Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02227766 l998-0l-23
W O 97126798 PCTnUS95/16919
P E C I F I C A T I O N
TITLE
IMPROVED RO~ING COMPOUND AND M~THODS
OF MANUFACT~RING ~n~wlNG GUM USING gAME~
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to chewing
gum. More specifically, the present invention relates
to methods ~or manufacturing chewing gum.
During the manufacturing process of chewing gum, the
components that comprise the water insoluble gum base and
soluble portion are mixed together in mixers and then
typically extruded. In the extruder, the gum is formed
into sheets, pellets, or ropes. The gum is then
processed and packaged.
In order to process the chewing gum form that is
extruded, processing and packaging (wrapping) machines
are utilized. However, when the chewing gum form exits
the extruder, the gum is sticky. Accordingly, it is
known to use agents - dusting agents or rolling compounds
- to prevent the gum from sticking to the machinery. The
rolling compound also allows sheets of gum to slide
easily into high speed wrapping machines that package
individual units of chewing gum. Thus, the rolling
compound not only prevents the chewing gum from sticking
to the machinery, it a~so provides for ease of handling
of chewing gum.
With respect to sugar containing chewing gum,
powdered sugar is typically used as the rolling compound.
Preferably, with respect to stick chewing gum, the
powdered sugar is applied as the gum is extruded and
formed into sheets.
For sugar-free chewing gum, other materials have
been utilized as the rolling compound. These materials
CA 02227766 1998-01-23
W O 97/26798 PCTrUS95/16919
-- 2
include starch, powdered mannitol, sorbitol, xylitol, or
lactitol. Typically, however, xylitol and sorbitol are
not used in chewing gum production because of their
hygroscopic nature and also they have a tendency to make
the chewing gum look wet. Although starch has been used
in the past, it provides chewing gum with an off taste.
Additionally, starch has an unusual mouth feel.
Accordingly, today, the most common rolling compound
for sugarless gum is crystalline powdered mannitol. To
provide the crystalline powdered mannitol rolling
compound, mannitol is crystallized from a
sorbitol/mannitol mixture. The crystalline mannitol is
dried to a powder and then ground. Typically, fine
powders of mannitol are re~uired. Preferably, the
crystalline powdered mannitol has a particle size wherein
at least 98% of the particles pass through 100 mesh
(smaller than 149 microns). Generally, the mannitol
crystalline powder is such that substantially all of the
crystalline powdered mannitol will pass ~hrough a 200
mesh (smaller than 74 microns). It is important that the
crystalline powdered mannitol is sufficiently fine to
eliminate any grittiness that might occur when the gum
is chewed by the consumer.
Although there are advantages to using crystalline
powdered mannitol, e.g., crystalline powdered mannitol
is one of the least hygroscopic polyols, there are some
disadvantages with the use of crystalline powdered
mannitol as a rolling compound. In this regard,
crystalline powdered mannitol is higher in cost compared
to some other polyols. Crystalline powdered mannitol
also does not readily flow through the process equipment
used for applying the rolling compound. This is
especially a concern with respect to sugar-free gum
CA 02227766 l998-0l-23
W O 97/2G798 PCTrUS95/16919
because sugar-free gum is generally more tender and
difficult to process than sugar gum. Thus, sugar-free
gum re~uires more complicated equipment to apply the
rolling compound.
An additional problem is that crystalline powdered
mannitol is only a fair rolling compound. Therefore,
typical~y, additional flow agents must be added to the
mannitol to give the chewing gum sufficient flow
~properties through the processing machineryO
One such f}ow agent is talc. Talc is typically used
at levels from about 2 to 10% and preferably, at 7% of
the total rolling compound. The use of talc can
significantly improve the flow properties of crystalline
powdered mannitol.
However, this still does not overcome all of the
disadvantages of using crystalline powdered mannitol.
A number of patents disclose or discuss rolling
compounds or methods. These include U.S. Patent Nos.:
~,094,858; 5,206,042; 4,997,659; 5,145,606; 4,997,659;
and 4,976,972. Additionally, U.S. pending application
08/245,202 discloses a chewing gum with a rolling
compound containing erythritol.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides improved rolling
compounds and methods of manufacturing chewing gum. To
this end, spray dried mannitol is utilized as a rolling
compound.
The spray dried mannitol provides a material that
is a very free flowing powder and easy to handle. The
~ray dried mannitol also provides improved chewing gum
wrapping efficiency. Because the material appears to
have a lower bulk density than crystalline mannitol, it
CA 02227766 1998-01-23
W O 97126798 PCT~US95/16919
is also believed that the use of spray dried ~nr-; tol
reduces the amount of rolling compound needed and thereby
reduces the cost. Due to the spherical nature of the
spray dried mannitol, it provides an improved rolling
compound.
If desired, the mannitol may be spray dried with
other fillers, such as talc or calcium carbonate, or with
other polyols to reduce costs.
To this end, in an embodiment, the present invention
provides a rolling compound for chewing gum comprising
spray dried mannitol having spherical particles.
In an embodiment, the spray dried mannitol has a
bulk density of less than 30 lbs/ft3.
In an embodiment, the spray dried mannitol has the
following particle size distribution:
at least 95% of the particles pass through a 100
mesh sleeve;
at least 90% of the particles pass through a 200
mesh sleeve; and
at least 50% of the particles pass through a 325
mesh sleeve.
In another embodiment, a method for manufacturing
chewing gum is provided including the step of applying
after the chewing gum form exists the mixer, spray dried
mannitol to the chewing gum form.
In an embodiment, the spray dried mannitol is
applied with at least one composition chosen from the
group consisting of: talc; calcium carbonate; silica;
starch; a polyol; or mixtures thereof.
In an embodiment, the spray dried mannitol is
~pplied immediately after the chewing gum exists the
extruder.
;
CA 02227766 1998-01-23
WO 97/26798 PCT~US95/16919
In an embodiment, the spray dried mannitol is
applied immediately before the chewing gum enters a
wrapping machine..
In still another embodiment, a chewing gum is
provided including an insoluble base portion, a water
soluble portion, the water soluble portion and insoluble
base portion defining a unit of chewing gum composition.
A spray dried mannitol is located on portions o~ the unit
of chewing gum.
It is an advantage of the present invention to
provide an improved rolling compound for chewing gum.
Another advantage of the present invention is to
provide an improved method for making chewing gum.
Still further, an advantage of the present invention
is to provide an improved rolling compound that has
reduced cost as compared to typical rolling compounds.
Eurthermore, an advantage of the present invention
i8 to provide a rolling compound that improves the flow
of chewing gum through the processing machinery.
Additionally, an advantage of the present invention
is to provide a rolling compound that reduces the cost
of manufacturing chewing gum.
Further, an advantage of the present invention i5
to provide an improved rolling compound for sugar-free
gum.
Additional features and advantages of the present
~nvention are described in, and will be apparent from,
the detailed description of the presently preferred
embodiments and the drawings.
~ BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 illustrates a scanning electron microscope
(SEM) photograph of crystalline powdered mannitol.
CA 02227766 l998-0l-23
W O 97/26798 PCT~US9Stl6919
Figure 2 illustrates a SEM photograph of the spray
dried ~nn i tol of the present invention.
DETAT~n DESCRIPTION
OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The present invention provides an improved rolling
compound for chewing gum, as well as methods of
manufacturing chewing gum. Pursuant to the present
invention, spray dried mannitol is used as a rolling
compound. Spray dried mannitol is a very free flowing
powder that is easily handled. The spray dried mannitol
provides improved processing of the chewing gum and
reduces the amount of rolling compound necessary, thereby
reducing the cost of the manufacturing process.
15The inventors have found that the spray drying
process changes the morphology of mannitol. As
illustrated in Figure 1, at 362x magnification,
crystalline powdered mannitol has a crystalline
agglomerate structure with an uneven surface area. As
20illustrated in Figure 2, spray dried mannitol has many
spherical particles or agglomerated spherical particles.
These spherical particles act as ball bearings with one
another, have a smooth surface area, and increase the
free flowing property of spray dried mannitol.
Additionally, the mannitol obtained by spray drying
a solution of mannitol is less dense than crystalline
powdered mannitol. This will allow less material to be
utilized, thus reducing costs. Also, mannitol may be
spray dried with other fillers, such as talc, calcium
30carbonate, silica, or starch or spray dried with other
sugar~, if used on sugar gum, or sugar alcohols such as
sorbitol, lactitol, maltitol, or isomalt, to reduce
costs.
CA 02227766 1998-01-23
W O 97/267Y8 PCTAUS95/16919
It has also been found that under some conditions
of spray drying, mannitol may have at least as
advantageous particle size distribution as ground
crystalline mannitol. Additionally, friction tests
indicate that with spray dried mannitol applied to the
gum, the spray dried mannitol reduced ~riction and
improved processability and wrapping of the chewing gum.
In an embodiment, preferably, the spray dried
~ mannitol has a bulk density of less than 30 lbs./ft3.
Preferably, the spray dried mannitol has a particle
distribution such that: at least 95% of the particles
pass through a 100 mesh sleeve, at least 90% of the
particles pass through a 200 mesh sleeve; and at least
50% of the particles pass through a 325 mesh sleeve.
Preferably, the spray dried mannitol rolling
compound is used in the manufacture of sugar-free chewing
gum. However, the spray dried mannitol can be used in
the manufacturing of any chewing gum.
In this regard, chewing gum generally consists of
a water insoluble gum base, a water soluble portion, and
~lavors.
The insoluble gum base generally comprises
elastomers, resins, fats and oils, softeners, and
inorganic fillers. The gum base may or may not include
wax. The insoluble gum base can constitute approximately
5 to about 95 percent, by weight, of the chewing gum,
more commonly, the gum base comprises 10 to about 50
percent of the gum, and in some preferred embodiments,
20 to about 35 percent, by weight, of the chewing gum.
In an embodiment, the chewing gum base of the
present invention contains about 20 to about 60 weight
percent synthetic elastomer, 0 to about 30 weight percent
natural elastomer, about 5 to about 55 weight percent
CA 02227766 1998-01-23
W 097/26798 PCT~US95/16919
elastomer plasticizer, about 4 to about 35 weight percent
filler, about 5 to about 3~ weight percent softener, and
optional minor amounts (about one percent or less) of
miscellaneous ingredients such as colorants,
antioxidants, etc.
Synthetic elastomers may include, but are not
limited to, polyisobutylene with a GPC weight average
molecular weight of about 10,000 to about 95,000,
~ isobutylene-isoprene copolymer (butyl elastomer),
styrene-butadiene copolymers having styrene-butadiene
ratios of about 1:3 to about 3:1, polyvinyl acetate
having a GPC weight average molecular weight of about
2,000 to about 90,000, polyisoprene, polyethylene, vinyl
acetate-vinyl laurate copolymer having vinyl laurate
content of about 5 to about 50 percent by weight of the
copolymer, and combinations thereof.
Preferred ranges are, for polyisobutylene, 50,000
to 80,000 GPC weight average molecular weight, for
styrene-butadiene, 1:1 to 1:3 bound styrene-butadiene,
for polyvinyl acetate, 10,000 to 65,000 GPC weight
average molecular weight with the higher molecular weight
polyvinyl acetates typically used in bubble gum base, and
for vinyl acetate-vinyl laurate, vinyl laurate content
of 10-45 percent.
Natural elastomers may include natural rubber such
as smoked or liquid latex and guayule as well as natural
gums such as jelutong, lechi caspi, perillo, sorva,
massaranduba balata, massaranduba chocolate, nispero/
rosin~inh~, chicle, gutta hang kang, and combinations
thereof. The preferred synthetic e~astomer and natural
ela~tomer concentrations vary depending on whether the
chewing gum in which the base is used is adhesive or
conventional, bubble gum or regular gum, as discussed
CA 02227766 1998-01-23
W O 97/26798 PCTrUS95/16919
below. Preferred natural e~astomers include jelutong,
chicle, sorva and massaranduba balata.
