The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 28, 2015
Filed:
Apr. 19, 2011
Peder Oscar Andersen, Oslo, NO;
Olav Gåseröd, Steinberg, NO;
Christian Klein Larsen, Leirsund, NO;
FMC Bioploymer AS, Sandvika, NO;
Abstract
The present invention is directed to seamless capsules and methods for making seamless capsules having a high oil content as described herein. More specifically, the present invention is directed to seamless capsules, and methods for making seamless capsules, made from a process involving the steps of: (a) preparing an emulsion comprising oil, water, an emulsifier, and at least one of a water-soluble monovalent metal salt, polyvalent metal salt, and an acid, wherein said oil is present in an amount of at least 50% by weight of said emulsion; with the proviso that said emulsion does not contain marmelo mucilage; and (b) adding portions of said emulsion to an aqueous gelling bath comprised of at least one ionic polysaccharide thereby encapsulating said portions of said emulsion in a polysaccharide gel membrane, and optionally (c) drying the resulting capsules by removing water. Improved methods are described for preparing seamless capsules comprising oil and water emulsions containing high concentrations of oil, where the emulsions are suitable for encapsulation into capsules of a polysaccharide gel. Of particular interest are emulsions of oil and water, where the oil is present in an amount of at least 50% by weight of the emulsion and the capsule is, for example, an alginate gel. Oils that are a pharmaceutical active agent, a nutritional supplement or a food; or oils that act as a carrier therefore, are also of particular interest. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention the emulsion may contain further solid or liquid or gaseous components and be mixed to a dispersion before the encapsulation. The capsules of the invention are suitable for a variety of applications, e.g., pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, veterinary, agricultural, cosmetic, or food applications.