US4587125A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Non-staling chewing gum compositions and improved method of preparation
Assignee: Intercontinental Great Brands LLC
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Filing: 1985-05-31
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Granted: 1986-05-06
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Expires: 2005-05-31
Abstract
Abstract A chewing gum composition and process whereby the process comprises softening the base between a temperature range of about 40 DEG C. to about 60 DEG C.; admixing softening agents, sweetening agents and flavoring agents; extruding the composition prior to cooling; forming the composition into suitable chewing gum pieces without cooling; and immediately wrapping the pieces with a minimum of protective wrapping without prior conditioning. No moisture or moisture-containing ingredients are used in the process or added to the ingredients and the chewing gum composition has a final moisture content of up to about 0.9% by weight.
Inventors
- 👤 Subraman R. Cherukuri
- 👤 Frank T. Hriscisce
- 👤 Albert E. Siecke
- 👤 You C. Wei
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 01:05
CPC Classifications
A; A23; A23G; A23G4/00; A23G4/06; A23G4/02; A23G4/064; A23G4/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
92 words
A chewing gum composition having a moisture content of up to about 0.9% by weight of the final composition, comprising a gum base which softens in a temperature range of about 40° C. to about 60° C., a solid water-souble sweetening agent, a softener and a liquid flavoring agent, said chewing gum having an equilibrium relative humidity value lower than the ambient relative humidity, wherein said gum base is an elastomer selected from the group consisting of isobutylene-isoprene copolymers, polyvinylacetate, polyisobutylene, polyvinylalcohol, chicle, jelutong, balata, crown gutta-percha, lechicaspi, sorva and mixtures thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
92 words
A chewing gum composition having a moisture content of up to about 0.9% by weight of the final composition, comprising a gum base which softens in a temperature range of about 40° C. to about 60° C., a solid water-souble sweetening agent, a softener and a liquid flavoring agent, said chewing gum having an equilibrium relative humidity value lower than the ambient relative humidity, wherein said gum base is an elastomer selected from the group consisting of isobutylene-isoprene copolymers, polyvinylacetate, polyisobutylene, polyvinylalcohol, chicle, jelutong, balata, crown gutta-percha, lechicaspi, sorva and mixtures thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The chewing gum composition of claim 1 wherein the gum base softens in a temperature range of about 50° to about 55° C.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The chewing gum composition of claim 1 wherein the sweetener is selected from the group consisting of water-soluble sweeting agents, water-soluble artificial sweeting agents, dipeptide based sweeteners and mixtures thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The chewing gum composition of claim 1 wherein the flavoring agent is sorbed in the microporous channels of spherical particles having a bulk density of about 3.0 up to about 15.0 lbs/cu.ft.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The chewing gum composition of claim 4 wherein the spherical particles are selected from the group consisting of dextrins, starch pectrin algin methyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, carboxymethyl amylopectin, dextrose, fructose, maltose, lactose, dextrans, natural gums and mixtures thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The chewing gum composition of claim 5 wherein the sphericals are maltodextrins having a bulk density of about 3.0 to about 6.0 lbs./cu.ft.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The chewing gum composition of claim 6 wherein the flavoring agent is a natural or synthetic material selected from the group consisting of natural oils, natural essences or extracts, synthetic oils and mixtures thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The chewing gum composition of claim 7 wherein the flavoring agent is selected from the group consisting of peppermint oil, spearmint oil, cinnamon oil, oil of wintergreen, fruit flavors and mixtures thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
62 words
A chewing gum composition comprising from about 5 to about 65% by weight of a gum base which softens in the temperature range of about 40° C. to about 60° C., a solid water-soluble sweetening agent, a softener and remaining ingredients selected from conventional chewing gum additives, said chewing gum having an equilibrium relative humidity value lower than the ambient relative humidity.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
62 words
A chewing gum composition comprising from about 5 to about 65% by weight of a gum base which softens in the temperature range of about 40° C. to about 60° C., a solid water-soluble sweetening agent, a softener and remaining ingredients selected from conventional chewing gum additives, said chewing gum having an equilibrium relative humidity value lower than the ambient relative humidity.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The composition of claim 9 wherein the chewing gum is coated prior to wrapping without regard to humidity and at ambient temperatures.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The composition of claim 9 wherein the chewing gum piece is formed therefrom in a slab, stick, chunk, pillow or tablet form.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
84 words
A process for preparing a chewing gum composition which comprises: (a) softening the gum base in a temperature range of about 40° C. to about 60° C.; (b) admixing with the gum base a sweetening agent and a flavoring agent and continuing to mix until a homogenous, pliable mixture having an equilibrium relative humidity value lower than the ambient relative humidity is obtained; (c) extruding the composition; (d) forming the composition into suitable chewing gum pieces without cooling; and (e) wrapping without prior conditioning.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
84 words
A process for preparing a chewing gum composition which comprises: (a) softening the gum base in a temperature range of about 40° C. to about 60° C.; (b) admixing with the gum base a sweetening agent and a flavoring agent and continuing to mix until a homogenous, pliable mixture having an equilibrium relative humidity value lower than the ambient relative humidity is obtained; (c) extruding the composition; (d) forming the composition into suitable chewing gum pieces without cooling; and (e) wrapping without prior conditioning.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
The process of claim 12 wherein the chewing gum pieces are coated with a sweetener prior to wrapping in a relative humidity of between about 30% to about 30% and at ambient temperatures.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
138 words
A chewing gum composition which remains fresh for a year or more with a minimum of protective wrapping, having a moisture content of up to about 0.9% by weight and being capable of being extruded, formed, coated and wrapped without cooling or conditioning, said composition comprising: (a) a gum base having a softening range of about 40° C. to about 60° C.; (b) a flavoring agent, said ingredients containing only residual moisture and being added to the composition without additional moisture; said composition being prepared by the process comprising: (i) softening the gum base between a temperature range of about 40° C. to about 60° C.; (ii) admixing softening agents, sweetening agents, and flavoring agents; (iii) extruding the composition; (iv) forming the composition into suitable chewing gum pieces without cooling; and (v) wrapping the pieces without prior conditioning.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
138 words
A chewing gum composition which remains fresh for a year or more with a minimum of protective wrapping, having a moisture content of up to about 0.9% by weight and being capable of being extruded, formed, coated and wrapped without cooling or conditioning, said composition comprising: (a) a gum base having a softening range of about 40° C. to about 60° C.; (b) a flavoring agent, said ingredients containing only residual moisture and being added to the composition without additional moisture; said composition being prepared by the process comprising: (i) softening the gum base between a temperature range of about 40° C. to about 60° C.; (ii) admixing softening agents, sweetening agents, and flavoring agents; (iii) extruding the composition; (iv) forming the composition into suitable chewing gum pieces without cooling; and (v) wrapping the pieces without prior conditioning.
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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) | 1989-05-05 | 1989-11-04 | 1990-05-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-05-05 | 1993-11-04 | 1994-05-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-05-05 | 1997-11-04 | 1998-05-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |