Gum base, chewing gum containing same and method

Claim 2

A chewing gum base which has excellent shelf-life and remains soft over extended periods of time, comprising a polyisobutylene elastomer or a mixture of medium and lower molecular weight polyisobutylene elastomers having a molecular weight within the range of from about 750,000 to 1,300,000, and 37,000 to 80,000, respectively, said polyisobutylene elastomer being present in said base in an amount of at least about 4%, plasticizers comprising glyceryl triacetate and acetylated monoglyceride, one or more hydrophilic-type detackifiers which absorb saliva and become slippery, one or more filler-texturizing agents, one or more softening agents having a melting point above about 22° C., one or more emulsifiers which function as slip agents and impart hydrophilic properties to the elastomer, and an anti-tack combination comprising a polyterpene resin in an amount of from about 4 to about 25% by weight of said gum base, one or more waxes in an amount of from at least 2% to about 25% by weight of said gum base to enhance bite through characteristics, and optionally a polyethylene wax.

Claim 3

The gum base as defined in claim 1 wherein said anti-tack combination comprises polyterpene resin, one or more waxes and a polyethylene wax.

Claim 4

The gum base as defined in claim 2 wherein said polyethylene wax is present in an amount of from about 0.25 to about 5% by weight of the gum base.

Claim 5

The gum base as defined in claim 1 wherein said waxes comprise microcrystalline wax, paraffin wax or mixtures thereof.

Claim 6

The gum base as defined in claim 1 wherein said medium molecular weight polyisobutylene is employed in a weight ratio to the lower molecular weight polyisobutylene of within the range of from about 1:1 to about 1:10.

Claim 7

The gum base as defined in claim 1 wherein said polyisobutylenes have molecular weights of 1,000,000 to 1,200,000 and 40,000 to 50,000, respectively.

Claim 8

The gum base as defined in claim 1 wherein plasticizers are employed in an amount within the range of from about 0.5 to about 25% by weight of the gum base.

Claim 9

The gum base as defined in claim 7 wherein said glyceryl triacetate is employed in an amount within the range of from about 0 to about 10% by weight of said gum base and said glyceryl monoacetate is employed in an amount within the range of from about 0 to about 15% by weight of said gum base.

Claim 10

The gum base as defined in claim 1 wherein the hydrophilic-type detackifier is employed in an amount within the range of from about 5 to about 60% by weight of the gum base.

Claim 11

The gum base as defined in claim 1 wherein said hydrophilic-type detackifier is polyvinyl acetate.

Claim 12

The gum base as defined in claim 1 wherein the filler-texturizing agent comprises calcium carbonate or talc employed in an amount within the range of from about 0 to about 60% by weight of the gum base.

Claim 13

The gum base as defined in claim 3 wherein the softening agent comprises hydrogenated vegetable or animal fats having a melting point above about 50° C. and is employed in an amount within the range of from about 0.5 to about 25% by weight of the gum base.

Claim 14

The gum base as defined in claim 12 wherein said softening agents comprise hydrogenated soyabean oil, confectionery fat, cocoa butter, hydrogenated cottonseed oil, corn oil, peanut oil, palm oil, tallow or lard.

Claim 15

The gum base as defined in claim 13 wherein said softening agent is hydrogenated soyabean oil, hydrogenated cottonseed oil, or mixtures thereof.

Claim 16

the gum base as defined in claim 1 wherein the emulsifier is employed in an amount within the range of from about 0.1 to about 10% by weight of the gum base.

Claim 17

The gum base as defined in claim 15 wherein the emulsifier is glyceryl monostearate.

Claim 18

The gum base as defined in claim 1 having the following composition: ______________________________________ Parts by Weight ______________________________________ Polyisobutylenes Molecular weight 1,000,000 to 1,300,000 2 to 10 Molecular weight 40,000 to 50,000 2 to 18 Polyvinyl acetate 15 to 30 Polyterpene resin 4 to 20 Polyethylene wax (melting point 170 to 300° F.) 1 to 4 Microcrystalline wax 1 to 15 Paraffin wax 1 to 15 Glyceryl triacetate 1 to 8 Glyceryl monostearate 2 to 8 Hydrogenated soyabean oil 2 to 8 Hydrogenated cottonseed oil flakes 2 to 10 Acetylated monoglyceride 1 to 10 Calcium carbonate 15 to 35 ______________________________________

Claim 19

A chewing gum containing gum base as defined in claim 1.

Claim 20

Chewing gum containing gum base as defined in claim 15.

Claim 21

The anti-tack chewing gum as defined in claim 19 containing sugar, non-sugar sweeteners or mixtures thereof.

Claim 22

The anti-tack chewing gum as defined in claim 19 comprising corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, sugar, flavor and optionally glycerine.

Claim 23

A method for preparing the gum base as defined in claim 1 which comprises mixing the medium-high molecular weight polyisobutylene and the low molecular weight polyisobutylene with the filler-texturizer, adding the polyterpene resin and mixing to form a substantially uniform paste, and adding the remaining ingredients with mixing to form the gum base.

Claim 24

The method as defined in claim 22 wherein said filler-texturizing agent is calcium carbonate or talc.

Claim 25

The gum base as defined in claim 1 wherein the polyisobutylene elastomer comprises polyisobutylene having a molecular weight of from about 950,000 to about 1,050,000 and comprises from 0 to about 10% by weight of said gum base.

Claim 26

The gum base as defined in claim 1 wherein the polyisobutylene elastomer comprises polyisobutylene having a molecular weight of from about 37,000 to about 46,000 and comprises from 0 to about 18% by weight of said gum base.