Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for managing body weight by substituting a chewing gum composition on a regular basis for a snack product having a greater caloric content than the chewing gum composition or by employing a chewing gum composition in conjunction with behavior modification. Additionally, the present invention includes a method of controlling behavior modification relating to weight loss including identifying the behavior to be modified, setting behavioral goals relating to weight management, modifying determinants of the behavior to be changed using, in part, a chewing gum composition, and reinforcing the desired behavior using, in part, a chewing gum composition.

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.

Abstract: A method for producing a chewing gum with a controlled release active agent, as well as the chewing gum so produced, is obtained by physically modifying the release properties of the active agent, such as a nutraceutical or nutritional supplement, by coating and drying. The active agent is coated by encapsulation, partially coated by agglomeration, entrapped by absorption, or treated by multiple steps of encapsulation, agglomeration, and absorption. The coated active agent is preferably then co-dried and particle sized to produce a release-modified active agent for use in chewing gum. The active agent may also be used in a coating on a chewing gum product, as part of a rolling compound applied to the chewing gum product, or as a part of the liquid in a liquid-center chewing gum product.

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.

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.

Abstract: A method for providing single units of sugarless chewing gum and compositions so packaged. Individual pieces of chewing gum are provided which units will have a sufficiently long shelf life in order to allow the units to be sold and carried by a consumer even in environments that are detrimental to the stability of chewing gum, e.g., high temperature and humidity. To this end, a piece of chewing gum is provided that is substantially sugar free and that is surrounded by a wrapper, with at least a first portion of the wrapper being sealed to a second portion of the wrapper to create a sealed environment that houses the piece of chewing gum. The wrapper has a moisture vapor permeation rate of less than 0.10 g/100 in.sup.2 /24 hr at 100.degree. F., 90% RH as measured by ASTM method F1249-90. In an embodiment, the wrapper has an oxygen permeability that is less than 0.10 cc/100 in.sup.2 /24 hr at 1 ATM as measured by ASTM method D3985-81.

Abstract: A process is disclosed wherein an ingredient is treated so that it will exhibit a controlled release when incorporated in chewing gum. According to the method, a quantity of a powdered ingredient 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 treated, e.g. by grinding and/or screening, to produce the desired particle size range in the agglomerated ingredient particles. These agglomerated particles comprise collections or clusters of ingredient particles which have been bound together by the agglomerating agent.

Abstract: A method of making a zein-cellulose derivative gum ingredient is disclosed. Preferably, a solution of zein and water at a pH of between about 11.5 and about 12.1 is prepared, containing between about 10% and about 20% by weight zein, and the aqueous zein solution is combined with a cellulose derivative such as HPMC to form a zein-coated ingredient. The zein-cellulose derivative ingredient is then used to make chewing gum. The zein-cellulose derivative ingredient has been found to reduce late chew bitterness and harshness in high mint-flavor content gums.

Abstract: A sucrose-containing chewing gum ingredient is prepared by mixing about 50 to about 95 parts by weight polyvinyl acetate with about 5 to about 50 parts by weight of a solution comprising sucralose dissolved in a solvent. The mixture is then dried to drive off the solvent. A chewing gum is prepared by mixing sucralose-containing ingredient, gum base, a bulking agent and flavor to make a chewing gum composition.

Abstract: A sucrose-containing chewing gum ingredient is prepared by homogeneously mixing about 50 to about 97 parts by weight heat-softened polyvinyl acetate with about 3 to about--50 parts by weight crystalline sucralose. The mixture is then cooled. A chewing gum is prepared by mixing the sucralose-containing ingredient, gum base, a bulking agent and flavor to make a chewing gum composition.

Abstract: A stabilized high intensity sweetener ingredient for use in chewing gum is prepared by encapsulating a high intensity sweetener using a mixture of about 75 to about 99 weight percent zein and about 25 to about 1 weight percent shellac. This combination of zein and shellac prolongs the shelf life of the chewing gum and the high intensity sweetener, to a greater extent than zein or shellac used individually or in other combinations.

Abstract: A chewing gum that contains porous polymeric beads impregnated with active gum ingredients together with a method of making such a chewing gum.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A sucrose-containing chewing gum ingredient is prepared by codrying sucralose with a codrying agent and homogeneously mixing about 50 to about 97 parts by weight heat-softened polyvinyl acetate with about 3 to about 50 parts by weight of the codried sucralose. The mixture is then cooled. A chewing gum is prepared by mixing the sucralose-containing ingredient, gum base, a bulking agent and flavor to make a chewing gum composition.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for granulating active ingredients using a granulation which includes polyvinyl acetate, alcohol and modified cellulosic. Methods for adding granulated active ingredients to oral compositions, including chewing gum, are provided. A chewing gum composition containing granulated active ingredients is also provided.

Abstract: A method of making zein coated, high-potency sweeteners or other gum ingredients that does not use alcohol is disclosed. A solution of zein and water at a pH of between about 11.5 and about 12.1 is prepared, containing between about 1% and about 25% by weight zein, and the aqueous zein solution is combined with a high-potency sweetener or other gum ingredients to form a zein-coated ingredient. The zein coated ingredient is then used to make chewing gum. Preferable coating steps include spray drying and fluid bed coating.

Abstract: A chewing gum that contains fro about 0.5 to about 30 percent of a proteinaceous, water-dispersible, macrocolloid comprising substantially non-aggregated particles of dairy whey protein.

Abstract: A chewing gum that contains porous polymeric beads impregnated with flavor ingredients together with a method of making such a chewing gum.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for producing a chewing gum with a delayed release protein sweetener as well as the chewing gum so produced. The delayed release protein sweetener is obtained by forming an aqueous solution of gelatin and a protein sweetener selected from the group consisting of thaumatin and monellin. This solution is dried and particle sized to thereby produce sweetener-containing particles of a gelatin matrix. A quantity of these particles is mixed with a limited quantity of a solution of zein. Preferably, the zein is dissolved in water with a pH between about 11.5 and about 12.1. The quantity of the zein solution being added is limited to thereby produce a damp mix which is characterized as being dust free, non-flowing, and crumbly. The damp mix is dried and then particle sized to thereby produce zein-coated sweetener-containing particles within a predetermined particle size range, which particles are added to a chewing gum formulation.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for making chewing gum with a wax-coated delayed release ingredient. According to the method, a quantity of a powdered ingredient, such as a high-potency sweetener, is heated and mixed with a quantity of molten wax, such as a polyethylene wax. Preferably, the quantity of wax is limited so as to produce a damp mix which is characterized as being dust-free, non-flowing and crumbly. The damp mixture is then cooled in order to solidify. The cooled mix is then treated, e.g. by grinding and/or screening, to produce the desired particle size range in the coated ingredient particles.