

[115] Referring to Figures 18A and 18B, Figure 18A an exemplarily schematic view of a potential manufacturing system for making beverage containers containing a dosing/release system with a filling station for such dosing/release systems is shown, whereas Figure 18B shows an exemplarily corresponding diagram of a potential process for making beverage containers containing a dosing/release system with a filling station for such dosing/release systems. The manufacturing system 1800 comprises at least one transfer mean having a plurality of capsule holders 1805 adapted to cyclically and sequentially transfer capsules 1895 from a working station to a following working station. While only a single capsule holder 1805 is shown at each working station, it will be understood, that transfer mean has multiple capsule holders 1805 at each working station. Manufacturing system includes a capsule body forming station 1810 for molding a multilayered body material sheet 1806 with a heated mandrel 1815 to a capsule body 1890. Capsule holder 1805 is transferred to an ingredient filling station 1820 having an ingredient supplier 1825 for supplying a desired amount of ingredients 1826 into the capsule body 1890. A scale 1828 weighs capsule 1895 to ensure the desired amount of ingredients 1826 have been disposed into capsule body 1890. Capsule holder 1805 is now transferred to a filling station 1700, 1830 for dosing/release systems as described exemplarily in Fig. 17A and 17B. The dosing/release system 1720 is picked from a suitable storage container and placed precisely into the capsule, whereby it optionally may decouple the receptacle part 1104, 1204 from the filter sieve part 1112, 1212 and remove/discard the receptacle part 1104, 1204. Following dosing/release system filling step capsule holder 1805 then transfers capsule body 1890 with ingredients 1826 and dosing/release system 1720 to cleaning station 1840, where a vacuum conduit 1845 cleans the exposed surface of flange 1848. Then, capsule holder 1805 transfers capsule body 1890 with ingredients 1826 and dosing/release system 1720 to a cover-pre-sealing station 1850 for receiving a supply of cover material 1855 and pre-sealing a part of it to the flange 1858 of capsule body 1890, leaving the opening 1866 open for modifying the atmosphere in the capsule. Thereafter, capsule holder 1805 transfers capsule body 1890 partially sealed and containing ingredients 1826 and dosing/release system 1720 to atmosphere modifying station 1860. In the atmosphere modifying chamber 1865 after modification of the atmosphere in the capsule the sealing is completed with sealer 1868 and the final capsule 1895 released for packaging into boxes 1898.

[116] It is understood, that the sequential order of the process steps could be adapted to the need of product, e.g. several dosing/release system filling stations may be used at different stages during the capsule production process. The system 1800 do not require all stations and steps to be provided.

[117] Now turning to methods and processes of production of a new type of beverage with the above described embodiments, in which a part of the supplemental ingredients is either dispensed as suspended material and/or dissolved. [118] The method or process of production of the new type of beverage is described hereinafter. A capsule 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1300, 1400, 1500 according to the instant invention is placed into a machine 100 according to intended use. After the capsule is pierced though a wall at one region of the capsule, a pressurized mixing ingredient such as water (at chilled, hot, or ambient temperature) is introduced into said capsule, more precisely into the capsule’s compartment (370, 470, 570, 670, 770, 870, 970, 1070, 1370, 1470, 1570). The pressurized mixing ingredient traversing the compartment, thereby extracting or dissolving main precursor ingredients and releasing at least some of the supplemental ingredients. Then the mixing ingredient (incl. the elements extracted or dissolved from the main precursor ingredient) and the released supplemental ingredients are escaping the compartment by traversing at another region the wall or another wall of the capsule to arrive in a receptacle such as a cup. The so prepared beverage comprises on the one hand extracted or dissolved elements of the main precursor ingredients, and on the other hand supplemental ingredient as suspended material. The supplemental ingredients are of size and shape to pass main ingredient retaining system 260 or are prepared according to paragraph [95] to disintegrate/dissolve to a size and shape to pass main ingredient retaining system 260.

[119] The method or process of production of the new type of beverage is described hereinafter. A capsule 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1300, 1400, 1500 according to the instant invention is placed into a machine 100 according to intended use. After the capsule is pierced though a wall at one region of the capsule, a pressurized mixing ingredient such as water (at chilled, hot, or ambient temperature) is introduced into said capsule, more precisely into the capsule’s compartment (370, 470, 570, 670, 770, 870, 970, 1070, 1370, 1470, 1570). The pressurized mixing ingredient traversing the compartment, thereby extracting or dissolving main precursor ingredients and releasing at least some of the supplemental ingredients. Then the mixing ingredient (incl. the elements extracted or dissolved from the main precursor ingredient) and the released supplemental ingredients are escaping the compartment by traversing at another region the wall or another wall of the capsule to arrive in a receptacle such as a cup. The so prepared beverage comprises on the one hand extracted or dissolved elements of the main precursor ingredients, and on the other hand supplemental ingredient dissolved in the beverage. [120] The method or process of producing the new beverage as described in the precedent paragraphs [118] and [119] maintains the functional activity of supplemental ingredients, preparing them in such a way to be protected from degradation during shelf life/storage of the dosing/release system and of the capsule and/or during preparation of the beverage. Thus, allowing to transfer the function of the supplemental ingredient into the beverage, in other words keeping the function active. The function means the inherent function of vitamins (fat and/or water soluble), minerals, flavors, medicinal products, proteins, enzymes, any bio active substance, pieces of fruits (preferably pieces of dry fruits), pieces of vegetables (preferably pieces of dry vegetables), pieces of spices, herbal extracts, foamer, functional foods, taste enhancers, taste maskers, antioxidants, and any mixture of these.

Claims

1. A dosing/release system (420, 520, 620, 720, 820, 920, 1020) situated in a capsule container (132, 250, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1300, 1400, 1500) for to prepare a beverage, the capsule container having at least one compartment (270, 470, 570, 670, 770, 870 970, 1070, 1370, 1470, 1570), the compartment having a compartment volume, the compartment volume is surrounded by enclosing one or more walls, containing at least one precursor ingredient (402, 502, 602, 702, 802, 902, 1002, 1302, 1402, 1502) within the at least one compartment (270, 470, 570, 670, 770, 870 970, 1070, 1370,1470, 1570), the at least one precursor ingredient is coffee, the compartment comprising an injection wall for coupling to a beverage preparation machine (100) having at least one pressurized source of a mixing ingredient, the dosing/release system comprising a supplemental ingredient (302, 406, 506, 606, 706,806, 906, 1006, 1120, 1220, 1306, 1406, 1506, 1620); whereby a beverage product is prepared within said capsule container while the mixing ingredient traverses the capsule container, whereby the supplemental ingredient(s) is/are dosed and released into the beverage product while the mixing ingredient traverses the capsule container; characterized in that the at least one supplemental ingredient comprises at least one or more vitamin(s).

2. The dosing/release system according to claim 1 , wherein the dosing/release system is a single mechanically stable part formed of the supplemental ingredient(s), optionally allowing to establish a pre-defined flow in the capsule.

3. The dosing/release system according to claim 2, wherein the single mechanically stable part is formed by means of the list of means consisting of: compaction, agglomeration, pelletizing, tableting, encapsulation, coencapsulation.

4. The dosing/release system according to claim 1, wherein the dosing/release system is a cartridge and the supplemental ingredient(s) is/are situated inside the cartridge.

5. The dosing/release system according to claim 4, wherein the cartridge is made of two or more parts.

6. The dosing/release system according to claim 1 , wherein the dosing/release system is a pad and the supplemental ingredient(s) is/are situated inside the pad.

7. The dosing/release system according to claim 1 , wherein the dosing/release system is a cushion and the supplemental ingredient(s) is/are situated inside the cushion.

8. The dosing/release system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the supplemental ingredient(s) having a particle size in a range of diameter of 10pm to 1000pm, or in a more preferred range of 20pm to 500pm, or even more preferred range of 50pm to 100pm.

9. The dosing/release system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the supplemental ingredient(s) is/are prepared as crystals, having a particle size in a range of diameter of 10pm to 1000pm, or in a more preferred range of 20pm to 500pm, or even more preferred range of 50pm to 100pm.

10. The dosing/release system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the supplemental ingredient(s) is/are encapsulated by an encapsulation (304), the encapsulation being of a gel-like material or alginate, ethyl cellulose, Shellac, hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose, modified starch, maltodextrin, chitosan, carnauba wax, arabic rubber or a combination thereof.

11. The dosing/release system according to claim 10, wherein the encapsulation (304) having a particle size in a range of diameter of 10pm to 500pm, or more preferred 20pm to 200pm, or even more preferred 50pm to 100pm.

12. The dosing/release system according to claim 10 or claim 11 , wherein the encapsulation (304) being formed as a micro pearl.

13. The dosing/release system according to claim 10 or claim 11 , wherein the encapsulation (304) being formed as a microcapsule.

