Wm Wrigley Jr Company

Edward S Dubina

Mansukh M Patel

Joo H Song

Kevin B Broderick

Steven E Zibell

Marc A Meyers

Ronald T Grey

The present invention provides improved chewing gum formulations and bases including fine powder lecithin, as well as methods of producing chewing gum and bases that include fine powder lecithin. In an embodiment, the present invention provides a chewing gum formulation comprising an insoluble gum base, water soluble portion, a flavor, and at least 0.1% by weight of a blend of fine powder lecithin and glycerol triacetate.

Chewing gum containing a lecithin/glycerol triacetate blend

Improved chewing gum formulations and bases including lecithin, as well as methods of producing chewing gum and bases are provided. The chewing gum includes a blend of lecithin and medium chain triglycerides (MCTs). The blend can be used in the base and/or gum as a plasticizer, softener, and/or emulsifier. A variety of base and chewing gum formulations including the blend can be created and/or utilized pursuant to the present invention.

Chewing gum containing medium chain triglycerides

A chewing gum having a rolling compound comprising gum base, flavoring, and sweetener. The chewing gum preferably comprises between about 0.5 to 10 percent by weight rolling compound. The rolling compound preferably comprises between about 20 to 90 percent by weight gum base, 1 to 15 percent by weight flavoring and 5 to 75 percent by weight sweetener. The rolling compound preferably has a particle size between about 75 and 850 microns. A method for manufacturing the gum is also disclosed.

Chewing gum with gum base in rolling compound

A method of adding lecithin to chewing gum is provided by the present invention. The method comprises mixing from about 20 parts to about 70 parts by weight lecithin with from about 30 parts to about 80 parts by weight water. The resulting aqueous lecithin mixture is allowed to stand until a gelatinous lecithin forms. Thereafter, the gelatinous lecithin is mixed with an amount of a bulking agent such that the bulking agent comprises from about 25 parts to about 85 parts by weight of the resulting lecithin mixture. Whereupon, the lecithin mixture is mixed with chewing gum.

Method of preparing lecithin composition for chewing gum

The use of encapsulated salts to enhance flavor and sweetness characteristics of gum is disclosed. The gum of the present invention comprises gum base, a sweetening and bulking agent, a flavoring agent, and a salt encapsulated in a manner to delay its release from the gum composition during chewing. The encapsulated salt is made by standard coating and encapsulation techniques. The gum is made by standard mixing techniques, though it is preferred to mix the encapsulated salt into the molten gum base.

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Evergreen Park, IL, United States of America

Edward S Dubina