Elastomer plasticizers may include, but are not
limited to, natural rosin esters, often called estergums,
such as glycerol esters of partially hydrogenated rosin,
glycerol esters polymerized rosin, glycerol esters of
partially dimerized rosin, glycerol esters of rosin,
pentaerythritol esters of partially hydrogenated rosin,
. methyl and partially hydrogenated methyl esters of rosin,
pentaerythritol esters of rosin; synthetics such as
terpene resins derived from alpha-pinene, beta-pinene,
and/or d-limonene; and any suitable combinations of the
foregoing. The preferred elastomer plasticizers will
also vary depending on the specific application, and on
the type of elastomer which is used.
Fillers/texturizers may include magnesium and
calcium carbonate, ground limestone, silicate types such
as magnesium and aluminum silicate, clay, alumina, talc,
titanium oxide, mono-, di- and tri-calcium phosphate,
cellulose polymers, such as wood, and combinations
thereof.
ln an embodiment, pursuant to the present invention,
softeners/emulsifiers may include tallow, hydrogenated
tallow, hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated vegetable
oils, medium chain triglycerides, cocoa butter, glycerol
monostearate, glycerol triacetate, lecithin, mono-, di-
and triglycerides, acetylated monoglycerides, fatty acids
~e.g. stearic, palmitic, oleic and linoleic acids), and
combinations thereof.
Colorants and whiteners may include FD~C-type dyes
and lakes, fruit and vegetable extracts, titanium
dioxide, and combinations thereof.
CA 02227766 1998-01-23
W 097t267g8 PCTrUS95116919
-- 10 --
The base may or may not include wax. An example oP
a wax-free gum base is disclosed in U.S. Patent No.
5,286,500, the disclosure o~ which is incorporated herein
by reference.
In addition to a water insoluble gum base portion,
a typical chewing gum composition includes a water
soluble bulk portion and one or more flavoring agents.
The water soluble portion can include bulk sweeteners,
. high intensity sweeteners, flavoring agents, softeners,
emulsifiers, colors, acidulants, fillers, antioxidants,
and other components that provide desired attributes.
The softeners, which are also known as plasticizers
and plasticizing agents, generally constitute between
approximately 0.5 to about 15% by weight of the chewing
gum. The softeners may include glycerin, lecithin, and
combinations thereof. Aqueous sweetener solutions such
as those containing sorbitol, hydrogenated starch
hydrolysates, corn syrup and combinations thereof, may
also be used as softeners and binding agents in chewing
gum.
Bulk sweeteners include both sugar and sugarless
components. Bulk sweeteners typically constitute 5 to
about 95% by weight of the chewing gum, more typically,
20 to 80% by weight, and more commonly, 30 to 60% by
weight of the gum.
Sugar sweeteners generally include saccharide-
containing components commonly known in the chewing gum
art, including, but not limited to, sucrose, dextrose,
maltose, dextrin, dried invert sugar, fructose, levulose,
galactose, corn syrup solids, and the like, alone or in
combination.
Sorbitol ca~ be used as a sugarless sweetener.
Additionally, sugarless sweeteners can include, but are
CA 02227766 l998-0l-23
W 097~26798 PCT~US95/16919
not limited to, other sugar alcohols such as mannitol,
lactitol, xylitol, hydrogenated starch hydrolysates,
maltitol, and the like, alone or in combination.
High intensity artificial sweeteners can also be
used in combination with the above. Preferred sweeteners
include, but are not limited to sucralose, aspartame,
salts of acesulfame, alitame, saccharin and its salts,
cyclamic acid and its salts, glycyrrhizin,
.dihydrochalcones, thaumatin, monellin, and the like,
alone or in combination. In order to provide longer
lasting sweetness and flavor perception, it may be
desirable to encapsulate or otherwise control the release
of at least a portion of the artificial sweetener. such
techni gues as wet granulation, wax granulation, ~pray
drying, spray chilling, fluid bed coating, coacervation,
and fiber extrusion may be used to achieve the desired
release characteristics.
Usage level of the arti~icial sweetener will vary
greatly and will depend on such factors as potency of the
sweetener, rate of release, desired sweetness of the
product, level and type of flavor used and cost
considerations. Thus, the active level of artificial
sweetener may vary from 0.02 to about 8%. When carriers
used for encapsulation are included, the usage level of
the encapsulated sweetener will be proportionately
higher.
Combinations of sugar and/or sugarless sweeteners
may be used in chewing gum. Additionally, the softener
may also provide additional sweetness such as with
a~ueous sugar or alditol solutions.
-- If a low calorie gum is desired, a low caloric
bulking agent can be used. Examples of low caloric
bulking agents lnclude: polydextrose; Raftilose,
-
CA 02227766 1998-01-23
W O 97/26798 PCTAUS95/16919
- 12 -
Raftilin;Fructooligosaccharides(NutraFlora);Palatinose
oligosaccharide; Guar Gum Hydrolysate (Sun Fiber); or
indigestible dextrin (Fibersol). However, other low
calorie bulking agents can be used.
A variety of flavoring agents can be used. The
flavor can be used in amounts of approximately 0.1 to
about 15 weight percent of the gum, and preferably, about
0.2 to about ~%. Flavoring agents may include essential
. oils, synthetic flavors or mixtures thereof including,
but not limited to, oils derived from plants and fruits
such as citrus oils, fruit essences, peppermint oil,
spearmint oil, other mint oils, clove oil, oil of
wintergreen, anise and the like. Artificial flavoring
agents and components may also be used. Natural and
artificial flavoring agents may be combined in any
sensorially acceptable fashion.
The present invention, it is believed, can be used
with a variety of processes for manufacturing chewing
gum.
Chewing gum is generally manufactured ~y
sequentially adding the various chewing gum ingredients
to commercially available mixers known in the art. After
the ingredients have been thoroughly mixed, the chewing
gum mass is discharged from the mixer and shaped into the
desired form, such as by rolling into sheets and cutting
into sticks, extruding into chunks, or casting into
pellets.
Generally, the ingredients are mixed by first
melting the gum base and adding it to the running mixer.
The gum base may alternatively be melted in the mixer.
Color and emulsifiers can be added at this time. A
chewing gum softener, such as glycerin, can be added next
along with syrup and part of the bulking agent. Further,
CA 02227766 1998-01-23
W O 97/26798 PCTnUS95/16919
- 13 -
parts of the bulking portion are added, with flavor being
added with the final ~ulk portion. The entire mixing
process typically takes from five to fifteen minutes,
although longer mixing times use sometimes required.
After exiting the mixer, the spray dried mannitol
is applied to the chewing gum during the processing of
the chewing gum. It should be noted that after the
chewing gum exits the mixer, it may be extruded, sheeted,
~ or cast. The spray dried mannitol would preferably ~e
applied after one of these steps, though it can be
applied at any stage during processing or wrapping. The
spray dried mannitol functions as a rolling compound
improving processability and wrapping.
By way of example, and not limitation, examples of
the present invention will now be given:
EXAMPLE
Sample Preparation
A 30% solution of mannitol in water at 180~F was
prepared by mixing 1020 grams of mannitol in 2,380 g of
180~F water with the temperature held at 180~F until all
the mannitol dissolved. This solution was then spray
dried in a pilot scale Niro spray dryer, 54 inches in
diameter and equipped with a spray nozzle under the
following conditions:
Feed Pressure 40 psi
Feed Temperature 150~ - 180~F
Inlet Temperature ~55~ - 160~C
Outlet Temperature 85 - 89~C
Feed Rate 30 - 40 ml/min.
Automizer Air Pressure 3~ - 38 PSI
- Pump Speed 12 - 15 RPM
CA 02227766 1998-01-23
W 097/~6798 PCT~US95/16919
- 14 -
ExamPles
About 740 grams of spray dried mannitol was
recovered. This spray dried material (Example 1) was
compared to sifted mannitol powder that was made by
crystallization (Comparative Example A), by particle size
distribution, bulk density (average of loose and packed
bulk density), and coefficient of friction. Coefficient
of friction was determined by using a Friction/Peel
Tester Model 225-1 from Thwing-Albert Instrument Co.,
Philadelphia, PA.
In addition to the above, two additional samples
were evaluated for angle of repose and coefficient of
friction. These samples included two blends of sifted
crystalline mannitol powder and spray dried powder at
ratios of 1:2 (Example 2~ and 2:1 (Example 3) for sifted
crystalline powder: spray dried powder.
