Method for producing nutraceutical delivery system

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for producing a nutraceutical delivery system. The method includes the steps of screen printing a base paste and curing the base paste. The method further includes the steps of screen printing a first paste separate from the base paste and curing the first paste.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of a Chinese patent application with the application number CN201880084837.5 (PCT / EP2018 / 085756), the filing date of December 19, 2018, and the invention title of "Production Method of a Nutritional Product Delivery System". Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to a method for producing a nutritional product delivery system. Preferably, the nutritional product delivery system produced by the method according to the present invention is configured to controllably, and further preferably systemically, administer one or more active nutritional product ingredients to the body, preferably the human body. The present invention also relates to a system for producing a nutritional product delivery system. Background Art

[0003] Nutritional products are generally used to provide additional health benefits. Active nutritional product ingredients can be part of any nutritional product that produces its effects, especially any desired health effects. Certain nutritional products may contain multiple active nutritional product ingredients to provide different health benefits or to act in different ways. Thus, one or more active nutritional product ingredients can be delivered via a nutritional product. A nutritional product can even deliver a greater amount of nutritional product ingredients.

[0004] Delivery of a nutritional product can refer to the delivery of a nutritional product compound and / or ingredient into a consumer's body as needed to safely achieve its desired effect, especially its desired health effect. Delivery or administration of a nutritional product into the body of a consumer, especially a human, can be carried out in various ways. Possible routes of administration can include, for example, the oral route. In the case of delivery or administration into a consumer's body via the oral route, the corresponding nutritional product is provided through the consumer's mouth so as to enter or reach the gastrointestinal tract via the oral mucosa to reach the blood compartment through the gastric or intestinal mucosa.

[0005] Nutritional products can be provided in different dosage forms. Dosage forms can include, for example, pills, tablets, capsules, solutions, dispersions, and / or emulsions.

[0006] Tablets can be a dosage form of a nutritional product. A tablet can be a solid unit dosage form of a nutritional product with active nutritional product ingredients, which may or may not contain suitable excipients. Tablets can generally be produced by molding or by pressing. The manufacture of tablets generally requires providing an appropriate amount of active nutritional product ingredients in each tablet. This may be essential considering the safety and effectiveness of each tablet. Thus, all the ingredients of the tablet should be thoroughly mixed. Thereby, a homogeneous mixture of the ingredients can be obtained. Subsequently, a specific amount of the mixture can be pressed to obtain a tablet. Thus, the active nutritional product ingredients are generally evenly distributed within and / or throughout the tablet, or within a part thereof.

[0007] When administering tablets, for example orally, the tablets can dissolve. The active nutraceutical ingredients can thereby be released. Then it can reach the blood compartment through the intestinal mucosa and finally reach the target tissue. For commonly produced nutraceutical delivery systems, such as commonly produced tablets, the concentration of the active nutraceutical ingredients in the blood compartment can generally be higher than the efficacy threshold of the given active nutraceutical ingredient within a given period of time. During this period, the release of the active nutraceutical ingredients from the nutraceutical delivery system into the gastrointestinal tract can generally be much higher than the actually required level. Any excess active nutraceutical ingredients may not pass through the membrane in sufficient amounts and cannot be absorbed by the body. Therefore, such excess active nutraceutical ingredients can be excreted from the corresponding body. Additionally, it is possible that the excess active nutraceutical ingredients reach the blood compartment and / or tissue and may cause harmful effects.

[0008] In particular, the release of the active nutraceutical ingredients from commonly designed and / or manufactured tablets is mainly driven by the size of the disintegrated tablets, especially the surface size exposed to the surrounding fluid. Thus, it can be predetermined and fixed by the form and size of the tablets, for example, having a high release rate at the beginning and decreasing over time. Consequently, the blood and / or tissue concentration of the active nutraceutical ingredients can greatly exceed their respective efficacy thresholds to obtain a desired concentration period above the threshold.

[0009] Such a release profile is particularly disadvantageous for active nutraceutical ingredients with a narrow effective window. That is, in a situation where there is little difference between the effective dose and the harmful or overdose dose, the release profile of ordinary tablets can be particularly disadvantageous. Summary of the Invention

[0010] One problem on which the present invention is based is to provide a method for producing a more effective nutraceutical delivery system that allows for the controlled administration of one or more active nutraceutical ingredients to the body and / or has a release profile specific to the application and / or the active nutraceutical ingredient.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing a nutraceutical delivery system that can controllably administer several active nutraceutical ingredients to the body. A specific object is the controlled administration such that the active nutraceutical ingredients are released in a defined manner relative to each other, preferably having a desired and / or regulated release profile specific to the active nutraceutical ingredient.

[0012] A more general object of the present invention can be considered to be to provide an improved technology for producing nutraceutical delivery systems that can mass-produce high-quality advanced nutraceutical delivery systems. Any advanced nutraceutical delivery system can optimize the kinetics and dynamics of its respective active nutraceutical ingredients.

[0013] The method of producing a nutritional product delivery system according to claim 1 can solve these and other objects that will become apparent from the following description. A nutritional product delivery system is defined by claim 33. The system for producing a nutritional product delivery system is defined by claims 34 and 35.

[0014] The present invention relates to a method for producing a nutritional product delivery system. The nutritional product delivery system can deliver active nutritional product ingredients to a consumer's body, preferably a human body, as needed to safely achieve its desired effect and / or many desired effects.

[0015] The nutritional product delivery system according to the present invention can include one active nutritional product ingredient, or several active nutritional product ingredients, or other ingredients. The nutritional product delivery system can be a bioerodible nutritional product delivery system. Thus, when the nutritional product delivery system is applied to a consumer's body, it may erode. Thus, for example, in a consumer's mouth, the nutritional product delivery system can dissolve upon application.

[0016] The nutritional product delivery system produced according to the present invention can be particularly suitable for the controlled administration of one or more active nutritional product ingredients to a body. The body can be a consumer's body, such as a human body. The body can also be an animal's body.

[0017] The nutritional product delivery system produced according to the present invention can be used to orally administer one or more active nutritional product ingredients to a body. The nutritional product delivery system can dissolve in a consumer's mouth. Thus, using the nutritional product delivery system produced according to the present invention, the active nutritional product ingredients can be administered in a controlled manner. The manner of controlled administration can depend on the specific application situation and / or the health effect to be achieved.

[0018] According to the present invention, the method for producing a nutritional product delivery system includes the step of screen-printing a base paste. The base paste can, for example, include the following and / or consist of the following: water, polyvinylpyrrolidone, citric acid, hypromellose, stearate, silicic acid, glycerol, hydroxypropylcellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, starch, cellulose caramel, ethylene glycol, crystalline gelatin, collagen, hydroxyapatite, bicarbonate, lactide, lactic acid, silicon dioxide, poloxamer, xylitol, erythritol, ethanol, isopropanol, triacetin, aspartame, sodium bicarbonate, and / or acetone. The viscosity of the base paste can, for example, be in the range of 1×10 -2 to 1×10 14 mPa·s, preferably in the range of 1×10 -1 to 1·10 8 mPa·s. The viscosity of the base paste can be more preferably in the range of 1×10 0 to 1×107 in the range of mPa·s, more preferably in the range of 1×10 1 to 1·10 6 mPa·s. For screen-printing the base paste, for example, a corresponding printing screen can be used. Such a printing screen allows the base paste to be provided according to the desired printing profiles. Thus, only certain areas of the resulting nutritional product delivery system can be formed by the base paste.

[0019] The method according to the invention further comprises the step of curing the base paste. The base paste can be specifically cured to make it harden. The curing temperature and curing time can, for example, depend on the composition of the base paste. The base paste can be cured, for example, at a temperature in the range of 30°C to 180°C, preferably 35°C to 150°C, more preferably 40°C to 110°C, more preferably 45°C to 90°C, more preferably 50°C to 70°C. A curing time of 10 seconds to 1 hour, preferably 30 seconds to 30 minutes, more preferably 1 minute to 10 minutes can also be applied.

[0020] The method according to the invention further comprises the step of screen-printing a first paste, which is separate from the preferably cured base paste. Thus, the first paste can be provided separately from the base paste. Thereby, the first paste can be arranged separately from the base paste, i.e., preferably without any overlap. This is due to the fact that the first paste can be screen-printed so that it is arranged at a position where the base paste has not been screen-printed. In other words, the first paste can be screen-printed such that it is arranged at a position where there is no base paste.

[0021] According to the invention, one or more components of the first paste are not mixed with one or more components of the base paste in a classical manner to form a homogeneous mixture. Instead, the first paste is provided separately from the base paste. Within the resulting nutritional product delivery system, the base paste can thus be distinguished from the first paste. The first paste can, for example, comprise and / or consist of the following: water, polyvinylpyrrolidone, citric acid, hypromellose, stearate, silicic acid, glycerol, hydroxypropylcellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, starch, cellulose caramel, ethylene glycol, crystalline gelatin, collagen, hydroxyapatite, bicarbonate, lactide, lactic acid, silicon dioxide, poloxamer, xylitol, erythritol, ethanol, isopropanol, triacetin, aspartame, sodium bicarbonate, and / or acetone. The viscosity of the base paste can, for example, be in the range of 1×10 -2 to 1×10 14 mPa·s, preferably in the range of 1×10 -1 to 1×10 8 mPa·s, more preferably in the range of 1×10 0 to 1×10 7 mPa·s, more preferably in the range of 1×101 to 1×10 6 in the range of mPa·s. The printing screen can be used for screen-printing the first paste. The printing screen can allow the first paste to be provided according to a desired printing configuration, such that for example only certain areas of the resulting nutritional product delivery system are formed by the first paste.

