Pellet Chewing Gum Coating for Soft Core and Crisp Cooling Bite
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for new chewing gum products that offer a softer core texture and a coating that provides a low crunch compared to hard panned coatings and a crisper crunch compared to soft panned coatings, while also delivering unique flavor transitions and rapid mouth cooling effects.
Innovation Solution
A soft chewing gum composition with a core having a Shore A hardness of 12 to 30 and a friable coating made from sugar alcohols like xylitol or erythritol, combined with a bulk sweetener ratio of xylitol and sorbitol, is coated with alternating layers of syrup and dry charge to achieve a peak force of 1500 to 3000 grams, providing a crispy bite and intense cooling effect.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If hard panning process is used to create a crunchy coating, then the coating hardness is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and number of process steps increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the coating material by using sugar alcohols with large negative heats of solution instead of traditional sugars. This parameter change allows the coating to achieve desired hardness and crunch through controlled dissolution and crystallization during chewing, rather than through complex multi-step hard panning processes. The specific selection of sugar alcohols with particular heats of solution enables modulation of coating properties without increasing manufacturing complexity.
2Loss of time
If soft panning process is used to create a tender coating, then the manufacturing time is reduced, but the coating crunch is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite coating materials combining sugar alcohols with specific properties (large negative heats of solution) and controlling their particle size distribution. This composite approach allows the coating to achieve both rapid formation (like soft panning) and adequate crunch (like hard panning) by leveraging the unique dissolution and crystallization characteristics of the sugar alcohol mixture, eliminating the need to choose between conflicting process speeds.
3Ease of operation
If a softer gum core is used to provide soft chew, then the consumer comfort is improved, but the coating application becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the physical parameters of the coating material using sugar alcohols with specific heats of solution and controlled particle sizes. These parameter changes enable the coating to adhere properly to softer gum cores without causing deformation or poor adhesion. The controlled dissolution and crystallization behavior of the sugar alcohols allows the coating to set properly on softer cores, maintaining both consumer comfort and manufacturing feasibility.
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 solution results in a coated chewing gum product with a soft chew, crispy texture, and unique flavor transitions, offering a significant cooling effect and visual interest through hybrid panning coating processes.
Implementation Method 1
the coating comprises a sugar alcohol having a large negative heat of solution, such as xylitol, erythritol, or a combination thereof
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are compositions useful for improving or enhancing the organoleptic properties, especially mouth feel and surface cooling effect, of pellet chewing gum. The compositions having a core chewing gum region with a Shore A hardness of less than 40, specifically less than 35; and a friable coating region providing a significant cooling effect as exhibited by rapid endothermic surface coating dissolution.