US4812445A — Starch based encapsulation process

Claim 1

Independent Claim 109 words

A process for encapsulation of materials in a starch matrix comprising the steps of: (1) slurrying the starch in water; (2) thoroughly dispersing the starch in the slurry by injecting steam at a pressure of at least 110 psi into the slurry to raise its temperature to 120° to 180° C. at a pressure of 55-120 psi or above; (3) adding to the dispersion the material to be encapsulated and effecting intimate mixing of the latter therein; (4) spreading the resultant mixture on a chilled surface; (5) recovering the encapsulated material in sheet form; and (6) cutting or grinding and drying the resultant matrix of starch and encapsulated material.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 109 words

A process for encapsulation of materials in a starch matrix comprising the steps of: (1) slurrying the starch in water; (2) thoroughly dispersing the starch in the slurry by injecting steam at a pressure of at least 110 psi into the slurry to raise its temperature to 120° to 180° C. at a pressure of 55-120 psi or above; (3) adding to the dispersion the material to be encapsulated and effecting intimate mixing of the latter therein; (4) spreading the resultant mixture on a chilled surface; (5) recovering the encapsulated material in sheet form; and (6) cutting or grinding and drying the resultant matrix of starch and encapsulated material.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 82 words

The process of claim 1 wherein the material to be encapsulated is selected from the group consisting of the flavors; seasonings; natural and artificial sweeteners; pigments; metallic powders; latices; oils; plasticizers; herbicides; insecticides; fungicides; nematicides; bacteriocides; rodenticides; molluscicides; acaricides; larvacides; fumigants; animal repellants; insect repellants; plant growth regulators; fertilizers; pheromones; odor producing compositions; catalysts; adhesives; pressure sensitive color formers; electrostatographic toners; pressure rupturable lubricants; antifoulants; phase change materials; fire extinguishers; corrosion inhibitors; defoamers; sizing agents; thickeners; sub-cutaneous medications; unsaturated fats and acidulants.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 19 words

The process of claim 1 wherein up to 50% of the starch is replaced by a water soluble hydrocolloid.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 26 words

The process of claim 3 wherein the water soluble hydrocolloid is selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl alcohol, carboxymethylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, polyacrylic acid and polyvinyl pyrrolididone.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 14 words

The process of claim 1 wherein the starch employed contains more than 50% amylose.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 35 words

The process of claim 1 wherein a salt selected from the group consisting of ammonium sulfate, ammonium monobasic or dibasic phosphate, magnesium sulfate, sodium sulfate and mixtures thereof is additionally present in the starch slurry.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 23 words

The process of claim 6 wherein the salt is present in an amount of 10 to 20% by weight of the slurry solids.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 13 words

The process of claim 6 wherein the starch contains less than 50% amylose.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 29 words

The process of claim 6 wherein the salt if ammonium sulfate or ammonium phosphate and the pH of the slurry is adjusted to a pH of 8 or below.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 11 words

The process of claim 6 wherein the salt is magnesium sulfate.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 31 words

The process of claim 1 wherein the pressurized starch dispersion resulting from step (2) is piped to a vertical flash chamber to separate the gas components and degas the liquid starch.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 13 words

The process of claim 1 wherein the chilled surface is a revolving drum.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 13 words

The process of claim 1 wherein the chilled surface is a continuous belt.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 108 words

A process for the encapsulation of dimethyl anthranilate in a starch matrix comprising the steps of: (1) slurrying the starch in water; (2) thoroughly dispersing the starch in the slurry by injecting steam at a pressure of at least 110 psi into the slurry to raise its temperature to 120° to 180° C. at a pressure of 55-120 psi or above; (3) adding dimethyl anthranilate to the dispersion and effecting intimate mixing of the latter therein; (4) spreading the resultant mixture on a chilled surface; (5) recovering the encapsulated material in sheet form; and (6) cutting or grinding and drying the resultant matrix of starch and encapsulated material.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 108 words

A process for the encapsulation of dimethyl anthranilate in a starch matrix comprising the steps of: (1) slurrying the starch in water; (2) thoroughly dispersing the starch in the slurry by injecting steam at a pressure of at least 110 psi into the slurry to raise its temperature to 120° to 180° C. at a pressure of 55-120 psi or above; (3) adding dimethyl anthranilate to the dispersion and effecting intimate mixing of the latter therein; (4) spreading the resultant mixture on a chilled surface; (5) recovering the encapsulated material in sheet form; and (6) cutting or grinding and drying the resultant matrix of starch and encapsulated material.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 106 words

A process for the encapsulation of aspartame in a starch matrix comprising the steps of: (1) slurrying the starch in water; (2) thoroughly dispersing the starch in the slurry by injecting steam at a pressure of at least 110 psi into the slurry to raise its temperature to 120° to 180° C. at a pressure of 55-120 psi or above; (3) adding aspartame to the dispersion and effecting intimate mixing of the latter therein; (4) spreading the resultant mixture on a chilled surface; (5) recovering the encapsulated material in sheet form; and (6) cutting or grinding and drying the resultant matrix of starch and encapsulated material.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 106 words

A process for the encapsulation of aspartame in a starch matrix comprising the steps of: (1) slurrying the starch in water; (2) thoroughly dispersing the starch in the slurry by injecting steam at a pressure of at least 110 psi into the slurry to raise its temperature to 120° to 180° C. at a pressure of 55-120 psi or above; (3) adding aspartame to the dispersion and effecting intimate mixing of the latter therein; (4) spreading the resultant mixture on a chilled surface; (5) recovering the encapsulated material in sheet form; and (6) cutting or grinding and drying the resultant matrix of starch and encapsulated material.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 35 words

The process of claim 14 wherein a salt selected from the group consisting of ammonium sulfate, ammonium monobasic or dibasic phosphate, magnesium sulfate, sodium sulfate and mixtures thereof is additionally present in the starch slurry.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 23 words

The process of claim 16 wherein the salt is present in an amount of 10 to 20% by weight of the slurry solids.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 35 words

The process of claim 15 wherein a salt selected from the group consisting of ammonium sulfate, ammonium monobasic or dibasic phosphate, magnesium sulfate, sodium sulfate and mixtures thereof is additionally present in the starch slurry.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 23 words

The process of claim 18 wherein the salt is present in an amount of 10 to 20% by weight of the slurry solids.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1992-03-13	1992-09-12	1993-03-14	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1996-03-13	1996-09-12	1997-03-14	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2000-03-13	2000-09-12	2001-03-14	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Starch based encapsulation process

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