US4978537A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Gradual release structures for chewing gum
Assignee: WM Wrigley Jr Co
•
Filing: 1989-04-19
•
Granted: 1990-12-18
•
Expires: 2009-04-19
Abstract
Abstract Gradual release structures for the release of active agents in chewing gum and a process for making such structures are provided. The gradual release structures are formed by meltspinning techniques and comprise an active agent and a wall material.
Inventors
- 👤 Joo H. Song
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 14:55
CPC Classifications
A; A23; A23G; A23G4/00; A23G4/06; A23G4/10; A23G4/02; A23G4/18; A23G4/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
53 words
A chewing gum which comprises: a gum base; a water soluble bulk portion; and, a gradual release structure formed by melt spinning a mixture of active agent and spinnable polymeric wall material, having more than zero but less than about 55 percent by weight active agent, into a fiber, and cutting the fiber.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
53 words
A chewing gum which comprises: a gum base; a water soluble bulk portion; and, a gradual release structure formed by melt spinning a mixture of active agent and spinnable polymeric wall material, having more than zero but less than about 55 percent by weight active agent, into a fiber, and cutting the fiber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The chewing gum of claim 1 in which the fiber is stretched.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The chewing gum of claim 1 in which the active agent comprises aspartame.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The chewing gum of claim 1 in which the wall material comprises polyvinylacetate having a molecular weight of about 15,000.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The chewing gum of claim 1 in which the wall material comprises polyvinylacetate having a molecular weight of about 30,000.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The chewing gum of claim 1 in which the wall material comprises polyvinylacetate having a molecular weight from about 50,000 to about 80,000.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The chewing gum of claim 1 in which the wall material comprises a blend of polyvinylacetates having molecular weights from about 15,000 to about 80,000.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The chewing gum of claim 1 in which the gradual release structure can pass through a 60 mesh screen.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The chewing gum of claim 1 in which the active agent comprises a high intensity sweetener.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The chewing gum of claim 1 in which the active agent comprises alitame.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
The chewing gum of claim 1 in which the active agent comprises Acesulfam-K.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
87 words
A process for making chewing gum which comprises the steps of: a. preparing a gum base; b. preparing a water soluable bulk portion; c. preparing a gradual release structure which comprises the steps of: i. preparing a mixture of active agent and wall material, having more than zero but less than about 55 percent by weight active agent; ii. melt spinning the mixture into a fiber; and iii. cutting the fiber; and, d. combining the gradual release structure, the gum base and the water soluble bulk portion.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
87 words
A process for making chewing gum which comprises the steps of: a. preparing a gum base; b. preparing a water soluable bulk portion; c. preparing a gradual release structure which comprises the steps of: i. preparing a mixture of active agent and wall material, having more than zero but less than about 55 percent by weight active agent; ii. melt spinning the mixture into a fiber; and iii. cutting the fiber; and, d. combining the gradual release structure, the gum base and the water soluble bulk portion.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 12 in which the active agent comprises Aspartame.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process of claim 12 in which the wall material comprises polyvinylacetate having a molecular weight of about 15,000.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process of claim 12 in which the wall material comprises polyvinylacetate having a molecular weight of about 30,000.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
The process of claim 12 in which the wall material comprises polyvinylacetate having a molecular weight from about 50,000 to about 80,000.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 12 in which the gradual release structure can pass through a 60 mesh screen.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process of claim 12 in which the wall material comprises a blend of polyvinylacetates having molecular weights from about 15,000 to about 80,000.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of claim 12 in which the active agent comprises a high intensity sweetener.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 12 in which the active agent comprises alitame.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 12 in which the active agent comprises Acesulfam-K.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
76 words
A process for making a chewing gum having a gradual release structure which comprises the steps of: preparing a gum base; preparing a water soluble bulk portion; preparing a mixture of Aspartame and wall material, having from about 10 percent by weight to about 25 percent by weight Aspartame; melt spinning the mixture to form a fiber; stretching the fiber; cutting the fiber; and combining the gum base, water soluble bulk portion and gradual release structure.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
76 words
A process for making a chewing gum having a gradual release structure which comprises the steps of: preparing a gum base; preparing a water soluble bulk portion; preparing a mixture of Aspartame and wall material, having from about 10 percent by weight to about 25 percent by weight Aspartame; melt spinning the mixture to form a fiber; stretching the fiber; cutting the fiber; and combining the gum base, water soluble bulk portion and gradual release structure.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process of claim 22 in which the wall material comprises polyvinylacetate having a molecular weight of about 15,000.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process of claim 22 in which the wall material comprises polyvinylacetate having a molecular weight of about 30,000.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
22 words
The process of claim 22 in which the wall material comprises polyvinylacetate having a molecular weight from about 50,000 to about 80,000.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process of claim 22 in which the wall material comprises a blend of polyvinylacetates having molecular weights from about 15,000 to about 80,000.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 22 in which the gradual release structure can pass through a 60 mesh screen.
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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) | 1993-12-17 | 1994-06-18 | 1994-12-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-12-17 | 1998-06-18 | 1998-12-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-12-17 | 2002-06-18 | 2002-12-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |