Food or edible material: processes – compositions – and products – Normally noningestible chewable material or process of... – Containing addition type polymer
Reexamination Certificate
2000-10-02
2001-02-27
Corbin, Arthur L. (Department: 1761)
Food or edible material: processes, compositions, and products
Normally noningestible chewable material or process of...
Containing addition type polymer
Reexamination Certificate
active
06194008
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to chewing gum compositions and methods for making same. More specifically, the present invention relates to chewing gum compositions that are more environmentally acceptable than typical compositions.
For hundreds of years, people have enjoyed chewing gum like substances. In the late 1800's, the predecessor to today's chewing gum compositions were developed. Today chewing gum is enjoyed daily by millions of people worldwide.
Chewed gum is usually disposed of in the wrapper that initially houses the chewing gum. Likewise, chewed gum can be disposed of in other substrates by wrapping the substrate around the chewed gum.
Although chewed gum can be easily disposed of without creating any problems, chewed gum when improperly disposed can create environmental issues. In this regard, the improper disposal of chewed gum, e.g., expectorating the chewed gum on a sidewalk, floor, or like area can create a nuisance. Typically, these gum cuds are mainly composed of a water insoluble masticatory part which is represented by the gum base. Due to their formulations, these gum cuds have an adhesive like characteristic. Therefore, the chewed gum cuds can stick to surfaces on to which they are placed. This can create environmental sanitation issues if the chewed gum cuds are improperly discarded.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a chewing gum base, and resultant chewing gum, that is environmentally friendly. As used herein the term “environmentally friendly” refers to a chewing gum composition that: will degrade; and can be easily removed from indoor or outdoor surfaces.
Pursuant to the present invention environmentally friendly gum bases are provided that include polyhydroxyalkanoates.
To this end, the present invention provides a chewing gum base comprising approximately 1 to about 99% by weight polyhydroxyalkanoates having side chain lengths of C
4
to C
30
.
The polyhydroxyalkanoates can be either homopolymers or copolymers of monomers with different side chains.
In an embodiment, the gum base does not include non-biodegradable rubbers and resins.
In an embodiment, the polyhydroxyalkanoates have side chain lengths of C
6
to C
22
.
In an embodiment, the polyhydroxyalkanoates comprise approximately 10% to about 99% by weight of the gum base.
In an embodiment, the polyhydroxyalkanoate is derived from natural occurring plants.
In an embodiment, the polyhydroxyalkanoate is derived from a fermentation process.
In an embodiment, the polyhydroxyalkanoate is derived from a transgenic plants.
In an embodiment, the polyhydroxyalkanoates include low molecular weight biodegradable resins.
In an embodiment, the low molecular weight biodegradable resins are chosen from the group consisting of polyterpenes and wood rosin esters.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a chewing gum base free of non-biodegradable rubbers and resins is provided comprising approximately 3% to about 99% by weight polyhydroxyalkanoates having side chain lengths of C
4
to C
30
and a filler.
In an embodiment, the filler is chosen from the group comprising of zein, oat fiber, gluten, casein, cellulose, as well as calcium carbonate, talc, magnesium silicate, and other inorganic fillers.
In an embodiment, the polyhydroxyalkanoates have side chain lengths of C
6
to C
20
.
In an embodiment, the polyhydroxyalkanoates comprise approximately 10% to about 80% by weight of the gum base.
In an embodiment, the polyhydroxyalkanoate is derived from natural occurring plants.
In an embodiment, the polyhydroxyalkanoate is derived from a fermentation process.
In still another embodiment, a chewing gum is provided comprising a water soluble portion and a water insoluble base that includes at least one polyhydroxyalkanoate having a chain length of C
4
to C
30
.
It is an advantage of the present invention to provide an environmentally friendly chewing gum base.
Still further, it is an advantage of the present invention to provide a chewing gum composition made from an environmentally friendly chewing gum base.
Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a degradable chewing gum containing an environmentally friendly chewing gum base.
Moreover, an advantage of the present invention is to provide a chewing gum composition that when chewed, if improperly discarded will degrade naturally.
An additional advantage of the present invention is to provide a gum base that includes environmentally friendly polyesters derived from either fermentation of carbohydrates or extraction of natural plants.
Still, an advantage of the present invention is to provide a source of polyesters for the gum base that are from renewable resources.
Additional features and advantages of the present invention are described in, and will be apparent from the detailed description of the presently preferred embodiments and from the drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4385072 (1983-05-01), Schreck et al.
patent: 4539209 (1985-09-01), Wilson et al.
patent: 5580590 (1996-12-01), Hartman
patent: 5672367 (1997-09-01), Grijpma et al.
Foster John W.
Li Weisheng
Liu Jingping
Orfan Charles P.
Bell Boyd & Lloyd LLC
Corbin Arthur L.
Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company
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