Drink Beverages

Abstract

Methods and formulations for bottled or packaged or canned drinks in which the aqueous phase and capsules including hydrophobic ingredients that coexist with each other without emulsification or dispersion. The aqueous phase may include any consumable liquid including, but not limited to, alkaline water or mineral water or carbonated water or spring water or juice or flavoured drink or any other consumable liquids. The hydrophobic ingredient(s), including oils, liquids and chewables, are encapsulated in capsules, of varying sizes and shapes, made of edible material(s).

Claims

1. A bottled or packaged or canned drink comprising an aqueous phase and edible marbles or capsules immersed within the aqueous phase and encapsulating edible or drinkable or chewable ingredients.

2. The drink of claim 1 wherein the outer shell of the said marbles are made of edible materials including, but not limited to, gelatin or collagen or agar or alginate or plant extracts or seaweed extracts or biological polymers or synthetic polymers.

3. The drink of claim 1 wherein the aqueous phase comprises water or alkaline water or flavoured drink or a juice or a soft drink or a carbonated drink or an alcohol-free/non-alcoholic spirit or fermented drink or infusions or CBD drinks or any drink type thereof.

4. The drink of claim 1 wherein the said aqueous phase and/or the marbles may comprise natural and/or artificial flavours.

5. The drink of claim 1 wherein the said aqueous phase and/or marbles may comprise colouring agents.

6. The drink of claim 1 wherein the said aqueous phase and/or marbles may comprise CBD and/or THC oils.

7. The drink of claim 1 wherein the said aqueous phase and/or marbles may comprise artificial sweeteners or natural sweeteners.

8. The drink of claim 1 wherein the said aqueous phase and/or marbles may comprise syrups.

9. The drink of claim 1 wherein the said aqueous phase and/or marbles may comprise sugars and/or carbohydrates.

10. The drink of claim 1 wherein the said aqueous phase and/or marbles may comprise amino acids.

11. The drink of claim 1 wherein the said aqueous phase and/or marbles may comprise vitamins.

12. The drink of claim 1 wherein the said aqueous phase and/or marbles may comprise a triglyceride.

13. The drink of claim 1 wherein the said marbles may comprise a drink that is different than the drink in the said aqueous phase.

14. The drink of claim 1 wherein the said marbles may comprise any oil or oil-based component.

15. The drink of claim 1 wherein the said marbles may comprise fluorescent or bioluminescent components.

16. The drink of claim 1 wherein the marbles may comprise chewable ingredients.

17. The drink of claim 1 where the marbles may have a size no less than 2 mm.

18. The drink of claim 1 where the marbles may have various shapes and comprise various ingredients.

19. A drink whereby the aqueous phase is alkaline water (pH 8-11) and micro-encapsulated ingredients are used within.

20. The drink of claim 1 wherein any one or more of: the marbles may be produced in accordance with capsulation or encapsulation techniques; the drink is bottled or packaged or canned in accordance with bottling, packaging and canning techniques; or the said marbles may be added to any other liquid.

21. (canceled)

22. (canceled)

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] The accompanying drawing is:

[0043] FIG. 1 is an exemplary diagrammatic view of a bottled marble drink in accordance with the embodiments in the present invention;

[0044] FIG. 2 is an exemplary three-dimensional diagrammatic view of a marble in accordance with the embodiments in the present invention;

[0045] FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic flow chart view of the production processes employed during the production of the embodiments in the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0046] The invention will now be described, by way of examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawing.

[0047] With reference to FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings, a Marble Drink comprises an aqueous phase 1 which coexists with macro-capsules 2 (termed marbles in this present invention). The marbles 2 do not disperse or dissolve or form an emulsion with the aqueous phase 1.

[0048] The embodiment of formulations of the aqueous phase 1 and/or the drinks encapsulated within the marbles 2 in this invention include drinks, formulations, exemplary procedural or other details supplementary to those set forth herein, are specifically incorporated herein by reference to patents with assigned publication numbers GB2550794 and WO2019/243759, and a patent with assigned application number GB1916731.1.

[0049] Alternatively, the aqueous phase 1, in accordance with the present invention, could be any consumable liquid but preferably mineral water or alkaline water or spring water or carbonated water or juice or smoothies or flavoured drink or carbonated drink or fermented drinks or CBD drinks or tea infusions or any other drink category or a mixture of any of the aforementioned consumable liquids.

[0050] The marbles 2, in accordance with present invention, comprise of an outer shell of an edible material and inner core comprising edible or drinkable or chewed ingredient(s) that may be hydrophobic in nature. The outer shell may be made of edible materials including, but not limited to, plant extracts or seaweed extracts or a mixture of both or gelatin or collagen or any other materials mentioned herein.

