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Aerated polymeric compositionRelated Patent Categories: Food Or Edible Material: Processes, Compositions, And Products, Product With Added Inedible Feature Other Than That Which Constitutes A PackageAerated polymeric composition description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060165854, Aerated polymeric composition. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims priority from Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/647,499 filed on Jan. 27, 2005, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. FIELD OF INVENTION [0002] The present invention is directed to an aerated polymeric composition, with the composition formed from a protein polymer and an agent or method for causing porosity in the finished aerated polymeric composition, such as a leavening agent. Additionally, the present invention relates to methods for forming the aerated polymeric composition, in particular, methods for forming aerated pet treats or chews. BACKGROUND OF INVENTION [0003] Plant protein polymers have been known for use in a variety of compositions. In particular, it has been known to use wheat gluten and related plant protein compositions to form a variety of chews and treats, as identified in U.S. Pat. No. 5,665,152 and applied to pet treats. These known chew and treat products tend to be of a dense nature. It is desired to have a method related to a protein polymer product formation, which produces an aerated product that is ductile and compressible. Such an aerated product is desired because it can be used in any of a variety of applications. SUMMARY OF INVENTION [0004] The present invention relates to an aerated, protein based polymeric composition, which exhibits unique textural and functional properties. The resultant aerated polymeric composition is well suited for use as a unique pet chew for geriatric pets and those pets less prone to chew, a unique confectionery product, or biodegradable packing material. As would be guessed, additional uses for the resultant material are also contemplated. As such, the aerated polymeric composition can be used as packing foam, with the benefit of being biodegradable. [0005] The method for producing the aerated composition starts with a protein polymer material. Any of a variety of protein sourced polymers may be used to form the polymer material; however, it is most preferred to use a plant derived protein polymer. More particularly, it is desired to use an amount of wheat gluten, or a similar plant polymer. In particular, the polymer disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,665,152, is well suited for use. The polymer material will be formed from a protein polymer and additives. [0006] A variety of additives or constituents may be mixed with the plant protein polymer to form the dry blend. Such additives include processing aids, flavors, starch, and colors. The addition and amount of such constituents are dependent upon the desired final product. [0007] An amount of leavening agent is added to the dry blend. The leavening agent is added to cause the formation of a polymer having an aerated construction and a lower density. Generally, a variety of leavening agents or methods can be used to aerate the polymeric material, including physical addition of chemical leavening agents, compressed gasses, or microbiologic fermentation. The leavening agent may be selected from the group consisting of sodium bicarbonate, baking powder, sodium acid pyrophosphate, monocalcium phosphate, sodium aluminum phosphate, and combinations thereof. The chemical leavening agent will be added in an amount ranging between 0.05% and 5.0% by weight of the polymeric composition. The amount added will depend upon the desired finished product, in particular, the amount of product aeration. [0008] Water is added to the dry blend as part of a liquid slurry that is added to the dry blend before or after the addition of the leavening agent. This forms a polymeric composition. The slurry is added so that an amount of water is available to react with the chemical leavening agent to thereby cause the formation of CO.sub.2 and, resulting in the aerated construction. Additionally, it is preferred to add glycerin or propylene glycol, or similar processing aids, in with the slurry. Sodium metabisulfite is also preferred for inclusion in the slurry as it affects the softness of the structure. The sodium metabisulfite will cleave sulfite bonds and relax the protein. Magnesium stearate may also be used as a processing aid to enhance flow and reduce stickiness. [0009] Thus, the slurry, leavening agent, and dry blend are all mixed together and heated at a temperature sufficient that the polymeric composition will flow, but is not denatured, and that the reaction between the leavening agent and the water may occur. As a result, the polymeric composition entraps the CO.sub.2 causing an aeration of the polymeric composition and forms an aerated polymeric composition. [0010] Dependent upon the desired characteristics of the end product, the amount of bicarbonate, or leavening agent, and water added will be varied. If a more aerated construction is desired, the amount of bicarbonate will be increased. Water is important as an additive, because this helps to plasticize the protein and allow elasticizing of the protein. [0011] It is preferred to extrude or injection mold the polymeric composition to form the desired end product. However, other methods may be used to form a finished product of a desired shape and size. Following the shaping of the aerated polymeric composition, the aerated polymeric composition is dusted or coated with a substance to reduce sticking. Coatings could include starch dusting, spraying with oil, or coating with cellulose or other compounds. [0012] Once the shape of the extruded or injection molded product has been formed, it is preferred to thermally set the aerated polymeric composition to form a product. Thermal setting is desired because it causes the protein to denature, and thereby causes the individual protein strands to cross-link and associate with one another. This will cause the resultant product to have a unique structure and texture that is ductile, pliable, and somewhat elastic. [0013] After thermal or heat setting the product, it is preferred, but not required, to polish the product. This can be achieved using a variety of compositions and techniques, including adding petrolatum to the product. [0014] The resultant invention is advantageous for a variety of reasons. The aerated polymeric composition is desired because it has a pliable construction that is made from "natural" materials. The product is additionally advantageous because it is made of protein so that it will generally be considered healthier than other compositions used to form similar products. Additionally, the product is readily biodegradable, and exhibits unique textural and functional attributes, which makes it desired for use in any of a variety of industries. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0015] The present invention relates to an aerated polymeric composition, methods for forming the composition, and compositions for use in forming the aerated polymeric composition. In particular, the method relates to using a leavening agent or method to aerate a protein polymer, preferably a plant protein polymer. The method further includes denaturing an extruded or injection molded polymeric product. The present invention further relates to methods of using plant protein polymers to form the aerated polymeric composition. The resulting aerated polymeric composition is preferably used as a pet chew. The present invention, in particular, relates to a pliable and flexible dog chew, whereby the chew has an aerated construction, forming a porous structure. Preferably, the chew is formed from plant protein polymers, such as wheat gluten, which produce edible and digestible chews having unique characteristics. Additionally, the present invention relates to methods of making the chew and methods for using plant protein polymer with a leavening agent. Alternatively the aerated polymeric composition may include materials that discourage infestation and consumption by animals. This composition may be used as a packing material. [0016] The pet chew generally has a smooth outer surface, substantially free of indentations or protrusions. This chew, in the alternative can be wrinkled to some degree on the outside. In fact, in certain constructions, it is desired to have some degree of wrinkling. The inner portion of the article is formed of air cells or caverns, resulting from aeration. The size of those caverns may vary, depending on the desired texture and use. This inner portion provides the article with a spongy texture, making it compressible, flexible and accordingly, pliable for the jaws (teeth and gums) of a typical dog. The resultant product has memory, so that when compressed, it returns to its original shape once force is removed. As such, the resulting product, when applied to pets, provides chewing satisfaction for a pet, but can be consumed and swallowed in a comparatively shorter period of time, depending on the formulation and the size and distribution of the air cells. [0017] The resultant pet chew has a body that includes a substantially sealed, non-porous, outer skin. The inner portion of the pet chew is integral with the skin. The inner portion has a porous construction and is substantially surrounded by the skin. The inner portion includes a plurality of cavities or air pockets to provide the body with elastic deformability and flexibility. The pet chew may also include a grain protein, or a plant protein polymer, in an amount ranging between about 20% and about 70%, and a reducing agent, whereby disulfide bonds have been cleaved within the pet chew in a range between about 2.0% and about 75%. The pet chew preferably has a body with a length ranging between 1 inch and 10 inches, and a diameter ranging between 0.125 inches and 4 inches. [0018] Additionally, the chew has a pliability equal to being bent in half, without breaking. The shape of the chew will include a round stick, which has cavities ranging between 0.0005 inches and 0.040 inches in diameter. Conversely, the chew can be a hollow tube; however, the cavity size remains the same. Thus, the pet chew product can be of a variety of shapes, lengths, and diameters. The shape and size selected will depend upon the animal intended to consume the product. The age and size of the animal will also influence the finished product. Animals which are intended to consume the product include, but are not limited to, dogs, cats, birds, and small animals, such as hamsters, gerbils, chinchillas, ferrets, rats, and mice. Forming methods have been demonstrated through extrusion and injection molding, but other methods may also be used. [0019] The method for forming the aerated polymeric composition, especially the pet chew, is dependent on the desired shape and the resultant aerated properties. The method is initiated by selecting a polymer for use in forming the product. The selected polymer and resulting polymeric composition should be such that gas trapping and rheological properties are provided to produce the unique textures and functionalities of the resultant pet chew product. Additionally, the flow properties of the selected polymer should allow for processing through extrusion or injection molding equipment. Continue reading about Aerated polymeric composition... Full patent description for Aerated polymeric composition Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Aerated polymeric composition patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Aerated polymeric composition or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Articles of manufacture and methods for absorbing gasses released by roasted coffee packed in hermetically sealed containers Next Patent Application: Wine aging method and system Industry Class: Food or edible material: processes, compositions, and products ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Aerated polymeric composition patent info. 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