US4961935A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Sugarless, substantially anhydrous chewing gum compositions and methods for preparing same
Assignee: Adams USA Inc
•
Filing: 1989-04-12
•
Granted: 1990-10-09
•
Expires: 2009-04-12
Abstract
Abstract The present invention pertains to a sugarless, substantially anhydrous chewing gum composition which comprises a gum base, a non-hygroscopic bulking agent comprising a racemic mixture of alpha-D-glucopyranosyl-1,6-mannitol and alpha-D-glucopyranosyl-1,6-sorbitol, a softening agent, and a sweetening agent. The gum composition preferably contains no more than about 2.5% water, by weight of the total chewing gum composition. The sugarless, substantially anhydrous chewing gum compositions may be used in a variety of chewing gum products. The present invention also pertains to methods for preparing the sugarless, substantially anhydrous chewing gum compositions and the chewing gum products in which they may be used.
Inventors
- 👤 Subraman R. Cherukuri
- 👤 Daniel A. Orlandi
- 👤 Steven M. Faust
- 👤 J. Francisco Zamudio-Tena
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 03:41
CPC Classifications
A; A23; A23G; A23G4/00; A23G4/06; A23G4/10; A23G4/18; A23G4/20; A23V; A23V2002/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 47
Claim 1
Independent Claim
98 words
A sugarless, substantially anhydrous chewing gum composition which comprises: (a) a gum base; (b) a low-moisture pick-up, non-hygroscopic bulking agent comprising a racemic mixture of alpha-D-glucopyranosyl-1,6-mannitol and alpha-D-glucopyranosyl-1,6-sorbitol in an amount from about 10% to about 70% by weight; (c) a softening agent; and (d) a sweetening agent; (e) wherein the chewing gum composition contains no more than about 2.5% water, by weight of the total chewing gum composition; and (f) wherein said non-hygroscopic bulking agent provides to the gum composition a firm texture and reduced moisture absorption, and maintains the gum composition in its substantially anhydrous state.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
98 words
A sugarless, substantially anhydrous chewing gum composition which comprises: (a) a gum base; (b) a low-moisture pick-up, non-hygroscopic bulking agent comprising a racemic mixture of alpha-D-glucopyranosyl-1,6-mannitol and alpha-D-glucopyranosyl-1,6-sorbitol in an amount from about 10% to about 70% by weight; (c) a softening agent; and (d) a sweetening agent; (e) wherein the chewing gum composition contains no more than about 2.5% water, by weight of the total chewing gum composition; and (f) wherein said non-hygroscopic bulking agent provides to the gum composition a firm texture and reduced moisture absorption, and maintains the gum composition in its substantially anhydrous state.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The composition according to claim 1, wherein the gum base is present in an amount from about 10% to about 75%, by weight of the chewing gum composition.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The composition according to claim 2, wherein the gum base is present in an amount from about 15% to about 40%, by weight of the chewing gum composition.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The composition according to claim 1, wherein the non-hygroscopic bulking agent is present in an amount from about 25% to about 65%, by weight of the chewing gum composition.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The composition according to claim 1, wherein the softening agent is present in an amount up to about 18%, by weight of the chewing gum composition.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The composition according to claim 5, wherein the softening agent is present in an amount from about 5% to about 18%, by weight of the chewing gum composition.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The composition according to claim 1, wherein the sweetening agent is present in an amount from about 0.001% to about 3%, by weight of the chewing gum composition.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The composition according to claim 7, wherein the sweetening agent is present in an amount from about 0.01% to about 1%, by weight of the chewing gum composition.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
The composition according to claim 1, wherein the softening agent is glycerin.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The composition according to claim 1, wherein the non-hygroscopic bulking agent further comprises a sugar alcohol.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
The composition according to claim 10, where the sugar alcohol is sorbitol.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The composition according to claim 10, wherein the sugar alcohol is present in an amount up to about 67%, by weight of the total bulking agent.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The composition according to claim 12, wherein the sugar alcohol is present in an amount up to about 50%, by weight of the total bulking agent.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
127 words
A confectionery coated chewing gum composition comprising: (1) a center portion comprising a sugarless, substantially anhydrous chewing gum composition which comprises: (a) a gum base; (b) a low-moisture pick-up, non-hygroscopic bulking agent comprising a racemic mixture of alpha-D-glycopyranosyl-1,6-mannitol and alpha-D-glucopyranosyl-1,6-sorbitol in an amount from about 10% to about 70% by weight; (c) a softening agent; and (d) a sweetening agent; (e) wherein the chewing gum composition contains no more than about 2.5% water, by weight of the total chewing gum composition; and (f) wherein said non-hygroscopic bulking agent provides to the gum composition a firm texture and reduced moisture absorption, and maintains the gum composition in its substantially anhydrous state; and (2) a confectionery coating over the center portion of the chewing gum composition of step (1).
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
127 words
A confectionery coated chewing gum composition comprising: (1) a center portion comprising a sugarless, substantially anhydrous chewing gum composition which comprises: (a) a gum base; (b) a low-moisture pick-up, non-hygroscopic bulking agent comprising a racemic mixture of alpha-D-glycopyranosyl-1,6-mannitol and alpha-D-glucopyranosyl-1,6-sorbitol in an amount from about 10% to about 70% by weight; (c) a softening agent; and (d) a sweetening agent; (e) wherein the chewing gum composition contains no more than about 2.5% water, by weight of the total chewing gum composition; and (f) wherein said non-hygroscopic bulking agent provides to the gum composition a firm texture and reduced moisture absorption, and maintains the gum composition in its substantially anhydrous state; and (2) a confectionery coating over the center portion of the chewing gum composition of step (1).
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
The composition according to claim 14, wherein the gum base is present in an amount from about 10% to about 75%, by weight of the chewing gum composition.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
28 words
The composition according to claim 15, wherein the gum base is present in an amount from about 15% to about 40%, by weight of the chewing gum composition.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
The composition according to claim 14, wherein the non-hygroscopic bulking agent is present in an amount from about 25% to about 65%, by weight of the chewing gum composition.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
26 words
The composition according to claim 14 wherein the softening agent is present in an amount up to about 18%, by weight of the chewing gum composition.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
28 words
The composition according to claim 18, wherein the softening agent is present in an amount from about 5% to about 18%, by weight of the chewing gum composition.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
28 words
The composition according to claim 14, wherein the sweetening agent is present in an amount from about 0.001% to about 3%, by weight of the chewing gum composition.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
27 words
The composition according to claim 20, the sweetening agent is present in an amount from about 0.01% to about 1%, by weight of the chewing gum composition.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
12 words
The composition according to claim 14, wherein the softening agent is glycerin.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
16 words
The composition according to claim 15, wherein the non-hygroscopic bulking agent further comprises a sugar alcohol.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
12 words
The composition according to claim 23, wherein the sugar alcohol is sorbitol.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
26 words
The composition according to claim 23, wherein the sugar alcohol is present in an amount up to about 67%, by weight of the total bulking agent.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
26 words
The composition according to claim 25, wherein the sugar alcohol is present in an amount up to about 50%, by weight of the total bulking agent.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
14 words
The composition according to claim 14, wherein the confectionery coating comprises a sugarless coating.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
159 words
A method for preparing a sugarless, substantially anhydrous chewing gum composition which comprises the steps of: (A) providing the following ingredients: (a) a gum base; (b) a low-moisture pick-up, non-hygroscopic bulking agent comprising a racemic mixture of alpha-D-glucopranosyl-1,6mannitol and alpha-D-glucopyranosyl-1,6-sorbitol in an amount from about 10% to about 70% by weight; (c) a softening agent; and (d) a sweetening agent; (e) wherein the chewing gum composition contains no more than about 2.5% water, by weight of the total chewing gum composition; and (f) wherein said non-hygroscopic bulking agent provides to the gum composition a firm texture and reduced moisture absorption, and maintains the gum composition in its substantially anhydrous state; (B) mixing the softening agent and the bulking agent at a temperature of about 50° C.; (C) admixing the gum base to the mixture of step (B) to form a uniform mixture; (D) allowing the uniform mixture to cool; and (E) forming the mixture into a chewing gum product.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
159 words
A method for preparing a sugarless, substantially anhydrous chewing gum composition which comprises the steps of: (A) providing the following ingredients: (a) a gum base; (b) a low-moisture pick-up, non-hygroscopic bulking agent comprising a racemic mixture of alpha-D-glucopranosyl-1,6mannitol and alpha-D-glucopyranosyl-1,6-sorbitol in an amount from about 10% to about 70% by weight; (c) a softening agent; and (d) a sweetening agent; (e) wherein the chewing gum composition contains no more than about 2.5% water, by weight of the total chewing gum composition; and (f) wherein said non-hygroscopic bulking agent provides to the gum composition a firm texture and reduced moisture absorption, and maintains the gum composition in its substantially anhydrous state; (B) mixing the softening agent and the bulking agent at a temperature of about 50° C.; (C) admixing the gum base to the mixture of step (B) to form a uniform mixture; (D) allowing the uniform mixture to cool; and (E) forming the mixture into a chewing gum product.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method according to claim 28, wherein the gum base is present in an amount from about 10% to about 75%, by weight of the chewing gum composition.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method according to claim 28, wherein the softening agent is present in an amount up to about 18%, by weight of the chewing gum composition.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method according to claim 28, wherein the sweetening agent is present in an amount from about 0.001% to about 3%, by weight of the chewing gum composition.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method according to claim 28, wherein the softening agent is glycerin.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 28, wherein the non-hygroscopic bulking agent further comprises a sugar alcohol.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method according to claim 33, wherein the sugar alcohol is sorbitol.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method according to claim 33, wherein the sugar alcohol is present in an amount up to about 67%, by weight of the total bulking agent.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
173 words
A method for preparing a confectionery coated sugarless, substantially anhydrous chewing gum composition which comprises the steps of: (A) providing the following ingredients: (a) a gum base; (b) a low-moisture pick-up, non-hygroscopic bulking agent comprising a racemic mixture of alpha-D-glucopyranosyl-1,6-mannitol and alpha-D-glucopyranosyl-1,6-sorbitol in an amount from about10% to about 70% by weight; (c) a softening agent; and (d) a sweetening agent; (e) wherein the chewing gum composition contains no more than about 2.5 water, by weight of the total chewing gum composition; and (f) wherein said non-hygroscopic bulking agent provides to the gum composition a firm texture and reduced moisture absorption, and maintains the gum composition in its substantially anhydrous state; and (B) mixing the softening agent and the bulking agent at a temperature of about 50° C.; (C) admixing the gum base to the mixture of step (B) to form a uniform mixture; (D) allowing the uniform mixture to cool; (E) forming the mixture into a chewing gum product; and (F) coating the mixture from step (E) with a confectionery coating material.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
173 words
A method for preparing a confectionery coated sugarless, substantially anhydrous chewing gum composition which comprises the steps of: (A) providing the following ingredients: (a) a gum base; (b) a low-moisture pick-up, non-hygroscopic bulking agent comprising a racemic mixture of alpha-D-glucopyranosyl-1,6-mannitol and alpha-D-glucopyranosyl-1,6-sorbitol in an amount from about10% to about 70% by weight; (c) a softening agent; and (d) a sweetening agent; (e) wherein the chewing gum composition contains no more than about 2.5 water, by weight of the total chewing gum composition; and (f) wherein said non-hygroscopic bulking agent provides to the gum composition a firm texture and reduced moisture absorption, and maintains the gum composition in its substantially anhydrous state; and (B) mixing the softening agent and the bulking agent at a temperature of about 50° C.; (C) admixing the gum base to the mixture of step (B) to form a uniform mixture; (D) allowing the uniform mixture to cool; (E) forming the mixture into a chewing gum product; and (F) coating the mixture from step (E) with a confectionery coating material.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method according to claim 36, wherein base is present in an amount from about 10% to about 75%, by weight of the chewing gum composition.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method according to claim 36, wherein the softening agent is present in an amount up to about 18% by weight of the chewing gum composition.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method according to claim 36, wherein the sweetening agent is present in an amount from about 0.001% to about 3%, by weight of the chewing gum composition.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method according to claim 36, wherein the softening agent is glycerin.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 36, wherein the non-hygroscopic bulking agent further comprises a sugar alcohol.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method according to claim 41, wherein the sugar alcohol is sorbitol.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method according to claim 41, wherein the sugar alcohol is present in an amount up to about 67%, by weight of the total bulking agent.
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