14. The dosing/release system according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the supplemental ingredient(s) is/are agglomerated with other particles, the other particles being based on a specific material, the specific material is selected from the list of specific materials consisting of a gel-like material or alginate, ethyl cellulose, Shellac, hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose, modified starch, maltodextrin, chitosan, carnauba wax, arabic rubber sugar-like substances or a combination thereof.

15. The dosing/release system according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the supplemental ingredient(s) is/are coated on particles of the main precursor ingredient.

16. The dosing/release system according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the supplemental ingredient(s) is/are co-encapsulated with particles of the main precursor ingredient.

17. The dosing/release system according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the supplemental ingredient(s) is/are agglomerated by pressing main precursor ingredient and supplemental ingredient(s) together into pills, pellets or tablet format.

18. The dosing/release system of any of the preceding claims 1 to 17, wherein the supplemental ingredient further comprises one or more mineral(s).

19. The dosing/release system of claim 18, wherein the at least one supplemental ingredient comprising vitamin(s) and/or mineral(s) further comprises at least a supplemental ingredient selected from the list of supplemental ingredients comprising: flavors, medicinal products, proteins, enzymes, any bio active substance, pieces of fruits, pieces of vegetables, pieces of spices, herbal extracts, foamer, functional foods, taste enhancers, taste maskers, antioxidants, dried milk, honey, and any mixture of these.

20. Use of the capsule container comprising the dosing/release system of any of the above claims for preparing a beverage using a system (100).

21. A method for preparing a beverage from the capsule container comprising the dosing/release system according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 19, comprising the steps of: a. inserting said container in a beverage machine (100) having a pressurized source of mixing ingredient, b. establishing a fluid connection between said capsule container and said source, c. introducing said mixing ingredient within said capsule container, and mixing said mixing ingredient with the at least two ingredients to create a beverage product, d. delivering said beverage product to a consumer through a delivery wall of said capsule container, characterized in that the supplemental ingredient(s) is/are dosed and/or released from the dosing/release system such that the supplemental ingredient(s) keep their biological function intact inside the beverage after being released and/or dosed into the beverage.

22. The method for preparing a beverage according to claim 21 , wherein the at least one supplemental ingredient is dissolved substantially instantly when getting in contact with the mixing ingredient.

23. The method for preparing a beverage according to claim 21 , wherein the at least one supplemental ingredient is flushed out of the capsule container by the mixing ingredient into the beverage, such that the at least one supplemental ingredient is suspended in the beverage, and substantially dissolved between 5 seconds and 5 minutes after the first contact with the mixing ingredient, preferably between 15 seconds and 2 minutes after the first contact with the mixing ingredient.

24. The method for preparing a beverage according to claim 21 , wherein the at least one supplemental ingredient is flushed out of the capsule container by the mixing ingredient into the beverage, such that the at least one supplemental ingredient is suspended in the beverage and thereby not dissolved.

25. A beverage prepared according to any one of claims 21 to 24.

26. A method for production of one of the capsule containers comprising the dosing/release system of the preceding claims 1 to 19, wherein the capsule container is filled by means of a sequential filling station (1800), the sequential filling station putting the dosing/release system together with the main precursor ingredient into the container, whereas the filling sequence may be of any order.

27. The method for production of one of the capsule containers comprising the dosing/release system of the preceding claims 1 to 19, comprising the steps of:

(i) preparing of supplemental ingredient(s) as powder and/or crystals and/or micro-pearls and/or micro-capsules and/or pills/pellets/tablets and/or agglomerates and/or as coat of main precursor ingredient;

(ii) filling or forming supplemental ingredient(s) into a dosing/release system;

(iii) filling main precursor ingredient into the capsule container and placing the dosing/release system into the capsule container; (iv) sealing the container with the state of the art means for closing the beverage capsule and preserving the main precursor ingredient and the supplemental ingredient(s).

28. The method of production according to claim 27, wherein step (iii) is executed by a pick and place system (1700).

29. The method of production according to claim 27, wherein step (iii) is executed by a tape and reel system.

30. A method for production according to claim 27, wherein step (iii) comprises two sub-steps: (i) filling the supplemental ingredient(s) into a receptacle part (1104, 1204) of a two-part or multi-part compartment (1100, 1200);

(ii) filling main precursor ingredient into the capsule container before, while, or after placing the two-part or multi-part compartment (1100, 1200), with or without a receptacle part (1104, 1204,1630) into the container, the location of the two-part or multi-part compartment (1100, 1200) may be everywhere inside the container’s compartment.

31. The method of production according to claim 27, wherein the dosing/release system is taken from a stock of pre-produced dosing/release systems before inserting into the capsule container.