[0022] The method according to the invention further comprises the step of curing the first paste. The curing temperature and curing time can depend, for example, on the composition of the first paste. The first paste can be cured, for example, at a temperature of 30°C to 180°C, preferably 35°C to 150°C, more preferably 40°C to 110°C, more preferably 45°C to 90°C, more preferably 50°C to 70°C. In addition, a curing time of preferably 10 seconds to 1 hour, more preferably 30 seconds to 30 minutes, more preferably 1 minute to 10 minutes can be applied. The first paste can be cured, for example, together with the base paste. As an alternative, screen-printing and curing of the first paste can be carried out after curing the screen-printed base paste.

[0023] According to the invention, the first paste contains an effective amount of a first active nutritional ingredient. Thus, the first paste can contain an active nutritional ingredient that will be delivered or administered via the resulting nutritional product delivery system. In addition, the first active nutritional ingredient can be uniformly distributed within and / or throughout the first paste. It will be understood that the first paste can contain several active nutritional ingredients. The several active nutritional ingredients can again be uniformly distributed within and / or throughout the first paste. The base paste may also contain active nutritional ingredients.

[0024] The method according to the invention enables the production of an enhanced nutritional product delivery system. According to the invention, the base paste and the first paste can be provided in the nutritional product delivery system in such a way that a particularly desired and / or regulated release of the first active nutritional ingredient can be obtained. The arrangement of the first paste relative to the base paste is controlled in the respective screen-printing step, i.e., by selecting a suitable printing configuration, it is possible to control when and at what rate the first active nutritional ingredient is released from the nutritional product delivery system. Thus, a nutritional product delivery system can be produced that is capable of achieving an optimal release of the active nutritional ingredient in order to administer the various active nutritional ingredients to the body in a controlled manner.

[0025] The use of screen-printing technology allows for the mass production of nutritional product delivery systems while ensuring high precision. For example, the first paste in a nano-sized geometry can be printed, and thus the first active nutritional ingredient in a nano-sized geometry can be printed. The arrangement of the first active nutritional ingredient within and / or throughout the resulting nutritional product delivery system can be controlled with high precision.

[0026] Screen printing technology also allows the first paste to be provided in such a way that a particularly preferred geometry is formed in the cured state and / or in the resulting nutritional delivery system. The use of screen printing technology also allows for the parallel production of several nutritional delivery systems. For example, during the screen printing of the base paste, by using a printing press with a mesh that allows the printing of the base paste to form an array of 100×100 tablets, a large number of nutritional delivery systems can be produced simultaneously. Similarly, the first paste can be printed to ultimately form an array of 100×100 tablets simultaneously. The 100×100 tablet array can also be cured simultaneously.

[0027] The resolution of the screen printing pattern can depend, for example, on the composition of the paste. Resolutions can be provided, for example, in the range of 10 dpi to 10000 dpi, preferably 100 dpi to 5000 dpi, more preferably 200 dpi to 2000 dpi, and even more preferably 500 dpi to 1000 dpi. Thus, the first active nutritional ingredient can ultimately be arranged in a refined manner in the nutritional delivery system. Thus, the two-dimensional or three-dimensional structure formed by the base paste and the first paste in the nutritional delivery system can have, for example, a resolution in the range of 10 dpi to 10000 dpi, preferably 100 dpi to 5000 dpi, more preferably 200 dpi to 2000 dpi, and even more preferably 500 dpi to 1000 dpi.

[0028] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the nutritional delivery system can be produced layer by layer. By producing the nutritional delivery system layer by layer, one layer can be formed on top of another layer. Thereby, the nutritional delivery system can be established. The first layer of the nutritional delivery system can be produced, for example, by screen printing and curing the base paste and the first paste. Subsequently, another layer can be produced on top of the first layer. This sequence can be repeated several times.

[0029] According to another preferred embodiment, the nutritional delivery system can be produced using a movable platform. The platform can be, for example, arranged below the printing screen. After each layer is completed, the movable platform can be vertically lowered by a corresponding step size. Subsequently, the next layer can be produced on top of it. It can be understood that the arrangement of the possibly cured first paste can be different in adjacent layers with respect to the possibly cured base paste.

[0030] According to another preferred embodiment, the paste is screen printed in such a way that the resulting planar layer of the nutritional delivery system contains both the cured base paste and the cured first paste. Thus, the resulting planar layer of the nutritional delivery system can contain the cured base paste. The planar layer can also contain the cured first paste, which is separate from the base paste. Thus, the two pastes (both in the cured state) can be distinguished from other pastes. This is because a homogeneous mixture is not provided.

[0031] According to another preferred embodiment, the planar layer of the nutritional product delivery system can be produced by screen printing and curing a base paste to partially form the planar layer, and by screen printing and curing a first paste, which is separate from the base paste, to partially form the planar layer. By producing the planar layer, the pastes can be screen printed without overlapping. Thus, by screen printing and curing the base paste, a part or a piece of the resulting planar layer can be formed. Subsequently, another part or another piece of the resulting planar layer, preferably the remaining part or the remaining pieces of the resulting planar layer, can be formed by screen printing and curing the first paste. As an example, the resulting planar layer can include areas or parts where only the base paste is disposed, such as in the outer areas or parts of the layer. The resulting planar layer can also include areas or parts where only the first paste is disposed, such as in the inner areas or parts of the layer. Thus, the pastes do not necessarily form a continuous area. On the contrary, these pastes may form separate areas, such as "islands".

[0032] According to another preferred embodiment, after the production of the planar layer is completed, another planar layer can be produced on top of the completed planar layer. In this way, different arrangements or printing configurations can be selected. Thus, a desired three-dimensional arrangement of the first paste relative to the base paste can be obtained. As a result, a desired three-dimensional distribution of the first active nutritional ingredient in the entire resulting nutritional product delivery system can be finally obtained.

[0033] According to yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a screen printing machine can be used to screen print the base paste, and a separate screen printing machine can be used to screen print the first paste. Thus, in respective production lines, a plurality of screen printing machines can be arranged. The screen printing machines can each be configured to print a single paste, such as the base paste or the first paste. By inserting a separate printing machine into the production line or removing it from the production line, the production line can be modified to produce different nutritional product delivery system designs according to the present invention. Thus, a high degree of flexibility can be achieved through this modular setup.

[0034] According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a shared or identical curing device can be used to cure the base paste and the first paste. Thus, the production line may only need one curing device to produce the nutritional product delivery system according to the present invention. Even if several separate screen printing machines can be used to produce the nutritional product delivery system, the constructs can be transferred to a shared curing device to cure the respective pastes. Thereby, costs can be saved.

[0035] According to yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the base paste (the base paste in the solidified state) and the first paste (the first paste in the solidified state) are soluble in body fluids. Body fluids within the meaning of the present invention may include, for example, blood and / or interstitial body fluid. The body fluids encountered may vary depending on the administration route. After oral ingestion of the nutritional product delivery system, the composition of the outer layer may determine whether the dissolution of the nutritional product delivery system starts in the oral cavity, and thus, its dissolution starts in saliva, or subsequently travels along the device through the gastrointestinal tract, especially the stomach, and thus dissolves in an acidic environment, the ileum, the jejunum or elsewhere. It can be understood that the pastes, i.e., the solidified pastes, and thus the dissolution characteristics of the resulting nutritional product delivery system can be selected or adjusted such that an appropriate release of the active nutritional product ingredients can be obtained according to the respective application. A quite instantaneous or quite slow dissolution can be selected or adjusted accordingly.

[0036] The first paste (i.e., the solidified first paste) and the base paste (i.e., the solidified base paste) can be dissolved in a similar manner. Both the base paste and the first paste can preferably be dissolved in the same body fluid. By screen-printing the first paste and the base paste separately from each other, and in view of their dissolution characteristics, the time and rate at which the first active nutritional product ingredient is released from the resulting nutritional product delivery system into the corresponding body or body fluid can be well controlled. The release of the active nutritional product ingredient can preferably be determined only by the dissolution characteristics of the solidified pastes and / or the form and / or shape of the resulting nutritional product delivery system. No other release agents, such as permeants for releasing the active nutritional product ingredient, may be required.

[0037] According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the paste can be screen printed such that in the resulting nutritional product delivery system, the first paste (i.e., the cured first paste) is unevenly disposed within the base paste (i.e., the cured base paste). Thus, in the resulting nutritional product delivery system, the base paste and the first paste may not be provided as a homogeneous mixture. Instead, the base paste and the first paste may be provided separately from each other, preferably in such a way that the first paste is unevenly disposed within the base paste. The first paste may be provided unevenly or discontinuously within the base paste or throughout the base paste along one, two or more preferably three spatial or orthogonal directions. Thereby, the first paste can be disposed in the resulting nutritional product delivery system in a controlled, regulated and / or desired manner such that there is no uniform distribution of the first paste and thus the first active nutritional ingredient within or throughout the resulting nutritional product delivery system. Instead, the non-uniformity may specifically consist of a particular arrangement of the pastes. Since the base paste and the first paste are provided as separate pastes, particularly by screen printing the base paste and the first paste separately in a preferably non-overlapping manner, the first paste can be unevenly disposed within the matrix formed by the base paste and / or throughout the entire matrix formed by the base paste. For example, the amount of the first paste disposed within the base paste and / or throughout the base paste may gradually increase along a particular direction of the entire resulting nutritional product delivery system and / or a portion of the resulting nutritional product delivery system.

[0038] According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the paste can be screen printed such that in the resulting nutritional product delivery system, the base paste, particularly the cured base paste, can be provided as a three-dimensional body or regarded as a three-dimensional body. Additionally, the first paste, particularly the cured first paste, can be unevenly disposed within the base paste and / or throughout the base paste. Thus, the body of the resulting nutritional product delivery system can be formed by the base paste, and one or more specific portions of the nutritional product delivery system, such as those that may have only very small dimensions, can be formed by the first paste.

[0039] According to yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first component can be unevenly disposed in a three-dimensional manner. Thus, the first component can be unevenly disposed within the base component and at the same time can be provided with an uneven disposition in three-dimensional directions, i.e., throughout the entire three-dimensional extent of the base component.

[0040] In addition, the base paste and the first paste can be arranged on a virtual two-dimensional or three-dimensional grid. Each pixel of the grid can be occupied by the base paste or the first paste. Thus, the first paste can preferably be arranged in a non-uniform manner within and / or throughout the base paste. Thus, the first paste can be arranged non-uniformly within and / or throughout the resulting nutritional product delivery system itself. The size or volume of such a pixel can be in the range of 1 μm 3 to 1 cm 3 preferably in the range of 10 μm 3 to 100 mm 3 more preferably in the range of 100 μm 3 to 10 mm 3 even more preferably about 1 mm 3 .

[0041] According to the present invention, the principle of uniformly distributing the active nutritional product ingredients throughout the nutritional product delivery system can be suspended. Thus, it is possible to provide a specific arrangement of the active nutritional product ingredients within and / or throughout the resulting nutritional product delivery system in order to obtain a nutritional product delivery system with a particularly regulated or customized active nutritional product ingredient release profile. The paste having the active nutritional product ingredients can be arranged, for example, in such a way that the active nutritional product ingredients are released in a stable manner. The release can preferably result in a blood tissue concentration that is higher than or slightly higher than the efficacy threshold of the active nutritional product ingredient. Compared to a conventionally produced nutritional product delivery system having uniformly distributed active nutritional product ingredients, the preferred nutritional product delivery system produced according to the present invention requires a smaller amount of the active nutritional product ingredient. In addition to this, the same physiological results and / or desired health effects are maintained while having lower side effects.

[0042] According to yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the non-uniform distribution of the active nutritional product ingredients in the nutritional product delivery system produced according to the present invention can be utilized in a standardized manner. The specific arrangement and / or adjustment can be selected or set according to the needs of the respective application. Such a concept allows for the production of nutritional product delivery systems having the advantageous release profiles or release characteristics as described herein. The standardization, definition, and / or specification of the paste arrangement, and thus, the standardization, definition, or specification of the non-uniformity of the active nutritional product ingredients, enable the mass production of such nutritional product delivery systems in a uniform manner, and also on a large scale.

[0043] For example, the release profile and / or release characteristics of the active nutraceutical ingredient can be configured and / or adjusted such that a constant rate of release of the active nutraceutical ingredient is provided over an extended period of time. In other cases, a particularly slow release of the active nutraceutical ingredient into the body can be provided, with a release rate slightly above the efficacy threshold of the active nutraceutical ingredient. In such cases, the release rate can be substantially independent of time. According to another preferred embodiment, the release profile and / or characteristics can be configured to release the active nutraceutical ingredient intermittently at specific intervals, for example over a period of time. According to yet another preferred embodiment, several active nutraceutical ingredients can be released one after another, or simultaneously at separate release rates, in particular with release profiles and / or characteristics specific to the active nutraceutical ingredient.

[0044] It will be appreciated that processes such as crosslinking within the base paste can occur by screen printing and curing the base paste. Ultimately, the base paste itself will be altered in this way. It can further be appreciated that even though the viscosity of the cured base paste may have changed significantly, its resulting structure can still be considered to be formed substantially from the corresponding base paste. Thus, when referring to the base paste in the resulting nutraceutical delivery system, it is understood that the base paste can be the corresponding cured base paste. This also applies to other pastes in the system.

[0045] According to yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the paste can be screen printed in such a way that in the resulting nutraceutical delivery system, the concentration of the first active nutraceutical ingredient varies within and / or throughout the nutraceutical delivery system. In particular, the concentration can vary throughout the entire matrix defined by the base paste. For example, the printing configuration can be selected to allow the first paste to be screen printed only in the central part of the nutraceutical delivery system. Thus, specific regions or parts of the resulting nutraceutical delivery system with a relatively high concentration of the first active nutraceutical ingredient can be identified. On the other hand, specific regions or parts with a relatively low or even no concentration of the first active nutraceutical ingredient can be identified. The precise timing and manner of release of the active nutraceutical ingredient can be controlled while taking into account the specific form and / or shape of the nutraceutical delivery system and the dissolution characteristics of the base paste and the first paste.

[0046] According to yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the paste may be screen printed in such a manner that in the resulting nutritional product delivery system, the concentration of the first active nutritional ingredient is relatively high or highest at the center, edge, or intermediate region of the nutritional product delivery system. As an example, if the resulting nutritional product delivery system is provided in the form of a tablet, the first paste may be arranged or screen printed in such a manner that a peak concentration of the first active nutritional ingredient is provided at the center or central portion of the tablet. With the administration of such a tablet and the subsequent dissolution of the base paste and the first paste, the release of the first active nutritional ingredient increases over time. The release of the first active nutritional ingredient may also remain substantially constant over time. This may depend on the shape of the nutritional product delivery system. In this way, a specific and / or desired release of the active nutritional ingredient can be obtained.

[0047] According to yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the paste may be screen printed in such a manner that in the resulting nutritional product delivery system, the concentration gradient of the first active nutritional ingredient increases towards or away from the center or central portion of the nutritional product delivery system. For example, the printing configuration may be selected in such a manner that the amount of the screen printed first paste increases towards the center or central portion of the nutritional product delivery system. If the resulting nutritional product delivery system is provided in the form of a spherical tablet and if the concentration increases towards the center of the tablet, the first paste and thus the arrangement of the first active nutritional ingredient may be provided in such a manner that the release rate is substantially constant with the application of the nutritional product delivery system. By adjusting the printing configuration during the corresponding screen printing step or multiple screen printing steps to adjust the concentration profile of the active nutritional ingredient within and / or throughout the nutritional product delivery system, the release profile of the active nutritional ingredient can be well controlled.

[0048] According to yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the paste can be screen printed in such a way that in the resulting nutritional product delivery system, within and / or throughout the nutritional product delivery system, the concentration profile of the first active nutritional ingredient includes a smooth transition to a region or portion of increasing concentration. For example, the printing configuration can be selected in such a way that the amount of the first paste screen printed gradually increases towards the center or central portion of the nutritional product delivery system. Thus, the concentration profile can have a smooth transition between regions of low or even no concentration on the one hand and regions of high or relatively high concentration on the other hand. A smooth transition within the meaning of the present invention can be defined by the absence of any sudden or discontinuous steps in the resulting concentration profile. Within the meaning of the present invention, the concentration profile can represent the concentration profile of the first active nutritional ingredient diagonally across the resulting nutritional product delivery system. The concentration profile can, for example, represent the distribution of concentration from one edge of the nutritional product delivery system to its center or central portion, or a concentration profile that may extend through the entire nutritional product delivery system. As described above, in the case of a smooth transition, with the dissolution of the corresponding cured paste, a smooth onset of the release of the active nutritional ingredient will likely be obtained.

[0049] According to yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the paste can be screen printed in such a way that in the resulting nutritional product delivery system, within and / or throughout the nutritional product delivery system, the concentration profile of the first active nutritional ingredient includes more than one region of relatively high concentration or increasing concentration. With such a resulting nutritional product delivery system, several doses of the active nutritional ingredient can be administered over time. More preferably, due to the respective printing configurations during screen printing, the deposition of the first active nutritional ingredient along the dissolution direction, i.e., from the periphery to the center, within and / or throughout the nutritional food delivery device can be discontinuous and / or repetitive in an onion skin type manner. Within each such shell of the nutritional product delivery system, the first paste can be provided non-uniformly. Thus, the release of the first active nutritional ingredient may preferably not start in a sudden manner. Instead, the release can be arranged in such a way that it starts and / or ends gradually. Thus, the release of the active nutritional ingredient can be provided in different waves. Thus, after a high release interval of the first active nutritional ingredient, there can be a low release or no release interval. In addition, the active nutritional ingredient can be administered in several stages over time. These stages, especially at their onset, can be controlled by controlling the arrangement of the regions of high concentration or increasing concentration within and / or throughout the nutritional product delivery system, especially by selecting or appropriately adjusting the corresponding printing configuration during screen printing.

[0050] According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the paste can be screen printed such that in the resulting nutritional product delivery system, the concentration of the first active nutritional ingredient within and / or throughout the system varies by at least 5%, preferably at least 10%, more preferably at least 15%, more preferably at least 20%, more preferably at least 25%, more preferably at least 30%, more preferably at least 35%, more preferably at least 40%, more preferably at least 45%, more preferably at least 50%, more preferably at least 55%, more preferably at least 60%, more preferably at least 65%, more preferably at least 70%, more preferably at least 75%, more preferably at least 80%, more preferably at least 85%, more preferably at least 90%, more preferably at least 95%, more preferably approximately 100%.

[0051] According to yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the paste can be screen printed in such a way that in the resulting nutritional product delivery system, the concentration of the first active nutritional ingredient within and / or throughout the system varies by at most approximately 100%, preferably at most 95%, more preferably at most 90%, more preferably at most 85%, more preferably at most 80%, more preferably at most 75%, more preferably at most 70%, more preferably at most 75%, more preferably at most 65%, more preferably at most 60%, more preferably at most 55%, more preferably at most 50%, more preferably at most 45%, more preferably at most 40%, more preferably at most 35%, more preferably at most 30%, more preferably at most 25%, more preferably at most 20%, more preferably at most 15%, more preferably at most 10%, more preferably at most 5%. Thus, the variation in concentration can be set in a controlled manner, particularly by using screen printing technology by providing the respective local arrangements of the first paste relative to the base paste in order to ultimately obtain a desired and / or specific controlled administration of the first active nutritional ingredient. Within the meaning of the present invention, the variation in the concentration of the first active nutritional ingredient can be defined as the difference between the maximum concentration and the minimum concentration of the active nutritional ingredient within the nutritional ingredient delivery system. Herein, the concentration can be, for example, a mass ratio concentration. The respective sampling volumes for measuring the concentration can be any suitable volume. Suitable can be, for example, 1 μm 3 . As an example, if on the one hand the highest concentration within the sampling volume in the nutritional product delivery system is approximately 80% and the lowest concentration within the sampling volume in the nutritional product delivery system is approximately 10%, the variation may thus be 70%. For example, throughout the entire nutritional product delivery system, the concentration of the first active nutritional ingredient can be at least 10%. In the central part of the nutritional product delivery system, the concentration of the first active nutritional ingredient may increase to 80%.

[0052] According to yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the paste can be screen-printed in such a way that in the resulting nutritional product delivery system, the concentration profile of the first active nutritional ingredient is such that upon application of the system, the first active nutritional ingredient is released from the system in a predetermined release profile. The release profile may more preferably include a portion with a constant rate of release. Due to a specific screen-printing configuration, the first paste can be arranged in the base paste in such a way that by applying the resulting nutritional product delivery system and by dissolution of the solidified base paste and the solidified first paste, a specific or specifically regulated release profile of the active nutritional ingredient can be obtained. According to a preferred embodiment, the release profile may include a constant release portion.

[0053] According to yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the paste can be screen-printed in such a way that in the resulting nutritional product delivery system, the first paste is arranged in the base paste such that in the case of dissolution of the nutritional product delivery system or the solidified paste respectively, the total amount of the first active nutritional ingredient on the outer surface of the nutritional product delivery system remains substantially constant within a predetermined time. The predetermined time may preferably be in the range of 1 second to 24 hours. For example, a printing configuration can be selected that allows the first paste to be screen-printed in such a way that the amount of the printed first paste only increases towards the center or central part of the nutritional product delivery system. It is understood that depending on the respective application and the form of the nutritional product delivery system, relatively longer or shorter release times can be applied.

[0054] If the nutritional product delivery system is produced in tablet form, the active nutritional ingredient can be released over a period of up to 12 hours. Preferably, the predetermined time for approximately constant release may be in the range of 5 seconds to 24 hours, more preferably 10 seconds to 12 hours, more preferably 1 minute to 6 hours, more preferably 10 minutes to 1 hour. In the exemplary case of a spherical tablet, the concentration gradient of the first active nutritional ingredient can point inwards. Thus, when the nutritional product delivery system dissolves, i.e., when the volume and surface of the system shrink, the amount of the active nutritional ingredient on the surface of the nutritional product delivery system can remain constant. Thus, the first paste can be arranged in such a way that ultimately the concentration of the first active nutritional ingredient depends on the distance to the outer surface of the nutritional product delivery system. Thus, a constant release of the first active nutritional ingredient can be set by arranging the first paste non-uniformly in the base paste using screen-printing technology.

[0055] According to yet another preferred embodiment, the paste can be screen printed in such a way that in the resulting nutritional delivery system, the concentration profile of the first active nutritional ingredient is such that with the application of the system, the first active nutritional ingredient is released in two or more doses. The release of the first active nutritional ingredient in one dose preferably starts 1 second to 24 hours, more preferably 5 seconds to 12 hours, more preferably 10 seconds to 6 hours, more preferably 20 seconds to 2 hours, more preferably 1 minute to 1 hour, even more preferably 10 minutes to 30 minutes before the release of the first active nutritional ingredient in another dose.

[0056] For example, the printing configuration can be selected in such a way that the first paste is provided at a plurality of separate locations towards the center or central part of the nutritional delivery system. If, for example, the nutritional delivery system is provided in the form of a tablet and the tablet is administered orally, the first active nutritional ingredient can be released in a first dose shortly after administration. Thus, the first dose can be released before the second dose of the first active nutritional ingredient is released at a later time. The doses can be uniform or different from each other. The release duration of any of the active nutritional ingredients mentioned herein can be measured by a dissolution test. The dissolution test can be carried out, for example, in accordance with the USP guideline "General Chapter <711> Dissolution".

[0057] According to yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the paste can be screen printed in such a way that in the resulting nutritional delivery system, the base paste surrounds and / or encloses the system and the first paste is not arranged on the outer surface of the system. That is, the outer surface of the system can be free of the first paste. In other words, the first paste with the first active nutritional ingredient can be provided in such a way that it cannot be accessed from the outside or the outer surface of the system, at least before the application of the nutritional delivery system. Thus, the first active nutritional ingredient can be sealed and / or protected from the environment, thereby reducing the risk of contamination.

[0058] In the case of producing a nutritional delivery system in the form of a tablet, for example, oral administration may delay the dissolution of the first paste. As a result of this fact, the base paste must first dissolve or at least partially dissolve. Thus, a delayed administration of the first active nutritional ingredient can be obtained separately. The nutritional delivery system can preferably be produced in such a way that the release of the first active nutritional ingredient starts 1 second to 24 hours, preferably 10 seconds to 12 hours, more preferably 30 seconds to 6 hours, more preferably 1 minute to 4 hours, more preferably 10 minutes to 2 hours, more preferably 30 minutes to 1 hour after the application of the corresponding nutritional release system.

[0059] According to yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the method may further comprise the steps of screen printing a second paste separate from the base paste and the first paste, and curing the second paste. The second paste may, for example, comprise an effective amount of a second active nutraceutical ingredient. Thus, the method allows for the production of a nutraceutical delivery system that is capable of achieving controlled administration of several active nutraceutical ingredients in a particular application. After the respective pastes are dissolved, the active nutraceutical ingredients may interact. Thus, the ingredients may provide a synergistic effect or different synergistic effects in the consumer's body. The first and second active nutraceutical ingredients may preferably differ in form and concentration. The ingredients may also have the same form and concentration. The cured second paste may preferably also be soluble in body fluids. The corresponding provisions and explanations given for the first paste and the base paste may be similarly applied to the second paste.

[0060] It will be understood that the provisions and explanations herein regarding the screen printing and curing steps of the base paste and the first paste, and regarding the first active nutraceutical ingredient, may be similarly applied to the second paste and the second active nutraceutical ingredient. It may be further understood that the method may comprise additional steps of screen printing and curing additional pastes having other active nutraceutical ingredients, for example, a third paste comprising a third active nutraceutical ingredient and / or a fourth paste comprising a fourth active nutraceutical ingredient. The additional pastes having other active nutraceutical ingredients may be screen printed and subsequently cured.

[0061] According to yet another preferred embodiment, the paste may be screen printed such that the resulting planar layer of the nutraceutical delivery system comprises all of the cured base paste, the cured first paste, and the cured second paste. Thus, the planar layer of the resulting nutraceutical delivery system may comprise the cured base paste, the cured first paste separate from the base paste, and the cured second paste separate from the base paste and the first paste. Thus, all of the cured pastes may be distinguishable from one another. This is because no homogeneous mixture is provided.

[0062] According to yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the planar layer of the nutraceutical delivery system may be produced by screen printing and curing the base paste to partially form the planar layer, screen printing and curing the first paste separate from the base paste to partially form the planar layer, and screen printing and curing the second paste separate from the base paste and the first paste to partially form the planar layer.

[0063] By producing a planar layer, the paste is preferably screen-printed without overlapping. By screen-printing and curing a base paste, a part of the resulting planar layer can be formed respectively. Subsequently, another part of the resulting planar layer can be formed by screen-printing and curing a first paste. Subsequently, another part of the resulting planar layer can be formed by screen-printing and curing a second paste, which is preferably the remaining part of the resulting planar layer. As an example, the resulting planar layer can include a region where only the base paste is arranged, a region where only the first paste is arranged, and a region where only the second paste is arranged. The region where only the base paste is arranged can be, for example, the outer region of the layer. The region where only the first paste is arranged can be, for example, the inner region of the layer. The region where only the second paste is arranged can be, for example, the middle region of the layer. The pastes do not necessarily have to form a continuous region. Instead, these pastes can form separate regions, such as "islands".

