# US 11,439,174 B2 · Process for encapsulating hydrophobic substances

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 11,439,174 B2
- Document ID: US11439174B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/577,272
- Filed: 2016-03-15
- Published: 2018-06-14
- Granted: 2022-09-13
- Earliest claimed: 2015-05-27
- Assignees: Caviaroli, S.L.
- Applicants: Caviaroli, S.L.
- Inventors: Ramon Ramon Real; Ramon Maria Ramon Ferres
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11439174B2

## CPC

- A23P 10/30: Encapsulation of particles, e.g. foodstuff additives
- A23D 9/007: characterised by ingredients other than fatty acid triglycerides
- A23D 9/05: Forming free-flowing pieces
- A23L 27/72: {Encapsulation}
- A23L 29/256: from seaweeds, e.g. alginates, agar or carrageenan
- A23L 33/115: Fatty acids or derivatives thereof; Fats or oils
- A23V 2002/00: Food compositions, function of food ingredients or processes for food or foodstuffs
- A23P: SHAPING OR WORKING OF FOODSTUFFS, NOT FULLY COVERED BY A SINGLE OTHER SUBCLASS
- A23D: EDIBLE OILS OR FATS, e.g. MARGARINES, SHORTENINGS OR COOKING OILS (preservation thereof A23B20/00; production, refinement or preservation of animal or vegetable fats or oils C11B, C11C)
- A23L: FOODS, FOODSTUFFS OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; PREPARATION OR TREATMENT THEREOF (preservation thereof A23B)
- A23V: INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO FOODS, FOODSTUFFS OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AND LACTIC OR PROPIONIC ACID BACTERIA USED IN FOODSTUFFS OR FOOD PREPARATION

## Abstract

A method is for generation of capsules containing hydrophobic substances, in particular oily substances, such as essential oils. The capsules are coated with a film of calcium alginate by preparing an aqueous solution of non-calcium alginate and pumping the hydrophobic substance to be encapsulated and the aqueous solution through concentric tubes to produce drops that are introduced into an aqueous solution containing calcium solutions.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for the preparation of spherical capsules of a hydrophobic substance, wherein the method comprises:
preparing an aqueous solution of non-calcium alginate in which the concentration of alginate is in the range of 0.05% to 5% per cent by weight of the solution;
pumping a composition consisting of the hydrophobic substance to be encapsulated through an inner tube and the aqueous solution of non-calcium alginate through an outer tube, wherein the inner and outer tubes are concentric tubes with a diameter ratio of the outer to the inner tube in the range of 1.2 to 3, thereby forming drops;
introducing the drops into an aqueous solution containing calcium ions to form the capsules;
washing, draining and packaging the capsules wherein the capsules have a diameter in the range of 4 mm to 25 mm.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein said food oil is mixed with dressings, aromas, flavors, and other food additives soluble in oil.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein the aqueous solution containing calcium ions is selected from the group consisting of solutions of calcium chloride, calcium lactate, calcium gluconate, and a mixture thereof.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The method according to claim 3, wherein the aqueous solution containing calcium ions is a solution of calcium chloride.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein the non-calcium alginate is sodium alginate.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein the pH of the alginate solution is between 2 and 14.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein the capsules have a diameter of 5 mm to 25 mm.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein the capsules have a diameter of 6 mm to 25 mm.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the inner tube diameter is bigger than 2 mm and the outer tube diameter is bigger than 5 mm.