Palatinose Chewing Gum Core Conditioning Time Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing chewing gum production processes require lengthy conditioning times for compositions containing sorbitol or maltitol, typically ranging from 12 to 48 hours, which limits production efficiency and necessitates batchwise processing.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating hydrogenated or non-hydrogenated palatinose into the chewing gum base composition allows for significantly reduced conditioning times, potentially to less than 5 hours or even zero, enabling continuous production and flexible processing schedules.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If maltitol or sorbitol is used in chewing gum composition, then the composition provides desired functional properties, but the conditioning time increases to 12-48 hours

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional properties of chewing gumVSAvoidconditioning time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameter by substituting maltitol or sorbitol with hydrogenated or non-hydrogenated palatinose in the chewing gum composition. This parameter change in the sugar alcohol type reduces the conditioning time from 12-48 hours to significantly shorter periods while maintaining the functional properties of the chewing gum.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If traditional chewing gum production process is used, then batchwise processing is performed, but productivity decreases due to lengthy conditioning times

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebatchwise processingVSAvoidproduction output

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables continuous production by eliminating the lengthy batchwise conditioning step. The use of palatinose allows the manufacturing process to proceed continuously without long resting periods, transforming the discontinuous batch process into a continuous operation that significantly increases productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Strength

If sorbitol-containing composition is used, then the composition achieves proper hardness, but the conditioning time extends to 12-24 hours

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehardness of chewing gum coreVSAvoidconditioning time

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition by replacing sorbitol with hydrogenated or non-hydrogenated palatinose. This parameter change maintains the hardness and strength characteristics of the chewing gum core while reducing the conditioning time from 12-24 hours to much shorter durations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2836080A1Process for shortening the conditioning time of a composition of a chewing gum core in a chewing gum preparation process

Publication Date: 2015.02.18 SUDZUCKER AG MANNHEIM OCHSENFURT

AI summary

The present invention relates to a process for shortening the conditioning time of a composition of a chewing gum core in a chewing gum preparation process, wherein hydrogenated or non- hydrogenated palatinose is mixed with a chewing gum base composition and to the use of hydrogenated or non-hydrogenated palatinose in a composition of a chewing gum core for shortening the conditioning time.