[0051] The edible or drinkable or chewable ingredient(s) encapsulated within the marbles 2, in accordance with the present invention, may contain, but not limited to, any or a combination of the following components: drink(s), flavour(s), colouring agent(s), vitamin(s), antibiotics, CBD and/or THC oils, syrups, sugars, natural sweeteners or any other edible or drinkable or chewable ingredient(s).

[0052] Preferably, the shape of the marbles 2 could be spherical, and their size may not be less than 2 mm in diameter. Rectangular marbles and triangular marbles or other geometrical shapes could be fashioned as well.

[0053] An embodiment of the present invention may include marbles of 1 size, 1 shape and contain 1 ingredient inside a bottled/packaged/bottled drink. Alternatively, a bottled/packaged/canned drink, in accordance with the present invention, may include marbles of various sizes, shapes and contain various ingredients.

[0054] Preferred embodiments of drink formulations in the aqueous phase 1 and/or the drinks encapsulated within the marbles 2 of the present invention include, but not limited to, antioxidants, flavoring agent(s), preservative(s), or a combination thereof. More preferably, oral solutions include all three elements (i.e. an antioxidant, a flavoring, and a preservative). Preferred antioxidants may include, but not limited to, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), or combinations thereof. Suitable preservatives comprise, but not limited to, methylparaben, methylparaben sodium, propylparaben, or combinations thereof. Propylparaben and methylparaben are preferred preservatives, and combinations of the two are more preferred.

[0055] Flavorings that may be suitable for the drinks formulations in the aqueous phase 1 and within the said marbles 2 of the present invention may include, but not limited to, natural flavours such as orange, red fruits, lemon lime, vanilla, apple, strawberry, kiwi, ginger and ginseng or various combinations thereof or any other flavourings. It may also include sugars or artificial sweeteners or natural sweeteners including, but not limited to, stevia.

[0056] Additionally, syrups could be encapsulated within the marbles 2 and they may include, but not limited to, grape syrup, grape cherry syrup, bubble gum, almond oil, anise oil, cherry syrup, clove oil, lemon oil, licorice fluid extract, orange oil or syrup, peppermint oil, vanilla tincture or any other syrups or any combinations thereof.

[0057] Other elements that optionally may be included in the said drink formulations of in the aqueous phase 1 and/or the drinks encapsulated within the marbles 2 of the present invention include, but not limited to, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, phospholipids, cyclodextrins, triglycerides, diglycerides, monoglycerides, ionic surfactants, non-ionic surfactants, fatty acids, buffers, or any combinations thereof.

[0058] Preferably, vitamins used in the formulations in the aqueous phase 1 and/or the drinks encapsulated within the marbles 2 of the invention may include, but not limited to, Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Vitamin E, Vitamin B1-12 at varying concentrations.

[0059] Phospholipids suitable for inclusion in formulations of in the aqueous phase 1 and/or the drinks encapsulated within the marbles 2 of the present invention may include, but not limited to, phosphotidyl choline, phophotidyl ethanolamine, sphingomylein, lauroyl polyoxylglyceride, linoleoyl polyoxylglyceride, oleoyl polyoxylglyceride, lecithin, soy isoflavones, or combinations thereof.

[0060] Cyclodextrins suitable for inclusion in liquid solutions in the aqueous phase 1 and/or the drinks encapsulated within the marbles 2 of the present invention may include, but not limited to, α cyclodextrin, β cyclodextrin, δ cyclodextrin, γcyclodextrin, or combinations thereof.

[0061] Suitable triglycerides that may be included in formulations in the aqueous phase 1 and/or the drinks encapsulated within the marbles 2 of the present invention may include, but not limited to, olive oil, safflower oil, soybean oil, sunflower oil, or combinations thereof. Fatty acids that may be included in the invention, but not limited to, oleic acid, stearic acid, α-lipoic acid, ethyl oleate, myristic acid, palmitic acid, sorbitan monolaurate, sorbitan monooleate, sorbitan monopalmitate, sorbitan monostearate, sorbitan trioleate, or combinations thereof.

[0062] Any of the following amino acids may be included in formulations in the aqueous phase 1 and/or the drinks encapsulated within the marbles 2 of the present invention: alanine, arginine, aspartic acid, choline, folic acid, glutamine, glycine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, serine, threonine, tryptophan, tyrosine, valine, or combinations thereof. Other amino acids may be included too.

