Amorphous Sorbitol Bulk Material for Chewing Gum Texture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sugar-free chewing gum products using crystalline polyol powders face challenges with texture consistency, moisture sensitivity, and handling difficulties, requiring high concentrations of sorbitol solutions with glycerin to achieve the right firmness and sweetness, but these can lead to softness and moisture-related issues during storage and processing.
Innovation Solution
A high polyol content, low water content, amorphous bulk material comprising at least 65 wt.% sorbitol, 5-20 wt.% maltitol, and no more than 2 wt.% glycerin, with a glass transition temperature between 30-80 °C, which remains amorphous during mixing and storage, providing a stable texture and eliminating the need for sorbitol solutions and glycerin.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If crystalline polyol powder is used as bulk material, then the gum can achieve appropriate bulk and sweetness, but the texture becomes brittle and non-elastic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the polyol from crystalline to amorphous. This parameter change fundamentally alters the material properties, allowing the bulk material to provide mass and sweetness while maintaining gum elasticity and preventing brittleness during chewing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite system by combining amorphous polyol with gum base and other ingredients. The amorphous nature of the polyol allows it to integrate seamlessly with the gum base matrix, creating a homogeneous composite that maintains flexibility and chewability while providing the necessary bulk.
2Quantity of substance
If crystalline polyol powder is used, then bulk and sweetness are provided, but handling requires dust control systems and bulk dry storage
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the physical state from crystalline powder to amorphous form (which can be supplied as a paste or concentrated solution), the patent eliminates dust generation and simplifies handling. The amorphous form does not require dust control equipment or specialized bulk dry storage systems, reducing facility complexity while maintaining bulk material functionality.
3Ease of manufacture
If high concentration sorbitol solution is used to replace crystalline powder, then cost is reduced, but the gum becomes too soft and moisture-related issues occur during storage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses amorphous polyol which has different moisture interaction properties compared to aqueous solutions. The amorphous form provides the cost benefits of high concentration without the water content that causes softening and moisture-related stability issues during storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent eliminates the need for expensive glycerin and other anti-crystallizing agents that are required when using sorbitol solutions. By using amorphous polyol directly, the formulation achieves stability without requiring multiple expensive additives, reducing overall manufacturing cost while maintaining texture stability.
4Ease of operation
If glycerin is added to sorbitol solution to prevent crystallization, then the solution remains fluid, but the gum becomes too soft and deformable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates glycerin and other anti-crystallizing agents from the formulation. By using amorphous polyol that does not require these additives to maintain fluidity or prevent crystallization, the patent achieves the desired processability without the softening effect that glycerin has on the final gum product.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The amorphous bulk material maintains consistent texture and reduces moisture addition, preventing brittleness and stickiness, ensuring a stable chewing gum product with preferred firmness and chew characteristics, while eliminating the need for dust control equipment and crystallization processes.
Implementation Method 1
wherein the bulk material is amorphous and has a glass transition temperature between 30 - 80 °C as measured by differential scanning calorimetry
Data Source
AI summary
A bulk material suitable for use in a chewing gum contains at least about 40 wt.% dry basis sorbitol, at least about 7 wt.% dry basis other than sorbitol, and no more than about 10 wt.% water, wherein the bulk material 5 is amorphous and remains amorphous with shear. A chewing gum, comprising: a) a gum base; b) a flavor; and c) a bulk material contains at least 40 wt.% dry basis sorbitol, at least 7 wt.% dry basis polyol other than sorbitol and no more than 10 wt.% water.