[0064] According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the paste can be screen-printed in such a way that in the resulting nutritional product delivery system, the cured second paste is unevenly arranged in the cured base paste. Therefore, the release of the first active nutritional ingredient and the second active nutritional ingredient from the nutritional product delivery system can also be controlled relative to each other. This can be achieved by controlling the uneven arrangement of the first and second pastes in the base paste. The above explanation regarding the uneven arrangement also applies here.

[0065] According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the paste can be screen-printed in such a way that in the resulting nutritional product delivery system, the concentration distribution of the first active nutritional ingredient within and / or throughout the nutritional product delivery system is different from the concentration distribution of the second active nutritional ingredient within and / or throughout the nutritional product delivery system. For example, the printing configuration can be selected such that the amount of the screen-printed first paste increases towards the center or central part of the nutritional product delivery system. Additionally, the amount of the screen-printed second paste can decrease towards the center or central part of the nutritional product delivery system. Therefore, the nutritional product delivery system can be designed and / or produced in such a way that the first active nutritional ingredient and the second active nutritional ingredient are released in different doses onto the corresponding body of the consumer.

[0066] According to yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the pastes can be screen printed in such a way that they are ultimately arranged in a discontinuous manner within and / or throughout the resulting nutritional product delivery system. The discontinuous manner can enable the first active ingredient to be released over different time periods as the dissolution of the nutritional product delivery system begins. The onset of dissolution typically occurs at its periphery. For example, in the case of an onion skin type arrangement, a layer with the first paste can be adjacent to another layer without an active nutritional ingredient or with a second active nutritional ingredient. The release of the active nutritional ingredient can be controlled by varying parameters such as the thickness of the respective layers, their composition, and the distribution of the active nutritional ingredient within the layers.

[0067] According to yet another preferred embodiment, at least one layer of the nutritional product delivery system can resist dissolution in certain body fluids or certain body environments and / or can dissolve in certain body fluids or environments in a delayed manner. It is also possible that at least one layer of the nutritional product delivery system can resist dissolution in certain body fluids or environments and can dissolve in other body fluids or environments. Thus, at least one layer can have anti-solubility or delayed solubility. Multiple such layers can be provided. Such layers can be arranged, for example, on both sides of a possible third layer in a sandwich-like configuration. In this case, for example, the third layer can dissolve only from the narrow side or its edge. Due to the arrangement of the other layers that do not dissolve or dissolve only in a delayed manner in the respective body fluids or environments, the remaining sides or surfaces are protected from contact with body fluids or tissues. Thereby, the possibility of controlling the administration of one or different ingredients can be further improved.

[0068] According to yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the pastes can be screen printed in such a way that in the resulting nutritional product delivery system, the first paste and the second paste are arranged in such a way that the release of the first active nutritional ingredient begins before the release of the second active nutritional ingredient upon application of the nutritional product delivery system. For example, the printing configuration can be selected such that the second paste is printed closer to the center or central part of the nutritional product delivery system. At the same time, the first paste can be printed further towards the edge of the nutritional product delivery system.

[0069] Preferably, the release of the first active nutritional ingredient can begin 1 second to 24 hours, preferably 5 seconds to 12 hours, more preferably 10 seconds to 6 hours, more preferably 20 seconds to 2 hours, more preferably 1 minute to 1 hour, and most preferably 10 minutes to 30 minutes before the release of the second active nutritional ingredient.

[0070] Due to the specific non-uniform or discontinuous arrangement of the first paste and the second paste in the base paste, especially with respect to the dissolution direction, it is possible to control when the respective first and second active nutritional components are released relative to each other. Depending on the spatial arrangement of the first and second active nutritional components in the layer, the release of the two active nutritional components can be separated by a defined time interval. Similarly, depending on the spatial arrangement of the first and second active nutritional components in the layer, when the release of the second active nutritional component starts, the release of the first active nutritional component can continue. Thereby, a synergistic effect of the active nutritional components can be obtained. In principle, the active nutritional components can be released into the body within seconds, minutes, and / or hours. This may depend on the individual form of application.

[0071] According to yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the pastes can be screen-printed in such a way that in the resulting nutritional delivery system, the first paste and the second paste are arranged such that, in the case of application of the nutritional delivery system, the release profile of the first active nutritional component is different from the release profile of the second active nutritional component. For example, the first active nutritional component can be released at a relatively constant rate. In contrast, the second active nutritional component can be released intermittently, for example. Thus, an elaborate nutritional delivery system can be designed.

[0072] According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the total amount of the first active nutritional component in the first paste of the resulting nutritional delivery system can be from 1 μg to 100 g, preferably from 10 μg to 10 g, more preferably from 100 μg to 1 g, more preferably from 500 μg to 500 mg, more preferably from 1 mg to 100 mg, more preferably from 10 mg to 50 mg. It is understood that any description or explanation regarding the first active nutritional component can also apply to a possible second or other active nutritional components, which can be provided in the second or other pastes of the nutritional delivery system.

[0073] According to yet another preferred embodiment, one or more pastes can comprise ceramics, metals, polymers, preferably polymer acrylates, and / or any type of minerals.

[0074] According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, one or more pastes can comprise disintegrants. Such disintegrants can promote the dissolution of the respective paste, i.e., the solidified paste. Disintegrants can include, for example, cellulose, sodium carboxymethylcellulose cross-linked, crospovidone, starch, crospolyvinylpyrrolidone, sodium starch glycolate, and / or sodium carboxymethylcellulose. The cellulose can preferably be microcrystalline cellulose. The starch can preferably be modified starch.

[0075] According to yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, one or more pastes may comprise one or more ingredients selected from the following: colorants, sweeteners, flavorants, antimicrobial preservatives, chemical stabilizers that may preferably be used to enhance the chemical stability of active nutraceutical ingredients, viscosity modifiers that may be used to reduce the sedimentation of particles, and cellulosic materials that may be used as viscosity enhancers in suspensions. The antimicrobial preservative may preferably comprise sorbic acid, benzoic acid, parabens, sucrose, and / or benzalkonium chloride. The chemical stabilizer may for example comprise antioxidants such as ascorbic acid or sodium metabisulfite, and / or chelating agents such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid. The viscosity modifier may for example include polymeric materials or inorganic materials such as clays. The cellulosic materials may for example include cellulose, cellulose ethers, and / or alginic acid.

[0076] According to yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, one or more pastes may comprise one excipient or more excipients selected from the following list: fillers, solution binders, dry binders, glidants. The fillers may for example include lactose, sucrose, glucose, mannitol, sorbitol, calcium carbonate, and / or cellulose. The solution binders may for example include gelatin, polyvinylpyrrolidone, cellulose derivatives, and / or polyethylene glycol. The dry binders may for example include cellulose, polyethylene glycol, and / or methylcellulose. The glidants may for example include silica, magnesium stearate, and / or talc.

[0077] According to yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first paste may be screen printed to form a geometric shape. The shape may preferably be a tube, such as a hollow tube, a spot, such as a local, small cluster, and / or an agglomeration, an oval, such as an open circle or an oval-shaped oval, a plate, and / or a polygon, such as a square. Thus, the first paste may be provided in such a shape that a desired release of the first active nutraceutical ingredient may be obtained. With respect to other active nutraceutical ingredients provided in other pastes of the system, a desired release may even be obtained. The concentration of the active nutraceutical ingredient may vary within a specific geometric shape.

[0078] According to yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the resulting nutraceutical delivery system may be in the form of a tablet, a capsule, a disk, a film, an implant, a subcutaneous implant, a patch, pellets, or granules. The nutraceutical delivery system produced according to the present invention may accordingly have various forms. Depending on the given application, this allows for the achievement of a desired administration and a desired release of the active nutraceutical ingredient.

[0079] According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the paste can be screen printed so that the resulting nutrient delivery system can have the characteristics of a structured surface. For example, a printing configuration can be selected so that protrusions and / or depressions are formed in the surface of the resulting nutrient delivery system. This can appropriately expand the surface of the resulting nutrient delivery system. Ultimately, in this way, a high release or release rate of the corresponding active nutrient ingredient can be obtained.

[0080] According to another preferred embodiment, the nutritional product delivery system may not contain any fluorescent components.The nutritional product delivery system may also include fluorescent components, for example, in order to mark different parts of the system.

[0081] It will also be appreciated that the nutraceutical delivery system produced according to the present invention may not be limited to a specific active nutraceutical ingredient. In principle, any suitable active nutraceutical ingredient may be used according to the present invention, which may be provided in a respective paste that is unevenly arranged in a base paste.

[0082] Active nutritional ingredients can be, for example, dietary supplements, particularly vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino acids, dietary substances for human use that supplement the diet by increasing total dietary intake, or concentrates, metabolites, constituents, extracts or combinations of any of the above ingredients. For example, the botanical can be a seed, berry, leaf, root, flower or bark. As another example, the active nutritional ingredient can be an animal extract, such as a fatty acid. It will be appreciated that this list is not restrictive. The nutritional product delivery system produced according to the present invention can also include other components or substances, such as additives, etc.

[0083] According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the nutraceutical active ingredient can be a dietary supplement. Further preferably, the nutraceutical active ingredient can be a vitamin, a mineral, an herb or other botanical, an amino acid, a dietary substance for human use to supplement the diet by increasing the total dietary intake, or a concentrate, metabolite, constituent, extract, or combination of any of the above ingredients.

[0084] In another preferred embodiment, the nutrient delivery system does not contain any active pharmaceutical ingredients. In another preferred embodiment, the nutrient delivery system does not contain any medicinal drugs. In another preferred embodiment, the nutrient delivery system does not have any therapeutic effect.

