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:
 a core including one or more active ingredients and optionally water; and   at least one coating layer encapsulating the core.   
     
     
         2 . The sustained-release bead of  claim 1 , wherein the core includes water. 
     
     
         3 . The sustained-release bead of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more active ingredients are non-prescription active ingredients. 
     
     
         4 . The sustained-release bead of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more active ingredients are GRAS-designated active ingredients. 
     
     
         5 . The sustained-release bead of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more active ingredients are selected from the group consisting of stimulants, electrolytes, vitamins, minerals, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The sustained-release bead of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more active ingredients are selected from the group consisting of proteins, amino acids, hormones, organic acids, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The sustained-release bead of  claim 1 , wherein the coating layer includes a polymer coating or a resin coating. 
     
     
         8 . The sustained-release bead of  claim 1 , wherein the sustained release bead comprises from 40 to 90 wt % of the one or more active ingredients and from 10 to 40 wt % of the at least one coating layer. 
     
     
         9 . A sustained-release bead consisting essentially of:
 a core including one or more active ingredients and optionally water; and   at least one coating layers encapsulating the core.   
     
     
         10 . The sustained-release bead of  claim 9 , wherein the core includes water. 
     
     
         11 . The sustained-release bead of  claim 9 , wherein the one or more active ingredients are non-prescription active ingredients. 
     
     
         12 . The sustained-release bead of  claim 9 , wherein the one or more active ingredients are GRAS-designated active ingredients. 
     
     
         13 . The sustained-release bead of  claim 9 , wherein the one or more active ingredients are selected from the group consisting of stimulants, electrolytes, vitamins, minerals, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The sustained-release bead of  claim 9 , wherein the one or more active ingredients are selected from the group consisting of proteins, amino acids, hormones, organic acids, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         15 . The sustained-release bead of  claim 9 , wherein the coating layer includes a polymer coating or a resin coating. 
     
     
         16 . The sustained-release bead of  claim 9 , wherein the sustained release bead comprises from 40 to 90 wt % of the one or more active ingredients and from 10 wt % to 60 wt % of the at least one coating layer.