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 bio-fuel pellet, comprising:
 a mixture formed of:
 a first ingredient including combustible organic material, and 
 a second ingredient including alginate, 
   wherein the first and second ingredients are combined together and the resulting mixture is shaped to form a cylindrical pellet, and   wherein the second ingredient functions as a retention agent to maintain the size and shape of the cylindrical pellet.   
     
     
         22 . The pellet of  claim 21 , wherein the organic material comprise wood. 
     
     
         23 . The pellet of  claim 21 , wherein the organic material comprise shredded wood. 
     
     
         24 . The pellet of  claim 21 , wherein the alginate comprises sodium alginate. 
     
     
         25 . The pellet of  claim 21 , wherein the alginate comprises the primary retention agent for maintaining the shape of the cylindrical pellets. 
     
     
         26 . A method of forming bio-fuel pellets, comprising the steps of:
 mixing a first ingredient including combustible organic material with a second ingredient including alginate; and   pelletizing the combined first ingredient and second ingredient to form individual pellets.   
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the organic material comprise wood. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the second ingredient comprises hydrated alginate. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the alginate is hydrated before combining with the first ingredient. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the alginate is hydrated after combining with the first ingredient. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the hydrated alginate comprises between about 90% to about 99.9% by weight of water and between about 0.1% to about 10% by weight of dry alginate. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein pelletization of the mixture is performed with a forming device. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein after pelletization the hydrated alginate dries to maintain the shape and size of the individual pellets exiting the forming device. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , 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. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the hydrated alginate acts as a lubricant agent for pelletization. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the second ingredient is added to the first ingredient to form the mixture. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , further comprising the step of metering the addition of the second ingredient into the first ingredient. 
     
     
         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 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein during the entire formation process the mixture maintains a temperature and pressure that is generally below necessary temperature and pressure for binding starches within the first ingredient.