Edible 3d printer filament

Abstract

The present invention relates to an edible 3D printer filament that incorporates an active ingredient such as an oil extract for taste, odor or medicinal benefit, and which is capable of retaining this benefit, despite the repeated thermal extrusion involved in 3D printing. The filament is made by mixing the active ingredient extraction with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), starch, and super disintegrant, and spray drying the result to a powderized form. The powderized water soluble polymer with active ingredient is mixed with excipient ingredients including a plasticizer, colored/dyed arabic gum, a gelling agent, fillers, flour, a binding or thickening agent (which also gives the benefit of being, a stabilizer), a lubricant, and a preservative, and is heated. The result is hot melt extruded into a filament with a diameter of 1.75 mm or 3 mm. When printed, the thermoplastic has good strength, stiffness, and physical properties, and can be 3D-printed in any shape.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method for producing an edible filament for use in a conventional 3D printer, comprising the steps of:
 producing an essential oil by the substeps of
 obtaining dried plant material, 
 performing an extraction on said plant material to produce an essential oil (active ingredient) therefrom; 
   preparing a water soluble polymer compound by mixing;
 active ingredient, 
 polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), 
 starch, and 
 a super disintegrant; 
   spray drying said water soluble polymer compound;   mixing and heating said powderized water soluble polymer compound with a plasticizer, colored arabic gum, a gelling agent, filler, flour, a binding or thickening agent, a lubricant, and a preservative, thereby forming an edible thermoplastic;   hot-melt extruding said edible thermoplastic through a die to produce a filament; and   winding said filament on a spool.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said step of hot-melt extruding said edible thermoplastic comprises extruding through a die having a 1.75 mm diameter. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said step of hot-melt extruding said edible thermoplastic comprises extruding through a die having a 3 mm diameter. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said step of hot-melt extruding said edible thermoplastic comprises extruding through a die at a temperature within a range from approximately 70-90° C. (158° F.-194° F.). 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said step of preparing a water soluble polymer compound comprises mixing approximately 1 part of said active ingredient 3.5 parts polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) 1.5 parts starch, and 1 part super disintegrant, and then spray drying said mixture. 
     
     
         6 . A 3D printer filament comprising:
 an edible thermoplastic comprising of a powderized water soluble polymer compound made up of;
 approximately 1 part essential oil of plant material derived from extraction, 
 approximately 3.5 parts polyvinylpyrrolidone, 
 approximately 1.5 parts starch, and 
 approximately 1 part super disintegrant; 
   said water soluble polymer compound being mixed and heated with;
 a plasticizer, 
 arabic gum that has been colored with standard food grade dyes or colorants, 
 a gelling agent, 
 flour,
 a binding or thickening agent; 
 
 a lubricant; and 
 preservative; 
   said edible thermoplastic being extruded into a filament having a diameter of 1.75 mm or 3 mm.   
     
     
         7 . A method for producing an edible filament for use in a conventional 3D printer, comprising the steps of:
 obtaining an active ingredient;   preparing a water soluble polymer compound by mixing said active ingredient with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), starch and a super disintegrant;   spray drying said water soluble polymer compound to a powderized form;   mixing and heating said powderized water soluble polymer compound with any one or more excipient ingredients from among the group consisting of a plasticizer, arabic gum, a gelling agent, a filler, flour, a binding agent, a thickening agent, a lubricant, and a preservative, to form a hardened edible thermoplastic;   hot-melt extruding said edible thermoplastic through a die to produce a filament; and   winding said filament on a spool.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said active ingredient is an essential oil. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said step of obtaining said essential oil further comprises the substeps of,
 obtaining dried plant material,   performing an extraction on said dried plant material to produce an essential oil therefrom.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said step of hot-melt extruding said edible thermoplastic comprises extruding through a die having a 1.75 mm diameter. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said step of hot-melt extruding said edible thermoplastic comprises extruding through a die having a 3 mm diameter. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said step of hot-melt extruding said edible thermoplastic comprises extruding through a die at a temperature within a range from approximately 70-90° C. (158-194° F.). 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said step of preparing a water soluble polymer comprises mixing approximately 1 part essential oil, 3.5 parts polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), 1.5 parts starch, and 1 part super-disintegrant. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said step of mixing and heating said powderized water soluble polymer compound comprises mixing with all excipient ingredients including a plasticizer, arabic gum, a gelling agent, a filler, flour, a binding agent, a thickening agent, a lubricant, and a preservative, to form a hardened edible thermoplastic.