Edible compositions containing swellable polymers

• US 20060153949A1
• Filed: 11/18/2005
• Published: 07/13/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/11/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Intercontinental Great Brands LLC (Mondelez International, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cadbury Adams USA LLC (Mondelez International, Inc.)
• Inventors: Boghani, Navroz, Gebreselassie, Petros, Visscher, Glenn
• Application Number:
  US11/282,502
• Publication Number:
  US 20060153949A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 426/3
• CPC Class Codes: A23G 4/06 characterised by the composition containing organic or inorganic compounds
• CPC Class Codes: A23G 4/08 of the chewing gum base

Abstract

Included are compositions including a gum base and at least one swellable hydrophilic polymer, wherein the polymer may be in combination with the gum base or be a component of said gum base. The hydrophilic polymer includes a superabsorbent acrylate polymer.

Claims

1. A composition comprising a gum base and at least one swellable hydrophilic polymer, wherein said polymer may be in combination with the gum base or be a component of said gum base;

said hydrophilic polymer comprising a superabsorbent acrylate polymer.

2. The composition of claim 1, wherein said acrylate polymer comprises member selected from the group consisting of polyacrylate/polyalcohol copolymers, polyacrylate/polyacrylamide copolymers, crosslinked sodium polyacrylate, polyvinyl alcohol polymer, and combinations thereof.

3. The composition of claim 1, wherein said swellable hydrophilic polymer is present in an amount from about 0.1% to about 20% by weight of the total chewing gum composition.

4. The composition of claim 1, wherein said gum base comprises a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyisobutylene, styrene butadiene rubber, and combinations thereof.

5. The composition of claim 1, wherein said composition has a volume which increases with the addition of water.

6. The composition of claim 5, wherein said volume increases 10-300%.

7. A composition comprising a gum base and a swellable hydrophilic polymer;

said gum base comprising at least one polymer selected from butyl rubber, polyisobutylene, styrene butadiene rubber, and combinations thereof.

8. The composition of claim 7, wherein said swellable hydrophilic polymer is a superabsorbent acrylate polymer.

9. The composition of claim 7, wherein the swellable hydrophilic polymer comprises a member selected from the group consisting of polyacrylate/polyalcohol copolymers, polyacrylate/polyacrylamide copolymers, crosslinked sodium polyacrylate, polyvinylalcohol polymer, and combinations thereof.

10. The composition of claim 7, wherein said swellable hydrophilic polymer is present in an amount from about 0.1% to about 20% by weight of the total chewing gum composition.

11. The composition of claim 7, wherein said composition has a volume which increases with the addition of water.

12. The composition of claim 11, wherein said volume increases 10-300%.

13. A method comprising:

(a) preparing a composition comprising a gum base and at least one swellable hydrophilic polymer, wherein said polymer may be in combination with the gum base or be a component of said gum base;

said hydrophilic polymer comprising a superabsorbent acrylate polymer;

(b) contacting said composition with a liquid; and

(c) increasing the volume of said composition from about 10-300%.

14. A method of increasing the perception of juiciness of a chewing gum composition comprising:

(a) preparing a composition comprising a gum base and at least one swellable hydrophilic polymer, wherein said polymer may be in combination with the gum base or be a component of said gum base;

said hydrophilic polymer comprising a superabsorbent acrylate polymer; and

(b) contacting said composition with a liquid to permit absorption of the liquid whereby the absorption provides an increased perception of juiciness.