Patent ID: 7671101

Claim:
A method for forming a mechanically homogeneous dried gelled foam, the method comprising the steps of: a) forming an aqueous dispersion comprising the following ingredients: a gel-forming polymer selected from the group consisting of alginates, pectic substances, carrageenans, glycol alginates, and mixtures thereof, a gelling agent; a water soluble plasticizer; optionally, a foaming agent; optionally, one or more additives; a pH modifier; and water; in which the gel-forming polymer is dissolved in the water, and the gelling agent is dispersed in the water; b) forming a foam from the dispersion, and forming a gelled foam; and c) drying the gelled foam to form the dried gelled foam; in which the plasticizer comprises more that 50 wt % of the dry gelled foam, exclusive of water and additives and said dried gelled foam is mechanically homogeneous.