Method and Devices for Forming Articles

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.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method of forming animal feed, comprising the steps of:
 combining alginate with one or more ingredients used to form animal feed, the alginate being hydrated with water to form hydrated alginate including between about 90% to about 99.9% by weight of water and between about 0.1% to about 10% by weight of dry alginate; and   pelletizing the combined one or more ingredients and hydrated alginate to form individual shaped pellets,   wherein, after pelletization the hydrated alginate dries to maintain the shape and size of the individual pellets exiting the forming device.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the hydrated alginate is substantially the sole retention agent used to maintain the shape and size of the individual pellets exiting the forming device. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the hydrated alginate is substantially the sole lubricant agent used during pelletization. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the alginate is hydrated before combining with the one or more ingredients. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the alginate is hydrated after combining with the one or more ingredients. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the alginate is hydrated before and after combining with the one or more ingredients. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising the step of metering flow of alginate to the one or more ingredients. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein metering is based upon characteristics of pellets exiting the forming device. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein metering is based upon pelletization rate of the forming device. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the alginate is introduced into a steam flow prior to combining with the one or more ingredients. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein during the entire formation process of the animal feed the ingredients maintain a temperature of at or below about 70° Celsius. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein during the entire formation process of the animal feed the ingredients maintain a temperature and pressure that is generally below necessary temperature and pressure for binding starches within the one or more ingredients. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the forming device includes a high pressure forming device exerting pressure of greater than about 50 psi onto the combined alginate and one or more ingredients. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the dried pellets are cylindrical in shape. 
     
     
         35 . A method of forming animal feed, comprising the steps of:
 combining hydrated alginate with one or more ingredients used to form individual articles, the hydrated alginate including between about 90% to about 99.9% by weight of water and between about 0.1% to about 10% by weight of dry alginate; and   pelletizing the combined one or more ingredients and hydrated alginate to form individual shaped pellets,   wherein, after pelletization the hydrated alginate dries to maintain a cylindrical shape and size of the individual pellets exiting the forming device, the hydrated alginate being substantially the sole retention agent used to maintain the cylindrical shape and size of the individual pellets exiting the forming device, and   wherein during the entire formation process of the animal feed the ingredients maintain a temperature and pressure that is generally below necessary temperature and pressure for binding starches within the one or more ingredients.   
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the hydrated alginate is substantially the sole lubricant agent used during pelletization. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 35 , further comprising the step of metering flow of alginate to the one or more ingredients. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein metering is based upon characteristics of pellets exiting the forming device. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein metering is based upon pelletization rate of the forming device. 
     
     
         40 . A method of forming animal feed, consisting the steps of:
 combining alginate with one or more ingredients used to form animal feed, the alginate being hydrated with water to form hydrated alginate including between about 90% to about 99.9% by weight of water and between about 0.1% to about 10% by weight of dry alginate; and   pelletizing the combined one or more ingredients and hydrated alginate to form individual shaped pellets,   wherein, after pelletization the hydrated alginate dries to maintain the shape and size of the individual pellets exiting the forming device.