The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 15, 2003
Filed:
Jun. 22, 2000
Roman M. Barabolak, Palos Park, IL (US);
Steven E. Zibell, Tinley Park, IL (US);
David L. Witkewitz, Bridgeview, IL (US);
Michael J. Greenberg, Northbrook, IL (US);
Robert J. Yatka, Orland Park, IL (US);
Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company, Chicago, IL (US);
Abstract
A method for producing a chewing gum with a controlled release of an antimicrobial agent, as well as the chewing gum so produced, is obtained by physically modifying the release properties of the antimicrobial agent by coating and drying. The antimicrobial agent is coated by encapsulation, partially coated by agglomeration, entrapped by absorption, or treated by multiple steps of encapsulation, agglomeration, and absorption. The coated antimicrobial agent is preferably then co-dried and particle sized to produce a release-modified antimicrobial agent for use in chewing gum. When incorporated into the chewing gum, these particles are adapted to produce a fast release or a delayed release when the gum is chewed. The preferred antimicrobial agent is chlorhexidine digluconate.