US4400372A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Chewing gum
Assignee: Indiana University Research and Technology Corp
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Filing: 1982-01-15
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Granted: 1983-08-23
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Expires: 2002-01-15
Abstract
Abstract An improved chewing gum capable of cleaning and imparting a high degree of polish to the teeth comprises a chewing gum base, at least one non-toxic source of acid, and calcined kaolin particles, the median diameter of which is about 2 micrometers or less, substantially all of the particles being less than about 20 micrometers in diameter. Such a chewing gum cleans and imparts a high degree of polish to the teeth without unduly abrading or scratching them. When regularly chewed, such a gum, in addition to cleaning and polishing the dental enamel, also inhibits the reformation of dental plaque.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph C. Muhler
- 👤 Carl J. Kleber
- 👤 Ronald L. Ream
- 👤 David M. Moore
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 18:24
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61Q; A61Q11/00; A61K; A61K8/00; A61K8/18; A61K8/19; A61K8/24; A61K8/26; A61K8/30; A61K8/33; A61K8/36; A61K8/365; A61K2800/00; A61K2800/40; A61K2800/41; A61K2800/412
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
A chewing gum capable of cleaning and imparting a high degree of polish to the teeth consisting essentially of: a chewing gum base; a non-toxic source of acid present in an amount sufficient to produce an aqueous pH of from about 2.6 to about 3.3 when measured in a solution with a concentration of 0.1 gram by total gum weight of said chewing gum to 1 milliliter of demineralized water; and about 1-50% by total gum weight of calcined kaolin particles, the median diameter of the particles being about 2 micrometers or less, substantially all of the particles being less than about 20 micrometers in diameter.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
106 words
A chewing gum capable of cleaning and imparting a high degree of polish to the teeth consisting essentially of: a chewing gum base; a non-toxic source of acid present in an amount sufficient to produce an aqueous pH of from about 2.6 to about 3.3 when measured in a solution with a concentration of 0.1 gram by total gum weight of said chewing gum to 1 milliliter of demineralized water; and about 1-50% by total gum weight of calcined kaolin particles, the median diameter of the particles being about 2 micrometers or less, substantially all of the particles being less than about 20 micrometers in diameter.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
A chewing gum, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the kaolin particles are at least in part provided as an add-on ingredient to the chewing gum.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
A chewing gum, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the kaolin particles are provided at least in part as a filler constituent in the chewing gum base.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A chewing gum, as claimed in claim 1, wherein acidophilic ingredients are substantially excluded from the gum.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
A chewing gum, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the kaolin particles are calcined at a temperature lying in the range of about 1000°-1100° C.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
A chewing gum, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the calcined kaolin particles are provided at a level of about 5-15% by total gum weight.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
60 words
A chewing gum, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the non-toxic source of acid is a member selected from the group consisting of citric acid, fumaric acid, tartaric acid, malic acid, succinic acid, ascorbic acid, glutaric acid, adipic acid, lactic acid, phosphoric acid, perchloric acid, nitric acid, sulfuric acid, boric acid, hydrochloric acid, hydroxyacetic acid, salts thereof, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
A chewing gum, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the non-toxic source of acid is a mixture of hydroxyacetic acid and phosphoric acid.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
110 words
A method of imparting a high degree of polish to the dental enamel comprising regularly chewing of a chewing gum consisting essentially of: a chewing gum base; a non-toxic source of acid present in an amount sufficient to produce an aqueous pH of from about 2.6 to about 3.3 when measured in a solution with a concentration of 0.1 gram by total gum weight of said chewing gum to 1 milliliter of demineralized water; and about 1-50% by total gum weight of calcined kaolin particles, the median diameter of the particles being about 2 micrometers or less, substantially all of the particles being less than about 20 micrometers in diameter.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
110 words
A method of imparting a high degree of polish to the dental enamel comprising regularly chewing of a chewing gum consisting essentially of: a chewing gum base; a non-toxic source of acid present in an amount sufficient to produce an aqueous pH of from about 2.6 to about 3.3 when measured in a solution with a concentration of 0.1 gram by total gum weight of said chewing gum to 1 milliliter of demineralized water; and about 1-50% by total gum weight of calcined kaolin particles, the median diameter of the particles being about 2 micrometers or less, substantially all of the particles being less than about 20 micrometers in diameter.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
111 words
A method of removing dental plaque from on the teeth and inhibiting its reformation comprising regularly chewing of a chewing gum consisting essentially of: a chewing gum base; a non-toxic source of acid present in an amount sufficient to produce an aqueous pH of fromm about 2.6 to about 3.3 when measured in a solution with a concentration of 0.1 gram by total gum weight of said chewing gum to 1 milliliter of demineralized water; and about 1-50% by total gum weight of calcined kaolin particles, the median diameter of the particles being about 2 micrometers or less, substantially all of the particles being less than about 20 micrometers in diameter.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
111 words
A method of removing dental plaque from on the teeth and inhibiting its reformation comprising regularly chewing of a chewing gum consisting essentially of: a chewing gum base; a non-toxic source of acid present in an amount sufficient to produce an aqueous pH of fromm about 2.6 to about 3.3 when measured in a solution with a concentration of 0.1 gram by total gum weight of said chewing gum to 1 milliliter of demineralized water; and about 1-50% by total gum weight of calcined kaolin particles, the median diameter of the particles being about 2 micrometers or less, substantially all of the particles being less than about 20 micrometers in diameter.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
61 words
A method, as claimed in claims 9 or 10, wherein the non-toxic source of acid is a member selected from the group consisting of citric acid, fumaric acid, tartaric acid, malic acid, succinic acid, ascorbic acid, glutaric acid, adipic acid, lactic acid, phosphoric acid, perchloric acid, nitric acid, sulfuric acid, boric acid, hydrochloric acid, hydroxyacetic acid, salts thereof, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
24 words
A method, as claimed in claims 9 or 10, wherein the non-toxic source of acid is a mixture of hydroxyacetic acid and phosphoric acid.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-08-22 | 1987-02-21 | 1987-08-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-08-22 | 1991-02-21 | 1991-08-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-08-22 | 1995-02-21 | 1995-08-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |