Rolled edible thin film products and methods of making same

• US 20040043134A1
• Filed: 08/27/2002
• Published: 03/04/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/27/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: WM Wrigley Jr Company (Mars Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: WM Wrigley Jr Company (Mars Incorporated)
• Inventors: Graff, Gwendolyn Jeanne, Corriveau, Christine Leclair, Chapdelaine, Albert H., Zyck, Daniel J.
• Application Number:
  US10/228,742
• Publication Number:
  US 20040043134A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 426/658
• CPC Class Codes: A23L 27/79 in the form of films
• CPC Class Codes: A23P 20/20 Making of laminated, multi-layered, stuffed or hollow foodstuffs, e.g. by wrapping in preformed edible dough sheets or in edible food containers
• CPC Class Codes: A23V 2002/00 Food compositions, function of food ingredients or processes for food or foodstuffs
• CPC Class Codes: A23V 2250/061 Aspartic acid
• CPC Class Codes: A23V 2250/1628 Silicium
• CPC Class Codes: A23V 2250/1642 Zinc
• CPC Class Codes: A23V 2250/18 Lipids
• CPC Class Codes: A23V 2250/1842 Lecithin
• CPC Class Codes: A23V 2250/2108 Caffeine, coffee extract
• CPC Class Codes: A23V 2250/242 Acesulfame K, acetylsulfame
• CPC Class Codes: A23V 2250/2482 Aspartam
• CPC Class Codes: A23V 2250/2484 Neotame
• CPC Class Codes: A23V 2250/26 Saccharin
• CPC Class Codes: A23V 2250/264 Sucralose, halogenated sugar
• CPC Class Codes: A23V 2250/5026 Alginate
• CPC Class Codes: A23V 2250/5036 Carrageenan
• CPC Class Codes: A23V 2250/506 Guar
• CPC Class Codes: A23V 2250/5064 Karaya
• CPC Class Codes: A23V 2250/507 Locust bean, carob
• CPC Class Codes: A23V 2250/5076 Pullulane
• CPC Class Codes: A23V 2250/5086 : Xanthan
• CPC Class Codes: A23V 2250/51082 : Carboxymethyl cellulose
• CPC Class Codes: A23V 2250/51084 : Crystalline, microcrystalline cellulose
• CPC Class Codes: A23V 2250/51086 : Hydroxyalkyl cellulose
• CPC Class Codes: A23V 2250/5114 : Dextrins, maltodextrins
• CPC Class Codes: A23V 2250/5118 : Starch
• CPC Class Codes: A23V 2250/54246 : Casein
• CPC Class Codes: A23V 2250/5432 : Gelatine
• CPC Class Codes: A23V 2250/606 : Fructose
• CPC Class Codes: A23V 2250/6406 : Glycerol
• CPC Class Codes: A23V 2250/642 : Sorbitol
• CPC Class Codes: A23V 2250/708 : Vitamin C
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 8/0208 : Tissues; Wipes; Patches
• CPC Class Codes: A61Q 1/025 : Semi-permanent tattoos, stencils, e.g. "permanent make-up"
• CPC Class Codes: A61Q 11/00 : Preparations for care of the teeth, of the oral cavity or of dentures; Dentifrices, e.g. toothpastes; Mouth rinses

Abstract

Rolled edible thin films and methods of making same are provided. In an embodiment, the rolled edible thin film product includes a container housing a rolled edible thin film. The rolled edible thin film comprises a body that is designed to be segmented by a consumer into a plurality of products that can be separately placed in a mouth of a consumer.

Claims

1. A rolled edible thin film product comprising:

a container housing a rolled edible thin film; and

the rolled edible thin film comprising a body that is designed to be segmented by a consumer into a plurality of pieces that can be separately placed in a mouth of a consumer.

2. The rolled edible thin film product of claim 1 comprising a film former and a flavor.

3. The rolled edible thin film product of claim 1 wherein the container is constructed from a plastic material.

4. The rolled edible thin film product of claim 1 wherein the edible thin film has at least two flavors.

5. The rolled edible thin film product of claim 1 wherein the container includes a hinge.

6. The rolled edible thin film product of claim 1 wherein the edible thin film has at least two colors.

7. The rolled edible thin film product of claim 1 wherein the edible thin film includes sides that are not parallel.

8. The rolled edible thin film product of claim 1 wherein the edible thin film includes a surface that is textured.

9. The rolled edible thin film product of claim 1 wherein at least one side of the edible thin film includes a design.

10. The rolled edible thin film product of claim 1 wherein the edible film releases color to dye a tongue in the mouth of the consumer.

