Dissolvable micro-ingredient containers and methods for preparing animal feeds using such containers

Abstract

The present invention relates to dissolvable containers for animal feed micro-ingredients, and methods for using such dissolvable containers to prepare an animal feed mixture. Ingredients required in very small amounts with respect to the rest of the components in an animal feed, i.e., micro-ingredients, can be pre-measured and sealed within the dissolvable containers, which can be made from a water-soluble polymer film, then added to the other feed components when the complete animal feed is being prepared.

1 - 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A method for preparing an animal feed mixture for livestock, comprising:
 providing a container comprising a water-soluble film, wherein a micro-ingredient is sealed within the container, and   adding the container and water to a vessel,
 wherein at least a portion of the water-soluble film dissolves in the vessel to release the micro-ingredient to form a substantially homogenous mixture or solution comprising water and the micro-ingredient, and 
   combining the mixture or solution comprising water and the micro-ingredient with one or more feed components to form an animal feed mixture,
 wherein, the concentration of the micro-ingredient is less than about 0.1%, and wherein the micro-ingredient is thoroughly dispersed throughout the animal feed mixture after mixing. 
   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the one or more feed components comprise protein, carbohydrate, fat, fiber, or a mixture thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising agitating the animal feed mixture. 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the animal feed mixture is a milk replacement, a milk supplement, a colostrum replacement, or a colostrum supplement. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the concentration of the micro-ingredient in the animal feed mixture micro-ingredient is less than about 0.01%. 
     
     
         18 - 28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the water-soluble film comprises a polyvinyl alcohol. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the water-soluble film is suitable for ingestion by an animal. 
     
     
         31 . (canceled) 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the micro-ingredient is a pharmaceutical composition selected from the group consisting of a steroid, a beta-agonist, an antibiotic, and a vaccine. 
     
     
         33 - 35 . (canceled) 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the micro-ingredient is an essential oil. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the micro-ingredient is an ionophore. 
     
     
         38 - 42 . (canceled) 
     
     
         43 . The method  claim 12 , wherein the micro-ingredient is a liquid or a solid. 
     
     
         44 . The method  claim 12 , further comprising mixing the one or more micro-ingredients with a carrier or excipient prior to dispensing the one or more micro-ingredients into the dissolvable container. 
     
     
         45 . The method  claim 12 , wherein the one or more micro-ingredients are measured and/or dispensed in a low moisture environment, or are measured and/or dispersed in a low oxygen environment. 
     
     
         46 . The method  claim 12 , wherein the animal feed mixture is a solution, suspension, slurry, or is substantially solid. 
     
     
         47 . The method  claim 12 , wherein the moisture content of the animal feed mixture is in the range of about 20 to 80%. 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the concentration of the micro-ingredient in the animal feed mixture micro-ingredient is less than about 0.001%. 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the concentration of the micro-ingredient in the animal feed mixture micro-ingredient less than about 0.0001%. 
     
     
         50 . A method for administering a micro-ingredient to an animal, comprising feeding the animal with an animal feed comprising a micro-ingredient made by the method of  claim 12 . 
     
     
         51 . A method for administering a micro-ingredient to an animal, comprising the steps of:
 (i) preparing an animal feed mixture, comprising:
 providing a container comprising a water-soluble film, wherein a micro-ingredient is sealed within the container, 
 adding the container to a vessel with one or more feed components, wherein the one or more feed components have a moisture content suitable for dissolving the water-soluble film, and 
 mixing the container with the one or more feed components in the vessel, 
 wherein:
 at least a portion of the water-soluble film dissolves during mixing to release the micro-ingredient, 
 the micro-ingredient is combined with the one or more feed components to form an animal feed mixture, and 
 the ratio of the micro-ingredient to the total amount of animal feed mixture is about 1:100 or less; and 
 
   (ii) feeding the animal feed mixture to an animal.