Packaged concentrate thickener compositions

Abstract

A process for thickening liquid food and/or medications of people with swallowing problems which involves dilution of a concentrate thickener paste which has been thickened to several times its normally useful and cost-effective levels. The approach is beneficial in formulations intended for radiological evaluations of people with swallowing problems including those persons suffering from dysphagia.

1 . A packaged aqueous concentrate thickener composition suitable for shipment to a home or institution of a patient having the condition of dysphagia and suitable for addition from its packaging to a liquid food for the patient at the home or institution in order to thicken the food and to facilitate consumption of the food by the patient, the packaged aqueous concentrate thickener composition consisting essentially of a fully hydrated thickener and water. 
   
   
       2 . A packaged aqueous concentrate thickener composition in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said aqueous concentrate thickener composition comprises about 1% to about 10% by weight of thickener. 
   
   
       3 . A packaged aqueous concentrate thickener composition in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said thickener is xanthan gum. 
   
   
       4 . A packaged aqueous concentrate thickener composition in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the concentrate thickener composition consists of xanthan gum, water, and at least one preservative. 
   
   
       5 . A packaged aqueous concentrate thickener composition in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the aqueous concentrate thickener composition is packaged in a container having a top and a bottom, and wherein the same volume of thickener concentrate will thicken a liquid food to the same level of thickness whether the thickener concentrate is from the top or the bottom of the container. 
   
   
       6 . A packaged aqueous concentrate thickener composition in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the aqueous concentrate thickener composition is packaged in a tote, a bin, a pouch, a bucket, a bag, or a syringe. 
   
   
       7 . A packaged aqueous concentrate thickener composition in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the composition includes a non-substantial amount as relates to thickening of at least one component selected from the group consisting of acids, bases, acidulates, chelating agents, flavors, colors, vitamins, minerals, sweeteners, insoluble foods and preservatives. 
   
   
       8 . A packaged aqueous concentrate thickener composition in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said concentrate thickener comprises a non-substantial amount as relates to thickening of a preservative. 
   
   
       9 . A packaged aqueous concentrate thickener composition suitable for shipment to a home or institution of a patient having the condition of dysphagia and suitable for addition from its packaging to a liquid food for the patient at the home or institution in order to thicken the food and to facilitate consumption of the food by the patient, the packaged aqueous concentrate thickener composition consisting essentially of about 2 to about 5 percent by weight of a fully hydrated xanthan gum in water. 
   
   
       10 . A packaged aqueous concentrate thickener composition in accordance with  claim 9  wherein the composition includes a non-substantial amount as relates to thickening of at least one component selected from the group consisting of acids, bases, acidulates, chelating agents, flavors, colors, vitamins, minerals, sweeteners, insoluble foods and preservatives. 
   
   
       11 . A packaged aqueous concentrate thickener composition in accordance with  claim 9  wherein said concentrate thickener comprises a non-substantial amount as relates to thickening of at least one preservative. 
   
   
       12 . A packaged aqueous concentrate thickener composition suitable for shipment to a home or institution of a patient having the condition of dysphagia and suitable for addition from its packaging to a liquid food for the patient at the home or institution in order to thicken the food and to facilitate consumption of the food by the patient, the packaged aqueous concentrate thickener composition consisting essentially of about 3.5% to about 4.5% by weight of a fully hydrated xanthan gum in water. 
   
   
       13 . A packaged aqueous concentrate thickener composition in accordance with  claim 12  wherein the xanthan gum comprises about 3.6% to about 4.3% by weight of the composition. 
   
   
       14 . A packaged aqueous concentrate thickener composition in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the concentrate thickener composition consists of xanthan gum, water, and at least one preservative. 
   
   
       15 . A packaged aqueous concentrate thickener composition in accordance with  claim 12  wherein the aqueous concentrate thickener composition is packaged in a container having a top and a bottom, and wherein the same volume of thickener concentrate will thicken a liquid food to the same level of thickness whether the thickener concentrate is from the top or the bottom of the container. 
   
   
       16 . A packaged aqueous concentrate thickener composition in accordance with  claim 12  wherein the aqueous concentrate thickener composition is packaged in a tote, a bin, a pouch, a bucket, a bag, or a syringe. 
   
   
       17 . A packaged aqueous concentrate thickener composition in accordance with  claim 12  wherein the composition includes a non-substantial amount as relates to thickening of at least one component selected from the group consisting of acids, bases, acidulates, chelating agents, flavors, colors, vitamins, minerals, sweeteners, insoluble foods and preservatives. 
   
   
       18 . A packaged aqueous concentrate thickener composition in accordance with  claim 12  wherein the aqueous concentrate thickener composition is packaged in a pouch.