Expansion evaluation method of bubble gum, and set used in the method for evaluating bubble gum expansion

Abstract

To provide an expansion evaluation method of bubble gum, and a set used in the method for evaluating bubble gum expansion.SOLUTION: The expansion evaluation method of bubble gum includes: a sample preparation step; a sample placement step, a sample extension step, a sample molding step, and a gas injection step. In the gas injection step, the flow rate of the gas to be injected is adjusted and the expansion of the test bubble gum is evaluated based on the total amount of the gas injected until the sample expands to its maximum size.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for evaluating the expansion of bubble gum and a set for use in the method for evaluating the expansion of bubble gum. [Background technology]

[0002] The way bubble gum expands is an important point in the product quality of bubble gum. In general, when evaluating product quality, not only sensory evaluation but also physical property evaluation using measuring equipment is used. In particular, in order to emphasize product quality, not only sensory evaluation but also physical property evaluation based on the measurement results using measuring equipment is often used as an objective basis. For example, a material testing machine is used to evaluate adhesion or evaluation by measuring breaking strength or maximum compressive load, and a viscoelasticity measuring device is used to evaluate viscosity or yield value. In order to evaluate how bubble gum expands, sensory evaluation is commonly used in which a person actually inflates the bubble gum to be evaluated (Patent Document 1). In such sensory evaluation, the results vary depending on the skill of the individual who performs the evaluation and the environment, so it is difficult to determine the evaluation results unambiguously or objectively. Therefore, there has been a demand for a method and device that can quantitatively evaluate how bubble gum expands, but it has been difficult to measure how bubble gum expands using existing measuring equipment and express it as a quantitative number. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 56-078560 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a method for objectively evaluating the expansion of bubble gum using quantitative numerical values, and an evaluation set that can be used for this method. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The present invention relates to a method for evaluating the expansion of bubble gum, the method comprising the steps of: preparing a sample made of a gum base obtained by thoroughly chewing a bubble gum to be tested; arranging the sample on the bottom surface of a container-like jig having an internal space, a top opening, and a bottom surface with a small hole formed therein, so as to cover the small hole; a sample stretching step of pressing the surface of the top opening side of the sample arranged on the bottom surface of the container-like jig into a flat or gently concave shape by a sample stretching member having a flat or gently convex tip that is inserted into the internal space from the top opening, while closing the small hole by bringing a small hole closing member into close proximity with the small hole from the outside of the container-like jig; a sample molding step of pressing a position corresponding to the small hole with a sample molding member having a convex tip with a smaller radius of curvature than the smoothed top opening side surface of the sample, the sample being inserted into the internal space from the top opening, to form a depression at the position corresponding to the small hole in the smoothed top opening side surface of the sample; and a gas blowing step of blowing gas into the internal space from the top opening after removing a small hole closing member that has been placed close to the small hole from the outside of the container-shaped jig, thereby pushing the sample out through the small hole to inflate it, wherein in the gas blowing step, a flow rate of gas blown into the internal space is adjusted and the expansion state of the bubble gum to be tested is evaluated based on the total amount of gas blown until the sample expands to its maximum size.

[0006] The present invention also provides a set used in a method for evaluating the expansion of bubble gum, comprising: a container-shaped jig having an internal space, a top opening, and a bottom surface with a small hole formed therein; a small hole closing member having a surface capable of closing the small hole in the container-shaped jig; a sample extension member having a flat or gently convex tip that can be inserted into the internal space of the container-shaped jig from the top opening of the container-shaped jig; a sample molding member having a convex tip that can be inserted into the internal space of the container-shaped jig from the top opening of the container-shaped jig and has a radius of curvature smaller than the radius of curvature of the tip of the sample extension member; and a gas supply device having a gas supply port configured to be connected to the top opening of the container-shaped jig, a gas storage section that stores gas to be blown into the internal space of the container-shaped jig and is connected to the gas supply port via a gas supply path, and a flow rate control mechanism that adjusts the flow rate of gas to be blown into the internal space of the container-shaped jig. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, there is provided a method for objectively evaluating the expansion of bubble gum and an evaluation set that can be used in the method. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic diagram of a procedure for placing and molding a sample in a container-shaped jig in the method of the present invention, in which (a) is a cross-sectional view showing a sample placement step, (b) is a sample stretching step using a sample stretching member with a flat tip, (c) is a sample stretching step using a sample stretching member with a gently convex tip, and (d) is a cross-sectional view showing a sample molding step. [Diagram 2] 1 is a schematic diagram showing how a gas is supplied from a gas supply device to a molded sample placed in a container-shaped jig to inflate the sample in the method of the present invention. FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic example of the shape of a container-like jig and a small hole closing member used in the method of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to preferred embodiments. In this specification, "bubble gum" is also simply referred to as "gum".

[0010] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for evaluating the expansion of bubble gum includes a sample preparation step of preparing a sample made of a gum base obtained by sufficiently chewing a bubble gum to be tested; a sample placement step of placing the sample on a bottom surface of a container-like jig having an internal space, a top opening, and a bottom surface having a small hole formed therein, so as to cover the small hole; a sample extension step of pressing the top opening side surface of the sample placed on the bottom surface of the container-like jig into a flat or gently concave shape by a sample extension member having a flat or gently convex tip portion inserted into the internal space from the top opening, while closing the small hole by bringing a small hole closing member into close proximity with the small hole from the outside of the container-like jig; the sample molding step of pressing a position corresponding to the small hole with a sample molding member having a convex tip with a radius of curvature smaller than that of the smoothed top opening side surface of the sample, the sample being inserted into the internal space from the top opening, to form a depression at the position corresponding to the small hole on the smoothed top opening side surface of the sample; and a gas blowing step of blowing gas into the internal space from the top opening after removing a small hole closing member that has been placed close to the small hole from the outside of the container-shaped jig, thereby pushing the sample out through the small hole and inflating it, wherein in the gas blowing step, a flow rate of gas blown into the internal space is adjusted and the expansion state of the bubble gum to be tested is evaluated based on the total amount of gas blown until the sample expands to its maximum size.

[0011] According to this method, the expansion of bubble gum can be objectively evaluated by a numerical evaluation. The method for evaluating the expansion of bubble gum according to the present invention will be described below. In the drawings, the same components are generally designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0012] <Sample preparation process> The method for evaluating the expansion of the bubble gum according to the present invention is to measure on multiple days by the method described below, and take the average of the measured values ​​to obtain the evaluation result. It is preferable that the number of measurement days is 3 to 5 days, and the average of 10 to 20 measured values ​​is obtained to obtain the evaluation result.

[0013] The method for evaluating the expansion of bubble gum according to the present invention includes a sample preparation step of preparing a sample consisting of a gum base obtained by thoroughly chewing a bubble gum to be tested. "Masticating a bubble gum thoroughly" refers to a person chewing the bubble gum in the mouth until the sweetness is no longer present, or to treating the gum to a similar state.

[0014] When chewing bubble gum in a person's mouth, the time for which the test gum is chewed varies depending on the gum used, but is typically around 10 to 15 minutes and can be up to around 20 minutes.

[0015] The gum that can be used as the test subject does not need to be a commercially available product, and may be a semi-finished product as long as it can be chewed. Since the physical properties of gum change, such as becoming hard, when it is chewed and measured once and exposed to room temperature for a certain period of time, it is preferable to measure it once per one chewing. However, when measuring gum that does not change its physical properties little, it is possible to measure it again by chewing it again before measuring again, even after chewing and measuring once.

[0016] The sample used for the measurement can be the gum base after the chewing is completed and the sugar and other ingredients are dissolved, and the gum base is mainly composed of the gum base. If the gum base is in a large amount, a part of the gum base can be cut out and used as the sample. The size of the sample is not particularly limited, but it is preferably large enough not to protrude from the container-shaped jig and large enough to cover the small hole in the bottom of the container-shaped jig. The amount of the sample used can be about 2 to 15 g.

[0017] <Sample placement process> The method of the present invention for evaluating the expansion of bubble gum includes a sample placement step of placing a sample on the bottom surface of a container-like jig having an internal space, a top opening, and a bottom surface with a small hole formed therein, so as to cover the small hole.

[0018] First, the sample is put into the internal space of the container-like jig from the top opening, and the sample is placed on the bottom surface of the container-like jig so as to cover the small hole formed on the bottom surface. By placing the sample so as to cover the small hole of the container-like jig, a film of the sample is formed to cover the small hole through the sample stretching step and sample molding step described later, and the sample can be inflated so that the sample is pushed out of the small hole when gas is blown in. Note that even if the sample is not placed so as to cover the small hole of the container-like jig when it is first placed in the container-like jig, if the sample is pushed in during the sample stretching step described later and ends up being placed so as to cover the small hole, the process can be considered to include a sample placement step.

[0019] FIG. 1(a) is a cross-sectional view showing a sample placed in the container-like jig of the present invention in the sample placement step of the present invention. 11 represents the container-like jig, 11-1 represents the top opening, 11-2 represents the small hole, 12 represents the small hole closing member, and the hatched portion of 13 represents the sample placed in the container-like jig 11. The sample placement step is preferably performed in a state in which the small hole closing member 12 is brought close to the small hole 11-2 from the outside of the container-like jig 11 to close it, as shown in FIG. 1(a). In the present invention, bringing the small hole closing member "close" to the small hole includes butting the small hole closing member against the small hole, that is, abutting the small hole closing member against the small hole. As long as it is possible to prevent the sample from excessively protruding from the small hole or the sample from being significantly torn off, the small hole and the small hole closing member do not need to be in close contact with each other, and may be somewhat separated from each other. Furthermore, "closing" a pore by bringing a pore closing member into close proximity to the pore does not only mean that the pore closing member seals the pore, but also means that the pore closing member blocks part or all of the pore (thereby enabling a sample to be supported).

[0020] <Sample extension process> The method for evaluating the expansion of bubble gum according to the present invention includes a sample stretching step of pressing the surface of the top opening side of a sample placed on the bottom surface of the container-shaped jig into a flat or gently concave shape with a sample stretching member having a flat or gently convex tip inserted into the internal space from the top opening while a small hole closing member is brought close to the small hole from the outside of the container-shaped jig to close it. The sample stretching member having a gently convex tip includes, for example, a sample stretching member whose tip has a radius of curvature equal to or greater than half the inner diameter of the top opening of the container-shaped jig.

[0021] 1(b) and (c) are cross-sectional views showing the state in which the sample is pressed (stretched) evenly into a flat or gently concave shape (concave curved shape) using the sample stretching member of the present invention in the sample stretching step of the present invention. Fig. 1(b) shows the state when the sample is stretched using the sample stretching member with a flat tip, and 14-1 indicates the sample stretching member. Fig. 1(c) shows the state when the sample is stretched using the sample stretching member with a gently convex tip, and 14-2 indicates the sample stretching member.