11. The rolled edible thin film product of claim 1 wherein the edible thin film is so constructed and arranged so as to create a tongue tattoo when dissolved in the mouth of a consumer.

12. The rolled edible thin film product of claim 1 wherein the edible thin film includes ingredients that create an oral sensation as the product dissolves in the mouth of the consumer.

13. The rolled edible thin film product of claim 1 wherein the edible thin film comprises a film former chosen from the group consisting of carboxymethylcellulose, methylcellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, guar gum, locust bean gum, xanthan gum, carrageenan, algins, propylene glycol, pullulan, levan, elsinan, pectins, chitosan, gum arabic, native starches including corn starch, waxy maize starch, high-amylose corn starch, potato, tapioca, rice and wheat starch, modified starches including acid modified, bleached, oxidized, esterified, etherified, crosslinked, and enzymatically-treated starches;

starch hydrolyzed products including maltodextrin;

protein including albumen, gelatin, casein, salts of casein, whey, wheat gluten, zein, and protein derived from soybeans;

polymers including polyvinyl pyrrolidone, methycrylate copolymer, and carboxyvinyl copolymers.

14. The rolled edible thin film product of claim 1 wherein the edible thin film comprises a filler chosen from the group consisting of microcrystalline cellulose, cellulose polymers, including wood, magnesium and calcium carbonate, ground limestone, silicates, including magnesium and aluminum silicate, clay, talc, titanium dioxide, mono-calcium phosphate, di-calcium phosphate, and tri-calcium phosphate.

15. The rolled edible thin film product of claim 1 wherein the edible thin film comprises a plasticizer chosen from the group consisting of tallow, hydrogenated tallow, hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated vegetable oils, cocoa butter, sorbitol, glycerin, polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol, invert sugars, corn syrup, lecithin, hydrogenated lecithin, mono-, di- and triglycerides, acetylated monoglycerides, and fatty acids including palmitic, oleic, and linoleic acids.

16. The rolled edible thin film product of claim 1 wherein the edible thin film includes a medicament chosen from the group consisting of pH control agents, tartar control, caries control, whitening agents, enzymes, breath freshening agents, anti-plaque/anti-gingivitis agents, saliva stimulating agents, pharmaceutical agents, nutraceutical agents, vitamins, and minerals.

17. The rolled edible thin film product of claim 1 wherein the edible thin film includes a flavor chosen from the group consisting of essential oils, citrus oil, fruit essences, peppermint oil, spearmint oil, mint oils, clove oils, oil of wintergreen, anise, flavor oils, with germ killing properties including menthol, eucalyptol, thymol, and synthetic flavors.

18. The rolled edible thin film product of claim 1 wherein the edible thin film includes an emulsifier chosen from the group consisting of lecithin, food-grade non-ionic emulsifiers, such as fatty acids (C₁₀-C₁₈), mono and diacyl glycerides, ox bile extract, polyglycerol esters, polyethylene sorbitan esters, propylene glycol, sorbitan monopalmitate, and sorbitan tristerate.

19. A rolled edible thin film comprising a film former and an ingredient chosen from the group consisting of flavor and medicament, the rolled edible thin film being so construct and arrange so as to allow a consumer to segment a portion of the rolled edible thin film from the remaining portions thereof and place the segmented portion in the consumer'"'"'s mouth.

20. The rolled edible thin film of claim 19 wherein the edible thin film includes a plurality of scored lines that define segments.

21. The rolled edible thin film of claim 19 wherein the edible thin film has at least two flavors.

22. The rolled edible thin film of claim 19 wherein the edible thin film includes a plurality of folds that define segments.

23. The rolled edible thin film of claim 19 wherein the edible thin film has at least two colors.

24. The rolled edible thin film of claim 19 wherein the edible thin film includes sides that are not parallel.

25. The rolled edible thin film of claim 19 wherein the edible thin film includes a surface that is textured.

26. The rolled edible thin film of claim 19 wherein at least one side of the edible thin film product includes a design.

27. The rolled edible thin film of claim 19 wherein the edible film releases color to dye a tongue of the consumer when dissolved in the mouth of a consumer.

28. The rolled edible thin film of claim 19 wherein the edible thin film product is so constructed and arranged so as to create a tongue tattoo when dissolved in the mouth of a consumer.