Table I below gives the results of particle size
distribution and bulk density:
Table I
Comp Example A Example 1
% Retained % Retained
On 100 mesh 1.00 0.25
On 170 mesh 15.80 1.~4
On 200 mesh 2.24 0.49
On 230 mesh 4.20 0.73
On 325 mesh 35.18 34.21
~hrough 325 mesh 41.58 62.78
100.00 100.00
Bulk density37.4 lbs/ft3 25.1 lbs/ft3
The differences between crystalline mannitol and
spray dried mannitol demonstrate that spray dried
mannitol has a smaller particle size and lower bulk
density than crystalline mannitol. Additional tests for
_,
CA 02227766 1998-01-23
W O 97/26798 PCTrUS95/16919
t the comparative example and the 3 examples noted above
are discussed below.
Anqel of RePose
The method for the an~le of repose analysis is
described in U.S. Patent No. 5,206,042 (the disclosure
of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference) and
in U.S. Application No. 08/254,202. Results of the
comparative examples and the other 3 examples are shown
in Table II (below). For angle of repose, the lower the
number, the more free flowing is the powder.
As demonstrated by the results, 100% spray dried
~nn; tol is more free flowing than crystalline mannitol
or even crystalline mannitol with a flow agent. Even the
blends of spray dried mannitol have better free flow
properties than crystalline mannitol or mannitol with
talc. The remaining data shown in Table II is from U.S.
Application No. 08/245,202, and items 7 and 8 are
replicates done at different times.
TABLE II
ANGLE OF REPOSE
POWDER-COMPOSITION ANGLE
1 Spray Dried Mannitol-100% Example 1 20.8
2 SD Mannitol-67%/Mannitol-33% Example 2 21.8
3 SD Mannitol-33%/Mannitol-67% Example 3 25.7
4 Fine Powder Lactitol-100% 26.3
5 Mannitol-93%/Talc-100% 28.6
6 Milled Sucrose-100% 32.8
7 M~n~itol-100% Comp. Example A 36.2
8 M~nn i tol-100% 38.1
9 Xylitol-100% 44.3
CA 02227766 1998-01-23
W 097126798 PCTAUS95/16919
RATINGS ANGLE OF ~EPOSE
Excellent <30
Good 31-35
Fair 36-40
Passable 41-45
Poor 46-55
Very Poor 56-65
Coefficient of Friction
~To the plate of the friction tester, a 18" x 6" x
l/8'1 thick slab of sugarless gum was attached. The gum
had no rolling compound. Another piece of the same gum
was attached to the bottom of the 4" x 2 ~" sled that
slides over the plate of gum. It also had no rolling
compound.
After the gum was attached to the sled, 0.5 grams
of material from Example 1 was spread over the gum on the
plate and on the sled. To approximate conditions of
stacked gum, a 2000 gram weight was placed on the sled.
The sled is placed on top of the gum on the plate and
then hooked to the friction tester and started with a
speed set at "C", temperature off and time set at 10
seconds.
The friction tester measures ST (static energy - the
amount of energy needed to initiate movement) and KI
(kinetic energy needed to maintain movement). Thus a
lower reading indicates lower friction. Three readings
were taken for Examples 1, 2, 3, and Example 6A to obtain
ST and KI ~alues. Results are shown below:
Table III
ST (n=3) KI (n=3)
Example 1 0.638 0.479
Example 2 0.791 0.632
Example 3 ~ 0.838 0.652
CA 02227766 l998-0l-23
W O 97126798 PCT~US95/16919
7 Example A 0.848 0.692
The results show that spray dried mannitol reduces
friction between gum pieces much more than crystallized
mannitol. Even a blend of crystallized mannitol and
spray dried mannitol reduces friction of gum. This could
improve processing and speed in high speed wrapping
machines.
It should be understood that various changes and
modifications to the presently preferred embodiments
described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the
art. such changes and modifications can be made without
departing from the spirit and scope of the present
invention and without diminishing its attendant
advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes
and modifications be covered ~y the appended claims.
