Block Copolymer Gum Base Microcrystalline Domain Removability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional chewing gum bases with linear, amorphous polymers tend to form cuds that flow into pores and crevices of environmental surfaces, leading to strong adhesion and difficulty in removal, while high melting point crystalline homopolymers can be gritty due to large crystalline domains.
Innovation Solution
Development of chewing gum bases with polymeric networks featuring microcrystalline domains chemically bonded to amorphous polymer domains, utilizing block copolymers with hard crystallizable polyethylene blocks and soft polymeric blocks, which form microcrystalline structures that resist flow and adhesion, allowing for easier removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional chewing gum bases with linear, amorphous polymers are used, then the gum is soft and chewable, but the cud flows into pores and crevices of environmental surfaces leading to strong adhesion and difficulty in removal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the polymer structure by introducing microcrystalline domains with specific melting points (20-80°C) and controlling domain size (0.01-100 μm). This transforms the gum base from purely amorphous to a composite structure with both amorphous and microcrystalline regions, altering the cud's flow behavior and adhesion properties while maintaining chewability through the amorphous matrix.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite polymer structure combining amorphous polymer domains (providing chewability) with microcrystalline domains (providing structural integrity and reduced adhesion). The block copolymer architecture (e.g., A-B-A, A-B-C) forms a composite material where hard crystallizable blocks create microcrystalline regions dispersed in a soft amorphous matrix, achieving both chewability and removability.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If high melting point crystalline homopolymers are used to reduce adhesion, then removability improves, but the material becomes gritty due to large crystalline domains
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the crystalline structure into microcrystalline domains with controlled size (0.01-100 μm) distributed throughout the amorphous matrix. The block copolymer architecture creates discrete crystallizable blocks that form small, uniform microcrystals rather than large aggregates, eliminating gritty texture while maintaining the adhesion-reducing properties of crystalline structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies local quality by creating microcrystalline domains with specific properties (size, melting point) at localized positions within the gum base matrix. The block copolymer structure ensures crystallizable blocks are distributed uniformly at the molecular level, creating microcrystalline regions with consistent properties throughout the material, avoiding the non-uniform large crystals that cause grittiness.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If block copolymers with hard crystallizable blocks are used to form microcrystalline domains, then removability improves, but the formulation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into a single block copolymer molecule: the hard crystallizable blocks provide microcrystalline domain formation for removability, while the soft amorphous blocks provide chewability. This molecular-level merging eliminates the need for separate additives and complex blending procedures, simplifying the overall formulation despite the advanced polymer architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The block copolymer serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the gum base matrix, provides chewability through amorphous regions, creates microcrystalline domains for reduced adhesion, and ensures uniform distribution of crystalline structures. This multi-functionality reduces formulation complexity by replacing multiple separate components with a single versatile polymer architecture.
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 gum bases produce cuds with improved removability from environmental surfaces, maintaining acceptable sensory properties by controlling crystalline domain size and distribution, resulting in a cohesive yet easily removable cud.
Implementation Method 1
at least two hard, crystallizable polyethylene polymeric blocks, wherein the hard, crystallizable polymeric blocks have a melting point greater than 20°C
Implementation Method 2
The microcrystalline domains have melting point greater than 20°C
Data Source
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AI summary
Chewing gums and chewing gum bases which are cud-forming and chewable at mouth temperature contains a block copolymer having at least two hard crystallizable polymeric blocks and at least one soft polymeric block. At least one hard polymeric block is a hard crystallizable polymeric block has a melting point greater than 20°C. The hard, crystallizable polymeric blocks and the soft blocks each have a degree of polymerization of at least 15 Characteristics of the block copolymers can be selected to produce gum bases and chewing gums having desired properties. In some cases, chewed cuds formed from the gum bases may exhibit improved removability from environmental surfaces to which they may become undesirably attached.