29. The rolled edible thin film of claim 19 wherein the edible thin film includes ingredients that create an oral sensation as the product dissolves in the mouth of a consumer.

30. The rolled edible thin film of claim 19 wherein the edible thin film comprises a film former chosen from the group consisting of carboxymethylcellulose, methylcellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, guar gum, locust bean gum, xanthan gum, carrageenan, algins, propylene glycol, levan, elsinan, pullulan, pectins, chitosan, gum arabic, native starches including corn starch, waxy maize starch, high-amylose corn starch, potato, tapioca, rice and wheat starch, modified starches including acid modified, bleached, oxidized, esterified, etherified, crosslinked, and enzymatically-treated starches;

starch hydrolyzed products including maltodextrin;

protein including albumen, gelatin, casein, salts of casein, whey, wheat gluten, zein, and protein derived from soybeans;

polymers including polyvinyl pyrrolidone, methycrylate copolymer, and carboxyvinyl copolymers.

31. The rolled edible thin film of claim 19 wherein the edible thin film comprises a filler chosen from the group consisting of microcrystalline cellulose, cellulose polymers, including wood, magnesium and calcium carbonate, ground limestone, silicates, including magnesium and aluminum silicate, clay, talc, titanium dioxide, mono-calcium phosphate, di-calcium phosphate, and tri-calcium phosphate.

32. The rolled edible thin film of claim 19 wherein the edible thin film comprises a plasticizer chosen from the group consisting of tallow, hydrogenated tallow, hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated vegetable oils, cocoa butter, sorbitol, glycerin, polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol, invert sugars, corn syrup, lecithin, hydrogenated lecithin, mono-, di- and triglycerides, acetylated monoglycerides, and fatty acids including palmitic, oleic, and linoleic acids.

33. The rolled edible thin film of claim 19 wherein the edible thin film includes a medicament chosen from the group consisting of pH control agents, tartar control, caries control, whitening agents, enzymes, breath freshening agents, anti-plaque/anti-gingivitis agents, saliva stimulating agents, pharmaceutical agents, nutraccutical agents, vitamins, and minerals.

34. The rolled edible thin film of claim 19 wherein the edible thin film includes a flavor chosen from the group consisting of essential oils, synthetic flavors, citrus oil, fruit essences, peppermint oil, spearmint oil, mint oils, clove oils, oil of wintergreen, anise, flavor oils with germ killing properties including menthol, eucalyptol, and thymol.

35. The rolled edible thin film of claim 19 wherein the edible thin film includes an emulsifier chosen from the group consisting of lecithin, food-grade non-ionic emulsifiers, such as fatty acids (C₁₀-C₁₈), mono and diacyl glycerides, ox bile extract, polyglycerol esters, polyethylene sorbitan esters, propylene glycol, sorbitan monopalmitate, and sorbitan tristerate.

36. A rolled edible thin film comprising a body defined by a film-former and at least one flavor, the body including a plurality of segments that each designate a serving size.

37. The rolled edible thin film of claim 36 wherein the body has a length of between 1 and 8 feet.

38. The rolled edible thin film of claim 36 wherein the segments are defined by scored lines.

39. The rolled edible thin film of claim 36 wherein the edible thin film has at least two flavors.

40. The rolled edible thin film of claim 36 wherein the segments are defined by creases.

41. The rolled edible thin film of claim 36 wherein the edible thin film has at least two colors.

42. The rolled edible thin film of claim 36 wherein the edible thin film includes sides that are not parallel.

43. The rolled edible thin film of claim 36 wherein the edible thin film includes a surface that is textured.

44. The rolled edible thin film of claim 36 wherein at least one side of the edible thin film includes a design.

45. The rolled edible thin film of claim 36 wherein the edible thin film is so constructed and arranged as to create a tongue tattoo when dissolved in the mouth of a consumer.

46. The rolled edible thin film of claim 36 wherein the edible thin film includes ingredients that create an oral sensation as the product dissolves in the mouth of the consumer.

47. The rolled edible thin film of claim 36 wherein the edible thin film comprises a film former chosen from the group consisting of carboxymethylcellulose, methylcellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, guar gum, locust bean gum, xanthan gum, carrageenan, algins, propylene glycol, levan, elsinan, pullulan, pectins, chitosan, gum arabic, native starches including corn starch, waxy maize starch, high-amylose corn starch, potato, tapioca, rice and wheat starch, modified starches including acid modified, bleached, oxidized, esterified, etherified, crosslinked, and enzymatically-treated starches;

starch hydrolyzed products including maltodextrin;

protein including albumen, gelatin, casein, salts of casein, whey, wheat gluten, zein, and protein derived from soybeans;

polymers including polyvinyl pyrrolidone, methycrylate copolymer, and carboxyvinyl copolymers.

48. The rolled edible thin film of claim 36 wherein the edible thin film comprises a filler chosen from the group consisting of microcrystalline cellulose, cellulose polymers, including wood, magnesium and calcium carbonate, ground limestone, silicates, including magnesium and aluminum silicate, clay, talc, titanium dioxide, mono-calcium phosphate, di-calcium phosphate, and tri-calcium phosphate.

49. The rolled edible thin film of claim 36 wherein the edible thin film comprises a plasticizer chosen from the group consisting of tallow, hydrogenated tallow, hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated vegetable oils, cocoa butter, sorbitol, glycerin, polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol, invert sugars, corn syrup, lecithin, hydrogenated lecithin, mono-, di- and triglycerides, acetylated monoglycerides, and fatty acids including palmitic, oleic, and linoleic acids.

50. The rolled edible thin film of claim 36 wherein the edible thin film includes a medicament chosen from the group consisting of pH control agents, tartar control, caries control, whitening agents, enzymes, breath freshening agents, anti-plaque/anti-gingivitis agents, saliva stimulating agents, pharmaceutical agents, nutraceutical agents, vitamins, and minerals.

51. The rolled edible thin film of claim 36 wherein the edible thin film includes a flavor chosen from the group consisting of essential oils, synthetic flavors, citrus oil, fruit essences, peppermint oil, spearmint oil, mint oils, clove oils, oil of wintergreen, anise and the like, flavor oils with germ killing properties including menthol, eucalyptol, and thymol.

52. The rolled edible thin film of claim 36 wherein the edible thin film includes an emulsifier chosen from the group consisting of lecithin, food-grade non-ionic emulsifiers, such as fatty acids (C₁₀-C₁₈), mono and diacyl glycerides, ox bile extract, polyglycerol esters, polyethylene sorbitan esters, propylene glycol, sorbitan monopalmitate, and sorbitan tristerate.

53. A rolled edible thin film comprising an elongated body having a length of at least one foot when unrolled.

54. The rolled edible thin film of claim 53 comprising a film former and a flavor.

55. The rolled edible thin film of claim 53 wherein the elongated body has a plurality of segments.

56. The rolled edible thin film of claim 53 wherein the edible thin film has at least two flavors.

57. The rolled edible thin film of claim 53 wherein the elongated body includes a plurality of scored lines.

58. The rolled edible thin film of claim 53 wherein the edible thin film has at least two colors.

59. The rolled edible thin film of claim 53 wherein the edible thin film includes sides that are not parallel.

60. The rolled edible thin film of claim 53 wherein the edible thin film includes a surface that is textured.

61. The rolled edible thin film of claim 53 wherein the edible thin film releases color to dye the tongue of the consumer.

62. The rolled edible thin film of claim 53 wherein at least one side of the edible thin film product includes a design.

63. The rolled edible thin film of claim 53 wherein the edible thin film is so constructed and arranged so as to create a tongue tattoo when dissolved in the mouth of a consumer.

64. The rolled edible thin film of claim 53 wherein the edible thin film includes ingredients that create an oral sensation as the product dissolves in the mouth of the consumer.

65. The rolled edible thin film of claim 53 wherein the edible thin film comprises a film former chosen from the group consisting of carboxymethylcellulose, methylcellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, guar gum, locust bean gum, xanthan gum, carrageenan, algins, propylene glycol, pullulan, levan, elsinan, pectins, chitosan, gum arabic, native starches including corn starch, waxy maize starch, high-amylose corn starch, potato, tapioca, rice and wheat starch, modified starches including acid modified, bleached, oxidized, esterified, etherified, crosslinked, and enzymatically-treated starches;

starch hydrolyzed products including maltodextrin;

protein including albumen, gelatin, casein, salts of casein, whey, wheat gluten, zein, and protein derived from soybeans;

polymers including polyvinyl pyrrolidone, methycrylate copolymer, and carboxyvinyl copolymers.

