US4728515A — Low moisture chewing gum compositions and methods…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 214 words

A method of preparing a chewing gum composition comprising the steps of: (a) combining a syrup, containing water and carbohydrate solids having less than about 30% solids with a degree of polymerization (DP) of 1 and at least about 20% solids with a DP of 4 or greater, with a plasticizing agent consisting of glycerine, propylene glycol or a mixture thereof at a weight ratio of between about 0.5:1 and about 100:1 carbohydrate solids to plasticizing agent; (b) evaporating moisture initially present in the syrup-plasticizer composition so that the total water content of the evaporated syrup-plasticizer composition is less than about 20% by weight; (c) providing a chewable gum base; a bulking agent selected from the group consisting of sugars, sugar alcohols and mixtures thereof; optional flavors; artificial sweeteners; colors; preservatives and processing aids; and (d) combining the gum base in amount from about 5% to about 75% by weight of the chewing gum composition, the sweet bulking agent in amount from about 5% to about 75% by weight of the chewing gum composition, and the evaporated syrup-plasticizer composition in amount from about 5% to about 75% by weight of the chewing gum composition, and the optional ingredients to form a finished chewing gum composition having a total moisture content of less than 2%.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 214 words

A method of preparing a chewing gum composition comprising the steps of: (a) combining a syrup, containing water and carbohydrate solids having less than about 30% solids with a degree of polymerization (DP) of 1 and at least about 20% solids with a DP of 4 or greater, with a plasticizing agent consisting of glycerine, propylene glycol or a mixture thereof at a weight ratio of between about 0.5:1 and about 100:1 carbohydrate solids to plasticizing agent; (b) evaporating moisture initially present in the syrup-plasticizer composition so that the total water content of the evaporated syrup-plasticizer composition is less than about 20% by weight; (c) providing a chewable gum base; a bulking agent selected from the group consisting of sugars, sugar alcohols and mixtures thereof; optional flavors; artificial sweeteners; colors; preservatives and processing aids; and (d) combining the gum base in amount from about 5% to about 75% by weight of the chewing gum composition, the sweet bulking agent in amount from about 5% to about 75% by weight of the chewing gum composition, and the evaporated syrup-plasticizer composition in amount from about 5% to about 75% by weight of the chewing gum composition, and the optional ingredients to form a finished chewing gum composition having a total moisture content of less than 2%.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 23 words

The method of claim 1 wherein at least 20% of the moisture initially present in the carbohydrate syrup-plasticizing agent combination is evaporated therefrom.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 23 words

The method of claim 1 wherein at least 50% of the moisture intitially present in the carbohydrate syrup-plasticizing agent combination is evaporated therefrom.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 23 words

The method of claim 1 wherein at least 75% of the moisture initially present in the carbohydrate syrup-plasticizing agent combination is evaporated therefrom.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 23 words

The method of claim 1 wherein the final moisture level of the carbohydrate syrup-plasticizer composition is not more than 14% by weight thereof.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 23 words

The method of claim 1 wherein the final moisture level of the carbohydrate syrup-plasticizer composition is not more than 10% by weight thereof.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 23 words

The method of claim 1 wherein the final moisture level of the carbohydrate syrup-plasticizer composition is not more than 5% by weight thereof.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 13 words

The method of claim 1 wherein the carbohydrate solids comprise corn syrup solids.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 14 words

The method of claim 1 wherein the carbohydrate solids comprise hydrogenated starch hydrolysate solids.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 21 words

The method of claim 1 wherein the carbohydrate solids comprise a mixture of corn syrup solids and hydrogenated starch hydrolysate solids.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 25 words

The method of claim 1 wherein the evaporating step is carried out by agitating and heating the syrup-plasticizing agent combination in an agitated heated kettle.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 24 words

The method of claim 1 wherein the evaporating step is carried out by passing the carbohydrate syrup-plasticizing agent combination through a thin film evaporator.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 26 words

The method of claim 1 wherein the plasticizing agent is glycerine at a weight ratio of from about 0.75:1 to about 40:1 carbohydrate solids to glycerine.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 20 words

The method of claim 13 wherein the ratio of carbohydrate solids to glycerine is between about 2:1 and about 30:1.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 20 words

The method of claim 1 wherein the carbohydrate solids comprise less than about 20% carbohydrates having a DP of 1.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 20 words

The method of claim 1 wherein the carbohydrates solids comprise less than about 10% carbohydrates having a DP of 1.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 26 words

The method of claim 1 wherein the carbohydrate solids comprise hydrogenated starch hydrolysates with about 24% of the carbohydrates having a DP of 4 or greater.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 28 words

The method of claim 1 wherein the carbohydrate solids comprise corn syrup solids with about 30% or more of the carbohydrates having a DP of 4 or greater.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 21 words

The method of claim 18 wherein about 35% to 40% of the carbohydrate solids have a DP of 4 or greater.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 47 words

The method of claim 1 wherein the carbohydrate solids comprise hydrogenated starch hydrolysate solids containing about 6% oligosaccharides of a DP of 1, about 52% with a DP of 2, about 18% with a DP of 3 and about 11% with a DP of 10 or greater.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 22 words

The method of claim 1 wherein the carbohydrate solids are corn syrup solids comprising not less than about 20% by weight maltose.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 41 words

The method of claim 1 wherein the carbohydrate syrup comprises a mixture of 20% to 80% by weight of a syrup with a D.E. greater than 40 and 20% to 80% of a syrup with a D.E. of less than 40.

Claim 24

Independent Claim 245 words

A method of preparing a gum composition comprising the steps of: (a) providing a chewable gum base in an amount within a range of from 5% to 75% by weight of said gum composition; (b) providing a bulking agent selected from the group of sugars, sugar alcohols and mixtures thereof in an amount within a range of from 5% to 75% by weight of said gum composition; (c) providing a carbohydrate syrup comprising an aqueous solution of carbohydrate solids, said syrup selected from the group of corn syrups, hydrogenated starch hydrolysates and mixtures thereof, wherein less than about 30% by weight of said carbohydrate solids have a DP of 1 and more than about 20% of said carbohydrate solids have a DP of 4 or greater; (d) providing a plasticizing agent selected from the group of glycerine, propylene glycol and mixtures thereof, (e) combining said carbohydrate syrup with said plasticizing agent at a ratio of carbohydrate solids to plasticizing agent of between about 0.5:1 and about 100:1 to form a mixture; (f) evaporating moisture present in said mixture to produce a dehydrated mixture containing less than 20% water by weight; and (g) combining said dehydrated mixture in an amount within a range of from 5% to 75% by weight of said gum composition with said gum base and said bulking agents and optional flavors, artificial sweeteners, colors, preservatives and processing aids to form a finished gum composition having a moisture content or less than 2%.

Claim 25

Independent Claim 245 words

A method of preparing a gum composition comprising the steps of: (a) providing a chewable gum base in an amount within a range of from 5% to 75% by weight of said gum composition; (b) providing a bulking agent selected from the group of sugars, sugar alcohols and mixtures thereof in an amount within a range of from 5% to 75% by weight of said gum composition; (c) providing a carbohydrate syrup comprising an aqueous solution of carbohydrate solids, said syrup selected from the group of corn syrups, hydrogenated starch hydrolysates and mixtures thereof, wherein less than about 30% by weight of said carbohydrate solids have a DP of 1 and more than about 20% of said carbohydrate solids have a DP of 4 or greater; (d) providing a plasticizing agent selected from the group of glycerine, propylene glycol and mixtures thereof, (e) combining said carbohydrate syrup with said plasticizing agent at a ratio of carbohydrate solids to plasticizing agent of between about 0.5:1 and about 100:1 to form a mixture; (f) evaporating moisture present in said mixture to produce a dehydrated mixture containing less than 20% water by weight; and (g) combining said dehydrated mixture in an amount within a range of from 5% to 75% by weight of said gum composition with said gum base and said bulking agents and optional flavors, artificial sweeteners, colors, preservatives and processing aids to form a finished gum composition having a moisture content or less than 2%.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 171 words

A gum composition having a moisture content of less than 2% comprising: (a) 5% to 75% by weight of a chewable gum base; (b) 5% to 75% by weight of a bulking agent selected from the group of sugars, sugar alcohols and mixtures thereof; (c) 5% to 75% by weight of a dehydrated mixture of (i) an aqueous syrup of carbohydrate solids, said syrup selected from the group of corn syrups, hydrogenated starch hydrolysates and mixtures thereof wherein less than about 30% of said carbohydrate solids have a DP of 1 and more than about 20% of said carbohydrate solids have a DP of 4 or greater; and (ii) a plasticizing agent selected from the group of glycerine, propylene glycol and mixtures thereof; (iii) said syrup and plasticizing agent being mixed at a ratio of carbohydrate solids to plasticizing agent of between about 0.5:1 and about 100:1; (iv) wherein the water content of said dehydrated mixture is less than 20%; and (d) optional flavors, artificial sweeteners, colors, preservatives and processing aids.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 171 words

