METHOD AND DEVICES FOR FORMING ARTICLES

• US 20070298082A1
• Filed: 06/26/2007
• Published: 12/27/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: American Bio Labs, LLC
• Original Assignee: American Bio Labs, LLC
• Inventors: Fajt, James, Dorendorf, Bruce
• Granted Patent: US 8,067,047 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 424/439
• CPC Class Codes: A23D 9/02 characterised by the production or working-up
• CPC Class Codes: A23K 40/10 by agglomeration; by granulation, e.g. making powders
• CPC Class Codes: A23K 40/20 by moulding, e.g. making cakes or briquettes
• CPC Class Codes: A23K 40/25 by extrusion
• CPC Class Codes: A23L 29/256 from seaweeds, e.g. alginates, agar or carrageenan
• CPC Class Codes: A23N 17/005 for shaping by moulding, extrusion, pressing, e.g. pellet-mills processes A23K40/00; presses in general B30B
• CPC Class Codes: A23P 30/20 Extruding
• CPC Class Codes: A23P 30/25 Co-extrusion of different foodstuffs
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/1652 Polysaccharides, e.g. alginate, cellulose derivatives; Cyclodextrin homeopathic globules A61K9/1623
• CPC Class Codes: C10L 5/442 Wood or forestry waste
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 50/10 Biofuels, e.g. bio-diesel
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 50/30 Fuel from waste, e.g. synthetic alcohol or diesel

Abstract

The present invention is predicated upon methods and devices for forming numerous articles for various applications including nutritional applications, medicinal applications, or other useful applications for plants, animals or otherwise. In one aspect, the present invention provides methods and devices for forming high quality pellets using alginates as a retention agent for the ingredients. This may be achieved through the creation or modification of pre-existing forming devices, wherein an alginate applicator is provided for applying the alginate to the ingredients, before, during or after formation of the articles, or combinations thereof, to retain the ingredients of the articles together.

Claims

1. A method of forming a shaped article for feed, the method including the steps of:

combining one or more ingredients to form a first mixture, wherein the first mixture includes at least one dietary ingredient selected from fats, carbohydrates, proteins, or combinations thereof;

combining one or more ingredients to form a second mixture, wherein the second mixture includes an alginate; and

forming the first mixture into a plurality of shaped articles through a die of a forming device, wherein before, during or after forming of the articles the second mixture is added to the first mixture, and wherein the second mixture retains the ingredients of the first mixture together.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the alginate comprises sodium alginate.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the second mixture includes 0.1% to 10% by weight of sodium alginate.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the alginate comprises propylene glycol.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the forming device comprises an extruder or a pellet mill.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the second mixture is added to the first mixture prior to forming of the shaped articles.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the second mixture is added to the first mixture during forming of the shaped articles.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the second mixture is added to the first mixture after forming of the shaped articles.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the first or second mixture further includes medication, enzymes, vaccines, growth promoters or combinations thereof.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the first or second mixture includes calcium sequestration agents, emulsifiers, gums, surfactants or combinations thereof.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of applying steam to the first mixture.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the second mixture is added to the first mixture through the application of steam.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein second mixture is added to the first mixture at a volume flow rate based upon a volume flow rate of the first mixture through the forming device.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the forming device includes a controller for controlling the volume flow rate of the first mixture, the second mixture or both.

15. A food pellet article, comprising:

a retention agent including water and 0.1% to 10% by weight sodium alginate;

an ingestible food mixture including ingredients selected from carbohydrates, protein, fat or combinations thereof, wherein the ingestible food mixture is formed into a pellet and wherein the retention agent maintains the ingredients together without the use of starches.

16. A method of formulating articles of food;

the method including the steps of;

providing a forming device adapted for forming a plurality of articles through a die, the forming device including a first storage container for holding ingredients to be formed by the forming device;

providing a fluid supply device having a second container to provide for supplying a retention agent to ingredients placed within the forming device, the fluid device including an adjustment device for controlling the amount of fluid dispensed;

forming a first mixture including ingredients used for animal feed, placing the first mixture in the storage container of the forming device;

forming a second mixture including a retention agent comprising alginate, placing the second mixture in the second container; and

forming a plurality of food article through the forming device, wherein during forming the second mixture is added to the first mixture to maintain the shape of the resulting formed articles.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the adjustment device is manually operated.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the adjustment device is automatically operated based upon the flow rate of the first mixture through the forming device.

19. The method of claim 16, further comprising a steam supply device for supplying steam to the first mixture during forming thereof.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the fluid supply device is attached to the steam supply device and allows the first mixture to be inserted into the forming device with the steam.