[0022] In a state where the small hole closing member 12 is brought close to the small hole 11-2 from the outside of the container-shaped jig 11 to close it, the tip of the sample extension member 14-1 or 14-2 is pushed into the internal space of the container-shaped jig 11, so that the sample 13 is pressurized while fixed inside the container-shaped jig 11. This makes it possible to smooth the surface of the sample 13 and smooth out wrinkles by pressing. This makes the surface of the sample 13 smooth and the thickness thinner, so that the sample 13 is easier to inflate when gas is blown into the container-shaped jig 11. Usually, when a person blows up bubble gum, they press the gum with their tongue to smooth the surface, smooth out wrinkles, and thin the gum before blowing it up, so by performing this process, the state of the gum before the person blows it up can be reproduced.

[0023] The sample stretching step of smoothing and pressing the sample may be performed using either a sample stretching member having a flat tip or a sample stretching member having a gently convex tip. A plurality of sample stretching members having tips with different radii of curvature may also be used. From the viewpoint of efficiently smoothing out wrinkles over a larger contact area, it is preferable to smooth and press the sample using a sample stretching member having a gently convex tip. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of more effectively smoothing out wrinkles, it is more preferable that in the sample stretching step, the top opening side surface of the sample is smoothed using a sample stretching member having a flat tip, and the sample is further pressed using a sample stretching member having a gently convex tip.

[0024] <Sample molding process> The method for evaluating the expansion of bubble gum according to the present invention includes a sample molding step of pressing a position on the smoothed top opening surface of the sample corresponding to the small hole with a sample molding member having a convex tip with a radius of curvature smaller than that of the smoothed top opening surface of the sample, inserted into the internal space from the top opening, at the position corresponding to the small hole in a state where a small hole closing member is brought close to the outside of the container-shaped jig to close the small hole, to form a depression in the position on the smoothed top opening surface of the sample corresponding to the small hole. Here, "having a radius of curvature smaller than that of the smoothed top opening surface of the sample" means that the sample molding member has a tip that protrudes to an extent that it can produce a depression in the sample surface formed in the sample extension step. The sample molding member includes, for example, a sample molding member having a tip with a radius of curvature that is less than half the inner diameter of the small hole in the container-shaped jig.

[0025] FIG. 1(d) is a cross-sectional view showing a sample molding process of the present invention, in which a sample is molded using a sample molding member having a convex (convex curved) tip of the present invention, and 15 indicates the sample molding member.

[0026] With the small hole closing member 12 brought close to the small hole 11-2 of the container-like jig 11 and closed, a depression is made in the position of the sample 13 corresponding to the small hole 11-2 with the sample molding member 15, so that the portion of the sample 13 corresponding to the small hole 11-2 becomes an even thinner film. This makes it easier to inflate the sample 13 when gas is blown into it. Normally, when a person blows up bubble gum, they press the gum with the tip of their tongue to make a depression and stretch the gum into a thin film before inflating it, so by carrying out this process, the state of the gum before the person blows it can be reproduced.

[0027] <Gas injection process> The method of the present invention for evaluating the expansion of bubble gum includes a gas blowing step in which, after removing a small hole closing member that has been placed close to the small hole from the outside of the container-shaped jig, gas is blown into the internal space from the top opening of the container-shaped jig to push the sample out of the small hole and inflate it, and the flow rate of gas blown into the internal space is adjusted during the gas blowing step.

[0028] 2 is a schematic diagram showing how a sample is inflated using the set according to the present invention in the method for evaluating the expansion of bubble gum according to the present invention. 21 indicates a set used in the method for evaluating the expansion of bubble gum, 22 indicates a gas supply port, 23 indicates a gas supply path, 24 indicates a gas storage section, 25 indicates a flow control mechanism, and 26 indicates a stand with a clamp for fixing the gas supply port 22. The gas supply port 22 is joined to the top opening of the container-shaped jig 11 and connected to the gas supply path 23. The gas supply port 22 and the gas storage section 24 are connected via the gas supply path 23. A flow control mechanism 25 is provided in the middle of the gas supply path 23. That is, the gas supply port 22 and the flow control mechanism 25 are connected by the gas supply path 23, and the flow control mechanism 25 and the gas storage section 24 are further connected by the gas supply path 23.

[0029] First, the small hole closing member that was placed close to the small hole from the outside of the container-like jig 11 is removed, and the top opening of the container-like jig 11 in which the sample 13 is placed is connected to the gas supply port 22. A preferred connection method is screwing. By screwing, the gas supply port 22 and the container-like jig 11 are firmly connected, and it is possible to prevent the container-like jig 11 from being blown away when gas is blown into the container-like jig 11 through the gas supply port 22.

[0030] Gas is supplied from gas reservoir 24, the flow rate of which is controlled by flow rate control mechanism 25, and the gas is blown into gas supply port 22 via gas supply path 23. As a result, gas is blown into the internal space from the top opening of container-like jig 11, and gas pressure is applied to sample 13, causing sample 13 to swell as if being pushed out of the small hole.

[0031] In the gas blowing step, the flow rate of the gas blown into the internal space of the container-shaped jig is adjusted by a flow rate control mechanism. Specifically, for example, in the gas blowing step, the flow rate of the gas blown into the internal space can be increased continuously or stepwise from 1.0 L / min to 2.0 L / min, and can reach 2.0 L / min to 4.0 L / min when 3 seconds to 10 seconds have elapsed since the start of gas blowing, and can be adjusted to maintain the flow rate at 2.0 L / min to 4.0 L / min.