[0085] According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the nutritional delivery system may be formed of and / or fabricated from multiple layers, preferably more than 2 layers, preferably more than 3 layers, preferably more than 5 layers, preferably more than 10 layers, preferably more than 15 layers, preferably more than 20 layers, preferably more than 25 layers, preferably more than 50 layers, preferably more than 75 layers, preferably more than 100 layers. The nutritional delivery system may also be formed of up to 500 layers, up to 400 layers, up to 350 layers, up to 300 layers, up to 250 layers, up to 150 layers, up to 100 layers, up to 75 layers, up to 50 layers, up to 25 layers or up to 15 layers.

[0086] According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, at least one or more or all of the layers of the nutritional delivery system may have a constant thickness and / or a constant concentration of any ingredient or component. At least two or more layers may have the same composition and / or dimensions.

[0087] The present invention also relates to a nutritional delivery system produced by the method described herein.

[0088] According to another aspect, the present invention relates to a system for producing a nutritional delivery system. The system or production system may include means for producing a nutritional delivery system in the manner described herein. The production system according to the present invention for producing a nutritional delivery system may include means for screen-printing a base paste, means for curing the base paste, means for screen-printing a first paste, the first paste being separate from the base paste and containing an effective amount of a first active nutritional ingredient, and means for curing the first paste. It will also be understood that within the concept of the present invention, for example, the production system may further include means for screen-printing a second paste, the second paste including an effective amount of a second active nutritional ingredient. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0089] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, like features are provided with the same reference numerals.

[0090] Figures 1a to 1d A part of a production system for producing a nutritional delivery system according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0091] Figure 2 A production system for producing a nutritional delivery system according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0092] Figure 3 A production system for producing a nutritional delivery system according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0093] Figure 4 A production system for producing a nutritional delivery system according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0094] Figure 5 Shows the design of a nutritional product delivery system produced according to the present invention and the corresponding concentration distribution;

[0095] Figure 6a Shows the active nutritional ingredient release curve of a generally produced nutritional product delivery system;

[0096] Figure 6b and 6c Shows the active nutritional ingredient release curves of several nutritional product delivery systems produced according to the present invention;

[0097] Figures 7a to 7i Shows other embodiments of a nutritional product delivery system produced according to the present invention;

[0098] Figures 8a to 8d Shows other embodiments of a nutritional product delivery system produced according to the present invention;

[0099] Figure 9 Shows another embodiment of a nutritional product delivery system produced according to the present invention; and

[0100] Figure 10 Shows a structured nutritional product delivery system produced according to the present invention. Examples

[0101] Figure 1 shows a part of a production system for producing a nutritional product delivery system according to the present invention. As can be understood, a screen 10 is provided, which is configured for screen printing a paste within the meaning of the present invention. The screen 10 can for example be adapted for screen printing a base paste. The screen 10 can thus include a corresponding mask 11. The mask 11 can be a specific mask part for screen printing a desired pattern, which pattern represents a corresponding printing configuration. The screen 10 can also include a blade 13. The blade 13 can suck up the material or paste 12 to be printed onto the screen, in particular onto the mask 11.

[0102] From Figure 1a It can further be understood that a movable platform 20 can be provided below the screen 10. There is already a build 40 on the platform 20. The build 40 may have been produced layer by layer according to the present invention.

[0103] As can be understood from Figure 1b It can be understood that the blade 13 can suck up the paste 12 along the screen 10. Thereby, another layer of the paste 12 can be screen printed onto the build 40. The mask 11 can mask several parts in such a way that the paste 12 is only printed at specific positions or parts on the build 40. Thus, the arrangement of the paste 12 in the resulting nutritional product delivery system can be precisely controlled.

[0104] From Figure 1c It can be further understood that the screen 10 can then be lifted, and the platform 20 of the construct 40 with an additional layer including a screen printing paste can be horizontally moved to place the construct 40 under the dryer 30. The screen printed layer can be cured by this dryer 30. Thus, the printed paste can be hardened in this way.

[0105] Subsequently, the platform 20 can be moved to another screen of another printing station in order to complete other parts of the layer by screen printing and curing other pastes.

[0106] From Figure 1d It can be understood that after the layer is completed, the platform can return to the shown printing press and screen 10. Then the corresponding paste 12 can be printed again on top of the construct 40. The height of the platform 20 can be lowered by an amount corresponding to the thickness of the previously constructed layer. The screen 10 can be moved to its lower printing position so that another layer can be provided on top of the cured layer.

[0107] Figures 2 - 4 Different embodiments of a production system for producing a nutritional product delivery system according to the present invention are shown. According to Figure 2 , a dryer 30 is provided between two screen printing presses 10a, 10b. During the operation of the printing press 10a, a base paste according to the present invention can be printed. Then the base paste can be cured by the dryer 30. Subsequently, a first paste can be printed by the printing press 10b, especially on parts or blocks not covered by the base paste. Subsequently, the first paste can also be cured with the dryer 30. Then the construct can be moved back to the first printing press 10a in order to start the production of a new layer. In particular, by separately changing the grid or printing configuration of the printing presses 10a, 10b, the three-dimensional layout of the pastes in the resulting nutritional product delivery system can be changed.

[0108] According to Figure 3 the embodiment shown, in addition to a single dryer 30, five printing presses 10 can be arranged. Each of these printing presses can be used for screen printing different pastes in order to ultimately form a single continuous layer. Then the layer can be cured in one step by means of the single dryer 30. Subsequently, a new layer can be produced on top of it.

[0109] According to Figure 4In the illustrated embodiment, several printing presses 10 may be arranged together with several dryers 30. Thus, three successive printing presses 10 may print a first complete planar layer. The layer may then be cured with respective dryers 30. Another planar layer may then be printed on top. The latter layer may be different from the previously printed and cured layer. It will be understood that the corresponding procedure may be repeated with additional printing presses and dryers.

[0110] Figure 5 An embodiment of a nutritional delivery system produced in accordance with the present invention is shown. From Figure 5 it will be understood that the planar layers of the nutritional delivery system may extend through the nutritional delivery system. Pastes 50 containing active nutritional ingredients and base paste 52 may be arranged on a grid-like structure. Each "pixel" may be defined by the active nutritional ingredient paste 50 or the base paste 52. As may be further understood, the two pastes 50 and 52 may be arranged in such a way that the density of the "active nutritional ingredient pixels" may be higher in the central part or center of the nutritional delivery system. This can also be clearly seen from the concentration distribution of the active nutritional ingredients shown also in Figure 5 This distribution contains a peak of high active nutritional ingredient concentration at the center of the system. The system also includes a relatively low active nutritional ingredient concentration at the edges of the system. In addition, there may be a smooth transition from the low active nutritional ingredient concentration at the edges to the high active nutritional ingredient concentration at the center. Such a smooth transition does not exhibit any sudden steps. The release profile of such a nutritional delivery system as the two pastes dissolve may be adjusted or configured in a particularly desired manner.

[0111] Figure 6a The release profile of a conventional nutritional delivery system containing uniformly distributed active nutritional ingredients is shown. Figure 6b And 6c Two release profiles of a nutritional delivery system produced in accordance with the present invention are shown. In Figures 6a to 6b the design of the corresponding nutritional delivery system is shown beside the graph. The nutritional delivery system may be provided in a circular shape. The individual nutritional delivery systems may be, for example, tablets that dissolve upon oral administration. These figures respectively show the release of the active nutritional ingredients in the corresponding nutritional delivery systems over time.

[0112] Regarding Figure 6aIn the graph, the design of each nutritional product delivery system is such that the active nutritional product ingredients are evenly distributed within and / or throughout the nutritional product delivery system. This principle of uniformity (uniformity being a key feature of nutritional product delivery systems common in the prior art) stems from the corresponding manufacturing process. The corresponding active nutritional product ingredients are released as the classical nutritional product delivery system dissolves. Due to the dissolution characteristics of the uniform system and the shape of the nutritional product delivery system, a specific and fixed release curve can be obtained. As can be understood from Figure 6a the curve therein, the release of the active nutritional product ingredients gradually increases over time, then reaches a maximum value, and subsequently gradually decreases.

[0113] Considering the non-uniform arrangement of the active nutritional product ingredients according to the present invention, different release curves can be appropriately obtained. According to Figure 6b the embodiment is different from Figure 6a the embodiment because the active nutritional product ingredients are arranged at the edge of the nutritional product delivery system. Thus, the principle of uniform distribution of the active nutritional product ingredients within the nutritional product delivery system can be abrogated. In particular, the active nutritional product ingredients can be non-uniformly arranged within the nutritional product delivery system. In the current case, a high concentration can be provided at the edge of the nutritional product delivery system. The concentration of the active nutritional product ingredients can smoothly decrease towards the center or central part of the nutritional product delivery system. By applying the nutritional product delivery system related to Figure 6b , the release of the active nutritional product ingredients may be relatively high or quite high at the beginning. Subsequently, the release may gradually decrease. Such a high initial release of the active nutritional product ingredients may be beneficial for specific applications.

[0114] In the embodiment according to Figure 6c , the active nutritional product ingredients can accumulate in the central part or central portion of the nutritional product delivery system. Thus, the concentration of the active nutritional product ingredients can be relatively high or highest at the center or central part of the system. The concentration gradient can point from the edge of the system towards its center or central part. As can be understood from Figure 6c the curve therein, the release gradually increases generally over an extended period of time. Thus, compared to the conventional design shown in Figure 6a , the maximum release rate may be delayed in time. Compared to the conventional design, it can be considered that the release of the active nutritional product ingredients is more constant, especially over an extended period of time. It can be understood that such a release curve may be beneficial for specific applications.

[0115] Figures 7a to 7i shows nine design options for nutritional product delivery systems produced according to different embodiments of the present invention. From Figures 7a to 7iIt is understood that all these designs include a base paste that forms the entirety of the corresponding nutritional product delivery system. The base paste and / or the entirety can be considered a matrix. Within the matrix, other pastes can be arranged. In Figures 7a to 7i , these other pastes are respectively labeled Paste A, Paste B, Paste C, and Paste D. Each of the pastes can contain an effective amount of a separate active nutritional ingredient. Thus, within the meaning of the present invention, each of Pastes A-D can be considered a first paste. The base paste and Pastes A-D are soluble in body fluids.

[0116] As Figure 7a shown, the design of the nutritional product delivery system according to Figure 7a has a circular shape. The nutritional product delivery system according to Figure 7a can have the form of a tablet, disk, etc. Figure 7a The system shown in Figure 7a can have a specific diameter D. The diameter D can be, for example, 15 mm. In the case of the nutritional product delivery system according to Figure 7a , a first Paste A with a first active nutritional ingredient, a second Paste B with a second active nutritional ingredient, and a third Paste C with a third active nutritional ingredient can be provided within the base paste and / or throughout the paste. It is understood that the corresponding active nutritional ingredients are not evenly distributed within and / or throughout the nutritional product delivery system. Instead, the active nutritional ingredients can be unevenly arranged within the base paste. This is due to the fact that Pastes A, B, C are provided at specific locations within the nutritional product delivery system. Pastes A, B, C can be provided in a polygonal shape and / or include a hexagonal cross-section.

[0117] By applying the nutritional product delivery system according to Figure 7a and allowing it to dissolve, the base paste can dissolve first because dissolution can start at the edges of the system. After some time, Paste C, and then Paste B can start to dissolve. Thereby, the corresponding active nutritional ingredients can be released. Subsequently, Paste A may eventually start to dissolve. Thereby, the corresponding first active nutritional ingredient provided therein can be released. Due to the specific arrangement of the pastes within the nutritional product delivery system, different nutritional ingredients can be released in different doses at different stages after administering the nutritional product delivery system. Due to the specific arrangement of the different pastes in the nutritional product delivery system of the embodiment according to Figure 7a , each active nutritional ingredient can be released at a specific time after applying the nutritional product delivery system. Thus, a specific and individual release curve specific to the active nutritional ingredient can be achieved.

[0118] According to Figure 7bThe nutritional product delivery system of the embodiments in [the patent] is formed as a tablet. The height of the tablet can be, for example, 2.5 mm. The diameter of the tablet can be, for example, 15 mm. Two pastes B and C can be provided in the base paste, each paste containing an active nutritional ingredient. Pastes B and C can be provided in the base paste in a non-uniform manner according to the present invention. By administering the nutritional product delivery system, a specific release profile of the active nutritional ingredients within pastes B and C can be obtained. The release profile can be characterized, for example, by a smooth transition between stages of increasing release.

[0119] The nutritional product delivery system according to Figure 7c is similar to the nutritional product delivery system according to Figure 7a However, according to Figure 7c , the nutritional product delivery system can include only two pastes B and C in addition to the base paste. Pastes B and C can each contain an active nutritional ingredient. By applying the nutritional product delivery system according to Figure 7c , a specific release profile of the active nutritional ingredients contained in pastes B and C can be obtained. The release profile can be characterized by a smooth transition between stages of increasing release.

[0120] In the nutritional product delivery system according to Figure 7d , two pastes with active nutritional ingredients can be provided in a tubular shape. The pastes can equally be provided in the form of stacked plates.

[0121] The nutritional product delivery system according to Figure 7e has a design in which the paste with the active nutritional ingredient can be provided as spots in the base paste. By applying this nutritional product delivery system, a specific release profile of the active nutritional ingredients contained in pastes B and C can be obtained. The release profile can be characterized by a smooth transition between stages of increasing release.

[0122] The nutritional product delivery system according to Figure 7f has a design with a specific height H. The height H can be, for example, 25 mm. In addition, only one paste with an active nutritional ingredient can be arranged non-uniformly, especially in a tubular manner, in the base paste. The paste can equally be provided in the form of a plate.

[0123] The nutritional product delivery system according to Figure 7g is similar to the nutritional product delivery system according to Figure 7e However, in the embodiment according to Figure 7g , the paste with the active nutritional ingredient can be arranged in a more random manner. By applying the system according to Figure 7g , a specific release profile of the active nutritional ingredients within pastes B and C can be obtained. The release profile can be characterized by a smooth transition between stages of increasing release.

[0124] According to Figure 7h the nutritional product delivery system may be designed such that a paste having an active nutritional product ingredient is provided or arranged in a circular form within and / or throughout a base paste. By applying the nutritional product delivery system, the base paste and the first paste may dissolve in an alternating manner. The dissolution may occur in an alternating manner such that the first active nutritional product ingredient A is released intermittently, for example in a rather periodic manner. After the complete release of the first active nutritional product ingredient, the second paste B may start to dissolve. Thereby, the second active nutritional product ingredient B may be released. It will be understood that the circles of paste A are not concentric. The circles also do not have a uniform thickness. Given this particularly non-uniform arrangement, a specific release profile may be obtained. The release profile may be characterized by a smooth transition between the stages of increasing release.

[0125] According to Figure 7i the nutritional product delivery system has a design in which a paste having an active nutritional product ingredient is provided in a specific pattern within a matrix of additives. The latter is arranged in the base paste.

[0126] Figures 8a to 8d Other embodiments of the nutritional product delivery system produced according to the present invention are shown. The overall shape of the system may be in the shape of a disc, in particular with a diameter of 5 - 25 mm, preferably 20 mm or 15 mm. The total thickness of the disc is 0.5 - 15 mm, preferably 2 mm or 6 mm. In Figures 8a to 8c a notch 54 is provided in the tablet to allow observation of the arrangement of the paste within or inside the tablet.

[0127] According to Figure 8a the design of the nutritional product delivery system has a first paste 56 which has a first active nutritional product ingredient in the central part or center of the tablet. The central part or center of the tablet may be surrounded by a base paste 58. The whole tablet may be wrapped with a coating 60. The coating 60 may be a hydrophilic coating or be configured to have hydrophilic properties. The coating 60 may provide enteric properties, for example. The concentration of the active nutritional product ingredient in the tablet may be relatively high and / or highest in the center of the tablet. The concentration profile of the active nutritional product ingredient may be such that it includes a smooth transition, in particular a smooth transition from the edge of the tablet towards the center of the tablet. The smooth transition is represented by Figure 8a the different types of shaded lines in

[0128] According to Figure 8bThe design of the nutritional product delivery system has a first paste 62 containing a first active nutritional product ingredient and a second paste 64 containing a second active nutritional product ingredient. The first paste 62 and the second paste 64 are disposed within a base paste 58. Also, a coating 60 can be provided. The second paste 64 can be arranged in a spherical form. The concentration of the second active nutritional product ingredient on the sphere surface 66 can be relatively high or the highest. The concentration may smoothly decrease towards the center of the sphere. The first paste 62 can be disposed within the sphere formed by the second paste 64. By applying the tablet and dissolving the pastes 62 and 64, the second active nutritional product ingredient can be released before the first active nutritional product ingredient. Both active nutritional product ingredients can be released during a transition period.

[0129] According to Figure 8c The design of the nutritional product delivery system can have two different active nutritional product ingredients 66 and 68. The second active nutritional product ingredient 68 can be provided in the central part or center of the tablet. The first active nutritional product ingredient 66 can be provided around the second active nutritional product ingredient 68. At the interface region 70 between the two active nutritional product ingredients 66 and 68, there may be an overlap of the active nutritional product ingredients. As a result, both active nutritional product ingredients 66 and 68 can be disposed in the interface region 70. Thus, a smooth crossover can be achieved. The nutritional product ingredients 66 and 68 and the interface region 70 are represented by different hatching line types in Figure 8b In addition, a layer 72 extending through the system can be provided. The layer can be a hydrophobic layer or can have hydrophobic properties.

[0130] According to Figure 8d The design of the nutritional product delivery system has no coating and may not have any coating. The active nutritional product ingredient 76 can be unevenly disposed within and / or throughout the tablet. As a result, a range or region with different concentrations of the active nutritional product ingredient can be formed or provided.

[0131] Figure 9Shows another design option of a nutritional product delivery system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The system can be configured as a sphere. The system can also have a hydrophobic coating 60. The coating 60 can include, for example, hydrophilic pores 78, preferably having sizes in the range of 1 μm to 500 μm. A base paste 58 and three different active nutritional product ingredients can be provided within the nutritional product delivery system. The active nutritional product ingredients can be active nutritional product ingredient A, active nutritional product ingredient B, and active nutritional product ingredient C. Active nutritional product ingredient C can be provided in the central part or core of the nutritional product delivery system having a peripheral pattern. Active nutritional product ingredient C may be surrounded by the other two active nutritional product ingredients A and B. Thus, active nutritional product ingredient B can be provided as a hollow sphere, particularly with uniformly distributed active nutritional product ingredient. Active nutritional product ingredient A can be further non-uniformly distributed. Active nutritional product ingredient A can surround active nutritional product ingredient C. The concentration of active nutritional product ingredient A can correspondingly decrease towards the edge of the shown nutritional product delivery system. The decreasing concentration of active nutritional product ingredient A is shown in Figure 9 using different hatching line types.

[0132] Figure 10 Shows a cross-section of a nutritional product delivery system according to an embodiment of the present invention. As can be understood from Figure 10 it, the surface of the nutritional product delivery system can be structured. Six protrusions and corresponding recesses therebetween are shown formed on one side of the system. The surface can be increased or enlarged in this way. The dissolution of the nutritional product delivery system can be enhanced in this way, thereby enhancing the release of the active nutritional product ingredients. It can be understood that the entire surface of the nutritional product delivery system can be structured. It is also possible that only one or several parts of the system are structured.

[0133] It can be understood that in a nutritional product delivery system produced according to the present invention, one or more active nutritional product ingredients can be arranged in a specific non-uniform distribution within and / or throughout the nutritional product delivery system. Thereby, the desired release of one or more active nutritional product ingredients can be achieved. It can also be understood that rapid release or delayed release of the active nutritional product ingredients can be obtained. In addition, it is possible to release a specific single active nutritional product ingredient in different doses over a longer period of time. For example, a specific single active nutritional product ingredient can be released intermittently. Thereby, the release of the active nutritional product ingredient at a specific stage can be obtained.

[0134] With a single nutritional product delivery system produced according to the present invention, the release of different active nutritional product ingredients can also be obtained at different stages. For example, it may be possible to design the nutritional product delivery system in such a way that the first active nutritional product ingredient is released before the second active nutritional product ingredient.

[0135] It will be appreciated that the use of the screen printing technique according to the present invention allows for the production of such fine nutritional delivery systems in high quality and at the same time in large quantities. Thus, the nutritional delivery systems can be produced in a mass production setting.

[0136] The concept of providing a non-uniform arrangement of one or more active nutritional ingredients gives rise to many design choices. It will be understood that the above examples can be combined to obtain further refined designs or embodiments with release profiles optimized for specific applications or desired effects.

Claims

1. A method of producing a nutritional product delivery system, the method comprising the steps of: screen printing a base paste; curing the base paste; screen printing a first paste, the first paste being separate from the base paste and comprising a first active nutritional ingredient; and curing the first paste.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein The nutritional product delivery system is produced layer by layer.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The base paste and the first paste are screen printed such that the planar layer of the resulting nutritional product delivery system comprises both the base paste and the first paste.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein The planar layer of the nutritional product delivery system is produced by: screen printing and curing the base paste to partially form the planar layer, screen printing and curing a first paste separate from the base paste to partially form the planar layer.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein After completion of the production of the planar layer, another planar layer is produced on top of the completed planar layer.

6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The base paste is screen printed on and / or by a screen printing machine, and / or the first paste is screen printed using a separate screen printing machine.

7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The base paste and the first paste are cured by a shared and / or the same curing device.

8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The base paste and the first paste are soluble in body fluids.

9. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The pastes are screen printed such that in the resulting nutritional product delivery system, the first paste is unevenly disposed within and / or throughout the base paste.

10. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The pastes are screen printed such that in the resulting nutritional product delivery system, the base paste is provided as a three-dimensional body, and / or the separate first paste is unevenly disposed within and / or throughout the base paste.

11. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The pastes are screen printed such that in the resulting nutritional product delivery system, the concentration of the first active nutritional ingredient varies within and / or throughout the nutritional product delivery system.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein The pastes are screen printed such that in the resulting nutritional product delivery system, the concentration of the first active nutritional ingredient is relatively high and / or highest at the center, edge or middle region of the nutritional product delivery system.

13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that, The pastes are screen printed such that in the resulting nutritional product delivery system, the concentration gradient of the first active nutritional ingredient increases towards or away from the center of the nutritional product delivery system.

14. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that The pastes are screen printed such that in the resulting nutritional product delivery system, the concentration profile of the first active nutritional ingredient within and / or throughout the nutritional product delivery system includes a smooth transition to regions and / or portions of increasing concentration.

15. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that, The pastes are screen printed such that in the resulting nutritional product delivery system, the concentration profile of the first active nutritional ingredient within and / or throughout the nutritional product delivery system includes more than one region and / or portion of increasing concentration.

16. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 15, characterized in that, The paste is screen printed such that in the resulting nutritional delivery system, the concentration of the first active nutritional ingredient within and / or throughout the nutritional delivery system varies by at least 5%, preferably at least 10%, more preferably at least 15%, more preferably at least 20%, more preferably at least 25%, more preferably at least 30%, more preferably at least 35%, more preferably at least 40%, more preferably at least 45%, more preferably at least 50%, more preferably at least 55%, more preferably at least 60%, more preferably at least 65%, more preferably at least 70%, more preferably at least 75%, more preferably at least 80%, more preferably at least 85%, more preferably at least 90%, more preferably at least 95%, more preferably about 100%.

17. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 16, wherein The paste is screen printed such that in the resulting nutritional delivery system, the concentration of the first active nutritional ingredient within and / or throughout the nutritional delivery system varies by at most about 100%, preferably at most 95%, more preferably at most 90%, more preferably at most 85%, more preferably at most 80%, more preferably at most 75%, more preferably at most 70%, more preferably at most 65%, more preferably at most 60%, more preferably at most 55%, more preferably at most 50%, more preferably at most 45%, more preferably at most ......

18. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 17, characterized in that The paste is screen printed such that in the resulting nutritional delivery system, the concentration profile of the first active nutritional ingredient is such that upon application of the nutritional delivery system, the first active nutritional ingredient is released from the nutritional delivery system with a predetermined release characteristic and / or release profile, the predetermined release characteristic and / or release profile preferably including a portion with a constant rate of release.

19. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The paste is screen printed such that in the resulting nutritional delivery system, the concentration profile of the first active nutritional ingredient is such that upon application of the nutritional delivery system, the first active nutritional ingredient is released in two or more doses, and / or the first active nutritional ingredient is released in one dose starting preferably 1 second to 24 hours, more preferably 5 seconds to 12 hours, more preferably 10 seconds to 6 hours, more preferably 20 seconds to 2 hours, more preferably 1 minute to 1 hour, most preferably 10 minutes to 30 minutes before the first active nutritional ingredient is released in another dose.

20. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The paste is screen printed such that the base paste encapsulates and / or encloses the resulting nutritional delivery system, and / or the first paste is not disposed on the outer surface of the resulting nutritional delivery system and / or the outer surface of the resulting nutritional delivery system is free of the first paste.

21. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, the method further comprising the steps of: screen printing a second paste, the second paste being separate from the base paste and the first paste and comprising a second active nutritional ingredient; and curing the second paste.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein The paste is screen printed such that the planar layer of the resulting nutritional product delivery system comprises the base paste and the first paste and / or the second paste.

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein The planar layer of the nutritional product delivery system is produced by the steps of: screen printing and curing the base paste to partially form the planar layer, screen printing and curing the first paste separate from the base paste to partially form the planar layer screen printing and curing the second paste separate from the base paste and the first paste to partially form the planar layer.

24. The method according to any one of claims 21 to 23, characterized in that, The second paste is soluble in body fluid.

25. The method according to any one of claims 21 to 24, characterized in that, The paste is screen printed such that in the resulting nutritional product delivery system, the second paste is unevenly disposed within and / or throughout the base paste.

26. The method according to any one of claims 21 to 25, characterized in that, The paste is screen printed such that in the resulting nutritional product delivery system, the concentration profile of the first active nutritional ingredient throughout and / or within the nutritional product delivery system is different from the concentration profile of the second active nutritional ingredient throughout and / or within the nutritional product delivery system.

27. The method according to any one of claims 21 to 26, characterized in that, The paste is screen printed such that upon application of the resulting nutritional product delivery system, release of the first active nutritional ingredient begins before release of the second active nutritional ingredient, and / or begins preferably from 1 second to 24 hours, more preferably 5 seconds to 12 hours, more preferably 10 seconds to 6 hours, more preferably 20 seconds to 2 hours, more preferably 1 minute to 1 hour, most preferably 10 minutes to 30 minutes before release of the second active nutritional ingredient.

28. The method according to any one of claims 21 to 27, characterized in that, The paste is screen printed such that upon application of the resulting nutritional product delivery system, the release profile of the first active nutritional ingredient is different from the release profile of the second active nutritional ingredient.

29. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The first paste is screen printed to form a geometric shape, wherein the shape is preferably a tube, spot, oval, plate, and / or polygon.

30. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The resulting nutritional product delivery system is in the form of a tablet, capsule, disk, film, agglomerate, or granule.

31. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The first active nutritional ingredient is selected from the list comprising vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino acids, or dietary substances for human use that supplement the diet by increasing the total dietary intake.

32. A nutritional product delivery system produced by the method of any of the preceding claims.

33. A system for producing a nutritional product delivery system, comprising means for performing the method of any of claims 1 - 31 preceding.

34. A system for producing a nutritional product delivery system, the system comprising: means for screen printing a base paste; means for curing the base paste; means for screen printing a first paste, the first paste being separate from the base paste and comprising an effective amount of a first active nutritional ingredient; and means for curing the first paste.

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