Abstract: A gum base, as well as methods for making same, is provided which is free of wax, but has an increased glass transition temperature. It has been found by removing or reducing gum base vinyl polymer softeners that the glass transition temperature of the gum base can be raised to a temperature wherein even at elevated ambient temperatures, blocking (agglomeration) does not occur.

Abstract: A method of making a hygroscopic chewing gum is provided which results in improved gum texture, better dimensional stability and reduced moisture pick-up by the hygroscopic ingredients. The hygroscopic ingredients are added and blended with the gum base in a mixer, for at least about one minute before the bulk sweeteners are added. Fats and/or emulsifiers, and colors, may be added along with the hygroscopic ingredients and blended with the gum base. After the hygroscopic ingredients have been mixed with the gum base, bulk sweeteners and other chewing gum ingredients are added to the mixer and blended.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for making a chewing gum with a fast release, stabilized chewing gum. According to the method, a quantity of aspartame (APM) is mixed with an agglomerating agent, such as a modified cellulose, and a limited quantity of a solvent for the agglomerating agent, such as water. The quantity of solvent is limited so as to produce a mixture which is only moist or damp. This damp mixture is characterized as being dust-free, non-flowing and crumbly. The damp mixture is then dried and the dried mixture is comminuted, e.g. by grinding, to produce particles of APM ingredient with essentially a maximum particle size of about 0.017 inches. These particles of APM ingredient are then added to a chewing gum formulation.

Abstract: A rolling compound containing about 80-95 weight per cent mannitol and about 5-20 weight per cent sorbitol has improved flow and results in improved chewing gum quality. Initially, the sorbitol has been prepared into a fine powder that has a particle size distribution similar to that of mannitol. Chewing gum compositions which have been dusted with the rolling compound process well and possess excellent flavor and appearance.

Abstract: A flavor ingredient has been found to provide long lasting, high intensity and high quality flavor when used in chewing gum compositions. The flavor ingredient contains between 7-30% by weight of a flavoring agent such as mint oil, between 2-15% by weight styrene butadiene rubber, between 45-90% by weight starch or modified starch, between 0-8% by weight water and, preferably, between 0.5-4% by weight of a thickener such as silicon dioxide. The flavor ingredient is prepared by mixing the flavoring agent with particles of the elastomer to form a suspension. The suspension is then mixed with an aqueous starch solution and the thickener is added. The resulting stable emulsion is dried to form the flavor ingredient of the invention.

Abstract: A coated chewing gum product with an emulsifier subcoat and method of producing the same are disclosed. Chewing gum centers are coated first by an emulsifier, preferably hydrated lecithin, and then by a hard coating, such as a sugar coating applied by conventional hard-panning techniques. Preferably a binder layer, such as gum arabic, is provided between the emulsifier subcoat and the hard-panned coating.

Abstract: A method of treating methyl salicylate flavor is provided washing the flavor with an aqueous alkaline solution having a pH in the range from about 8 to about 14.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method of enhancing the flavor of a peppermint flavored chewing gum by the addition of a minor amount of a flavor enhancer consisting of spearmint flavor and methyl salicylate combined with a peppermint flavoring agent to form the peppermint flavor mixture for the chewing gum. The amount of spearmint flavor and methyl salicylate comprises about 0.1 to about 2 of the total mixture of peppermint flavor mixture added to the chewing gum. In addition, the ratio of spearmint flavor to methyl salicylate is between about 10:1 to about 2:1.

Abstract: Methods of producing gum and the resulting compositions, containing a hydrated emulsifier, are disclosed. In the preferred embodiment, 2 parts water and 1 part lecithin are blended together to form a gel. The gel is added to the gum composition, preferably after the gum base and the majority of the bulking and sweetening agents are mixed together. The use of a hydrated emulsifier improves initial softness and results in an extended shelf life.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method of enhancing the flavor of synthetic chewing gum base by the addition of a minor amount of cocoa powder to the base itself or to the chewing gum in which the base is used. Whether the cocoa powder is added to the gum base or to the chewing gum, the amount of cocoa powder should be between about 0.3 and 2.4 percent by weight of the gum base. The invention also includes the synthetic chewing gum base or a chewing gum with a synthetic gum base with cocoa powder added in a minor amount to enhance the flavor of the gum base. The synthetic gum base of the present invention is substantially free of natural gum products and includes between about 10 and about 30 percent of a synthetic elastomer; between about 20 and about 70 percent of a synthetic resin; and between about 0.3 and about 2.4 percent cocoa powder.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method of enhancing the flavor of a mint flavored chewing gum by the addition of a minor amount of cocoa powder, as well as the chewing gum so produced. The amount of cocoa powder is selected so as to cause the flavor enhancement and so as to not impart a detectable chocolate flavor to the chewing gum. The level of cocoa powder added is between about 0.08 and 0.5 percent by weight of the chewing gum.