66. The rolled edible thin film of claim 53 wherein the edible thin film comprises a filler chosen from the group consisting of microcrystalline cellulose, cellulose polymers, including wood, magnesium and calcium carbonate, ground limestone, silicates, including magnesium and aluminum silicate, clay, talc, titanium dioxide, mono-calcium phosphate, di-calcium phosphate, and tri-calcium phosphate.

67. The rolled edible thin film of claim 53 wherein the edible thin film comprises a plasticizer chosen from the group consisting of tallow, hydrogenated tallow, hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated vegetable oils, cocoa butter, sorbitol, glycerin, polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol, invert sugars, corn syrup, lecithin, hydrogenated lecithin, mono-, di- and triglycerides, acetylated monoglycerides, and fatty acids including palmitic, oleic, and linoleic acids.

68. The rolled edible thin film of claim 53 wherein the edible thin film includes a medicament chosen from the group consisting of pH control agents, tartar control, caries control, whitening agents, enzymes, breath freshening agents, anti-plaque/anti-gingivitis agents, saliva stimulating agents, pharmaceutical agents, nutraceutical agents, vitamins, and minerals.

69. The rolled edible thin film of claim 53 wherein the edible thin film includes a flavor chosen from the group consisting of essential oils, synthetic flavors, citrus oil, fruit essences, peppermint oil, spearmint oil, mint oils, clove oils, oil of wintergreen, anise, flavor oils with germ killing properties including menthol, eucalyptol, and thymol.

70. The rolled edible thin film of claim 53 wherein the edible thin film includes an emulsifier chosen from the group consisting of lecithin, food-grade non-ionic emulsifiers, such as fatty acids (C₁₀-C₁₈), mono and diacyl glycerides, ox bile extract, polyglycerol esters, polyethylene sorbitan esters, propylene glycol, sorbitan monopalmitate, and sorbitan tristerate.

71. A method of producing an edible thin film comprising the steps of:

forming a film comprising a film former;

drying the film;

rolling the film into a roll; and

packaging a resultant edible thin film product in a package that is designed to be provided to a consumer.

72. The method of claim 71 including the steps of forming a mixture of at least one film-forming material in powder form and water.

73. The method of claim 72 including the step of agitating the mixture until the powder is mostly hydrated, adding to the mixture at least one ingredient selected from the group consisting of plasticizers, softening agents, colors, sweeteners, cooling agents, flavors and active ingredients, and blending the mixture to obtain a homogeneous solution.

74. The method of claim 73 including the step of spreading the solution onto a moving substrate and drying the solution on the substrate to create a flexible film.

75. The method of claim 71 wherein the step of rolling the film includes the step of perforating the film layer longitudinally before the film layer exits a drying system.

76. The method of claim 71 wherein the step of rolling the film includes separating the film layer longitudinally with an air knife before it exits a dryer, peeling the film strips from a substrate upon exiting the dryer, and winding the film strips onto individual take-up rolls.

77. The method of claim 71 wherein the step of rolling the film includes spraying the solution onto multiple narrow carriers that pass through a drying system and are collected individually.

78. The method of claim 71 including the step of slitting the film accumulated onto a roller into narrower width ribbons.

79. The method of claim 71 including the step of creating scored lines in the film.

80. The method of claim 71 including the step of creating segments in the film.

81. The method of claim 71 including the step of creasing the film.

82. The method of claim 71 including the step of locating a substrate between surfaces of the film in the roll.

83. A method of providing edible thin film to a consumer comprising the steps of:

producing a rolled edible thin film;

placing the rolled edible thin film in a container; and

providing the rolled edible thin film in a container to a consumer.

84. The method of claim 83 including the step of locating between layers of the rolled edible thin film means for preventing the edible thin film from sticking to itself.

85. A method for marketing edible thin films comprising the steps of marketing to a consumer a rolled edible thin film.

86. The method of claim 85 including the step of packaging the edible thin film in a container.

87. A rolled edible thin film product comprising a body including a top and a bottom surface, at least one of the bottom and top surface being removably covered by a substrate.

88. The rolled edible thin film product of claim 87 wherein the substrate includes paper.

89. The rolled edible thin film product of claim 87 wherein the substrate includes plastic.

90. A rolled edible thin film product including a body that is wrapped around itself to define a plurality of layers and means for separating the layers being disposed between the layers.

91. The rolled edible thin film product of claim 90 wherein the means are chosen from the group consisting of paper, plastic, and edible powder.

92. The rolled edible thin film product of claim 91 wherein the edible powder includes a sweetener.