Richard Gross

Title: Richard Gross and Biodegradable Chewing Gum Materials

Introduction

Richard Gross is an inventor associated with Troy, New York, and Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company. His patent work concerns medium-chain-length polyhydroxyalkanoate (mcl-PHA) copolymers and their potential use in chewing gum.

Latest Patents

Gross is listed as an inventor on 1 patent, titled “Medium-chain-length polyhydroxyalkanoates and their use in chewing gum bases.” The disclosure describes chewing gum bases and gums containing mcl-PHA copolymers. These materials may partially or completely replace conventional petroleum-based polymers, including elastomers, and may enable gum products that are free or substantially free of petroleum-based ingredients. The disclosure also notes that gums made with these copolymers may have enhanced degradability compared with conventional chewing gums.

Career Highlights

Gross’s listed patent connects polymer innovation with the development of chewing gum materials. The work explores alternatives to petroleum-based ingredients and addresses the potential degradability of finished gum products.

Collaborations

The patent lists Jingping Liu and David R. Phillips among Gross’s coworkers. Their shared work focuses on applying mcl-PHA copolymers to chewing gum bases and products.

Conclusion

Richard Gross’s patent work highlights an effort to develop chewing gum materials that can reduce reliance on petroleum-based polymers and may offer improved degradability.