[0032] In the present invention, the expansion of bubble gum can be evaluated appropriately by blowing gas into the sample while adjusting the flow rate. In particular, the evaluation can be performed more appropriately by blowing gas at a low gas flow rate at the beginning of gas blowing, increasing the gas flow rate continuously or stepwise, and blowing gas at a higher gas flow rate than at the beginning of gas blowing after a certain time has passed from the beginning of gas blowing. By gradually increasing the gas flow rate from a low gas flow rate at the beginning of gas blowing, it is possible to prevent the gas pressure in the sample at the beginning of gas blowing from becoming too high, and to prevent a soft sample from breaking easily. It is also possible to prevent the sample from being blown away from the container-shaped jig. In addition, by gradually increasing the gas flow rate, even hard gum can be expanded sufficiently, and the difference between samples can be easily seen by comparing the maximum size of the expansion of the samples. Furthermore, if the gum is hard enough, it will continue to inflate if gas is continuously blown into it at a low gas flow rate, which may result in a significant deviation from the situation when a person blows into it. Therefore, in order to objectively evaluate the suitability of the bubble gum to be tested, it is preferable to gradually increase and maintain the flow rate.

[0033] <Evaluation process> The method for evaluating the expansion of bubble gum according to the present invention is a method for evaluating the expansion of a test bubble gum based on the total amount of gas blown into the sample until the sample expands to its maximum size. For example, the greater the total amount of gas blown into the sample until the sample expands to its maximum size, the easier the test bubble gum can be evaluated to expand.

[0034] The expansion of bubble gum is thought to be mainly due to the malleability of the gum membrane (the strength with which it can expand without breaking).

[0035] The method for evaluating the expansion of bubble gum according to the present invention involves blowing gas into the sample while adjusting the flow rate (gas pressure), and evaluating the expansion of the bubble gum based on the total amount of gas blown into the sample until the sample reaches its maximum size. By evaluating how much gas can be blown into the sample before it breaks or cracks, the malleability of the sample can be evaluated numerically, which is believed to enable an objective evaluation of the expansion of the bubble gum.

[0036] The "maximum size" of a sample can be the size when the increase in size of the sample stops, that is, the size when the sample no longer expands. In order to determine when the sample has expanded to the maximum size, for example, a flat grid having a plurality of equal-sized divisions (scales) can be installed behind a support that supports a gas supply port connected to a container-shaped jig, and the size of the expanded sample can be grasped. When checking the size, video recording or the like can be performed to confirm that the sample has expanded to the maximum size using a camera or computer. For example, the upper limit of the total amount of gas to be blown or the gas blowing time can be arbitrarily set in advance, and the gas blowing can be stopped when the upper limit or the gas blowing time is reached. For example, the gas blowing can be stopped when 95 seconds have passed since the start of the gas blowing. After it has been confirmed that the increase in size of the sample has stopped and the maximum size has been reached, the gas blowing can be stopped immediately or after a certain time has passed. In addition, even if it is expected that the sample will continue to expand after a certain amount of gas has been blown into it, the gas blowing can be stopped at any timing as described above.

[0037] (Set used for evaluation) The following set can be used for evaluating bubble gum: A set for use in a method for evaluating the expansion of bubble gum, the set including a container-shaped jig having an internal space, a top opening, and a bottom surface with small holes formed therein, a small hole closing member having a surface capable of closing the small holes in the container-shaped jig, a sample extension member insertable into the internal space of the container-shaped jig from the top opening of the container-shaped jig and having a flat or gently convex tip, a sample molding member insertable into the internal space of the container-shaped jig from the top opening of the container-shaped jig and having a convex tip with a radius of curvature smaller than the radius of curvature of the tip of the sample extension member, and a gas supply device having a gas supply port configured to be connected to the top opening of the container-shaped jig, a gas storage section that stores gas to be blown into the internal space of the container-shaped jig and is connected to the gas supply port via a gas supply path, and a flow rate control mechanism that adjusts the flow rate of gas to be blown into the internal space of the container-shaped jig. The individual members of the above set and the gas supply device will be described below. In the drawings, the same components are generally designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0038] <Container-shaped jig> The container-like jig in the present invention has an internal space, a top opening, and a bottom surface with small holes. The container-like jig is a member that simulates the inside of the mouth when gum is inflated. When evaluating gum, a sample is placed in the internal space from the top opening and placed on the bottom surface, and gas is blown into the internal space to push the sample out through the small holes and inflate it.

[0039] The container-shaped jig may be made of various materials such as metal or resin, but the surface that comes into contact with the sample is preferably made of metal. Examples of the metal include stainless steel, aluminum alloy, iron, copper, etc., and stainless steel is preferred.

[0040] The overall shape of the container-like jig may be, for example, a cube, a rectangular parallelepiped, or a cylinder with a hollow interior, but a shape in which the interior space is cylindrical or elongated cylindrical (i.e., elliptical cylindrical) is preferred. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic example of the shape of the container-like jig and the small hole closing member of the present invention. In Fig. 3, 11 denotes the container-like jig, 12 denotes the small hole closing member, and the outline arrow denotes the gas blowing direction.

[0041] The size of the container-shaped jig is preferably such that the height (length indicated by h in FIG. 3) is 19 mm to 30 mm, and the maximum width perpendicular to the height (length indicated by d1 in FIG. 3) is 20 mm to 30 mm. The maximum width perpendicular to the height of the container-shaped jig is also called the diameter when the container-shaped jig is cylindrical or approximately cylindrical.

[0042] The container-shaped jig has a top opening and a bottom surface with small holes formed therein. It is preferable that the bottom surface has small holes formed therein at a position opposite to the top opening.

[0043] The shapes of the small holes formed on the top opening and the bottom surface are not particularly limited, and examples of such shapes include a circle, an oval, a square, and other polygons when viewed from the gas blowing side. If the top opening is circular and configured to screw into the gas supply port described below, it is preferable because the container-shaped jig can be fixed to the gas supply port and the container-shaped jig can be prevented from being blown away when gas is blown in.

[0044] The size of the top opening is preferably such that the sample does not adhere to the top opening when the sample is introduced. The small holes formed on the bottom surface can be shaped to have a smaller opening than the top opening. For example, the width of the top opening in the direction perpendicular to the gas blowing direction (length indicated by d2 in FIG. 3) can be 16 mm or more and 21 mm or less, and the width of the small holes formed on the bottom surface in the direction perpendicular to the gas blowing direction (length indicated by d3 in FIG. 3) can be 10 mm or more and 13 mm or less. The width of the top opening in the direction perpendicular to the gas blowing direction is also called the inner diameter of the top opening when the top opening is circular or approximately circular. The width of the small holes in the direction perpendicular to the gas blowing direction is also called the inner diameter of the small holes when the small holes are circular or approximately circular.

[0045] The shape described above prevents the sample from sticking to the inside of the top opening and getting caught when the sample is inserted. In addition, the small holes can reproduce the pursed lips (tip of the mouth) when blowing into the gum, recreating a movement similar to that of a person blowing into gum.

[0046] Furthermore, it is preferable that the bottom surface of the container-like jig is tapered toward the small hole, which makes it easier for the sample to gather around the small hole and for the sample to form a film covering the small hole.

[0047] <Small stoma closing material> The small hole closing (sample support) member in the present invention has a surface capable of closing the small hole in the container-like jig. The small hole closing member prevents the sample from excessively protruding from the small hole in the container-like jig when the sample is placed in the container-like jig or stretched and molded in the container-like jig, and can prevent the sample from being significantly torn off or otherwise unintentionally losing its shape when stretched and molded.

[0048] Various materials such as resin, wood, stone, and ivory can be used for the stoma closing member.

[0049] The size of the small hole closing member is not particularly limited, but it is preferable that the surface of the small hole closing member 12 that closes the small hole has a portion large enough to cover the entire small hole formed in the bottom surface of the container-shaped jig 11, as shown in Figure 3.

[0050] The shape of the small hole closing member is not particularly limited, but it is preferable that the surface of the small hole closing member 12 that closes the small hole has a convex curved surface as shown in Fig. 3. By having the surface of the small hole closing member that closes the small hole have a convex curved surface, it is possible to prevent the sample from adhering to the small hole closing member. It is more preferable that the portion of the small hole closing member that includes the surface that closes the small hole is hemispherical.

[0051] <Sample extension member> The sample stretching member of the present invention can be inserted into the internal space from the top opening of the container-like jig and has a flat or gently convex tip. The sample stretching member is a member that imitates a tongue used to stretch and thin the gum before expanding it.

[0052] The sample extension member may be made of various materials such as metal or resin, but it is preferable that the surface that comes into contact with the sample is made of metal. Examples of the metal include stainless steel, aluminum alloy, iron, copper, etc., and stainless steel is preferable.

[0053] The shape and size of the sample extension member are such that it can press evenly against the surface of the sample placed in the container-like jig, for example, it has a tip portion with a shape and size that can enter the internal space of the container-like jig. It is preferable that it has a portion with a shape and size that can fully push the sample to the bottom of the container-like jig. It is also preferable that it has a portion with a shape and size that can stretch the entire sample at once. Therefore, it is preferable that the shape of the sample extension member has a shape that meshes with the shape of the inside of the container-like jig, and it is also preferable that it has a portion with a size approximately the same as the size of the internal space of the container-like jig.

[0054] The tip of the sample stretching member is flat or gently convex. That is, the surface of the sample stretching member that contacts the sample may be flat or gently convex (convex curved). Only a sample stretching member with a flat tip or a sample stretching member with a gently convex tip may be used. Also, both a sample stretching member with a flat tip and a sample stretching member with a gently convex tip may be used, or multiple sample stretching members with tips with different radii of curvature may be used. The sample stretching member with a gently convex tip includes a sample stretching member whose tip has a radius of curvature equal to or greater than half the inner diameter of the top opening of the container-shaped jig, for example, a sample stretching member whose tip has a radius of curvature equal to or greater than 8 mm.

[0055] <Sample molding material> The sample molding member of the present invention can be inserted into the internal space from the top opening of the container-shaped jig and has a convex tip with a radius of curvature smaller than the radius of curvature of the tip of the sample extension member. The sample molding member is a member that imitates the tip of a tongue when making a depression in a piece of gum before expanding it.

[0056] The material used for the sample molding member may be various materials such as metals and resins, but it is preferable that the surface that comes into contact with the sample is a metal. Examples of the metal include stainless steel, aluminum alloys, iron, copper, etc., and stainless steel is preferable.

[0057] The shape and size of the sample molding member are not particularly limited as long as it can mold the surface of the sample placed in the container-shaped jig, for example, can enter the internal space of the container-shaped jig, and has a convex tip with a radius of curvature smaller than the radius of curvature of the tip of the sample extension member. The sample molding member includes a sample molding member having a convex (convex curved) tip with a radius of curvature that is less than half the inner diameter of the small hole of the container-shaped jig. In particular, it is preferable that the convex tip that contacts the sample is hemispherical with an outer diameter that is less than the inner diameter of the small hole in the bottom surface of the container-shaped jig and is more than half of the inner diameter. By having the convex tip be hemispherical with an outer diameter that is less than the inner diameter of the small hole in the bottom surface of the container-shaped jig and is more than half of the inner diameter, the sample attached near the small hole can be reliably made into a thin film and can be easily pushed out of the small hole to inflate it.

[0058] <Gas supply equipment> The gas supply device of the present invention has a gas supply port configured to be connected to the top opening of the container-shaped jig, a gas storage section that stores gas to be blown into the internal space of the container-shaped jig and is connected to the gas supply port via a gas supply path, and a flow rate control mechanism that adjusts the flow rate of gas to be blown into the internal space of the container-shaped jig. The gas supply device reproduces the movement of a person blowing into gum when inflating the gum.

[0059] When the sample is inflated, the gas supply port is joined to the top opening of the container-shaped jig, and the preferred joining method at this time is screwing. As a joining method other than screwing, for example, a packing can be glued and joined with a flange. When joining with a flange, it may be fixed with a bolt or may be fixed by clamping it with a clamp or the like. The gas supply port is connected to a gas supply path, which is further connected to a gas reservoir. Various materials such as metal and resin can be used as the material for the gas supply port, but when screwing, it is preferable that the same material as the container-shaped jig is used.

[0060] The gas supply path connects the gas supply port and the gas reservoir, and may be made of a material such as a silicon tube, a rubber tube, or a resin tube.

[0061] The gas storage section stores the gas to be blown into the internal space of the container-shaped jig and is connected to the gas supply port via a gas supply path. The gas stored in the gas storage section and blown into the container-shaped jig can be nitrogen or a mixed gas (nitrogen + oxygen).

[0062] The flow rate control mechanism adjusts the flow rate of the gas blown into the internal space of the container-shaped jig. Examples of the flow rate control mechanism include a mass flow controller and a program controller, which can be provided in the gas supply path connecting the gas storage unit and the gas supply port. When using a mass flow controller and a program controller, the mass flow controller and the program controller are connected in advance, and the flow rate of the gas to be blown in is set using the program controller, etc., so that the flow rate can be controlled.

[0063] In the present invention, the flow rate control mechanism is preferably capable of adjusting the flow rate of the gas blown into the internal space of the container-shaped jig within a range of 1.0 L / min to 4.0 L / min.

[0064] The set used in the method for evaluating the expansion of bubble gum according to the present invention can be used in the method for evaluating the expansion of bubble gum according to the present invention, but can also be used in other methods for evaluating the expansion of bubble gum. For example, the set according to the present invention can be used to blow gas into a sample while adjusting the flow rate, and evaluate the expansion of bubble gum based on the number of seconds it takes for the sample to expand to its maximum size. EXAMPLES

[0065] The present invention will be specifically described below based on examples. In these examples, vinyl acetate resins with a weight-average degree of polymerization of 750 or more are referred to as "high polymerization degree resins", vinyl acetate resins with a weight-average degree of polymerization of 500 or more and less than 750 are referred to as "medium polymerization degree resins", and vinyl acetate resins with a weight-average degree of polymerization of less than 500 are referred to as "low polymerization degree resins". Hereinafter, "weight-average degree of polymerization" is also simply referred to as "average degree of polymerization".

[0066] Example 1 <Pre-settings> A gas supply port (made of stainless steel) with a cylindrical tip with an inner diameter of about 20 mm and a height of about 25 mm was attached to a stand with a clamp, and a silicon tube was connected to the gas supply port as a gas supply path. A digital mass flow controller MQV (manufactured by azbil) connected to a Digitronic digital program regulator DCP31 (manufactured by azbil) was prepared as a flow control mechanism, and connected to the gas supply port with a silicon tube. Another silicon tube was prepared as a gas supply path, and the digital mass flow controller MQV and a 1.5 m gas storage section were connected to the gas supply port. 3 A cylinder of nitrogen gas was connected, and a flat grid with 5 mm square graduations was placed on the back of the gas supply inlet.

[0067] <Bubble gum manufacturing> We prepared a high polymerization degree resin (vinyl acetate resin with a molecular weight of 55,000 to 75,000 (average polymerization degree: approximately 750)), a medium polymerization degree resin (vinyl acetate resin with a molecular weight of 47,000 to 57,000 (average polymerization degree: approximately 580)), and a low polymerization degree resin (vinyl acetate resin with a molecular weight of 12,000 to 18,000 (average polymerization degree: approximately 180)).

[0068] The following ingredients were mixed in the following ratios (unit: weight %) using a 3 L heater-equipped kneader, and the mixture was heated, melted and mixed at 135° C. for 50 minutes to produce a gum base.

[0069] Resin admixtures 29.2 (Low polymerization degree resin: 0.0) (Medium polymerization resin: 15.3) (High polymerization degree resin 13.9) Rubber content 9.0 (Of which, natural rubber 2.3) Other Ingredients Ester gum 24.4 Wax 20.8 Emulsifier 10.0 Filler 6.6 Total 100.0

[0070] (Examples 2-6) A gum base was produced in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the blending ratio of each component was changed as shown in Table 1.

[0071] The gum bases produced in Examples 1-6 were mixed with the following ratios (units: weight %): 42% gum base, 36% sugar, 13% starch syrup, 4% softener, 2.5% acidulant, 1.3% flavoring, 1% gelatin, 0.1% antioxidant, and 0.1% colorant, and molded into balls to produce bubble gums.

[0072] <Sensory evaluation> Three panelists were asked to chew each of the bubble gums produced in Examples 1 to 6 for three minutes, and then to inflate the chewed bubble gum into a balloon and evaluate how large the balloon was.

[0073] <Expansion evaluation> Example 1 The bubble gum produced in Example 1 was chewed continuously for 10 to 15 minutes to prepare a sample. The jigs (container-like jig, small hole closing member, sample extension member, and sample molding member described later) used were lightly wiped with a wiper wetted with distilled water so that the sample would not adhere excessively to the jigs. A small hole in a roughly cylindrical container-like jig (made of stainless steel) with a diameter of about 20 mm and a height of about 25 mm and a top opening with an inner diameter of about 16 mm and a bottom surface with a small hole with an inner diameter of about 12 mm was closed by bringing the convex surface of a roughly cylindrical small hole closing member with a height of about 17 mm and a diameter of about 20 mm, one of whose bottom surfaces is a hemispherical convex surface, into close proximity from the outside, and the sample was placed on the bottom surface of the container-like jig so as to cover the small hole.

[0074] In this state, a sample stretching member having a flat tip and a cylindrical portion configured to fit into the internal space of the container-like jig and have a diameter approximately equal to the inner diameter of the top opening of the container-like jig was inserted into the internal space from the top opening of the container-like jig, and the surface of the top opening side of the sample placed on the bottom surface of the container-like jig was flattened. Then, the sample was pressed in the same manner with a sample stretching member having an approximately hemispherical tip and a cylindrical portion configured to fit into the internal space of the container-like jig and have a diameter approximately equal to the inner diameter of the top opening of the container-like jig. Then, a rod-shaped sample molding member having a spherical tip with a diameter of approximately 7 mm was pressed against the surface of the top opening side of the sample at a position corresponding to the small hole, forming a depression.

[0075] Thereafter, the small hole closing member was removed, and the top opening of the container-like jig was screwed into the gas supply port. The flow rate of the gas to be blown into the container-like jig was programmed using a Digitronic Digital Program Controller DCP31 (manufactured by azbil Corporation). Then, gas blowing was started at a flow rate of 1.5 L / min and gradually increased until it reached a flow rate of 3.0 L / min 5 seconds after the start of gas blowing, and the flow rate was maintained at 3.0 L / min until 95 seconds had elapsed since the start of gas blowing. Gas blowing was stopped 95 seconds after the start of gas blowing.

[0076] The expansion of the sample was observed from the start of gas injection, and a grid installed on the back of the gas supply port was used to confirm that the sample had expanded to its maximum size. The total amount of gas (mL) injected into the container-shaped jig up to the first point at which the sample expanded to its maximum size was measured. Specifically, the total amount of gas injected into the container-shaped jig up to the first point at which the sample expanded to its maximum size was calculated from the sum of the flow rates per second recorded by the digital mass flow controller MQV. The measurement was performed 10 times, and the arithmetic average was taken. The results are shown in Table 2.

[0077] (Examples 2-6) Measurements and evaluations were carried out in the same manner as in Example 1, except that samples were prepared using the bubble gums produced in Examples 2 to 6. The results are shown in Table 2.

[0078] [Table 1]

[0079] [Table 2]

[0080] When the expansion of bubble gum was evaluated using the above method, examples 2, 3, and 4, in which the total amount of gas blown into the sample until it expanded to its maximum size was particularly large, received high marks in the sensory evaluation. This shows that the expansion of bubble gum can be objectively evaluated by the method for evaluating the expansion of bubble gum according to the present invention using the set used in the method for evaluating the expansion of bubble gum according to the present invention.

[0081] Embodiments of the present invention include the following. (Embodiment 1) 1. A method for evaluating bubble gum expansion, comprising: A sample preparation step of preparing a sample comprising a gum base obtained by thoroughly chewing a bubble gum to be tested; a sample placement step of placing the sample on a bottom surface of a container-like jig having an internal space, a top opening, and a bottom surface with a small hole formed therein, so as to cover the small hole; a sample stretching step in which, while a small hole closing member is brought close to the small hole from the outside of the container-like jig to close it, the surface of the top opening side of the sample placed on the bottom surface of the container-like jig is pressed evenly into a flat or gently concave shape by a sample stretching member having a flat or gently convex tip portion inserted into the internal space from the top opening; a sample molding step of pressing a position on the smoothed top opening surface of the sample corresponding to the small hole with a sample molding member having a convex tip with a smaller radius of curvature than the smoothed top opening surface of the sample, the sample molding member being inserted into the internal space from the top opening, while a small hole closing member is brought close to the small hole from the outside of the container-like jig to close the small hole, thereby forming a depression at the position on the smoothed top opening surface of the sample corresponding to the small hole; a gas blowing step of blowing gas into the internal space from the top opening after removing a small hole closing member that has been placed close to the small hole from the outside of the container-like jig, thereby pushing out the sample from the small hole and inflating it; The method is characterized in that, in the gas blowing step, the flow rate of the gas blown into the internal space is adjusted, and the expansion of the test bubble gum is evaluated based on the total amount of gas blown until the sample expands to its maximum size. (Embodiment 2) The method according to embodiment 1, characterized in that in the sample stretching step, the flat-tip sample stretching member flattens the top open side surface of the sample, and the gently convex-shaped tip sample stretching member further presses the sample. (Embodiment 3) 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein in the gas injection step, the flow rate of the gas injected into the internal space is increased continuously or stepwise from 1.0 L / min to 2.0 L / min, and reaches 2.0 L / min to 4.0 L / min 3 to 10 seconds after the start of gas injection, and then the flow rate is maintained at 2.0 L / min to 4.0 L / min. (Embodiment 4) A set for use in a method for evaluating bubble gum expansion, comprising: a container-like jig having an internal space, a top opening, and a bottom surface having a small hole; a small hole closing member having a surface capable of closing the small hole in the container-like jig; a sample extension member that can be inserted into the internal space of the container-like jig from the top opening of the container-like jig and has a flat or gently convex tip; a sample molding member that can be inserted into the internal space of the container-shaped jig from the top opening of the container-shaped jig and has a convex tip portion with a radius of curvature smaller than the radius of curvature of the tip portion of the sample extension member; A set comprising a gas supply device having a gas supply port configured to be connected to a top opening of the container-shaped jig, a gas storage section that stores gas to be blown into the internal space of the container-shaped jig and is connected to the gas supply port via a gas supply path, and a flow control mechanism that adjusts the flow rate of gas to be blown into the internal space of the container-shaped jig. (Embodiment 5) The set according to embodiment 4, wherein the internal space of the container-like jig is cylindrical or elongated cylindrical. (Embodiment 6) The set according to embodiment 4 or 5, wherein the top opening of the container-like jig is circular and configured to screw into the gas supply port. (Embodiment 7) The set according to any one of embodiments 4 to 6, wherein the bottom surface of the container-shaped jig is tapered toward the small hole. (Embodiment 8) A set described in any one of embodiments 4 to 7, characterized in that the flow control mechanism can adjust the flow rate of the gas blown into the internal space of the container-shaped jig within a range of 1.0 L / min or more and 4.0 L / min or less. [Explanation of symbols]

[0082] 11 Container-shaped jig 11-1 Top opening 11-2 Small hole 12 Stoma closing member 13 Sample 14-1, 14-2 Sample extension member 15 Sample molding material 21 Set used in the method for evaluating bubble gum expansion 22 Gas supply port 23 Gas supply line 24 Gas storage section 25 Flow Control Mechanism 26 Stand with clamp

Claims

1. 1. A method for evaluating bubble gum expansion, comprising: A sample preparation step of preparing a sample comprising a gum base obtained by thoroughly chewing a bubble gum to be tested; a sample placement step of placing the sample on a bottom surface of a container-like jig having an internal space, a top opening, and a bottom surface with a small hole formed therein, so as to cover the small hole; a sample stretching step in which, while a small hole closing member is brought close to the small hole from the outside of the container-like jig to close it, the surface of the top opening side of the sample placed on the bottom surface of the container-like jig is pressed evenly into a flat or gently concave shape by a sample stretching member having a flat or gently convex tip portion inserted into the internal space from the top opening; a sample molding step of pressing a position on the smoothed top opening surface of the sample corresponding to the small hole with a sample molding member having a convex tip with a smaller radius of curvature than the smoothed top opening surface of the sample, the sample molding member being inserted into the internal space from the top opening, while a small hole closing member is brought close to the small hole from the outside of the container-like jig to close the small hole, thereby forming a depression at the position on the smoothed top opening surface of the sample corresponding to the small hole; a gas blowing step of blowing gas into the internal space from the top opening after removing a small hole closing member that has been placed close to the small hole from the outside of the container-like jig, thereby pushing out the sample from the small hole and inflating it; The method is characterized in that, in the gas blowing step, the flow rate of the gas blown into the internal space is adjusted, and the expansion of the test bubble gum is evaluated based on the total amount of gas blown until the sample expands to its maximum size.

2. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein in the sample stretching step, the top open side surface of the sample is flattened by the sample stretching member having the flat tip, and the sample is further pressed by the sample stretching member having the gently convex tip.

3. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein in the gas injection step, the flow rate of the gas injected into the internal space is increased continuously or stepwise from 1.0 L / min or more to 2.0 L / min or less until it reaches 2.0 L / min or more to 4.0 L / min or less 3 seconds or more to 10 seconds later from the start of gas injection, and then the flow rate of 2.0 L / min or more to 4.0 L / min or less is maintained.

4. A set for use in a method for evaluating bubble gum expansion, comprising: a container-like jig having an internal space, a top opening, and a bottom surface having a small hole; a small hole closing member having a surface capable of closing the small hole in the container-like jig; a sample extension member that can be inserted into the internal space of the container-like jig from the top opening of the container-like jig and has a flat or gently convex tip; a sample molding member that can be inserted into the internal space of the container-shaped jig from the top opening of the container-shaped jig and has a convex tip portion with a radius of curvature smaller than the radius of curvature of the tip portion of the sample extension member; A set comprising a gas supply device having a gas supply port configured to be connected to a top opening of the container-shaped jig, a gas storage section that stores gas to be blown into the internal space of the container-shaped jig and is connected to the gas supply port via a gas supply path, and a flow control mechanism that adjusts the flow rate of gas to be blown into the internal space of the container-shaped jig.

5. The set according to claim 4, wherein the internal space of the container-like jig is cylindrical or elliptical cylindrical.

6. 6. The set according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the top opening of the container-like jig is circular and configured to be screwed into the gas supply port.

7. The set according to claim 4 , wherein the bottom surface of the container-like jig is tapered toward the small hole.

8. The set according to claim 4, characterized in that the flow control mechanism is capable of adjusting the flow rate of the gas blown into the internal space of the container-shaped jig within a range of 1.0 L / min or more and 4.0 L / min or less.

Images