Reduced calorie center-filled chewing gum compositions having improved stability

• US 4,980,178 A
• Filed: 07/07/1989
• Issued: 12/25/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 12/10/1986
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Adams Golf Incorporated (Taylor Made Golf Co., Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Warner-Lambert Company (Pfizer Inc.)
• Inventors: Cherukuri, Subraman R., Bilka, Kenneth P., Faust, Steven M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hunter, Jeanette
• Application Number:
  US07/376,945
• Time in Patent Office: 536 Days
• Field of Search: 426/3-6, 426/548, 426/804
• US Class Current: 426/5
• CPC Class Codes: A23G 4/02 Apparatus specially adapted for manufacture or treatment of chewing gum
• CPC Class Codes: A23G 4/06 characterised by the composition containing organic or inorganic compounds
• CPC Class Codes: A23G 4/066 characterised by the fat used
• CPC Class Codes: A23G 4/08 of the chewing gum base
• CPC Class Codes: A23G 4/10 characterised by the carbohydrates used, e.g. polysaccharides containing dairy products A23G4/16
• CPC Class Codes: A23G 4/14 containing peptides or proteins containing dairy products A23G4/16
• CPC Class Codes: A23G 4/20 Composite products, e.g. centre-filled , multi-layer, laminated
• CPC Class Codes: A23G 4/205 Hollow products, e.g. with inedible or edible filling, fixed or movable within the cavity
• CPC Class Codes: A23V 2002/00 Food compositions, function of food ingredients or processes for food or foodstuffs
• CPC Class Codes: A23V 2200/22 Coating agent
• CPC Class Codes: A23V 2250/022 Acetic acid
• CPC Class Codes: A23V 2250/18 Lipids
• CPC Class Codes: A23V 2250/192 Monoglycerides
• CPC Class Codes: A23V 2250/21 Plant extracts
• CPC Class Codes: A23V 2250/30 Other Organic compounds
• CPC Class Codes: A23V 2250/51082 Carboxymethyl cellulose
• CPC Class Codes: A23V 2250/6406 Glycerol
• CPC Class Codes: A23V 2250/6416 Maltitol
• CPC Class Codes: A23V 2250/642 Sorbitol
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 426/804 Low calorie, low sodium or hypoallergic

Abstract

The present invention pertains to a center-filled chewing gum composition having an outer shell enclosing a cavity and a liquid center within the cavity, wherein the outer shell comprises a gum base having an enhanced hydrophilic nature. In a preferred embodiment invention pertains to a center-filled chewing gum composition wherein the outer shell comprises a gum base comprising in percentages by weight of the gum base (a) an elastomer present in an amount from about 0.5% to about 20%, (b) a medium molecular weight polyvinyl acetate polymer having a molecular weight from about 35,000 to about 55,000 present in an amount from about 10% to about 25%, (c) an acetylated monoglyceride present in an amount from about 4.5% to about 10%, (d) a wax having a melting point below about 60° C. present in an amount from about 6% to about 10%, and (e) a component selected from the group consisting of elastomer solvents, emulsifiers, plasticizers, fillers, and mixtures thereof, present in an amount to bring the total amount of gum base to 100%. The center-filled chewing gum compositions may be used with a wide variety of liquid centers. The present invention also pertains to methods for preparing the center-filled chewing gum compositions.

Claims

1. A center-filled chewing gum composition having an outer shell enclosing a cavity and a liquid center within the cavity, wherein the outer shell comprises a gum base comprising in percentages by weight of the gum base:

(a) an elastomer present in an amount from about 0.5% to about 20%;

(b) a medium molecular weight polyvinyl acetate polymer having a molecular weight from about 35,000 to about 55,000 present in an amount from about 10% to about 25%;

(c) an acetylated monoglyceride present in an amount from about 4.5% to about 10%;

(d) a wax having a melting point below about 60°

C. present in an amount from about 6% to about 10%; and

(e) a component selected from the group consisting of elastomer solvents, emulsifiers, plasticizers, fillers, and mixtures thereof, present in an amount to bring the total amount of gum base to 100%.

2. The center-filled chewing gum composition according to claim 1, wherein the elastomer is selected from the group consisting of natural gums, synthetic gums, and mixtures thereof.

3. The center-filled chewing gum composition according to claim 1, wherein the elastomer is present in an amount from about 2.5% to about 15%, by weight of the gum base.

4. The center-filled chewing gum composition according to claim 1, wherein the polyvinyl acetate polymer is present in amount from about 12% to about 17%, by weight of the gum base.

5. The center-filled chewing gum composition according to claim 1, further comprising a low molecular weight polyvinyl acetate polymer having a molecular weight from about 12,000 to about 16,000 present in an amount up to about 17%, by weight of the gum base.

6. The center-filled chewing gum composition according to claim 5, wherein the low molecular weight polyvinyl acetate polymer is present in an amount from about 12% to about 17%, by weight of the gum base.

7. The center-filled chewing gum composition according to claim 5, wherein the mole ratio of low molecular weight polyvinyl acetate polymer to medium molecular weight polyvinyl acetate polymer is from about 1:

0.5 to about 1;

1.5, respectively.

8. The center-filled chewing gum composition according to claim 1, wherein the acetylated monoglyceride has a saponification value above about 400.

9. The center-filled chewing gum composition according to claim 1, wherein the acetylated monoglyceride is present in an amount from about 5% to about 9%, by weight of the gum base.

10. The center-filled chewing gum composition according to claim 1, wherein the wax is a paraffin wax having a melting point between about 45°

C. and about 55°

C.

11. The center-filled chewing gum composition according to claim 1, wherein the wax is present in an amount from about 7% to about 9.5%, by weight of the gum base.

12. The center-filled chewing gum composition according to claim 1, wherein the elastomer solvent is present and is selected from the group consisting of the pentaerythritol ester of partially hydrogenated wood and gum rosin, the pentaerythritol ester of wood and gum rosin, the glycerol ester of wood rosin, the glycerol ester of partially dimerized wood and gum rosin, the glycerol ester of polymerized wood and gum rosin, the glycerol ester of tall oil rosin, the glycerol ester of wood and gum rosin and the partially hydrogenated wood and gum rosin and the partially hydrogenated methyl ester of wood and rosin, and mixtures thereof.

13. The center-filled chewing gum composition according to claim 1, wherein the elastomer solvent is present in an amount from about 2% to about 12%, by weight of the gum base.

14. The center-filled chewing gum composition according to claim 1, wherein the plasticizer is present and is a hydrogenated vegetable oil selected from the group consisting of soybean oil, cotton seed oil, and mixtures thereof.

15. The center-filled chewing gum composition according to claim 1, wherein the plasticizer is present in an amount from about 5% to about 13%, by weight of the gum base.

16. The center-filled chewing gum composition according to claim 1, wherein the filler is present in an amount from about 15% to about 40%, by weight of the gum base.

17. The center-filled chewing gum composition according to claim 1, wherein the liquid center is present in an amount from about 15% to about 50%, by weight of the gum composition.

18. A center-filled chewing gum composition having an outer shell enclosing a cavity and a liquid center within the cavity, wherein the outer shell comprises a gum base comprising in percentages by weight of the gum base:

(a) an elastomer present in an amount from about 0.5% to about 20%;

(b) a medium molecular weight polyvinyl acetate polymer having a molecular weight from about 35,000 to about 55,000 present in an amount from about 10% to about 25%;

(c) an acetylated monoglyceride present in an amount from about 4.5% to about 10%;

(d) a wax having a melting point below about 60°

C. present in an amount from about 6% to about 10%;

(e) an elastomer solvent present in an amount from about 2% to about 11%;

(f) a plasticizer in an amount from about 5% to about 14%; and

(g) a filler in an amount from about 15% to about 40%.

19. A center-filled chewing gum composition having an outer shell enclosing a cavity and a liquid center within the cavity, wherein the outer shell comprises a chewing gum composition comprising:

(A) a gum base present in an amount from about 40% to about 85%, by weight of the chewing gum composition, which comprises;

(a) an elastomer present in an amount from about 0.5% to about 20%, by weight of the gum base;

(b) a medium molecular weight polyvinyl acetate polymer having a molecular weight from about 35,000 to about 55,000 present in an amount from about 10% to about 25%, by weight of the gum base;

(c) an acetylated monoglyceride present in an amount from about 4.5% to about 10%, by weight of the gum base;

(d) a wax having a melting point below about 60°

C. present in an amount from about 6% to about 10%, by weight of the gum base; and

(e) a material selected from the group consisting of elastomer solvents, emulsifiers, plasticizers, fillers, and mixtures thereof, present in an amount to bring the total amount of gum base to 100%, by weight of the gum base; and

(B) a bulking agent present in an amount up to about 60%, by weight of the chewing gum composition.

20. The center-filled chewing gum composition according to claim 19, wherein the elastomer is selected from the group consisting of natural gums, synthetic gums, and mixtures thereof.

21. The center-filled chewing gum composition according to claim 19, wherein the elastomer is present in an amount from about 2.5% to about 15%, by weight of the gum base.

22. The center-filled chewing gum composition according to claim 19, wherein the polyvinyl acetate polymer is present in amount from about 12% to about 17%, by weight of the gum base.

23. The center-filled chewing gum composition according to claim 19, further comprising a low molecular weight polyvinyl acetate polymer having a molecular weight from about 12,000 to about 16,000 present in an amount up to about 17%, by weight of the gum base.

24. The center-filled chewing gum composition according to claim 23, wherein the low molecular weight polyvinyl acetate polymer is present in an amount from about 12% to about 17%, by weight of the gum base.

25. The center-filled chewing gum composition according to claim 23, wherein the mole ratio of low molecular weight polyvinyl acetate polymer to medium molecular weight polyvinyl acetate polymer is from about 1:

0.5 to about 1;

1.5, respectively.

26. The center-filled chewing gum composition according to claim 19, wherein the acetylated monoglyceride has a saponification value above about 400.

27. The center-filled chewing gum composition according to claim 19, wherein the acetylated monoglyceride is present in an amount from about 5% to about 9%, by weight of the gum base.

28. The center-filled chewing gum composition according to claim 19, wherein the wax is a paraffin wax having a melting point between about 45°

C. and about 55°

C.

29. The center-filled chewing gum composition according to claim 19, wherein the wax is present in an amount from about 7% to about 9.5%, by weight of the gum base.

30. The center-filled chewing gum composition according to claim 19, wherein the elastomer solvent is present and is selected from the group consisting of the pentaerythritol ester of partially hydrogenated wood and gum rosin, the pentaerythritol ester of wood and gum rosin, the glycerol ester of wood rosin, the glycerol ester of partially dimerized wood and gum rosin, the glycerol ester of polymerized wood and gum rosin, the glycerol ester of tall oil rosin, the glycerol ester of wood and gum rosin and the partially hydrogenated wood and gum rosin and the partially hydrogenated methyl ester of wood and rosin, and mixtures thereof.

31. The center-filled chewing gum composition according to claim 19, wherein the elastomer solvent is present in an amount from about 2% to about 12%, by weight of the gum base.

32. The center-filled chewing gum composition according to claim 19, wherein the plasticizer is present and is a hydrogenated vegetable oil selected from the group consisting of soybean oil, cotton seed oil, and mixtures thereof

33. The center-filled chewing gum composition according to claim 19, wherein the plasticizer is present in an amount from about 5% to about 13%, by weight of the gum base.

34. The center-filled chewing gum composition according to claim 19, wherein the filler is present in an amount from about 15% to about 40%, by weight of the gum base.

