Patent ID: 8067047

Claim:
A method of forming animal feed, the method consisting the steps of: providing a high compression forming device adapted for pelletizing ingredients, the forming device includes a first storage container for receiving and storing a first mixture, a die for shaping the first mixture into pellets and one or more fluid ports for injecting fluid into the first mixture; fluidly connecting a retention agent supply device to the forming device, the retention agent supply device includes a second storage container for receiving and storing a second mixture for lubrication and retention of the first mixture; fluidly connecting a fluid control device to the retention agent supply device and the one or more fluid ports for metering the amount of second mixture being applied to the first mixture; forming the first mixture including one or more ingredients used for animal feed, the ingredients forming the first mixture are disposed in the first storage container of the forming device; forming the second mixture, the second mixture includes between about 0.1% to about 10% dry alginate by weight of the second mixture and between about 90% to about 99.9% water by weight of the second mixture, the second mixture is disposed in the second storage container; and pelletizing animal feed through compression and movement of the first and second mixture through the forming device to form individual pellets having defined shape, wherein during the entire formation process of the animal feed the ingredients maintain a temperature of at or below about 70° Celsius and the shape and size of the pellets exiting the forming device are maintained by the second mixture and the shape and size of the pellets exiting the forming device are maintained without use of additional retention agents.