Sustained release beads and suspensions including the same for sustained delivery of active ingredients

Abstract

Sustained-released beads providing active ingredients over an extended period of time to an individual orally ingesting the sustained release beads. The sustained-release beads can be part of a suspension wherein the sustained-release beads are suspended and evenly dispersed in the suspension. Binding agents are used to form the structural framework of the sustained released beads and retain the active ingredients without chemical or electrical bonding. The components of the dispersion medium are GRAS designated, making the suspension suitable for use as a food product.

I/we claim: 
     
         1 . A sustained-release bead consisting of:
 one or more binding agents;   one or more active ingredients;   water; and   one or more coating layers;   wherein the one or more binding agents and the active ingredients are mixed together throughout the sustained release bead.   
     
     
         2 . The sustained-release bead of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more active ingredients consist of non-prescription active ingredients. 
     
     
         3 . The sustained-release bead of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more active ingredients consist of GRAS-designated active ingredients. 
     
     
         4 . The sustained-release bead of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more active ingredients are present at a suitable amount less than 40 wt %. 
     
     
         5 . The sustained-release bead of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more active ingredients consists of one or more vitamins. 
     
     
         6 . A sustained-release bead comprising:
 one or more binding agents; and   one or more active ingredients;   wherein the one or more binding agents and the active ingredients are mixed together throughout the sustained-release bead.   
     
     
         7 . The sustained-release bead of  claim 6 , wherein the one or more active ingredients consist of non-prescription active ingredients. 
     
     
         8 . The sustained-release bead of  claim 6 , wherein the one or more active ingredients consist of GRAS-designated active ingredients. 
     
     
         9 . The sustained-release bead of  claim 6 , wherein the one or more active ingredients are present at a suitable amount less than 40 wt %. 
     
     
         10 . The sustained release bead of  claim 6 , wherein the one or more active ingredients consist of vitamins, stimulants, electrolytes, minerals, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         11 . A sustained-release bead consisting of:
 one or more binding agents;   one or more active ingredients; and   water;   wherein the one or more binding agents and the active ingredients are mixed together throughout the sustained release bead.   
     
     
         12 . The sustained-release bead of  claim 11 , wherein the one or more active ingredients consist of non-prescription active ingredients. 
     
     
         13 . The sustained-release bead of  claim 11 , wherein the one or more active ingredients consist of GRAS-designated active ingredients. 
     
     
         14 . The sustained-release bead of  claim 11 , wherein the active ingredients are present at a suitable amount less than 40 wt %. 
     
     
         15 . The sustained-release bead of  claim 11 , wherein the one or more active ingredients consists of one or more vitamins.