35. The center-filled chewing gum composition according to claim 19, wherein the liquid center is present in an amount from about 15% to about 50%, by weight of the gum composition.

36. The center-filled chewing gum composition according to claim 19, wherein the bulking agent is present in an amount from about 15% to about 60%, by weight of the gum composition.

37. A center-filled chewing gum composition having an outer shell enclosing a cavity and a liquid center within the cavity, wherein the outer shell comprises a chewing gum composition comprising:

(A) a gum base present in an amount from about 40% to about 85%, by weight of the chewing gum composition, which comprises;

(a) an elastomer present in an amount from about 0.5% to about 20%, by weight of the gum base;

(b) a medium molecular weight polyvinyl acetate polymer having a molecular weight from about 35,000 to about 55,000 present in an amount from about 10% to about 25%, by weight of the gum base;

(c) an acetylated monoglyceride present in an amount from about 4.5% to about 10%, by weight of the gum base;

(d) a wax having a melting point below about 60°

C. present in an amount from about 6% to about by weight of the gum base;

(e) an elastomer solvent present in an amount from about 2% to about 11%, by weight of the gum base;

(f) a plasticizer in an amount from about to about 14%, by weight of the gum base; and

(g) a filler in an amount from about 15% to about 40%, by weight of the gum base; and

(B) a bulking agent present in an amount up to about 60%, by weight of the chewing gum composition.

38. A method for preparing an outer shell in a center-filled chewing gum composition, wherein the outer shell is comprised of a gum base, which comprises the steps of:

(1) providing the following ingredients in percentages by weight of the gum base;

(a) an elastomer present in an amount from about 0.5% to about 20%;

(b) a medium molecular weight polyvinyl acetate polymer having a molecular weight from about 35,000 to about 55,000 present in an amount from about 10% to about 25%;

(c) an acetylated monoglyceride present in an amount from about 4.5% to about 10%;

(d) a wax having a melting point below about 60°

C. present in an amount from about 6% to about 10%; and

(e) a component selected from the group consisting of elastomer solvents, emulsifiers, plasticizers, fillers, and mixtures thereof, present in an amount to bring the total amount of gum base to 100%; and

(2) admixing the ingredients in step (1) to form a uniform mixture.

39. A method for preparing an outer shell in a center-filled chewing gum composition, wherein the outer shell is comprised of a chewing gum composition, which comprises the steps of:

(1) providing the following ingredients of the chewing gum composition;

(A) a gum base present in an amount from about 40% to about 85%, by weight of the chewing gum composition, which comprises

(a) an elastomer present in an amount from about 0.5% to about 20%, by weight of the gum base;

(b) a medium molecular weight polyvinyl acetate polymer having a molecular weight from about 35,000 to about 55,000 present in an amount from about 10% to about 25%, by weight of the gum base;

(c) an acetylated monoglyceride present in an amount from about 4 5% to about 10%, by weight of the gum base;

(d) a wax having a melting point below about 60°

C. present in an amount from about 6% to about 10%, by weight of the gum base; and

(e) a material selected from the group consisting of elastomer solvents, emulsifiers, plasticizers, fillers, and mixtures thereof, present in an amount to bring the total amount of gum base to 100%, by weight of the gum base; and

(B) a bulking agent present in an amount up to about 60%, by weight of the chewing gum composition;

(2) admixing the ingredients in step (A) to form a uniform mixture; and

(3) admixing the ingredients in step (B) to the mixture of step (2) to form a uniform mixture.

40. A method for preparing a center-filled chewing gum composition which comprises enclosing a cavity containing a liquid center with an outer shell, wherein the outer shell comprises a gum base comprising in percentages by weight of the gum base:

(a) an elastomer present in an amount from about 0.5% to about 20%;

(b) a medium molecular weight polyvinyl acetate polymer having a molecular weight from about 35,000 to about 55,000 present in an amount from about 10% to about 25%;

(c) an acetylated monoglyceride present in an amount from about 4.5% to about 10%;

(d) a wax having a melting point below about 60°

C. present in an amount from about 6% to about 10%; and

(e) a component selected from the group consisting of elastomer solvents, emulsifiers, plasticizers, fillers, and mixtures thereof, present in an amount to bring the total amount of gum base to 100%.

41. A method for preparing a center-filled chewing gum composition which comprises enclosing a cavity containing a liquid center with an outer shell, wherein the outer shell comprises a chewing gum composition comprising:

(A) a gum base present in an amount from about 40% to about 85%, by weight of the chewing gum composition, which comprises;

(a) an elastomer present in an amount from about 0.5% to about 20%, by weight of the gum base;

(b) a medium molecular weight polyvinyl acetate polymer having a molecular weight from about 35,000 to about 55,000 present in an amount from about 10% to about 25%, by weight of the gum base;

(c) an acetylated monoglyceride present in an amount from about 4.5% to about 10%, by weight of the gum base;

(d) a wax having a melting point below about 60°

C. present in an amount from about 6% to about 10%, by weight of the gum base; and

(e) a material selected from the group consisting of elastomer solvents, emulsifiers, plasticizers, fillers, and mixtures thereof, present in an amount to bring the total amount of gum base to 100%, by weight of the gum base; and

(B) a bulking agent present in an amount up to about 60%, by weight of the chewing gum composition.

42. A center-filled chewing gum composition having an outer shell enclosing a cavity and a liquid center within the cavity, wherein the outer shell comprises a gum base having an enhanced hydrophilic nature.

43. The center-filled chewing gum composition according to claim 42, wherein the liquid center is present in an amount from about 15% to about 50%, by weight of the gum composition.

44. A center-filled chewing gum composition having an outer shell enclosing a cavity and a liquid center within the cavity, wherein the outer shell comprises a chewing gum composition comprising:

(A) a gum base having an enhanced hydrophilic nature present in an amount from about 40% to about 85%, by weight of the chewing gum composition; and

(B) a bulking agent present in an amount up to about 60%, by weight of the chewing gum composition.

45. The center-filled chewing gum composition according to claim 44, wherein the liquid center is present in an amount from about 15% to about 50%, by weight of the gum composition.

46. The center-filled chewing gum composition according to claim 44, wherein the bulking agent is present in an amount from about 15% to about 60%, by weight of the gum composition.

47. A method for preparing an outer shell in a center-filled chewing gum composition, wherein the outer shell is comprised of a gum base having an enhanced hydrophilic nature, which comprises the steps of:

(1) providing the ingredients of the gum base having an enhanced hydrophilic nature, and

(2) admixing the ingredients in step (1) to form a uniform mixture.

48. A method for preparing an outer shell in a center-filled chewing gum composition, wherein the outer shell is comprised of a chewing gum composition, which comprises the steps of:

(1) providing the following ingredients of the chewing gum composition;

(A) a gum base having an enhanced hydrophilic nature present in an amount from about 40% to about 85%, by weight of the chewing gum composition; and

(B) a bulking agent present in an amount up to about 60%, by weight of the chewing gum composition;

(2) admixing the ingredients in step (A) to form a uniform mixture; and

(3) admixing the ingredients in step (B) to the mixture of step (2) to form a uniform mixture.

49. A method for preparing a center-filled chewing gum composition which comprises enclosing a cavity containing a liquid center with an outer shell, wherein the outer shell comprises a gum base having an enhanced hydrophilic nature.

50. A method for preparing a center-filled chewing gum composition which comprises enclosing a cavity containing a liquid center with an outer shell, wherein the outer shell comprises a chewing gum composition comprising:

(A) a gum base having an enhanced hydrophilic nature present in an amount from about 40% to about 85%, by weight of the chewing gum composition; and

(B) a bulking agent present in an amount up to about 60%, by weight of the chewing gum composition.