METHOD AND DEVICES FOR FORMING ARTICLES
First Claim
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.
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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.
49 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of forming a shaped article for feed, the method including the steps of:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A food pellet article, comprising:
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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.
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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. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
- the method including the steps of;
Specification