Food or edible material: processes – compositions – and products – Normally noningestible chewable material or process of... – Containing addition type polymer
Patent
1999-12-15
2000-11-28
Corbin, Arthur L.
Food or edible material: processes, compositions, and products
Normally noningestible chewable material or process of...
Containing addition type polymer
426 3, A23G 330
Patent
active
061532312
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
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 todays 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, chewing gum when improperly disposed of can create environmental issues. In this regard, the improper disposal of chewing gum, e.g., expectorating the chewing 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 its formulation, these gum cuds have an adhesive like characteristic. Therefore, the chewed gum cuds can stick to surfaces on to which it is placed. This can create 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; can be easily removed from indoor or outdoor surfaces; can be ingested after chewing; and/or will dissolve in the mouth after a period of chewing.
Pursuant to the present invention environmentally friendly gum bases are provided that include biodegradable copolymeric elastomers based on lactic acid.
To this end, the present invention provides, a chewing gum base comprising approximately 3 to about 99% by weight poly(lactic acid) copolymers selected from the group consisting of poly(lactic acid-dimer-fatty acid-oxazoline) copolymers and poly(lactic acid-diol-urethane) copolymers.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the copolymers are selected from the group consisting of lactic acid, dimeric acids and oxazolines, diols, and diisocyanates.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the poly (lactic acid) copolymers comprise approximately 20 to about 70% by weight of the chewing gum base.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the poly (lactic acid) copolymers comprise approximately 10 to about 99% by weight lactic acid.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the base includes at least one softener chosen from the group consisting of triglycerides of cottonseed oil, soybean oil, palm oil, palm kernel oil, coconut oil, safflower oil, tallow oil, cocoa butter oil, and medium chain triglycerides.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the softener is hydrogenated.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the softener is non-hydrogenated.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the base includes at least one softener chosen from the group consisting of hydrogenated soya oil, glycerol monostearate, capric triglyceride, and hydrogenated cotton seed oil.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the base has a melting temperature, as determined by DSC, of approximately 20 to about 80.degree. C.
In another embodiment, the present invention provides a chewing gum base free of elastomers and vinyl polymers having a molecular weight greater than 2000. The base includes at least one poly(lactic acid) selected from the group consisting of poly(lactic acid-dimer-fatty acid-oxazoline) and poly(lactic acid-diol-urethane) copolymers. The gum base also includes a filler, a fat, and an emulsifier.
In an embodiment, the gum base includes a wax.
In an embodiment, the filler has a particle size of between approximately 3 to about 10 microns.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a chewing gum is provided. The chewing gum comprising a
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Li Weisheng
Orfan Charles P.
Corbin Arthur L.
Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company
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