A gum composition having a moisture content of less than 2% comprising: (a) 5% to 75% by weight of a chewable gum base; (b) 5% to 75% by weight of a bulking agent selected from the group of sugars, sugar alcohols and mixtures thereof; (c) 5% to 75% by weight of a dehydrated mixture of (i) an aqueous syrup of carbohydrate solids, said syrup selected from the group of corn syrups, hydrogenated starch hydrolysates and mixtures thereof wherein less than about 30% of said carbohydrate solids have a DP of 1 and more than about 20% of said carbohydrate solids have a DP of 4 or greater; and (ii) a plasticizing agent selected from the group of glycerine, propylene glycol and mixtures thereof; (iii) said syrup and plasticizing agent being mixed at a ratio of carbohydrate solids to plasticizing agent of between about 0.5:1 and about 100:1; (iv) wherein the water content of said dehydrated mixture is less than 20%; and (d) optional flavors, artificial sweeteners, colors, preservatives and processing aids.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 101 words

A chewing gum composition to which has been added a carbohydrate syrup mixture to improve the flexibility retention of the gum; the added syrup mixture comprising water in an amount not greater than about 20% by weight of the mixture, starch hydrolysate solids having less than 30% solids with a DP of 1 and at least about 20% solids with a DP of 4 or greater, and a plasticizing agent selected from the group consisting of glycerol and propylene glycol and constituting from about 1% to about 5% by weight of the mixture, said gum composition comprising less than 2% moisture.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 101 words

A chewing gum composition to which has been added a carbohydrate syrup mixture to improve the flexibility retention of the gum; the added syrup mixture comprising water in an amount not greater than about 20% by weight of the mixture, starch hydrolysate solids having less than 30% solids with a DP of 1 and at least about 20% solids with a DP of 4 or greater, and a plasticizing agent selected from the group consisting of glycerol and propylene glycol and constituting from about 1% to about 5% by weight of the mixture, said gum composition comprising less than 2% moisture.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 21 words

The chewing gum composition of claim 25 wherein the amount of plasticizing agent is about 3% by weight of the mixture.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 23 words

The chewing gum composition of claim 25 wherein the amount of water is not greater than about 14% by weight of the mixture.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 67 words

The chewing gum composition of claim 25 wherein the carbohydrate syrup comprises: a high D.E. corn syrup constituting from about 25% to about 70% by weight of the mixture and having a D.E. of not less than about 40; and a low D.E. corn syrup constituting from about 25% to about 70% by weight of the mixture and having a D.E. of not greater than about 40.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 47 words

The chewing gum composition of claim 25 having a reduced water content obtained by removing water from the syrup mixture before adding the mixture to the gum such that the mixture has a reduced water content of not greater than about 14% by weight of the mixture.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 102 words

In a method for manufacturing chewing gum containing less than 2% moisture, the step of adding to the gum a carbohydrate syrup mixture to improve the flexibility retention of the gum, the syrup mixture comprising water in an amount not greater than about 20% by weight of the mixture, starch hydrolysate solids having less than 30% solids with a DP of 1 and at least about 20% solids with a DP of 4 or greater, and a plasticizing agent selected from the group consisting of glycerol and propylene glycol and constituting from about 1% to about 5% by weight of the mixture.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 102 words

In a method for manufacturing chewing gum containing less than 2% moisture, the step of adding to the gum a carbohydrate syrup mixture to improve the flexibility retention of the gum, the syrup mixture comprising water in an amount not greater than about 20% by weight of the mixture, starch hydrolysate solids having less than 30% solids with a DP of 1 and at least about 20% solids with a DP of 4 or greater, and a plasticizing agent selected from the group consisting of glycerol and propylene glycol and constituting from about 1% to about 5% by weight of the mixture.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 19 words

The method of claim 30 wherein the amount of plasticizing agent is about 3% by weight of the mixture.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 26 words

The method of claim 30 further comprising the step of evaporating water from the mixture prior to the step of adding the mixture to the gum.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 28 words

The method of claim 32 wherein water is removed from the syrup mixture until the mixture has a water content of not greater than about 14% by weight.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 19 words

The method of claim 30 wherein the starch hydroylasate solids comprise not less than about 20% by weight maltose.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 27 words

The method of claim 30 wherein the starch hydrolysate solids comprise not less than about 10% by weight of saccharides having a DP of 10 or greater.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 65 words

The method of claim 30 wherein the carbohydrate syrup comprises: a high D.E. corn syrup constituting from about 25% to about 70% by weight of the mixture and having a D.E. of not less than about 40; and a low D.E. corn syrup constituting from about 25% to about 70% by weight of the mixture and having a D.E. of not greater than about 40.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 12 words

The method of claim 1 wherein the plasticizing agent comprises propylene glycol.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 13 words

The gum composition of claim 24 wherein the plasticizing agent comprises propylene glycol.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 13 words

The gum composition of claim 25 wherein the plasticizing agent comprises propylene glycol.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1991-03-01	1991-08-31	1992-03-01	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1995-03-01	1995-08-31	1996-03-01	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1999-03-01	1999-08-31	2000-03-01	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Low moisture chewing gum compositions and methods of preparation

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