[0063] Buffers may be included in formulations in the aqueous phase 1 and/or the drinks encapsulated within the marbles 2 of the present invention. In particular, any of the following may be included, but not limited to, ascorbic acid, ascorbyl palmitate, calcium sulfate, citric acid, dibasic sodium phosphate, monobasic sodium phosphate, potassium carbonate, potassium citrate, sodium acetate, sodium ascorbate, sodium bicarbonate, sodium carbonate, sodium citrate, sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium metabisulfate, or combinations thereof.

[0064] Surfactants suitable for inclusion in formulations in the aqueous phase 1 and/or the drinks encapsulated within the marbles 2 of the present invention may include, but not limited to, aqueous sodium laurel sulfate, a tocopherol excipient, tocopherol polyethyleneglycol, beta-carotene, lycopene, or combinations thereof.

[0065] Preferably, CBD and/or THC oils may be encapsulated within the said marbles 2. The concentration and dosage of CBD and THC are within the permissible legal limits.

[0066] Preferably, the core of the marbles 2 may comprise fluorescent or bioluminescent components.

[0067] Preferably, the inner core of the marbles 2 may comprise chewable ingredients including the materials mentioned herein.

[0068] It will be clear to the skilled artisan that a variety of optional ingredients may be included in formulations of the invention. An exemplary embodiment of the invention comprises marble drink formulations comprising alkaline water, marbles comprising CBD oil, group of marbles comprising first flavouring (for example natural lemon lime flavouring), second group of marbles comprising second flavouring (for example marbles comprising natural strawberry flavouring), third group of marbles comprising maple syrup, fifth group of marbles comprising multi-vitamin complex, sixth group of marbles comprising first colouring agent (for example yellow), seventh group of marbles comprising second colouring agent (for example pink), and eighth group of marbles comprising natural sweetener stevia.

[0069] Several preferred embodiments of marble drink formulations include, but are not limited to, the following: alkaline flavoured ginger and ginseng infusion drink (pH 9.5), a group of marbles comprising CBD oil, a second group of marbles comprising lemon and lime natural flavouring, a third group of marbles comprising various colouring agents (for example orange, pink, blue, brown), and a fourth group of marbles comprising natural sweetener stevia.

[0070] This patent also provides embodiments of alkaline drinks (pH 8-11) whereby micro-encapsulated ingredients are used in the said alkaline drinks. This is particularly applicable to alkaline drinks produced by methods, apparatuses, and procedures related to patents with assigned publication numbers GB2550794 and WO2019/243759, and a patent with assigned application number GB1916731.1.

[0071] Ideally, dosages are monitored regularly using techniques well-known to the skilled artisan and adjusted as needed, preferably about every five weeks, to achieve the desired goal(s).

[0072] Herein, “individual” or “subject” refers to a human unless otherwise specified. Humans include children and adolescents.

[0073] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as is commonly understood by one of skill in the art to which this invention belongs at the time of filing. All patents and publications referred to herein are incorporated by reference herein.

[0074] Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and the specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

[0075] With reference to FIG. 2 of the accompanying drawings, the marbles in the embodiments in the present invention may be produced by various micro-encapsulation methods. Preferably, the double-nozzle micro-encapsulation process by Brace GmbH may be employed to create hard shell that encapsulated a hard or soft, could be liquid, core ingredients. The ingredients in the core of the marble are released at once pressure is applied by the consumer.

[0076] The marbles in the present invention comprise of an outer shell 3 and inner core ingredient(s) 4. The marbles may have a rectangular shape, triangular shape or preferably spherical shape as in the example give in FIG. 2. The marbles may not have a size of 2 mm or less. For instance, a spherical marble may not have a diameter of 2 mm or less.

[0077] The shell 3 in the marbles may be produced by various materials including, but not limited to, plant extract(s) or seaweed extract(s) or collagen(s) or sugar films, polymers such as gelatin, agar-agar, alginates or synthetic polymers such as resins or organics such as paraffin, fatty acids, waxes, or a mixture of any of the aforementioned materials, or any other liquids or materials that may be employed by the encapsulation methods.

[0078] The core of the marbles 4 may comprise various hard or soft ingredients as described herein.

[0079] With reference to FIG. 3 of the accompanying drawings, the production of the embodiments in the present invention may undergo several stages including, but not limited to, water treatment or purification, water carbonation (optional), syrup production and mixing (optional), blending (optional), macro-encapsulation or marbles production, filling, macro-capsules or marbles filling, packaging or bottling.

[0080] The water treatment or purification methods used in this present invention may include any of the commonly used methods of water treatment and purification in the beverages industry including, but not limited to, reverse osmosis filtration, carbon filtration, micro- or nano-filtration, UV purification, ozone purification, desalination, de-ionisation filtration, and/or aeration. By using the aforementioned methods, water from various sources may be used including boreholes, spring water, river water, sea water or any other.

[0081] Water treatment in the present invention may also include the use of the methods, apparatuses, formulations, exemplary procedural or other details supplementary to those set forth herein for the production of alkaline water, are specifically incorporated herein by reference to patents with assigned publication numbers GB2550794 and WO2019/243759, and a patent with assigned application number GB1916731.1.

[0082] Water produced by the aforementioned methods water treatment and purification methods in the present invention may be used as the aqueous phase in the embodiments described herein and thus be used to fill in the blending tank directly for the purpose of filling in the bottles or packs or cans for the purpose of the production of the embodiments in the present invention.

[0083] Preferably, water produced by the aforementioned methods of water treatment and purification may be used for the production of the various drinks described herein and used as the aqueous phase in the embodiments in the present invention.

[0084] Preferably, water produced by the water treatment and purification methods in the present invention may be used in the macro-encapsulation processes for the production of the marbles in the embodiments.

[0085] Optionally, water carbonation, sweetener production reactor and storage, syrup production and mixing, flavours and/or additives mixing, and syrup blending methods may all or some be used in the production of the embodiments in this present invention. The dotted arrows in the accompanying FIG. 3 denote for the optional steps during the production of the embodiments in the present invention. Water carbonation may be employed if the aqueous phase in the embodiments comprise carbonated water or carbonated drink. Syrup production and mixing, flavours and/or additives mixing, and blending methods may all or some be employed when the aqueous phase or the core of the marbles comprise flavoured drink(s), juice(s), carbonated flavoured drink(s), CBD drink(s), non-alcoholic spirit drink(s), fermented drink(s), or any drink that may comprise flavouring agent(s), colouring agent(s), aromatic agent(s), or any other consumable ingredients.

[0086] Preferably, water produced by the water treatment and purification methods in the present invention may be used for water carbonation, sweetener production, syrup production, flavour preparation, and additives preparation.

[0087] Filling methods and apparatuses may be employed to fill in the bottles or packs or cans with the aqueous phase of the embodiments in this present invention. The present embodiments may be bottled or packaged in PET or PETE bottles, glass bottles, carton packs, Tetrapacks, metal bottles or cans, or any other bottling or packaging materials by using standard bottling or packaging methods in the beverages industry.

[0088] Macro-encapsulation or marble production may be employed for the production of the marbles in this present invention. The embodiments in this present invention comprise marbles of various sizes and shapes including, but not limited to spheres (preferably), rectangles, triangles or other geometrical shapes. The size of the marbles vary but may not be smaller than 2 mm in size. For instance, spherical marbles may not have a size with diameter of ≥2 mm.

[0089] Preferably, the embodiments of drinks in the present invention may comprise marbles of 1 size, 1 shape and 1 ingredient in the bottled/packaged/canned drink. Alternatively, the embodiments may comprise marbles of various sizes, various shapes and various ingredients inside the bottled/packaged/canned drink in this present invention.

[0090] The materials used in the production of the outer shell of the marble may comprise plant extract(s) or seaweed extract(s) or collagen(s) or polymers such as gelatin, agar-agar, alginates or synthetic polymers such as resins or organics such as paraffin, fatty acids, waxes, or a mixture of any of the aforementioned materials, or any other liquids or materials that may be employed by the encapsulation methods.

[0091] Preferably, water produced by the water treatment and purification methods in the present invention may be used in the macro-encapsulation processes for the production of the marbles in the embodiments.

[0092] Sorting of the marbles and filling of the bottles or packs or cans with the sorted marbles in the embodiments in this present invention may be employed to ensure filling the bottled/packaged/canned drink with the correct amount, size, shape, and type (e.g. colour type, core ingredient types) of marbles. This step is preferred to be employed prior to filling the bottles/packs/cans with the aqueous phase during production.

[0093] The embodiments in the present invention are bottled or packaged or canned drinks. Standard industry methods, apparatuses and technique may be employed to prepare, manufacture and sterilize the bottles or packs or cans used in the embodiments. For example, PET bottle production may require plastic blowing, cooling, rinsing and disinfection prior to filling with the contents of the embodiments in the present invention. Water produced by the water treatment and purification methods described herein may be used in the preparation and production of the bottles or packs or cans used in the production of the embodiments.