TRUDSO JENS ESKIL (DK)
AMENDED CLAIMS received by the International Bureau on 05 August 2019 (05.08.2019) CLAIMS We claim: 1. A composition comprising: a carrageenan having a potassium content of less than or equal to about 3 wt. % and a calcium content of less than or equal to about 0.7 wt. % and characterized by: (i) a viscosity of a 0.1 M aqueous sodium chloride solution containing 1.5 wt. % of the carrageenan in a range from about 10 to about 55 cP at 75 °C, and/or (ii) a viscosity of an aqueous solution containing 1.5 wt. % of the carrageenan in a range from about 30 to about 80 cP at 75 °C; a starch; a plasticizer; and water; wherein the carrageenan comprises an iota carrageenan. 2. The composition of claim 1, wherein the potassium content of the carrageenan is in a range from about 0.5 to about 2 wt. %. 3. The composition of claim 1 or 2, wherein: (i) the viscosity of the 0.1 M aqueous sodium chloride solution containing 1.5 wt. % of the carrageenan at 75 °C is in a range from about 25 to about 45 cP; and/or (ii) the viscosity of the aqueous solution containing 1.5 wt. % of the carrageenan at 75 °C is in a range from about 35 to about 60 cP. 4. The composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the carrageenan contains less than or equal to about 0.05 wt. % calcium. 5. The composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the carrageenan contains less than or equal to about 2 wt. % magnesium. 6. The composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the starch comprises a potato starch, a pre-gelatinized modified com starch, a pre-gelatinized acid thinned modified corn starch, an acid modified hydroxypropylated corn starch, a flash dried acid modified native corn dent starch, a hydroxypropylated acid modified tapioca starch, a modified corn starch, a modified high amylose corn starch, or any combination thereof. 7. The composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plasticizer comprises glycerin, sorbitol, a propylene glycol, a polyethylene glycol, or any combination thereof. 8. The composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the composition contains from about 30 to about 60 wt. % water. 9. The composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the composition further comprises a buffer. 10. The composition of claim 9, wherein the composition contains from greater than zero to less than or equal to about 1 wt. % buffer. 11. The composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein a weight ratio of starch: carrageenan is in a range from about 1.5: 1 to about 5: 1. 12. The composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the composition contains from about 4 to about 9 wt. % carrageenan. 13. The composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein: the composition contains from about 17 to about 37 wt. % plasticizer; and the plasticizer comprises glycerin and/or sorbitol. 14. The composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the composition contains from about 10 to about 32 wt. % starch. 15. The composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the composition further comprises an additive selected from a colorant, a preservative, a disintegrant, a flavorant, or any combination thereof. 16. The composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the composition has a fusion temperature (TF) in a range from about 25 °C to about 62 °C. 17. The composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the composition is configured to produce capsules on pressure-free rotary die equipment. 18. An article of manufacture comprising the composition of any one of claims 1- 17. 19. A film comprising the composition of any one of claims 1-17. 20. The film of claim 19, wherein the film has an average thickness in a range from about 0.5 mm to about 3 mm. 21. The film of claim 19 or 20, wherein the film is configured to produce capsules on pressure-free rotary die equipment. 22. The film of any one of claims 19-21, wherein the film contains, on a dry basis: from about 10 to about 15 wt. % carrageenan; from about 40 to about 60 wt. % plasticizer; and from about 25 to about 50 wt. % starch. 23. A capsule comprising: a shell comprising the composition of any one of claims 1-17; and a fill material. 24. The capsule of claim 23, wherein the fill material is a liquid. 25. The capsule of claim 23, wherein the fill material is a solid. 26. The capsule of any one of claims 23-25, wherein the capsule is configured to replace a gelatin-based capsule. 27. The capsule of any one of claims 23-26, wherein the shell contains, on a dry basis: from about 10 to about 15 wt. % carrageenan; from about 40 to about 60 wt. % plasticizer; and from about 25 to about 50 wt. % starch. 28. A method for removing water from a capsule and/or for increasing rigidity of a capsule, the method comprising contacting the capsule of any one of claims 23-27 with an alcohol compound. 29. The method of claim 28, wherein the alcohol compound comprises methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, isopropanol, or any combination thereof. |