US5376388A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Use of edible film to improve the packaging of chewing gum
Assignee: WM Wrigley Jr Co
•
Filing: 1993-04-20
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Granted: 1994-12-27
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Expires: 2013-04-20
Abstract
Abstract An improved method for preparing chewing gum and the packaging of same is provided. To this end, a method for packaging at least one stick of chewing gum is provided comprising the steps of preparing a stick of chewing gum that includes a coating of an edible material that provides sufficient vapor barrier properties to provide the stick of chewing gum with a more stable moisture content at ambient conditions than a stick of chewing gum that does not include the coating, and wrapping the stick of chewing gum in a wrapper that does not include any metal foil material to create a wrapped stick of chewing gum. The sticks of chewing gum can then be packaged in a counterband.
Inventors
- 👤 Marc Meyers
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 07:39
CPC Classifications
A; A23; A23G; A23G4/00; A23G4/02; A23G4/025; A23G3/00; A23G3/34; A23G3/343; A23G4/06; A23G4/08; A23G4/10; A23G4/18; A23G4/20; B; B65; B65D; B65D75/00; B65D75/04; A23G2200/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
89 words
A method for packaging at least one stick of chewing gum comprising the steps of: preparing a stick of chewing gum that includes a coating of an edible material that provides sufficient vapor barrier properties to provide the stick of chewing gum with a more stable moisture content, under ambient conditions, than a stick of chewing gum that does not include the coating; and wrapping the stick of chewing gum in a wrapper that does not include any metal foil material to create a wrapped stick of chewing gum.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
89 words
A method for packaging at least one stick of chewing gum comprising the steps of: preparing a stick of chewing gum that includes a coating of an edible material that provides sufficient vapor barrier properties to provide the stick of chewing gum with a more stable moisture content, under ambient conditions, than a stick of chewing gum that does not include the coating; and wrapping the stick of chewing gum in a wrapper that does not include any metal foil material to create a wrapped stick of chewing gum.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 comprising the further step of packaging a plurality of wrapped sticks of chewing gum in a counterband package.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the counterband package does not include any metal foil material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the wrapper is constructed from at least one material chosen from the group consisting of: paper; tissue grade paper; cellulose acetate; paper laminates; plastic; and cellophane.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the coating of edible material includes an edible film chosen from the group consisting of: cellulose derivatives; modified starch; dextrin; gelatin; zein; vegetable gums; proteins; edible polymers; edible plastic film; maltodextrins; polyols; low calorie carbohydrate bulking agents; shellac; and combinations thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the coating of edible material includes a component chosen from the group consisting of: wax, lipids, fatty acids, fats, oils, and hydrocarbon polymer type waxes.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the wax is selected from the group consisting of: beeswax; carnauba wax; candelilla wax; microcrystalline wax; paraffin wax; and combinations thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the coating of edible material comprises: a first layer of an edible film forming agent; and a second layer of a material chosen from the group consisting of: wax, lipids, fatty acids, fats, oils, and hydrocarbon polymer type waxes.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the coating of edible material is an emulsion including at least two materials chosen from the group consisting of: carbohydrates; modified carbohydrates; carbohydrate derivatives; proteins; and lipids.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the coating of edible material includes an emulsion chosen from the group consisting of wax emulsions; ethylcellulose emulsions; pseudolatexes; and colloidal dispersions.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the stick of chewing gum includes a first side and a second side and the coating of edible material is applied to each of the first and second sides.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
95 words
A method for packaging a plurality of chewing gum sticks comprising the steps of: preparing a plurality of sticks of chewing gum; coating the sticks of chewing gum with a sufficient amount of an edible material having at least some barrier properties to create sticks of chewing gum having a more stable moisture content, during exposure to ambient conditions, than a chewing gum stick not so coated; individually wrapping the chewing gum sticks in a wrapper that does not include a metal foil; and packaging a plurality of the chewing gum sticks in a counterband.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
95 words
A method for packaging a plurality of chewing gum sticks comprising the steps of: preparing a plurality of sticks of chewing gum; coating the sticks of chewing gum with a sufficient amount of an edible material having at least some barrier properties to create sticks of chewing gum having a more stable moisture content, during exposure to ambient conditions, than a chewing gum stick not so coated; individually wrapping the chewing gum sticks in a wrapper that does not include a metal foil; and packaging a plurality of the chewing gum sticks in a counterband.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the counterband package does not include any metal foil material.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the wrapper is constructed from at least one material chosen from the group consisting of: paper; tissue grade paper; cellulose acetate; paper laminates; and cellophane.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the coating of edible material includes an edible film chosen from the group consisting of: cellulose derivatives; modified starch; dextrin; gelatin; zein; vegetable gums; whey proteins; edible polymers; edible plastic film; maltodextrins; low calorie carbohydrate bulking agents; shellac; and combinations thereof.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the coating of edible material includes a component chosen from the group consisting of: wax, lipids, fatty acids, fats, oils, and hydrocarbon polymer type waxes.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the coating of edible material comprises: a first layer of an edible film; and a second layer of a material chosen from the group consisting of: wax, lipid, fatty acids, fats, oils, and hydrocarbon polymer type waxes.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the coating of edible material includes an emulsion chosen from the group consisting of wax emulsions; ethylcellulose emulsions; pseudolatexes; and colloidal dispersions.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the stick of chewing gum includes a first side and a second side and the coating of edible material is applied to each of the first and second sides.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
100 words
A method for packaging a plurality of chewing gum sticks comprising the steps of: preparing a plurality of sticks of chewing gum; coating the chewing gum with a sufficient amount of an edible material having at least some barrier properties to create sticks of chewing gum having a more stable moisture content, during exposure to ambient conditions, than a chewing gum stick not so coated; individually wrapping the chewing gum sticks in a wrapper that does not include a metal foil; and packaging a plurality of the chewing gum sticks in a counterband wherein the wrapper and counterband are biodegradable.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
100 words
A method for packaging a plurality of chewing gum sticks comprising the steps of: preparing a plurality of sticks of chewing gum; coating the chewing gum with a sufficient amount of an edible material having at least some barrier properties to create sticks of chewing gum having a more stable moisture content, during exposure to ambient conditions, than a chewing gum stick not so coated; individually wrapping the chewing gum sticks in a wrapper that does not include a metal foil; and packaging a plurality of the chewing gum sticks in a counterband wherein the wrapper and counterband are biodegradable.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 20 wherein the coating of edible material comprises: a first layer of an edible film forming agent; and a second layer of a material chosen from the group consisting of: wax, lipid, fatty acids, fats, oils, and hydrocarbon polymer type waxes.
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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) | 1997-12-26 | 1998-06-27 | 1998-12-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-12-26 | 2002-06-27 | 2002-12-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-12-26 | 2006-06-27 | 2006-12-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |